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: 

 

 

 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. 

 

 

 

 

 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. 

 

 

 

 

 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”).