Commo Section1st Battalion, 109th FA

SINCGARS/ASIP FAMILIARIZATION AND OPERATION

TASK: Communicate via Tactical Radio in a Secure Net

CONDITIONS: Give an operational radio net with an SOI, fill device with appropriate fills, fill cable, and an operational distant station

STANDARDS: Establish voice communications with the distant tactical radio/network within three minutesReferences: TM 11-5820-890-10-8

TM 11-5820-890-10-2

PURPOSE

Provide familiarization/refresher training on SINCGARS/ASIP radios through conference

style instruction and hands-on practical exercises. Ensure personnel are capable of

operating SINCGARS/ASIP radios in both single channel and frequency hopping

modes. Ensure personnel are trained to perform both hot and cold start net openings.

AGENDA• ASIP Familiarization

• Technical Characteristics

• ASIP Family of Radios

• Advantages of SINCGARS model E&F Radios

• Single Channel Operations

• Channel Scanning

• COMSEC

• FH (Hot Start)/exercise

• Cold start net opening/exercise

• ERF familiarization

• Antennas

• AN/VIC-1 INTERCOM SYSTEM

Why SINCGARS? • Improved capabilities/reliability over VRC-12 series FM

radios

• Integrated COMSEC (means that the COMSEC circuitry is

built into the radio and requires no external devices)

• Compatibility (50 kHz channels)

• Electronic signature reduction

• More channels

• Fault identification

• Digital or analog inputs

• Frequency hopping

SINCGARS FAMILIARIZATION

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Frequency Modulation (FM)• Very High Frequency (VHF) range• Frequency range: 30-87.975 MHz• Channels: 2320, spaced 25 kHz• Frequency offset ability: +/- 5 and 10 kHz• Power out: up to 5W

50W with power amp• Power in:

Manpack: 12 VDC

Vehicular: 28 VDC

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Range: LO: 200 M-400 M

MED: 400 M-5 KM

HI: 5-10 KM

PA: 40 KM• Antennas:

Whip manpack (AS-3683, AS-4266)

Whip vehicular (AS-3900/A, AS-3916)Ground (OE-254)

• 8 Single channels

• 6 FH channels

MOUNTING BASE

Turn off the CB1 Switchbefore starting the vehicle to avoid radiodamage.

A

B

Note: The A radio spot must be filled with a radio if there is only one radio!

ADVANTAGES OF SINCGARS MODEL E&F Radio

• Know as ASIP (Advanced SINCGARS Improvement Program)

• Smaller and lighter

• Elimination of selector knobs (digital menus allow user to input radio settings)

• Longer operating time when used as a Manpack

• Spare circuit card slots provide for future hardware upgrades

• Improved Built-In-Test (BIT)

RECEIVER / TRANSMITTER

AN/PRC-119F

AN/VRC-90F Long Range

AN/VRC-89F Short and Long RangeAN/VRC-91F Short and Long Range plus ManpackAN/VRC-92F Long /Long Range (2 PAs)

PA

AN/VRC-87F Short RangeAN/VRC-88F Short Rangeand Manpack

No PA

SINCGARS/ASIP CONFIGURATIONS

RF PWR RANGE

LOW 200 M TO 400 MMED 400 M TO 5 KM HI 5 KM TO 10 KM PA 10 KM TO 40 KM

Power Amp (PA)

SINCGARS/ASIP FRONT

Antenna Connector

Function Switch

Screen

Audio (Hand Mic)

Data Cable

Retrans Cable

Keypad

Audio (Hand Mic)

Fill Device

User will be able to adjust PWR, MODE, CHAN, and COMSEC by using digital menu. Previous model had knobs for

these functions

SINCGARS/ACIP KEYPAD

*CLEAR

LOAD STORE

DATA

*CHANGETIME

ERF/OFFSET

FREQUENCY

SYNC (LATE NET ENTRY)

SET BATTERY LIFEIN MANPACK CONFIG.

COMSEC KEYDISPLAY

*Used frequently with ACIP radio

SINCGARS/ASIP HUB (HOLD UP BATTERY)

The BA-5372/U (pictured) is a 500 milliampere-hour, 6-volt battery, which provides memory back up power for over 60 applications, including a wide variety of tactical and strategic communications-electronics equipment, the most significant being the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System.

HUB insert

SINCGARS/ASIP HUB (HOLD UP BATTERY)

WARNING!! ONLY USE 6 VOLT BATTERY

HUB insert will be inserted in the same place as Manpack battery (BA-5590). A capacitor inside the radio allows only

15 minutes for an operator to replace HUB with a BA-5590, if radio will be used in a dismounted configuration

MODES OF OPERATION Three Modes-- Single Channel and Frequency Hopping

Single Channel:• Transmit or receive

on one channel continuously

• 8 single channel frequencies

• Loading - RT keyboard

Limitations: - Locating - Jamming

Frequency Hopping:• Transmit or receive

one channel at a time• Hops 100 freqs/sec.

