Communications Altitude Restrictions

In accordance with CAPR 100-1, paragraph 7-15, CAP National Headquarters may issue guidance on altitude restrictions on CAP’s VHF-FM frequencies.  When such restrictions are issued, they may not be more restrictive than required by frequency management agencies regulating CAP, and international agreements.

CAP is working with the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Spectrum Management Office and the Air Force Frequency Management Agency (AFFMA) to fully document CAP VHF-FM assignments, including altitude authorizations, however some legacy users of CAP’s frequencies may remain for some time and CAP must be sensitive to these users, including interference caused by CAP operating aircraft at various attitudes.

The following altitude restrictions apply until further notice:

·        In the 75 mile border zones with Canada and Mexico, CAP’s assigned VHF-FM frequencies may not be used above 3,000 feet AGL, based on international agreements.

·        Except in the Canadian and Mexican 75 mile border zones, CAP may operate on assigned VHF-FM frequencies at any altitude (up to 12,500 feet AGL) needed to safely and effectively execute assigned missions, based on informal guidance from AETC and AFFMA pending completion of all required frequency documentation actions.

AETC and AFFMA have requested that CAP Communications Units Leaders and Communications Managers experiencing frequency conflicts with other agencies should work to resolve the immediate conflict with other agencies to allow mission accomplishment, and also report the conflict immediately to both the CAP National Operations Center (NOC) and the National Technology Center (NTC) through channels, in accordance with CAPR 100-1, paragraphs 7-13 and 7-14 in order to document interference and fins solutions.

·        The CAP NOC duty officer can be reached 24/7/365 at 1-888-211-1812 extension 300 or opscenter@capnhq.gov. NOTE: Email is only monitored during normal NOC duty hours; if emergency support is needed contact the NOC via phone.

·        The CAP NTC can be reached during normal duty hours at 866-600-2071 or ntc@cap.af.mil. NOTE: After normal duty hours, please contact the CAP NOC for emergency support
from the NTC.