F18 freq range
- Thread starter mike619
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KE5TLF
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Seems to me the USN tends to prefer the UHF band for most all aircraft comms. (except for ATC related stuff on VHF when need be of course)
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CORN
Member
F-18s based at Fallon, NV with the Top Gun school also have VHF 138-151MHz capability. But that's mainly to be able to talk interplane with the rare Navy F-16s that are also at the school. But like Mike said, most Hornet units tend to talk interplane and TAC Comms in the 225-380 MHz range.
Token
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Specific frequency will vary with location. As others have indicated the USN likes to have much of its comms related to these missions in the 240 – 400 MHz range, mostly below 380 MHz but above 380 is also used. But, the 134 – 144 MHz area is used.
The hardware on-board can cover a much wider range of frequencies. Dependant on block of the aircraft and other variables the exact hardware can be one of several models. Legacy airframes did have the AN/ARC-182 (RT-1250A) but those were all planned for replacement, I think. In general most of the airframes are now (I think) equipped with the AN/ARC-210 for VHF/UHF, specifically the RT-1556(v) or the RT-1824(C). Basic coverage is 30 to 400 MHz, AM or FM. Power output is 23 Watts or less, depending on mode and band. There is a high power amplifier available that runs up about 125 Watts. Certain versions of the ARC-210 can go up to 941 MHz, but I am pretty sure that version is not in the Hornet, I suppose such capability might be in the Growler. Each aircraft has 2 sets of hardware.
Keep in mind that the designator “ARC-210” covers a family of radios, the specifics onboard a platform are identified by the “RT” number, such as RT-1556 or RT-1824. An applied radio on a platform may only include some of the family capability, not “all” of the possible modes/powers/freqs, etc. For example, in the ARC-210 family the RT-1851 has different capabilities from the RT-1824.
The aircraft can be equipped with HF capabilities. The Australian birds have HF as a standard feature.
Reference here:
Google search “MIL-R-29583”, dozens of links to this radio set documentation, be aware of date of publication, this system, and documents, have been updated many times.
Other links:
AN/ARC-210(V) (U)
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/fm6_02x53.pdf
AN/ARC-210 SINCGARS
AN/ARC-210(V) VHF/UHF AM/FM transceiver (United States) - Jane’s Military Communications
T!
PS, for BMT, the KY58 is not a radio, but rather a secure module that can work with a radio.
The hardware on-board can cover a much wider range of frequencies. Dependant on block of the aircraft and other variables the exact hardware can be one of several models. Legacy airframes did have the AN/ARC-182 (RT-1250A) but those were all planned for replacement, I think. In general most of the airframes are now (I think) equipped with the AN/ARC-210 for VHF/UHF, specifically the RT-1556(v) or the RT-1824(C). Basic coverage is 30 to 400 MHz, AM or FM. Power output is 23 Watts or less, depending on mode and band. There is a high power amplifier available that runs up about 125 Watts. Certain versions of the ARC-210 can go up to 941 MHz, but I am pretty sure that version is not in the Hornet, I suppose such capability might be in the Growler. Each aircraft has 2 sets of hardware.
Keep in mind that the designator “ARC-210” covers a family of radios, the specifics onboard a platform are identified by the “RT” number, such as RT-1556 or RT-1824. An applied radio on a platform may only include some of the family capability, not “all” of the possible modes/powers/freqs, etc. For example, in the ARC-210 family the RT-1851 has different capabilities from the RT-1824.
The aircraft can be equipped with HF capabilities. The Australian birds have HF as a standard feature.
Reference here:
Google search “MIL-R-29583”, dozens of links to this radio set documentation, be aware of date of publication, this system, and documents, have been updated many times.
Other links:
AN/ARC-210(V) (U)
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/fm6_02x53.pdf
AN/ARC-210 SINCGARS
AN/ARC-210(V) VHF/UHF AM/FM transceiver (United States) - Jane’s Military Communications
T!
PS, for BMT, the KY58 is not a radio, but rather a secure module that can work with a radio.
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BMT- Since you brought it up... What is "Link 4"?
BMT- Since you brought it up... What is "Link 4"?
Token
Member
Link 4 is a two-way data link. Link 4 actually has two modes, Link 4A and Link 4C. 4A is kind of all forces, ground, air, surface, etc, 4C is fighter to fighter. 4A is not very jam resistant but 4C is slightly more robust.
The F/A-18 supports more than Link 4, however, it also has at least Link 16.
T!
The F/A-18 supports more than Link 4, however, it also has at least Link 16.
T!
Hooligan
Member
Per the System Program Manager circa early 2000s, the USN Super Hornet was to have HF/SSB capability.
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