Tactical Radio Basics

By Monkey
Introduction
● US Navy
○ Operation Specialist 1989-1993
● Amatuer Radio Operator
○ For about 15 years
● GMRS Operator
○ Off and On for 12 years
Basic Radio Terms
● Cycle - one complete wave from start to finish
● Frequency - number of cycles per s defined time frame.
● Hertz (Hz) - 1 cycle per second
● Megahertz (MHz) - 1,000,000 cycles per second.
● Wavelength - The distance from crest to crest of a wave.
● Watt - Unit of Power
● Channel - an assigned frequency and transmission mode
● Antenna gain (measured in dB or dBi) - A relative measure of an antenna's
ability to direct or concentrate radio frequency energy in a particular direction
or pattern.
● HT - Handie Talkie - Portable Handheld radio
● Mobile - Vehicle mounted Radio
Cycle
Wavelength
Frequency and Wavelengths
General Frequency Categories
● High Frequency (HF) - 3 to 30 MHz
● Very High Frequency (VHF) - 30 to 300 MHz
● Ultra High Frequency (UHF) - 300 to 3000 MHz
Radio Services
● Business Radio
● Amatuer Radio Service (HAM)
● Citizen's Band (CB)
● Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
● Family Radio Service (FRS)
● General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Business Radio
● Operates a variety of UHF and VHF frequencies
● Analog NBFM,Digital FM
● Only on specific channels licensed
● Usually uses a Repeater
● FCC Part 90
● License Required
● Usually expensive
Amateur Radio Service (HAM)
● Can operate in a wide spectrum including VHF, UHF, HF
● Variety of modes AM, FM, SSB, CW, Digital
● No Channels rather direct frequency allocations based on FCC and Band plans
● Up to 1500 watts out allowed (on certain modes and frequencies)
● Removable antennas allowed
● FCC Part 97
● License required (10 years) (Test Required)
● No Business Communications allowed
● No Encryption allowed
● May use non-Part 97 certified equipment.
Citizens Band (CB)
● Operates in HF (27 MHz) spectrum
● Analog AM and SSB (only found on some models)
● 40 Channels
● 4 Watts Max (AM) and 12 Watts Max (SSB)
● May have a removeable antenna
● FCC Part 95 Subpart D
● No License Required
● For HTs the range is almost worthless
● Lots of illegal activity
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
● Operates in the VHF (150 Mhz) spectrum
● Analog FM and NBFM
● 5 Channels
● 2 Watts max output
● Removable antennas allowed
● FCC part 95 Subpart J
● No License Required
Family Radio Service (FRS)
● Operates in the UHF (460 MHz) spectrum
● Analog NBFM
● 14 Channels (7 shared with GMRS)
● ½ Watt out
● Requires fixed antenna
● FCC Part 95 Subpart B
● No License Required
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
● Operates in the UHF (460 MHz) spectrum
● Analog NBFM and FM
● 15 Channels (7 Shared with FRS)
● Repeater capable on 8 Channels
● 5 watts max output on handhelds, 50 watts max on base stations
● May have removable antennas but must be fixed on FRS/GMRS combos
● FCC Part 95 subpart A
● License is required (No Test, 5 years, current set at $65)
Radio Ranges
Equipment Selection
● Radios
● Antennas
● Microphones/Earphones
● Misc
Radio Selection (HT)
Radio Select (Mobiles)
BaoFeng UV-5R and variants (Part 90 Radio)
● VHF/UHF
● 5 watts out VHF, 4 watts out UHF
● 128 programmable channels
● VFO or MR
