Which step follows setting the mode to SC, RF power, and channel to MAN during SINCGARS RT startup?

Which step follows setting the mode to SC, RF power, and channel to MAN during SINCGARS RT startup?

• A. Place COMSEC switch to CT
• B. Place volume switch to the desired level
• C. Move FCTN switch to TST
• D. Return mode switch to OFF

Answer: (A)

Enabling the cryptographic path is the next essential step. After you set the radio to single-channel mode, choose the RF power, and select the MAN channel, you must turn the COMSEC switch to CT to engage the crypto and load the crypto keys. This makes the channel secure so you can actually transmit and receive securely on SINCGARS. Without CT, the radio won’t establish the encrypted path, even though the basic radio parameters are set. The other steps don’t align with the startup flow at this point: adjusting the volume comes after the radio is up, putting the FCTN switch into TST is used for a test mode rather than normal startup, and returning the mode switch to OFF would power the radio down.

Enabling the cryptographic path is the next essential step. After you set the radio to single-channel mode, choose the RF power, and select the MAN channel, you must turn the COMSEC switch to CT to engage the crypto and load the crypto keys. This makes the channel secure so you can actually transmit and receive securely on SINCGARS. Without CT, the radio won’t establish the encrypted path, even though the basic radio parameters are set.

The other steps don’t align with the startup flow at this point: adjusting the volume comes after the radio is up, putting the FCTN switch into TST is used for a test mode rather than normal startup, and returning the mode switch to OFF would power the radio down.