US Coast Guard Auxiliary

National Response Directorate Telecommunications Division

USCGAUX Augmentation Communications (AUGCOM) Mission Tactics, Techniques and Procedures

The Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures included in this document are for implementation of the USCG Auxiliary Augmentation Communications Mission (AUGCOM) as approved by the USCG Communications Command (COMMCOM) and the USCG Auxiliary. The purpose of this Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures document is to enable Auxiliary Radio Facility operators, who are qualified mission participants, to meet the stated requirements of the Coast Guard while working within the defined mission as approved by the Auxiliary NEXCOM. The mission defining document is “US Coast Guard Auxiliary Augmentation Communications” dated 12 FEB 2015.

OVERVIEW

The AUGCOM mission directly supports the USCG Communications Command (COMMCOM), Sectors, and other Coast Guard commands in their efforts to ensure adequate coverage of, and response to, GMDSS HF/MF maritime communications including both voice (single side band) and digital selective calling modes, as well as other radio services, as may be ordered by COMMCOM. AUGCOM utilizes a select group of qualified Auxiliary HF/MF radio facilities and operators that are specifically approved and authorized to participate in this program. They are designated as Augmentation Communications Stations (AUGCOMSTA). Auxiliarists participating in this mission serve in direct support of the Coast Guard as it fulfills its responsibility to the world-wide Maritime Community.

Participation is encouraged by AUGCOM designated Auxiliary Radio Facilities in the Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam. Each AUGCOM station will be expected to commit to monitor as many of the GMDSS radio frequencies and modes as possible when assigned to duty by the Coast Guard, Communications Command (COMMCOM). Assignments and watch standing sessions may be lengthy and can last multiple hours.

AUGCOMSTA operating under orders for watch standing are obligated to report specific information in specific formats to the “watch” of the COMMCOM by telephone and by email. The information and the formats are specified in the “REPORTING OF INTERCEPT EVENTS” section below.

NOTE: A station receiving a GMDSS request shall not respond, unless specifically authorized to do so, by the OIA.

Page 1 of 8 CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

AUGCOMSTA must have equipment capable of receiving and decoding High Frequency Digital Selective Calling (HF/DSC) on the six designated channels used for that mode worldwide. Additionally, the station must be capable of two-way, upper sideband voice communications between 2-22 MHZ and specifically on the six designated GMDSS voice distress and calling channels. A receiver bandwidth of 2.4 - 2.9 kHz is required for voice modes and 0.7 kHz should be available for HF/DSC.

The AUGCOM stations must also be equipped with appropriate discrete component modems to decode HF/DSC or computer equipment along with approved software to accomplish the same result. In addition to decoding the HF/DSC traffic the modem or computer equipment must be capable of receiving, locally displaying, and storing in permanent electronic form both the decoded HF/DSC traffic received and the “raw” messages that correlate with each decoded HF/DSC message.

Finally, each station must be capable of recording (preferably in digital form) the voice signals received as a part of the intercepts described below. That recording must also be available for transmission via email attachments or to a designated on line website.

In addition to the initial evaluation and approval of station and operator capabilities as a part of the application process, each AUGCOMSTA must demonstrate its continued ability to meet AUGCOMSTA operational requirements at least every six months.

Meeting operational requirements is defined as:

1. Demonstrate the ability to successfully receive, decode, and store HF/DSC traffic no less often than every six months. “Successfully” is defined as receiving, decoding, and storing HF/DSC traffic at least as well as a designated “master” station. That “master” station could be another AUGCOMSTA or one of the remote receiving sites for HF/DSC controlled by COMMCOM; and 2. Each AUGCOMSTA will be required to exchange “radio checks” using upper sideband voice with at least two of the remote transceive sites controlled by COMMCOM or the BC-RTC no less often than every six months.

The BC-RTC or designee will provide both lists of acceptable equipment and software. The BC- RTC or designee will also provide access to the necessary training of operators to be qualified as the lead operator for an AUGCOMSTA.

MINIMUM STATION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION

The station must be an inspected USCG Auxiliary HF radio facility, with an assigned HF radio call sign and the operator must be AUXCOM and TCO qualified before being considered.

Satisfactory proof of performance capability as described in CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS above is required. As part of the application process to become an AUGCOMSTA, the candidate station must provide a listing of receiving and transmitting equipment (antenna, transceiver make and model, modem, recording devices). A brief description of the available computer hardware and the operating system in use must be provided as well as the level of internet connectivity. The fixed land location (latitude/longitude coordinates); the tool used to Page 2 of 8 ensure that the computer clock is synchronized to a standard Universal Coordinated Time source at least once every 24 hours; day(s) and time frame(s) available for assignment to the mission, and complete point of contact information must be given.

