Thursday, January 18, 2007

Royal Australia/New Zealand Air Force HF Profile


The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF/Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Air Operations Communications System (AOCS) is a high frequency radio network providing communications services for the operational control of RAAF/RNZAF aircraft and HF equipped marine craft [army ground stations are also commonly heard]. In addition, visiting military aircraft may use the AOCS when contact with Australia/New Zealand military authorities is required. The AOCS is not part of, and does not provide, an air traffic control service, civil or military.

The AOCS network consist of six Air Operations Communications Centres (AOCCs) located at Sydney, Darwin, Townsville, Perth, Auckland [NZ] and Woodbourn [NZ]. The combined AOCS provides:

  • A General Purpose Net (GPN) on which all AOCCs guard the same three frequencies. All AOCCs can transmit and receive on these three frequencies simultaneously.
  • Discrete frequencies are available (if required) at each AOCC and allocated after initial contact on the GPN.
  • Telephone patch facilities between aircraft and ground appointments.
  • Continuous monitoring of military distress frequency 5696 kHz.
  • Selective Calling (SELCAL): Available to suitably equipped aircraft.

    GPN Frequencies:
    Day (2100-0900 UTC) 8974.0 11235.0 13206.0 kHz
    Night (0900-2100 UTC) 3032.0 5687.0 8974.0 kHz
    Military Distress 5696.0 kHz

    The RAAF and RNZAF share 8974 kHz with the Spanish Air Force, and 5687 kHz with the Portugese and German military services.

    Discrete frequencies
    RAAF Darwin 6685.0 6709.0 6712.0 6727.0 6760.0 8968.0 8971.0 8989.0 9025.0 11187.0 11199.0 11205.0 11271.0 kHz

    RAAF Perth 6757.0 8977.0 9022.0 9025.0 11187.0 11271.0 15085.0 18003.0 23203.0 kHz

    RAAF Sydney 4715.0 5711.0 6730.0 6739.0 8971.0 8980.0 8989.0 8992.0 9007.0 9019.0 9031.0 11202.0 11208.0 11226.0 11250.0 13227.0 13245.0 13248.0 15067.0 17985.0 kHz

    RAAF Townsville 5714.0 8971.0 8992.0 9007.0 11187.0 11247.0 15034.0 kHz

    RNZAF Auckland 6754.0 6760.0 8965.0 9010.0 9025.0 11178.0 11217.0 11247.0 13212.0 13233.0 13245.0 15044.0 15055.0 kHz

    AOCS Callsigns
    Voice Callsign - Location
    ANZAC - ASAOCS/NZAOCS Collective Air Force
    Air Force Australia - ASAOCS Collective
    Air Force New Zealand - NZAOCS Collective
    Air Force Auckland - AOCC Auckland
    Air Force Darwin - AOCC Darwin
    Air Force Perth - AOCC Perth
    Air Force Sydney - AOCC Sydney
    Air Force Townsville - AOCC Townsville