Communications

Question 1

What is command & control (C2)?

Answer 1

“The exercise of authority and direction by a designated Commander to accomplish a mission.” MCDP 6, PG 1-7

Question 2

What is communication?

Answer 2

The process of converting data into a signal, passing that signal to the distant point, and at the destination converting the energy into data that can be used to make decisions.

Communication enables command and control.

Question 3

Describe the properties of radio waves

Answer 3

Radio Wave: A rhythmic stream of continuous Electromagnetic waves which conveys information

Amplitude: STRENGTH, measured in volts, visualized as a wave’s height

Wavelength: DISTANCE between crests of a wave

Frequency: number of REPETITIONS given a period of time.
◦ Lower frequencies have longer wavelengths
◦ Higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths
◦ Modulation: The impressing of information upon and transmission medium

Question 4

What are the different types of antennas?

Answer 4

• Omnidirectional (360 direction shoot)
  ◦ Good for tactical, mobile directions
• Bidirectional (two different directions)
• Directional (one direction)

Question 5

What are the different types of radio frequencies?

Answer 5

• HF = High Frequency
  ◦ Wavelength: 10-100 meters
  ◦ Travel long long distances so great for distance
• VHF: Very High Frequency
  ◦ Wavelength: 1-10 meters
  ◦ 30=89.99 MHz
  ◦ Platoon level comms
• UHF: Ultra High Frequency
  ◦ Wavelength: < 1 meters
  ◦ Line of sight usage (primarily for communicating with air)

Question 6

Explain radio etiquette terms

Answer 6

• “Break”
  ◦ Use when your transmission is longer than 4 seconds. sure you un-key the handset after saying it
• “Over”
  ◦ Use when you are done with your entire transmission and expect a response
• “Out”
  ◦ Used by initiator when all traffic is complete
• “Say again vs. Repeat”
  ◦ Use for when you do not understand transmission. Repeat is used only for Fire missions
• “Roger”
  ◦ Use when understand or copy the traffic
• “Affirm & Negative”
  ◦ Used to confirm or deny
• Call Signs
  ◦ Enlisted = Phonetic Alphabet/rank/letter
  ‣ Echo
  ◦ Officer = Phonetic Alphabet/rank/letter
  ‣ Oscar