● Dual Watch Receive (V/V, U/U, V/U, U/V)
● Kenwood Style Microphone/speaker jacks
● Can be programmed from the front panel with limitations
● Can be programmed from computer (prefered)
● Has been called by some as the Militia Radio
● Cheap about $30
Choosing an antenna
● Use an antenna design for the frequencies that you are going to use.
● Common HT antennas will be described as ¼ wave or ⅛ wave according to
the frequencies that they will operate on. This will affect the length of antenna.
The larger the fraction the long the antenna will be.
● Will be rated in dB gain relative to a ½ wave dipole antenna.
● Longer is not always better.
● There are different antenna connectors use the correct one. The BaoFeng
uses SMA female connectors types.
Choosing a Microphone
Important Accessories
● Programming Cable and Software
● Extra batteries
○ AA Battery Packs
● Radio Pouch
● Battery Eliminators
● Antenna adaptors
● Mag mount antennas
Front Panel Programming UV-5R
● VFO direct programming
● MR Programming
VFO Direct Programming
1. Put BaoFeng in VFO mode with VFO/MR Button.
2. Select a Channel A or B
3. Use Keypad to entry in Frequency, using the arrow keys to set the .0005 part of any frequency.
a. For GMRS frequencies, you need to have your Step size set to either 2.5,6.25,or 12.5. This can be set by to the menu
and setting option 1 to one of those values if not already set. I typically use 12.5 but any of these will work for this
purpose.
4. Hit [MENU] key, Use arrow keys to go option 2, Hit [MENU]
5. Use arrow keys to select high or low power
6. Press [MENU]
7. Use Arrow Keys to go to option 5, Press [MENU]
8. Use arrow keys to select either wide or narrow FM. Midland Channels 1-14 are Narrow, 15-22 are wide.
9. Press [MENU]
10. Use arrow keys to go option 11 (For CTCSS), Press [MENU]
11. Use arrow to select Tone or off for no tone
12. Press [MENU]
13. Use Arrow Keys to go to option 13 (For CTCSS), Press [MENU]
14. Use arrow keys to select Tone or off for no tone
15. Hit [MENU] Key.
16. Hit [EXIT] Key
Channel and PL Tone Charts
MR Programming
● Decide which Channel you want to store the VFO ● Enter Channel Number to Store to
to ● Press [MENU]
● Set radio to VFO ● Press [EXIT] - At this point you have stored the
● Select the Channel A VFO as the Receive Frequency
● Perform the Simple with Tone above on Channel A ● Press [MENU]
● Press [MENU] ● Use Arrow Keys to go to option 27 (likely you are
● Use arrow keys to go to option 28 already there)
● Press [MENU] ● Press [MENU]
● Enter Channel Number to Delete ● Enter Channel Number to Store to
● Press [MENU] ● Press [MENU]
● Press [EXIT]
● Double check Simplex with Tone set on Channel A CHANNEL NAME CAN ONLY BE SET VIA SOFTWARE
● Press [MENU] PROGRAMMING
● Use Arrow Keys to go to option 27
● Press [MENU]
Other Notes on the UV-5R
● 128 channels can fill up fast
● Try to leave at least 10 channels available for field programming
● Recommend using CHIRP for PC programming
○ http://chirp.danplanet.com/
Basic Radio Procedures
● Callsign Assignments
● Radio Check
● Group Radio Check
● Checking into a Net
● Checking out of a Net
● Sending Traffic
● Sending SITREPs
● SALUTE/SPOT Report
● CONTACT Report
● Authentication (Simple & Complex)
Callsigns/Codenames
Considerations

