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”).