[MilCom] Calif CAP over the weekend

[Ken]

Hello Greg & the group:

You have to remember that sometimes people discover that their ELT is 
malfunctioning and turn the unit off without calling anyone and stating it 
was an OOpps or the transmitter may just dies or randomly intermittently 
start to transmit, etc..  Sounds to me like this could have been a martime 
beacon versus aircraft.  It also is possible that someone is purposely 
transmitting "false" distress signals with the beacon and than turning it 
off when the troops get close by.  (Bet they will be surprised when the feds 
(as in law enforcement not FCC) show up at their door  (You'd be surprised 
which federal law enforcement agencies now have DF gear available) since 
they won't be using radios to communicate with & thus won't be monitored).

Remember that other than being reimbursed for some gas expenses, no CAP 
members performing those missions are getting paid for their time (BUT are 
cover under federal liabilty, medical/disability laws during federal 
missions).  There's always a risk for "volunteers" performing these search 
missions, especially flying aircraft, but also ground teams getting 
seriously injuried or killed.   Many of those call outs are in the very 
early morning hours.

As far as COMSEC is concerned, even US military active/guard/reserve members 
make errors on the radio which have OPSEC/COMSEC implications, why would CAP 
be any different?

406 ELT Beacon trasmit data to the satellite when activated, but also 
transmit a homing signal on 121.5 mhz.

With your expertise -- You might consider joining your local CAP unit 
(http://cap.findlocation.com/ & http://cawg.cap.gov/), and becoming an Urban 
Direction Finding (UDF) team member.

Training outlines can be found at:
http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/operations/emergency_services/index.cfm?nodeID=5308
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/es/sqtrs/SQTR%20Urban%20Direction%20Finding%20Team.pdf1

Ken


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <baycomm at earthlink.net>
To: "MILCOM" <milcom at mailman.qth.net>; "fedcom" <fedcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 3:29 PM
Subject: [MilCom] Calif CAP over the weekend


> All traffic on 148.15 repeater & direct.  Saturday from about noon to 1700 
> local had Yosemite 45 ( OIC ), Cap flight 140, Yosemite 814 & 338 looking 
> for a 406 ELT in Alameda and Oakland Jack London Square and Lake Merriot 
> areas.  At about 1700 the search was called off by 45 saying that AFRCC 
> had no 406 beacons after 3 cycles.  On my way home about 1900 local heard 
> 814 & 338 looking for a restaurant a few blocks from my home so I went out 
> looking and found 814 in a red Tahoe that he described to 338 hours ago 
> when they were trying to find each other in Alameda.  814 (removed).  Ken, 
> what were you saying about COMSEC?
>
> At the same time Cap Flight 483 was working with Yosemite 410 and Yosemite 
> 45 ( OIC )in Richmond looking for another 406 beacon and they said they 
> had been looking for it the night before in the same area.
>
> Hope I never have to rely on these guys finding me.
>
> Greg (SF Bay Area)