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 |
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 |
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COMM 2 is reserved for intra-flight communication.
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Flight refers to all 4 jets in the element; Element refers to each 2-ship pair.
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This division helps keep comms concise during tactical execution.
How to Switch Preset Channels
To switch between presets in the F/A-18C:
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Use the UFC (Up Front Controller):
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Press the
COM 1orCOM 2button on the UFC. -
Rotate the channel select knob just below the UFC screen to cycle through presets (1–20).
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The currently selected button will appear in the top left of the UFC window.
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Monitor and Talk:
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Ensure the desired radio (COMM 1 or COMM 2) is selected for transmission by checking the transmit selector knob on the Audio Control Panel.
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A small dot will appear next to the active radio on the HUD or DDI when transmitting.
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Manual Override (if needed):
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You can manually input a frequency via the UFC if a preset is unavailable, but preset switching is faster and less workload-intensive.
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Tactical Tips
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Use COMM 1 for ATC, AWACS, tankers, and base frequencies.
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Use COMM 2 for tactical intra-flight communication.
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Maintain discipline: only speak when necessary and always identify yourself (e.g., “Phobetor 1-2, tally two bandits, 240, 15 miles”).