# 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**.

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### 🆘 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.

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### 🔧 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:

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### 📟 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.

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#### 🗣️ **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.