The owner/operator should send a c o p y of any FCC commercial and/or amateur radio license, or proof of federal, state, or private communications experience.

STATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY

AUGCOM stations should have the capability of remaining in operational status for monitoring both voice and data GMDSS channels as well as logging and transmitting results via computer regardless of the availability of commercial power for at least 72 hours in order to support Coast Guard activity during maritime and coastal storms as well as other appropriate events.

SPECIFIC FREQUENCY AND MODE REQUIREMENTS

Monitoring and reporting is focused on specific frequencies that are defined in USCG, International Maritime Organization, and International Telecommunications Union documents. The primary frequencies (successful monitoring of ALL of which is required) are given in the table below:

GMDSS Channels – VOICE and DSC

Frequency VOICE (Dial) HF/DSC (Dial) HF/DSC Band kHz kHz (Assigned) 2 Megahertz 2182.0 kHz 2185.8 kHz 2187.5 kHz 4 Megahertz 4125.0 kHz 4205.8 kHz 4207.5 kHz 6 Megahertz 6215.0 kHz 6310.3 kHz 6312.0 kHz 8 Megahertz 8291.0 kHz 8412.8 kHz 8414.5 kHz 12 Megahertz 12290.0 kHz 12575.3 kHz 12577.0 kHz 16 Megahertz 16420.0 kHz 16802.8 kHz 16804.5 kHz For monitoring purposes, radios will always be tuned to the “dial” frequency for either voice or DSC. Assigned frequencies are given in this table ONLY for reference purposes since some documents may refer to them.

The HF GMDSS channels that are in common use are paired. That is, for each frequency band (2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16) there are two channels that are commonly used. The column headed “HF/DSC (Dial) kHz” contains the frequencies on which Digital Selective Calling transmissions are made. Whenever a DSC transmission is made that requires or expects a response via single side band voice, the channel used for the SSB communications will be the matching frequency in the same “band”. For example if a DSC call is made from a ship to a shore station on the 8 MHz DSC channel (8412.8), the ship will expect a voice response to be made on 8291.0 Upper Side Band. In addition the voice channels may also be used as “calling” and “distress” frequencies without the use of HF/DSC.

There are additional non-DSC channels that are defined associated with each DSC channel for modes such as SITOR. HOWEVER, THESE ARE ALMOST NEVER USED.

REPORTING OF INTERCEPT EVENTS

Page 3 of 8 The fundamental purpose of the monitoring of the GMDSS HF/DSC channels and the GMDSS calling and distress High Frequency channels is to provide a second “set of ears” to ensure that accurate and complete information concerning either a distress (MAYDAY) or an “urgency” (PAN PAN) call is available to the watchstanders at COMMCOM. To achieve that end, WHENEVER EITHER TYPE OF MESSAGE IS INTERCEPTED by an AUGCOMSTA on one or more of the channels being guarded, a report of the message will be provided to the watch officer at COMMCOM by both telephone and by email. In order to be sure that the information reported to the COMMCOM is accurate and complete, it is strongly suggested that the results of monitoring be recorded on the “INITIAL SAR CHECK SHEET” referenced below BEFORE reporting the intercept to COMMCOM.

VOICE INTERCEPTS

For voice distress or urgency calls intercepted, the AUGCOMSTA will record on paper the relevant information from the call using the “INITIAL SAR CHECKSHEET” and the “SUPPLEMENTAL SAR CHECKSHEET” which are available as pages G-3 and G-4 of the U. S. COAST GUARD ADDENDUM TO THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE SUPPLEMENT (NSS) To The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR) COMDTINST M16130.2F.

The operator at the AUGCOMSTA must record on paper, the following information (at minimum) on an INITIAL SAR CHECKSHEET: Radio Frequency, Type of Comms, Original or Relay, Time, Date, Position (Block 1), Number of persons on board (Block 2), Nature of Distress (Block 3), and Description of Vessel (Block 4)

The initial telephone call to the watch at COMMCOM, should begin with the fact that the AUGCOMSTA has received a MAYDAY or PAN PAN message on the specific frequency, at the specific time, and from a specific vessel. The AUGCOMSTA operator should then request instructions regarding continuation of monitoring that frequency for further traffic, or other actions that the COMMCOM CWO dictates.

Be sure to give the CWO a fool proof way of re-contacting the AUGCOMSTA and record the name and rate of the person at COMMCOM who is taking the message as well as the exact time of the telephone call.

