# COMM setup Here we learn about how COMMs are setup for realistic missions. This Includes: - VHF/UHF - AM/FM - Guardfrq. - Buttons - DataLink COMMs/MIDs # F/A-18C Hornet – COMMs and Preset Button Usage In the F/A-18C Hornet, communication is managed through two ARC-210 radios: **COMM 1** and **COMM 2**, each with 20 programmable preset channels, known as “buttons.” These presets are configured prior to a mission and allow the pilot to quickly access the correct frequency for ATC, AWACS, tanker, strike coordination, and flight communications without manually tuning frequencies in-flight. --- ### **Example COMMs Preset Layout** Below is an example preset configuration for a carrier-based mission in the Syria theater, used by a multi-element Hornet squadron: --- ### **COMM 1 – ARC-210 (ATC, AWACS, Tankers)**

Button	Purpose	Freq.	Additional Info
1	Departure	127.5AM
2	CSG (STRIKE)	320.0AM
3	Recovery (Marshal)	127.5AM	55X, 5 ICLS
4	AWACS (MAGIC)	251.0AM
5	AWACS (IMAGE)	256.0AM
6	Tanker (Arco 1-1)	254.0AM	11Y
7	Damascus Tower	253.25AM
8	Ramat David Tower	251.3AM
11	Tanker (Texaco 1-1)	268.0AM	Recv. 1Y

- **Buttons 1 & 3** are both ATC-related; Button 3 adds ICLS and TACAN info for carrier recovery. - **Buttons 4–5** cover AWACS callsigns for picture and broadcast. - **Buttons 6 & 11** are tankers, with TACAN channels for AAR navigation. - **Buttons 7–8** provide regional tower freqs for Damascus and Ramat David in case of divert or transit ops. --- ### **COMM 2 – ARC-210 (Flight COMMs)**

Button	Purpose	Freq.
1	Flight (Phobetor 1)	301.0AM
2	Element (Phobetor 1)	301.5AM
3	Flight (Phobetor 2)	302.0AM
4	Element (Phobetor 2)	302.5AM

- COMM 2 is reserved for **intra-flight communication**. - **Flight** refers to all 4 jets in the element; **Element** refers to each 2-ship pair. - This division helps keep comms concise during tactical execution. --- ### **How to Switch Preset Channels** To switch between presets in the F/A-18C: 1. **Use the UFC (Up Front Controller):** - Press the `COM 1` or `COM 2` button on the UFC. - Rotate the **channel select knob** just below the UFC screen to cycle through presets (1–20). - The currently selected button will appear in the top left of the UFC window. 2. **Monitor and Talk:** - Ensure the desired radio (COMM 1 or COMM 2) is selected for transmission by checking the transmit selector knob on the **Audio Control Panel**. - A small dot will appear next to the active radio on the HUD or DDI when transmitting. 3. **Manual Override (if needed):** - You can manually input a frequency via the UFC if a preset is unavailable, but preset switching is faster and less workload-intensive. --- ### **Tactical Tips** - Use **COMM 1** for ATC, AWACS, tankers, and base frequencies. - Use **COMM 2** for **tactical intra-flight communication**. - Maintain discipline: only speak when necessary and always identify yourself (e.g., “Phobetor 1-2, tally two bandits, 240, 15 miles”). # Understanding UHF, VHF, AM, and FM in the F/A-18C Hornet Effective radio communication in the F/A-18C Hornet depends not only on proper frequency presets but also on understanding the **radio bands** and **modulation types** used: **UHF**, **VHF**, **AM**, and **FM**. These terms describe **how** and **where** a signal is transmitted and received. --- ### 📡 **Radio Bands: UHF and VHF**

Band	Frequency Range	Use in F/A-18C	Notes
UHF (Ultra High Freq.)	225.000 – 399.975 MHz	Primary for military ATC, AWACS, strike coordination, and aircraft-to-aircraft comms	Most default military channels are UHF
VHF (Very High Freq.)	30.000 – 174.000 MHz	Used for ground comms (JTAC), ATC (civilian), and some regional towers	VHF is often used for ground-based ops or coalition forces

- The **ARC-210** radios in the F/A-18C can operate in both UHF and VHF bands. Frequencies are manually entered or selected via preset channels. - Most **airborne assets (AWACS, tankers, flights)** will use **UHF**. - **Ground-based assets** (JTAC, civilian ATC, regional towers) may use **VHF**. --- ### 🎚️ **Modulation Types: AM and FM**

Modulation	Use Case	Supported in F/A-18C	Notes
AM (Amplitude Modulation)	Standard for aviation comms	✔ Yes	Used for most UHF/VHF radio calls (ATC, AWACS, flights)
FM (Frequency Modulation)	Ground forces, JTAC, and CAS	✔ Yes	Typically used in VHF band (30–88 MHz); more resistant to static/interference

- **AM is default** and is used for nearly all aviation communications in DCS. - **FM is used** when talking to **JTACs or ground units** via VHF (e.g., 30.00–76.00 MHz). The ARC-210 supports this, and DCS will auto-modulate based on frequency. --- ### 🛠️ **How to Know What You're Using** - When tuning radios in DCS, you don’t explicitly select AM or FM—**the modulation is determined by the frequency entered**. - Example: - `251.000` → UHF AM - `30.000` → VHF FM - `127.500` → VHF AM - As a rule: - **Above 108 MHz = AM** - **Below 88 MHz = FM** - **Between 108–174 MHz = AM unless specifically in FM JTAC band** --- ### ✅ **Quick Comms Summary**

Frequency	Band	Modulation	Typical Use
251.000	UHF	AM	AWACS / Tower
127.500	VHF	AM	Carrier ATC / Civil ATC
30.000	VHF	FM	JTAC / Ground troops
320.000	UHF	AM	Strike package net
268.000	UHF	AM	Tanker (Texaco)