● Purpose of Net, do you need COMSEC?

● Are there Callsigns already assigned based off radio service?
○ If yes are you allowed to use Tactical Callsigns with them?
● Do you need to change them?

Callsign Choices

● Location or Position Based

● Letter & Number Assignments
● Codenames
Codename Considerations
● Don’t Use single syllable words
● Should be Distinct and should be close to other codewords
○ Aka no “Huey”, “Dewy”, and “Louie”
● Shouldn’t relate to or describe the station
● Shouldn’t be hard to pronounce
● Should be changed on a regular basis (typically daily)
Phonetic Alphabet (NATO)
General Transmit Procedure
1. Listen - Make sure there is no other traffic on the radio
2. Compose - Make sure you already know what you want to say. Try to keep
the radio traffic to a minimum
3. Activate - Push you Push-To-Talk button.
4. Wait - wait a second or two before you do anything else. If you are using
Tones, this allows the receiving radio to actually output what you are going to
send. Otherwise the begining of your transmission might be clipped.
5. Send your Traffic - In a slow steady voice send your traffic. Try to keep your
mouth about an inch away from the microphone if it is of the appropriate type.
If you are too close, your message may get garbled.
6. Listen - For any replies or further traffic
Radio Check
● Usually done with the Net Control Station or NET
● Format: NET this is <YOUR CALLSIGN> radio check over
● Example Transmission
○ NET this is ALPHA radio check over
○ ALPHA this is NET read you loud and clear over
○ NET this is ALPHA roger out
Checking into a NET
● Types of NETs
○ Controlled - Only transmission to and from NCS are allowed unless permission to go direct is
requested and granted
○ Open - Any station may call any other station. For most situations this is the norm.
● Types of Check-Ins
○ Roll Call - NCS request units to check in. Unit check in only giving callsign
■ Example
● All Units this is NET check in over
● Alpha over; Bravo over; Delta over;
○ As Needed - Unit checks in when they start monitoring Net
■ Example
● NET this is Charlie checking in over
Checking out of a NET
● Use only if needed by situation
○ Format: NET this is <CALLSIGN> securing over
○ Example
■ NET this is FOXTROT securing over
■ FOXTROT this is NET roger out
● If you will be radio silent for a short time let NET know
○ Format: NET this is <CALLSIGN> I will be off air for <DURATION> over
○ Example
■ NET this is GOLF I will be off air for 30 minutes over
■ GOLF this is NET roger out
Sending Traffic
● Traffic is any message you want to send
○ General Format: NET (or station you want to send to) this is <CALLSIGN> <traffic> over
○ Example: NET this is ZULU will arrive at point Baker in 20 minutes over
● Use a general call, if needed to insure other station can receive you
○ Format: NET (or station) this is <CALLSIGN> over
○ Example: NET this is YANKEE over; YANKEE this is NET go ahead over
Important PROWORDS
● ANY STATION - used in place of callsign to have any station reply to your call.
● BREAK - used to indicate a pause.
● AFFIRMATIVE/NEGATIVE - used instead of yes/no for allow reliable
transmission.
● UNKNOWN STATION - used to tell the prior sending station that you did get
their identity. Used in place of the callsign.
● INTERROGATIVE - used to ask a question.
● NOTHING HEARD - used to tell the called station that you have not recieved
any transmission from them.
Sending a SITREP
● SITREP (Situational Report) is a concise periodic statement of activities, status,
and intentions.
● Frequency various but usually is at least every 24 hours
● Comes in many formats
● Format 8-line
○ UNIT CALLSIGN,Position,Recent Activity,Casualties,Equipment Status, Enemy KIA,Intel,Your
intention
● Simplified Format
○ Time of Report, Own Forces, Enemy Forces, Your Intention
Sending a SALUTE/SPOT report
● SPOT report is made when a reporting unit has detected enemy or unknown
activity
● Format : SIZE, ACTIVITY, LOCATION, UNIFORM, TIME, EQUIPMENT
● Remember Accuracy is important! If you seen only 3 people but hear more, just
say 3 people seen plus others hear.
● Example: NET this is ALPHA, 4 people seen travelling north on road from point
Hill 435 wearing black uniforms carrying long arms about 4 minutes ago over
Sending a CONTACT Report
● Used to notice all units on frequency that contact with a combatant has been
made
● Uses the Proword CONTACT in place of station
● Format: CONTACT, CONTACT, CONTACT (this is <CALLSIGN>) <enemy
position> <estimated range> <number and type of contact> <action and by
whom, if any required> out
● Example: CONTACT, CONTACT, CONTACT this is FOXTROT 3 o’Clock 25 yards
5 Tango with small arms ALL WEAPONS, OPEN FIRE, OUT
● Example: CONTACT, CONTACT, CONTACT this is FOXTROT 11 o’Clock 50
yards 5 Tango with small arms on 2nd floor ALPHA and BRAVO, OPEN FIRE,
OUT
Squad Radio Check
● Perform basic check with another station on a non-NET channel
○ Example: if using Channel 5 for the net, use 6 to check that your basic equip is functioning.
○ This prevents a lot of stray traffic on the main NET channel
● Switch to Primary NET Channel
● Check into NET if applicable
Mission Words
● Two Types
○ Brevity - Used reduced the amount of traffic
■ At Ingress Point
■ At Object Rally Point
■ Beginning Assault/Mission Objective
■ Mission Success
■ At Extraction Point
○ COMSEC - Used to provide Communication Security
■ Change to a Certain Channel
■ Radios have been compromised
● Should be follow rules similar to callsign codewords
Voice Authentication
● 10 Letter
● Dryad
10 Letter

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

E A R T H L I N G S

● Simple (Good for 3-4 authentications)

○ Authenticate R
○ I authenticate 3
● 2 Letter (addition)
○ Authenticate H S
○ I authenticate 15
DRYAD
● Authenticate Down
○ Authenticate G Y
○ I Authenticate U
● Set Across (to encode)
○ Meet me in I set S B I Y
○ S B uses line P
○ Line P gives us 45 for I Y
Basic Communications
* Quick Radio Service Overview
* Quick Equipment Selection
* How to Field Program the UV-5R and variants
**** Hands On Field Programming
* Basic Comm Procedures
**** General Transmit Procedure
**** Conducting Radio Checks
**** General Traffic Sending
**** Hands on Basic Comm Procedures
Tactical Radio
Include Basic Communications above Plus the following
* PC programing of the UV-5R
* Callsigns and Codewords
* SPOT/SALUTE Reports
* SITREP Reports
* CONTACT Reports
* Communication Security including some authentication methods