• 6 Frequency Hopping

channels• Load FH Data with

the ANCD

Limitations: - Operator Training - Limited Digital Xmit Distance

MODES OF OPERATION Three Modes-- Frequency Hopping - Master

Frequency Hopping - Master:The FH-M position, used by NCS operators only, causesthe NCS radio to electronically helps maintain sync time in all net radios by keep all net radios within the plus or minus 4 second window required for frequency hopping communications.

LOADING SINGLE CHANNEL FREQENCIES INTO SINCGARS/ACIP RADIO

1. Turn Function to Load

2. Press MENU till you see MODE

3. Press CHG till you see SC

4. Press Menu till you see CHANNEL

5. Change channel by pressing the corresponding number (0-7, 0 for MAN, 7 for CUE)

6. Press FREQ, then MENU/CLR

7. You will see _ _ _ _ _

8. Enter frequency in 25Khz interval, then press STO

TASK COMPLETE!!!!

SINGLE CHANNEL EXERCISE Load the following frequencies:

1..............…..38750 2................…46000 3................…38075 4................…38990 5................…50005 6................…29000

Frequency Offset: Input frequency that is the closest 25Khz intervalPress OFSTPress CHG (+/-5 or +/-10) until desired interval is displayedPress FREQ to verify correct frequency.

TM 11-5820-890-10-6, p. 6

CUE AND MANUAL FREQUENCIES

Load the following frequencies:

CUE:Stations 1 & 2: 35000Stations 3 & 4: 45000Stations 5 & 6: 55000

MAN:Stations 1 & 2: 32000Stations 3 & 4: 42000Stations 5 & 6: 52000

AUTOMATED NET CONTROL DEVICEAN/CYZ-10 (ANCD)

• Handles COMSEC keys, FH data, sync time, and signal operating instructions (SOI)

• Capable of receiving, storing, transferring data from

ANCD to ANCD, from ANCD to SINCGARS radios, and from ANCD to other compatible equipment

• “Hot keys”Soi Radio sUpervisor

• Letter Lock: locks keys for letters and displays letter lock on the screen

AUTOMATED NET CONTROL DEVICEAN/CYZ-10 (ANCD)

WARNING!! ONLY USE 3 VOLT BATTERIES

AUTOMATED NET CONTROL DEVICEAN/CYZ-10 (ANCD)

Steps to load a SINCGARS from ANCD

• Power on ANCD• Select “Radio”• Select “Send”• Select “Radio”• Select “Icom”• Follow the directions on the ANCD screen DO

NOT SELECT “Y” on time

Steps to load a SINCGARS from ANCD

Connect ANCD to AUD/FILL on ASIP

ANCD/CYZ-10 KEYPAD

TIME and the SINCGARS/ACIP RADIO

Why do you need correct/accurate time in your radio?Answer: To frequency hop to at the same time as other radios on the net

What is the preferred time to put in your radio?Answer: DAGR Time

Answer: Use another radio that is communicating on the net to get a manual time hack

What is a “field expedient” method of attaining the proper time to put in your radio?

JULIAN DATE

What kind of date is used when loading time in your radio?Answer: Julian Date, which is a number that represents the day of the year, i.e. 1 February is Julian Date 32

You will only use the last two digits of the Julian Date when inputting it into a radio

Example if since 1 January is Julian Date 001 and 11 April is 101, then you will input into a radio for 11 April a Julian date of 01

Answer: 06, see next slide

Using the example above, and the date is 16 April, what would you input in to a radio??

JULIAN CALENDAR

LOADING TIME INTO SINCGARS/ACIP RADIO

(1) Obtain running GPS time from DAGR.

(2) Press [TIME] on RT; display shows "DD."

(3) Press [CLR] on RT; display shows "_ _."

(4) Enter correct Julian Date; display shows "XX."

(5) Press [STO] on RT; Julian Date is stored.

(6) Press [TIME] on RT; display shows "HH MM."

(7) Press [CLR] on RT; display shows "_ _ _ _."

(8) Enter GPS HH; display shows "HH."

(9) Enter MM, the minute ahead of GPS time.

(10) When RT and GPS minutes are the same (zero seconds),

press [STO] on RT.

(11) If time stored in RT is more than one second different from

GPS time, reload sync time.

TASK COMPLETE!!!!

Frequency Hop DefinitionsLoadset: defined as all of the COMSEC keys (TEK and KEK) and FH data (hopset, TSK, and net ID) required to load all six channels of the SINCGARS radio.

• TEK: Traffic Encryption Key, encrypts the traffic sent

• KEK: Key Encryption Key, encrypts other keys for transmission and storage

• Hopset: the frequency pool that will be used given a frequency hop ID number

• TSK : transmission security key, determines the pattern in which the radio selects frequencies to hop

• Net Identifier: is a three digit code that controls where in the random frequency sequence to begin hopping

FH DEFINITIONS cont

• Lockout: frequencies not to be hopped on will be locked out.