--- ### 🧠 **In Practice (DCS Tips)** - Use **AM for all aircraft/airfield comms** unless you're talking to **JTAC or infantry units**. - If using **SRS (Simple Radio Standalone)**, make sure your SRS settings allow **auto modulation switching** based on frequency. - The **Hornet’s radios do not allow manually selecting modulation type**—it’s automatic based on freq. # MIDS Voice COMMs in the F/A-18C Hornet The **MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System)** in the F/A-18C Hornet isn’t just for Link-16 data—it also supports **encrypted voice communication** over two digital voice channels: **VOCA** and **VOCB**. These can be used as additional comm channels for secure, low-latency coordination between flights, elements, or mission commanders—**especially useful when normal UHF/VHF radios are saturated or compromised**. --- ### 🔊 **VOCA and VOCB – What They Are** - **VOCA (Voice Channel A)** and **VOCB (Voice Channel B)** are two **digital voice channels** built into the MIDS terminal. - They **do not use traditional UHF/VHF frequencies**—instead, they ride on **Link-16 waveforms**, piggybacking off the tactical data link infrastructure. - Voice transmission is **digital, secure, and line-of-sight (LOS)** only. --- ### ⚙️ **How MIDS Voice Works in the F/A-18C** 1. **Channel Selection:** - VOCA and VOCB are each assigned a **MIDS Voice Channel** between **1 and 126**. - These channels **must be set identically across all aircraft** intending to communicate on the same VOCA or VOCB net. - Channel **127 is a special case**—**selecting channel 127 disables MIDS voice on that channel** entirely. 2. **Radio Binding:** - Once set, you can transmit over VOCA/VOCB just like a normal radio. - Voice activity over VOCA/VOCB is not displayed in the normal ARC-210 frequency windows but can be monitored using the **AUDIO PANEL** toggles. 3. **Setup in DCS:** - MIDS channels are typically set via the **D/L (Data Link) page** on the UFC or **MIDS Control Panel**. - Ensure VOCA/VOCB are on assigned, matching channels across aircraft. - Toggle VOCA or VOCB transmit via the **Audio Panel’s rotary selector** behind your left hip --- ### ✅ **Advantages of MIDS Voice** - ✅ **Encrypted and secure** – immune to most jamming and eavesdropping in DCS. - ✅ **Frees up UHF/VHF radios** for other roles (e.g., AWACS, tower, package net). - ✅ **Integrated with Link-16**, so all participants on the network have voice and data link automatically aligned. - ✅ **Very low latency**, ideal for tactical comms between close-range cooperating flights. --- ### ❌ **Limitations / Caveats** - ❌ **Line-of-sight only** – no ground station relays; if terrain blocks LOS, comms will drop. - ❌ **No feedback on frequency or signal strength** like UHF/VHF radios. - ❌ **Can be hard to manage if your team isn’t disciplined about VOCA vs. VOCB roles.** --- ### 📋 **Quick Setup Checklist (DCS)** 1. On the D/L UFC page: - Set **MIDS A Voice Channel** to e.g., `10` - Set **MIDS B Voice Channel** to e.g., `20` 2. On the **Audio Control Panel**: - Rotate COMM selector knob to **VOCA** or **VOCB** - Toggle transmit switch ON for that channel 3. Transmit like any other radio using the assigned COMM switch (usually HOTAS bound) --- ### 🛠️ **SRS Note (if using Simple Radio Standalone)** - MIDS voice isn’t supported directly in SRS. - However, VOCA/VOCB behavior can be **simulated** by binding a separate SRS channel (e.g., SRS Radio 3 and 4) and assigning it to your VOCA/VOCB function for training or realism purposes. # Guard Frequency in the F/A-18C Hornet The **Guard frequency** is a critical part of your communications setup in any aircraft—and the F/A-18C is no exception. In both real-world and DCS operations, monitoring Guard is essential for **safety, coordination, and emergency response**. --- ### 🆘 What Is Guard? The **Guard frequency** is a set of two international emergency channels that are always monitored by military and civilian aircraft: - **UHF Guard:** `243.000 MHz` – used primarily by **military aircraft** - **VHF Guard:** `121.500 MHz` – used by **civilian aircraft**, but also monitored by many military units These frequencies are used for: - **Distress calls (MAYDAY / PAN PAN)** - **Airspace deconfliction** - **Lost comm procedures** - **Emergency coordination** In DCS, **UHF Guard (243.000)** is the most relevant. --- ### 🔧 How the Hornet Handles Guard The F/A-18C automatically **monitors UHF Guard in the background**, regardless of which frequency you're actively tuned to—**as long as Guard is enabled on your Audio Control Panel**. You can listen to and transmit on Guard using the following controls: --- ### 📟 Guard Monitoring Controls #### 🔉 **Listening to Guard** 1. Look at the **Audio Control Panel** (left console, below the left DDI). 2. The **COMM 1 and COMM 2 knobs** include a setting labeled **G** for **Guard**. 3. Rotate the **selector knob** to **G** to monitor Guard frequency audio. 4. Adjust volume using the corresponding **COMM volume knob**. > Note: You can monitor Guard **alongside any other active frequency**, making it great for picking up emergency calls without missing your flight comms. --- #### 🗣️ **Transmitting on Guard** If you need to transmit on Guard (rare but possible in emergencies): 1. **Set COMM 1 or COMM 2** to **manual mode** 2. **Dial in 243.000** MHz 3. Transmit as usual using your assigned COMM switch > 💡 Most Hornet squadrons **monitor Guard passively** but do not transmit on it unless instructed or in an emergency.