FOLLOW–UP EMAIL REPORT ON VOICE INTERCEPT

As soon as possible after the telephone call to the COMMCOM watch, an email report should be sent to COMMCOM. In any case, the email should be sent no more than one hour following the initial call to COMMCOM CWO. The email is formatted as follows:

Subject Line: GMDSS VOICE INTERCEPT Report ddhhmmZ MMM YYYY from AUGCOMSTA [name/call sign] MAYDAY/PAN PAN fffff.f

(Date/time group is standard form as shown above. Select between “MAYDAY” and “PAN PAN” depending on the category of message being reported. “fffff.f” is the frequency of intercept in kilohertz, for example: 08291.0

Page 4 of 8

The contents of the email will be a series of fields, each on separate line, as below: Category: MAYDAY or PAN PAN Mode: Voice DTG of intercept: ddhhmmZ MMM YYYY Frequency of Intercept: fffff.f Name and/or call sign of vessel: Position: Latitude/Longitude or geographic reference Other information from Initial SAR Check Sheet, blocks 2, 3, and 4 Reported by telephone to: Rate Surname at ddhhmmZ AUGCOMSTA (your station identification) POC info: NAME, Telephone Number, Email address NOTE THAT fields where information is not available should be filled in with the word “Unknown”. NO FIELD SHOULD BE LEFT OUT.

HF/DSC INTERCEPTS

Reporting of MAYDAY (Distress) or PAN PAN (Urgency) call intercepts is done in much the same way as the voice intercepts. The difference is that the incoming call will be displayed on a computer screen. That has both advantages and disadvantages. On the advantage side, it will be possible to easily copy the actual message as received and the decoded version of that message to a log (text) file. (NOTE THAT IT CRITICAL THAT BOTH THE “RAW” MESSAGE AND THE DECODED AND FORMATTED VERSIONS BE CORRELATED AND COPIED TO THE TEXT FILE). On the disadvantage side, the AUGCOMSTA operator is required to transfer the information to other forms (the INITIAL SAR CHECK SHEET) and to ensure that all the appropriate information is correctly logged.

The specific forms of intercepted DSC messages will vary depending on the hardware modem or computer software used for monitoring, but the information reported to the watch at COMMCOM will always be the same.

An example of an HF/DSC message intercepted, decoded, and logged using the “SEATTY” software is given below. The SEATTY software will create a simple text file with a name that reflects the date and time of receipt of the message.

GMDSS DSC Message

Format: All ships call (116) Category: Urgency From: 2295650000 Telecommand1: J3E TP (109) Telecommand2: No information (126) Frequency1: 04125.0 kHz Frequency2: 04125.0 kHz

Page 5 of 8 EOS

The above is the decoded message as shown in the SEATTY window. It is an “All Ships” call and the category is “urgency” (PAN PAN). The source of the call is from a ship with the MMSI number of 2295650000. Telecommand 1 indicates a request for single sideband comms with any ship, and frequency1 and frequency2 indicate that the ship will be both receiving and transmitting on 4125.0 kHz

<04:33:14> > 111r 110r 109r 125d 125d 125d 105r 104r 64c 116r 108r 22r 95r 65d 0r 0r 109r 126r 4d 12d 50r 4d 12d 50r 127d 124d >> ECC OK

The two lines above is the “raw” message as actually transmitted by the ship and received by the AUGCOMSTA. Correlating this raw message with the decoded one is important to eliminate any possible confusion in the event of mis-decoding.

The operator at the AUGCOMSTA must transfer to paper, the following information (at minimum) on an INITIAL SAR CHECKSHEET: Radio Frequency, Type of Comms, Original or Relay, Time, Date, Position (Block 1), Number of persons on board (Block 2), Nature of Distress (Block 3), Description of Vessel (Block 4)

In this case, the radio frequency would be 04207.5 kHz, HF/DSC, ALL SHIPS CALL, Urgency category, Original call, Time would be 0433Z, Date is 07 SEP 2015, Position Unknown, Number of POB unknown, Nature of Distress unknown, and Vessel Description unknown. The message requests contact by any vessel or shore station on 4125.0 kilohertz.

The initial telephone call to the watch at COMMCOM, should begin with the fact that the AUGCOMSTA has received a PAN PAN HF/DSC message and convey the above information to the watch. The AUGCOMSTA operator should then request a decision as to whether they should continue to monitor that frequency for further traffic, or take other action that the COMMCOM CWO dictates.

Be sure to give the CWO a fool proof way of re-contacting the AUGCOMSTA and record the name and rate of the person at COMMCOM who is taking the message as well as the exact time of the telephone call.

In addition to filling out the INITIAL SAR CHECK SHEET, the AUGCOMSTA operator must create a text file that contains an exact copy of the decoded DSC message AND the “raw” message as above. Both items should be in a single text file with a file name that reflects the DTG of the message as logged, the category of the intercepted message, and the identification of the AUGCOMSTA. IF requested by the COMMCOM CWO, this file can be attached to the email report described below.