CUE CHANNEL

• “911”

• If outside the net a radio operator must call this station first

• Designated channel used when caller can not frequency hop or lost contact with FH Net

• Only NCS loads CUE frequency - other operators load as required

CUE PROCESS

• Operator: Load CUE Freq., Set Chan to CUE; Mode to SC;

COMSEC to PT; Presses Push to Talk (4-5 secs). Go back to CT if possible.

• Receiving NCS: sees “CUE” in RT Display and hears a tone on the speaker/handset.

• NCS Changes to CUE. Responds in CT.

• The NCS loads the CUE frequency always, but the Operator only loads the CUE frequency when necessary.

MANUAL CHANNEL

• “Engineering channel”

• Designated channel used for transmission and receipt of Electronic Remote Fills (ERFs)

• ERF contains FH data (Hopset, Net ID, and FH timing) and sync time necessary for frequency hopping operations

• ERF does not send COMSEC

• ERF will only be used when no DAGR or vehicle with the proper time can be used. LAST RESORT!!

LOADING NET ID INTO SINCGARS/ACIP RADIO

1. Turn Function to Load

2. Press MENU till you see MODE

3. Press CHG till you see FH

4. Press Menu till you see CHANNEL

5. Change channel by pressing the corresponding number (0-7, 0 for MAN, 7 for CUE)

6. Press FREQ, then MENU/CLR

7. You will see F _ _ _ (net ID, 3 digits)

8. Enter the net ID (000-999), then press STO

TASK COMPLETE!!!!

WAYS TO OPEN RADIO NET

HOT START METHOD• Most preferred method• Operators load all fill

data from ANCD• Operators place radio in

Late Net Entry or input time manually to enter net.

• Operator training heavy

COLD START METHOD• Least preferred method• Operators load

COMSEC, MAN, and CUE Freqs

• NCS training heavy

COLD START NET OPENING

• Used in situations where the NCS desires to bring all operators into the net at exact time.

• Requires greater planning and preparation by the

NCS

• Pre-load RT with COMSEC only

• Electronic Remote Fill (ERF)-electronically updates FH data of net members and transmits sync time for cold start net openings.

TM 11-5820-890-10-6, p. 21 / TM 11-5820-890-10-7, p. 13

COLD START NET OPENING

ERF Radio Procedure

• Unknown Station: Places “Cue Call”

• (On Cue Channel) NCS: Unknown station this is Arrowhead 3, over.

• Unknown Station: Arrowhead 3, this is Arrowhead 9, request permission to enter the net, over.

• NCS: Arrowhead 9, Meet me on MAN, over.

• Unknown Station: Arrowhead 3, Arrowhead 9, Roger, out. (Switch to MAN)

• NCS: Arrowhead 9, this is Arrowhead 3, stand by for ERF, store on

channel 1, meet me on channel 1, over. (NCS sends ERF, then goes to channel 1)

• Unknown Station: Arrowhead 3, this is Arrowhead 9, Roger out. (Standby until NCS sends the ERF, Wait for Display to show "HF XXX“, then STO in designated slot) Unknown channel switches to designated channel and does radio check with NCS

TM 11-5820-890-10-6, p. 23 / TM 11-5820-890-10-7, p. 15

HOT START NET OPENING

• Method of opening net

• Load all required COMSEC, FH Data, and sync time from ANCD

• Call NCS to check into net

• Pre-coordination requirements minimized

• Usually requires a passive late net entry

TM 11-5820-890-10-6, p. 8 [RT Presets, p. 7]

PASSIVE LATE ENTRY

• In FH Mode, must be within 4 seconds to sync, but can be pulled into the net within 1 minute difference

• Built-in capability bring radios back into proper time

• Do not transmit while in the Late Net Entry mode!

PASSIVE LATE ENTRY

(1) Note lack of traffic on net.

(2) Press [FREQ] on RT keypad; display reads "F XXX.“

(3) Press [SYNC] on RT keypad; display read "LF XXX.“

(4) Wait to hear traffic on net; DO NOT PTT, AKA: Key hand mic (Note that "L” disappears from RT display.)

(5) Your radio has brought you back into sync time; you are back in the net!!

PASSIVE LATE ENTRY

ERASING DATA AND COMSEC

To erase Data and COMSEC stored in your radio turn the function switch to and OFFZ

ANTENNAS

OE-254 omni-directional (radiates in all directions)

Uni-directional field expedient antennas can be used to minimize enemy information gathering, but may not be practical

Uni-directional antenna only broadcast in one direction

AN/VIC-1 INTERCOM SYSTEM (VEHICULAR INTERCOM)

AM-1780 Master Control Station

AM-1780 Master Control Station

CDR ONLY is used if the vehicle

commander is to be the only one to talk

on the radios

AM-1780 Master Control Station

If “INT ACCENT” is in the on position the crew will hear the intercom traffic

over the radio traffic

C-2298 Crew member Control Box

If switch is set to “A” the crewmember at this station will be able to

listen and talk on intercom and radio “A”

CONCLUSION

The SINCGARS Radio System gives us the ability to securely and

effectively communicate across today’s battlefield. However, with capability comes complexity, and all operators must work hard to

stay proficient with their operator skills on this system.

QUESTIONS