What's New In Telecommunications?

August 2010 - Updated Radio Frequencies
The updated list of Frequencies for Radio Day (October 23rd) has been posted.  Check this link often for additional changes and updates.
[Posted 31 Aug 2010, Source John Slattery DVC-RT]

August 2010 - USCG Marine Safety Alert!

The United States Coast Guard has posted a marine safety alert on the DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTOMATIC CHANNEL SWITCHING ON DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) EQUIPPED VHF MARINE RADIOS click here for details.

[Posted 04 Aug 2010, Source: Bruce Pugh DVC_RE]

 

June 2010 -
Telecommunications Department Changes

During the first quarter of 2010 we restructured and re-staffed the Response, Telecommunications Division so as to better respond to our customer’s requirements.  To better serve these customers, we have taken what might be described as a product line approach with more clearly defined responsibilities for each of our four Branch Chiefs.  Click here for an intro to the new team.  This update includes our newest branch chief Gary Young BC-RTI [Posted 09 June 2010, Source: John J Slattery DVC-RT]

June 2010

Puerto Rico Communications Team - Click here for an article on activities from our Communications team of Division 1, 7th District in Puerto Rico.
[Posted 04 Jun 2010, Source: Robert Shafer DIR-R]

May 2010

Radio Day 2010
Preparations are underway for this year's Radio Day in celebration of the Auxiliaries 71st anniversary.  All U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members, who are amateur radio operators, are invited to operate as “special event radio stations” on Saturday October 23, 2010.  Click here for details of the announcement. 

For those who wish to participate in this event click here for the participant guide.
[Posted 04 May 2010, Source: John J Slattery DVC-RT]

March 2010

Telecommunications Operator Qualification (TCO)
We have received several questions regarding what has been interpreted to be conflicting language in the Telecommunications Operator PQS and Mentoring Guide.  The questions generally challenge the comms status of those who are eligible operators by virtue of their having completed AUXCOM prior to the 1 August 2008. Our reply to these questions has been, and will continue to be, that comms eligibility based upon the completion of the AUXCOM class, accomplished prior to the, 1 August 2008 effective date of the Standard (PQS), will remain in effect indefinitely.  The apparent conflict emanates from these two excerpts:

From the TCO Mentoring Guide (Background & Introduction): “Successful completion of the PQS will qualify the candidate as a Telecommunications Operator (TCO).  Current “comms” eligibility, based upon the completion of the AUXCOM class accomplished prior to the, 1 August 2008, effective date of this Standard, will remain in effect indefinitely”.
From the Personal Qualification Standard Introduction: ‘if an Operational Facility (OPFAC) is the primary ACU for an event or activity, used solely for communications purposes, radio operators will be required to hold Telecommunications qualification”.
Unfortunately the second excerpt has been misinterpreted to mean that a pre 1 August 2008 AUXCOM member is not qualified to serve in the situation outlined above.  The conclusion appears to be that only a TCO can perform these duties.  This is incorrect.  These members are qualified by virtue of their Pre 1 August 2008 AUXCOM status and they hold the same qualification privileges as a TCO.  [Posted 25 Mar 2010, Source: John J Slattery DVC-RT]

November 2009

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Special Event Radio Day was held on October 17, 2009 to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the USCG Aux. This year sixty-four USCG Auxiliary high frequency (HF) amateur radio stations were operational across the nation from almost all USCG Aux. districts.  Click here to see a report on the event from Daniel F Amoroso, BA- OTP.

April 2009

April 13, 2009 - Click here for information on a planned amateur radio special event that will be held in October 2009 in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CG Auxiliary. Deadline for registration is September 15, 2009. Click here for the procedures guide for participation in this event.

April 9, 2009 - A new CD is available from the ANSC on training for the Telecommunications Operator PQS (Personal Qualification). This CD contains the PQS, all the reference documents, and a new Interactive Mentoring Guide to provide everything needed for radio qualification on one CD. Order CD 2015A from the ANSC.

March 2009

March 12, 2009 - There is a new Mentoring guide now available for the PQS (Personal Qualification Standard) that has been developed by the Telecommunications Division. A CD with complete documentation for the PQS, the Guide and all references with hyperlinks will be available shortly at the Auxiliary National Supply Center.

August 2008

August 27, 2008 - At this time the new Coast Guard Telecommunications Manual (COMDTINST M200.3) has not been authorized for Internet release and is therefore not yet available on the CG Directive system web site.   If you are interested in obtaining a copy this manual (in electronic form) it may be obtained from your local commands, who may download it via the CG intranet system.  The TQS (TeleCom Qualifications Standards) manual will reference pieces of numerous other documents and manuals.  To access the full text of these additional reference materials, click here for the URL links to these other related documents.

June 2008

June 16, 2008 - NEW PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS STANDARD ( TelComPQS)  
A new Personal Qualifications Standard (PQS) for Auxiliary Telecommunications has been developed by the Operations (Response) Department and approved by the National Board and CG Headquarters.  The Chief Director of the Auxiliary has announced the implementation of the new personal qualification standard (PQS) for a Telecommunications Operator (TCO) specialty.  Effective 1 August 2008, all new applicants for fixed land or land mobile radio facility certification and/or operation must be certified as a TCO.  Current AUXCOM-rated members will continue to be eligible for facility ownership and operation indefinitely, as long as their AUXCOM was earned prior to August 1, 2008.  Details of this PQS are available on the Chief Director’s Web site at "Auxiliary Telecommunications PQS Announcement 11 June 2008".  The PQS for Auxiliary Telecommunications is posted at "Telecommunications PQS"

 

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