Standard Qualification 2: Difference between revisions

The [https://acre2.idi-systems.com/wiki/radios/bf-888s BF-888S] (colloquially called "Baofeng") is a low cost 5W<ref>Watt; wattage.</ref> portable radio with a range of around 4-6km. The radio consists of only 2 dials, the one on the left for selecting between 1-16 channels, and the one on the right for adjusting the volume.

The following 3 radios all have default channels with frequencies and optional channel names that can be displayed. Furthermore, all 3 radios will work with each other out of the box without needing extra changes in the radios options.

The [https://acre2.idi-systems.com/wiki/radios/an-prc-148 AN/PRC-148] (colloquially called "148") has the simplest layout of the next 3 radios with a 5W 5-7km range. On the top you’ll find a volume control knob, which will also turn the radio off, and a channel knob with 16 preset channels. The display will show the preset channels name.

The [https://acre2.idi-systems.com/wiki/radios/an-prc-152 AN/PRC-152] (colloquially called "152") is a 5W 5-7km range radio performing much the same as the 148. At the top you will find a function switch that can be used to turn the radio off or to set 1 of 6 preset channels. On the left side you’ll find volume buttons to go up and down. On the keypad you’ll find a button in the bottom right that will also increase and decrease the channel from presets.

The [https://acre2.idi-systems.com/wiki/radios/an-prc-117f AN/PRC-117f] (colloquially called "117") is a 20W radio with 10-20km range, often mounted in vehicles. Despite seeming complex there is little you need to know here. On the LCD screen you will see the preset channel selected. On the bottom 17 13th CORPS BASIC TRAINING left of the keypad will be a volume up and down button. On the bottom right of the keypad will be a preset channel up and down button.

The remaining 3 radios are "odd ones out" and will most often be used in operations during time periods in the far past.

The [https://acre2.idi-systems.com/wiki/radios/an-prc-77 AN/PRC-77] (colloquially called "117") is a 4W 1-3km range radio introduced during Vietnam in 1968. It was used primarily as a squad-level radio so you’ll usually see it with radiomen and potentially in vehicles. It’s also often used for operations as far back as World War III as a substitute to other radios of the time. The radio covers a wide range of frequencies. Use the 2 tuning dials on the left and right of the number display to set one. The band switch simply switches you to and from higher and lower band frequencies effectively granting more options for radio traffic. The volume knob goes at 10 different levels and is properly labeled on the right.

The [https://acre2.idi-systems.com/wiki/radios/sem-70 SEM 70] (colloquially called "SEM70") is a man-pack German radio from 1984. It’s a 4W radio with 1- 3km range and often mounted in vehicles. At the top left the black button labeled “ANZEIGE” will light up to display the current frequency. The MHz and kHz knobs flanking the frequency display are used for adjusting the frequency only when the middle knob to the top right is set to "HW" mode. The 4 knobs in the bottom right are used to set the network and memory slots when the radio is in "AKW" mode. Don't worry about "AKW" mode.

One last thing to understand about radios for the Standard Qualifications is what ''vehicle racks'' are. These radios are either "hard" mounted, meaning it's embedded into the vehicle in some way and cannot be removed, or "soft" mounted, meaning the radio can be removed and put back. If it's soft mounted, it's likely to be the 117, 77, or SEM 70. The important point to understand is that a vehicle rack should be preferred when possible because it's range is much better than anything hand held. Racks are sometimes locked to specific seats in a vehicle, and ''sometimes'' can be accessed from outside of it.  

However, in cases where the rack can be accessed from outside, the player wishing to do so will need to get in and out of the vehicle at least 1 time to initialize such an option.

Sometimes, especially for leadership roles, a person will operate more than 1 radio. This is usually a 343 and, say, a 152. The keybinds to talk on the radio correspond to the PTT1-3 settings for ACRE2. Which radio corresponds to what key is determined by the order the radios enter one's inventory and are clearly labeled in the inventory by a number to the side of the radio's name.

PTT1 is {{Key press|Caps Lock}}, PTT2 is {{Key press|LCtrl|Caps Lock}}, and PTT3 is {{Key press|LAlt|Caps Lock}}. It is strongly advised {{Key press|LAlt|Caps Lock}} be changed to something else, as {{Key press|LAlt}} is for free look and the keybinds will conflict.

