About the Communications Program

Auxiliary communications are not bound into a rigidly structured operational system but rather consist of fixed land stations, land mobile stations and direction finder stations that have been accepted by the Director of the Auxiliary as radio facilities. The primary purposes of the Auxiliary communications network are:

• Coordinating authorized Auxiliary activities in support of Coast Guard Operations
• Augmenting the Coast Guard communications system, when required
• Communicating urgent matters of official Auxiliary business
• Training
• Assisting national resources in time of disaster

In many cases, Auxiliarists will operate radio facilities in conjunction with authorized surface and air missions. They will, at that time use authorized government frequencies in designated bands. Other program activities of radio facilities include operation in the HF Contingency Communications Program and the Auxiliary Monitoring Program in support of the Communications Area Master Stations, Sector Command Centers, and other CG Unit communications operations.

In order to stand watch at an Auxiliary communication facility, a Basically Qualified Auxiliarist must complete the Telecommunications Operator Personal Qualification Standard (PQS) unless authorized as a result of previous completion of the "Auxiliary Communications Specialty Course") In order to act as a watchstander at a CG communications facility, Auxiliarists must complete all requirements as specified by the Commanding Officer or Officer in Charge of the CG unit in question.

An Auxiliary radio facility does not require a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license when operating while assigned to duty or performing a mission directed or scheduled by the U S Coast Guard.

AUXCOM, the Auxiliary Communications Specialty course, focuses on radio communications for the Auxiliary and Coast Guard, providing broad knowledge of the fundamental principles underlying communications systems in use by both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. The training materials for AUXCOM are available to members as part of an on-line AUXCOM course in the Auxiliary Learning Management System (AUXLMS).

A radio facility may be offered for use by an Auxiliarist and, if it meets requirements for that type of facility, it will be accepted by the Director of the Auxiliary. The facility owner must arrange for an initial inspection of the facility and, thereafter, a re-inspection every three years from the date of acceptance for use. Radio equipment used on a surface or air facility is considered and inspected as part of that facility. In general, the operator of a radio facility must maintain radio logs and formal message logs. Under ordinary conditions, Auxiliary radio facilities operate according to the Telecommunications Manual, COMDTINST M2000.3 (series).

Gregory Kmiec serves as the District Staff Officer for Communications.