FOLLOW –UP EMAIL REPORT for HF/DSC

Subject Line: GMDSS HF/DSC INTERCEPT Report ddhhmmZ MMM YYYY from AUGCOMSTA [name/call sign] MAYDAY/PAN PAN fffff.f

(Date/time group is standard form as shown above. Select between “MAYDAY” and “PAN PAN”

Page 6 of 8 depending on the category of message being reported. “fffff.f” is the frequency of intercept in kilohertz, for example: 04207.5 (NOTE that this is the “assigned” frequency because that is usually used as the reference to an HF/DSC channel)

The contents of the email will be a series of field, each on separate line, as below: Category: MAYDAY or PAN PAN Mode: HF/DSC DTG of intercept: ddhhmmZ MMM YYYY Frequency of Intercept: fffff.f Name, call sign, and/or MMSI of vessel: Position: Latitude/Longitude or geographic reference Other information from Initial SAR Check Sheet, blocks 2, 3, and 4 Reported by telephone to: Rate Surname at ddhhmmZ AUGCOMSTA (your station identification) POC info: NAME, Telephone Number, Email address NOTE THAT fields where information is not available should be filled in with the word “Unknown”. NO FIELD SHOULD BE LEFT OUT.

Comments about reporting of HF/DSC messages: There will have to be some very substantial and detailed training put together to educate the majority of new AUGCOMSTA operators about the content and structure of HF/DSC messages to ensure that the intercepted information is correctly interpreted and communicated.

MISSION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (MANDATORY)

The AUGCOM program requires the use of ANSC Form 7030 for the reporting of time and activity. a. All AUGCOM time is to be entered on the ANSC Form 7030 as mission 20B. b. The only reporting form to be used for the AUGCOM mission will be the ANSC Form 7030. Members may submit either the electronic or PDF version of Form 7030 to their FSO-IS. Forms may be found on the USCG Auxiliary Web Site (www.cgaux.org).

2. The following procedures will be used to fill out the ANSC 7030 form: a. Use your web browser and go to www.cgaux.org b. Click on the “AUX MEMBERS” tab at the top of the page c. In the drop down box, select “FORMS WAREHOUSE” d. In the left hand column, select “E-FORMS” or PDF forms e. Select “ANSC 7030 – Activity Report – Mission” by clicking on the button on the right side of the page. This will open a blank ANSC 7030 form. f. Fill in the form as follows:

Division Flotilla Mission Date

Section I – Select “Radio”.

Page 7 of 8 Section II –In the “TIME” row, fill in the START and FINISH time of your AUGCOM monitoring “watch”. A watch is defined as the time you enter your radio room to start monitoring to when you leave the room after completing an AUGCOM mission. In the “MISSION” row click on the blank space in the “START” column. Select CG Support Missions and xxx

Section III - Location: Your station location OPCON: COMMCOM – 20-32425 Facility Registration Number: Use your Radio Facility Identification (use caution here since AUXDATA will not recognize your HF radio call sign) Order Number – Enter “OPORD”

Section IV – In the “LEAD” row enter your member number, last name and initials. Section VI –

Enter as much mission content as you can. It should look like this: Remarks: ** MONITORED 8 and 4 MHz GMDSS frequencies, no distress or urgency intercepts. MONITORED 4 MHz HF/DSC channel, one urgency and no distress messages received

In the LOCAL NOTES (non-AUXDATA) box, enter the email address of your FSO-IS, followed by a comma (no space) enter the email address of the DSO-CM for your area: > COMMCOM: See Reference Annex 1 > Followed by a comma, no space Enter the branch chiefs email address: Reference Annex 1 This will send the E form to all three, FSO IS, DSO-CM and BC-RTC. The PDF version should be sent to all three as an e-mail attachment Fill in the “Date Submitted”, enter your name and report number. The ANSC Form 7030 must be submitted daily for missions conducted that day.

NOTE: A FILLED OUT COPY OF THE ANSC FORM 7030 MISSION HOUR REPORT IS ATTACHED TO THIS DOCUMENT AS AN EXAMPLE.

AUGCOMSTA LOG KEEPING REQUIREMENT

It is expected that a designated AUGCOM Station will keep an accurate radio log that records all radio transmissions received and any actual transmissions made for the duration of the assigned watch. The training package for the modem or software for intercepting and decoding of HF/DSC must address the logging capabilities of the tool as well as the requirements of the program. REMEMBER THIS INFORMATION CAN BECOME LEGAL EVIDENCE!

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