[MilCom] Air Show Information "Want List"

[Ken]

The air show season is upon us.  From a military communications hobbyist 
prospective here's some research items for this year's season via 
observation, photographing, & interviewing of knowledgeable personnel :

1.  Make special note of the radio equipment being used (get a photo if 
possible) in all aircraft as well as static displays.
2.  Verify with aircrew members the typical unit callsigns used (locally & 
out of area/cross country), have them spell the callsign(s) for you (e.g. 
don't assume e.g. ROD vs RODD!).
3.   Determine what each unit uses for active frequencies  base ops/command 
post, air/air, etc. (if you can't get the specific freqs, than at least try 
to determine the varous bands e.g. Fox Mike (usually low band VHF), VHF high 
band, or UHF band).
4.  Determine where each unit normally trains -- you should try to do some 
background research first so that you can "talk the talk", "walk the walk" 
so to speak on typical area air refueling tracks/anchors, etc. -- Also if 
you reguarily here a callsign & something unique to it, you might want to 
indirectly mention this.
5.  Look for comm cards on the aircraft and try to photograph, generally 
there's very few of these visible.
6.  Determine what type of range the aircraft/helos normally achieve on the 
various radio bands & if they have a specific band they normally use.  This 
range determination question could be for comms back to "ops" and/or 
"command post" as well as air to air activities.
7.  Determine if atypical aircraft (e.g. helos, fighters) have HF radio 
installed.
8.  For those aircraft normally having HF radio installed, try to determine 
if they can talk directly with their command post or if they need to set up 
a phone patch through one of the Global Stations.
9.  Determine typical training schedule for the unit (especially, ANG, ARNG, 
AFRC, USMC-R, USNR, USAR, etc), e.g. flying periods during the week, 
weekends.  Note:  Most Unit Training Assembly weekend training dates have 
been removed from websites due to security concerns & you probably won't get 
an answer on that).
10.  Determine all ground support nets that are being used.  Some ground 
support nets take on a different function during a base open house/air show, 
but at least be able to verify what frequencies are active or not, as well 
as modulation.
11.  Pay close attention also to other than aircraft static displays.  E.g. 
ARNG, USA/USAR, USMC-R, etc. ground vehicles with radio equipment.

Also from a monitoring perspective I'd suggest a "team approach" with 
certain hobbyists search specific bands during the show.  Also it will be 
interesting to here from hobbyists on how well the "close call 
capture"/"signal stalker" technology worked during this season...

Any additional questions to add to the information want list?

Ken