Certain radio frequencies are ''controlled'' or ''uncontrolled''. This is a fancy way of saying that some environments have stricter standards on brevity and use of prowords (or "procedure words"), while others are far more laid back. Generally speaking, short-wave radios designed for communication within a fireteam or squad are ''uncontrolled.'' General chit-chat is expected (to a reasonable degree),  procedural words are entirely unnecessary, and so on. Conversely, radio frequencies with a decent range and which are communicating with a completely different element (e.g full squad to another full squad), and/or a ''command'' element, are ''controlled.'' Unnecessary chatter is strongly discouraged, and procedural words are desired if not required.

For the sake of brief and easily digestible communications, in a controlled radio environment, when someone communicates a message and expects a reply, they end the message with "over". If said person does ''not'' expect a reply, they say "out". The 2 words are ''not'' synonymous, and the distinction between the 2 is a major reason why the phrase "over and out" as used in media is perceived as humorous.

This conversation is problematic. At any point one could make a reasonable judgment call that a reply isn't needed, yet, the conversation continues. In fact, after Bravo Two told Alpha One they are approaching the objective, it's entirely reasonable that Alpha One not respond at all, having interpreted it as purely informational. As the element leaders keep giving or receiving replies in this manner, they become distracted. While a certain level of multi-tasking comes with the job, the problem is that the distraction in this situation is ''unexpected'' when it ''doesn't need to be.'' This detracts from the leader's ability to concentrate on leading their element, which could spell disaster.

</blockquote>When used properly, it is very clear when a reply is wanted versus when the conversation has come to a close. When Alpha One opens the conversation, Bravo Two knows that they must reply. Then, once Alpha One says "out" at the end, the Bravo Two knows he does not need to say anything, and can now fully focus his attention on whatever objective his element needs to tackle.

When you are are about to speak in a controlled radio environment, or otherwise know you are trying to reach someone over a long distance, you should first identify who you want to reach, then identify who you are, and then monitor the "net" {{Emdash}} or frequency {{Emdash}} for a reply. In some situations the "net" part of this shorthand means to verbally state the radio frequency you are on. Which one is appropriate is situational; doing 1 over the other is not inherently wrong by EDC's standards. The example conversation in the section [[Standard Qualification 2#Over and out|Over and out]] is a good showcase of this shorthand.  

This is ''not'' required for ''every transmission in the resultant conversation''. Once you reach the intended recipient, you should still be brief and use "over" and "out" as best you can, but you don't need to keep saying their name and your own.  

To reply to a message with "roger" is to indicate it has been received. EDC also very commonly uses "copy" or "copy that" for this purpose. Replying with "wilco" is reserved for when the message is an order in which you indicate you both have received it and declare an intention to follow it through. Unless stated otherwise by operation leadership, strict adherence to separating the use of "roger" versus "wilco" is unnecessary. For the purposes of this certification, you are simply expected to know that the 2 responses can have different meanings.

A leader in your element may call for what is referred to as an "ACE report". This is simply you indicating, using the stoplight color system of "green, yellow, red", followed by "black", how your situation is. Generally the report will have some kind of descriptor (e.g "how's your ammo?", "how are we doing on causalities?", etc) describing what the leader wants specifically. If not, you'd do your best to compress everything into a color. Just do your best.

[[File:Sq2-combat-stance.JPG|thumb|The left image is a soldier performing a regular crouch. The right is after doing {{Key press|Shift|S}} while still crouched.|336x336px|none]]For SQ-2, the only other movement that will be discussed are the combat stances. These are high and low variations of the 3 existing stances of standing, crouching, and being prone.

These stances can be achieved via {{Key press|Shift}} followed by {{Key press|W}}, {{Key press|A}}, {{Key press|S}}, or {{Key press|D}}. {{Key press|Shift|W}} will raise you up slightly and {{Key press|Shift|S}} will lower you slightly. {{Key press|Shift|A}} will have you perform a "step lean" to the left (your character will literally take a step towards the left rather than standing at their center of gravity) which, at the same time, will result in your firearm shifting to your left shoulder. This is incredibly useful when needing to hold a left-sided corner. {{Key press|Shift|D}} will have you perform a step lean to the right.

When you do {{Key press|Shift|A}} or {{Key press|Shift|D}} while prone, your character will adjust so they are laying horizontally with their upper body going towards the left or right, respectively.

Something very good to note is that a step lean is ''independent'' of the regular lean that is accomplished with {{Key press|Q}} and {{Key press|E}}, thus allowing you to lean much farther in either direction than you otherwise would ''without'' the step lean.