Lesson 11: Shipboard External Communications and

Radiotelephone Procedures

Learning Objectives

• Comprehend the purpose and scope of electrical communication systems

• Comprehend frequency spectrum selection in Navy comms

• Understand the importance of security when communicating with R/T

• Understand the prowords and how to log their prosigns

Learning Objectives• Explain the phonetic alphabet and how it is used

during R/T procedures• Understand the proper procedure for conducting

and responding to radio checks• Understand the differences between delayed and

immediate executive methods for transmitting tactical signals

• Understand procedures for transmitting a signal using the delayed and immediate executive format

Radio communications• Internal communications - carried out by

direct contact between two people– messenger– sound-powered phone/IC systems– MC systems (1MC, 3MC)– Visual methods (rudder angle order indicator)

• External communications – transmit and receive signals or sounds by visual, radio or other electromagnetic systems

Radio Communications

• Accomplished primarily by means of radiotelephone (R/T), automatic digital network (AUTODIN) and radioteleprinter

• R/T is used for voice tactical and administrative communications by ships and aircraft

• Convenience, speed, and simplicity of operation makes it the primary method used by bridge for external comms

Radio Wave• Four characteristics of radio wave

– amplitude - measure of wave’s energy level– cycle - complete reversal of alternating current– frequency - number of cycles occurring in 1 sec– wavelength

• Standard of measurement of radiofrequency = hertz (Hz)– one cycle per second = 1 Hz

• Rule of thumb - lower the frequency, higher the power, larger the antenna required

Radio Wave Propagation• Reflection - radio wave reflected from area of

earth’s surface • Refraction - radio wave bent when moves from

one medium into another • Diffraction - radio wave bent when passes the

edge of object, resulting in change of direction of part of energy– Hawaii Oparea

• Daily and seasonal ionosphere conditions

Frequency Spectrum

• VLF - 3-30 kHz• LF - 30 to 300 kHz• MF - 300 to 3,000 kHz• HF - 3 to 30 MHz• VHF - 30 to 300 MHz• UHF - 300 to 3,000 MHz• SHF - 3 to 30 GHz• EHF - 30 to 40 GHz

• VLF and LF - – propagated by ground and surface waves– stable quality of transmission for long range– require great power and long antennas for

efficient comms– Navy shore installations

• HF - – moderate/long distance comms – 200NM– varies with time of day and season– Use if vhf and uhf are unreliable

Extensively used for short range, ship-to-ship and ship-to-aircraft

comms• VHF -

– lower band includes FM and television broadcasting frequencies

– 30 NM– Navy uses upper band for short distance comms

• Bridge-to-Bridge comms

• UHF - – Navy uses extensively for short-distance radio comms– 30NM

Radio communications• Transmitting stations must take into account

– Precedence (R, I, O, etc…)– Security requirements (Confid, S, TS)– Limitations on available equipment

• Order of desirability of transmission– messenger– registered mail– approved wire circuit– ordinary mail– non-approved wire circuit– visual systems

Radio communications• Order of desirability of transmission

– sound systems– radio

Radio Communications

• Accomplished by means of radiotelephone over various circuits (nets)

• number of nets assigned depends on– duties of ship– mission of force, group or unit to which ship is

assigned– OPORDER– equipment availability

What is a R/T circuit?• Each circuit has an assigned DESIG and

frequency• types

– voice– data– hardcopy

• secure/unsecure– unsecure require use of code books– secure nets require use of cryptographic equipment to

scramble the information• directed/undirected

– NECOS - net control station

Types of Nets

• Net Control Station dictates whether a given circuit will be free or directed

• Free - stations may transmit without obtaining permission from the NCS

• Directed - stations must contact the NCS for permission before sending transmission

What is a R/T circuit?• Hardcopy nets

– Broadcast• ship’s message traffic• HF and Satellite• circuits monitored in Radio Central

• Data– NTDS

• HF - long range• UHF - short range

– JOTS• UHF satellite world wide

– circuits monitored in CIC

What is a R/T circuit?• Voice

– UNSECURE• Bridge-to-Bridge (VHF)• Fleet Tac (UNSECURE)

– SECURE• Battle Group Command• Navy Red (ADMIN)

• Ship configuration of equipment depends on amount of circuits

Radio Watches

• Various types of watches necessary to maintain communication circuits

• Guard - continuous receiver watch required with transmitter ready for immediate use– complete log maintained

• Cover - continuous receiver watch kept with transmitter available if necessary– complete log maintained

Radio Watches

• Copy - continuous receiver watch maintained – complete log maintained

• Listen - continuous receiver watch maintained– optional complete log of transmissions– all transmissions from own ship to others

logged

Maintenance of Communication Logs

• Voice radio logs maintained on all r/t circuits unless otherwise directed– all incoming and outgoing transmissions are

recorded in the communications log• log includes:

– time of opening and closing of log, station and terminal use

– circuit desig and frequency– type of call sign in use– name of person maintaining log

Maintenance of circuit logs– Cause of delays on circuit and corrective

measures taken– unusual occurrences

• New log opened or started for new day (0001Z)– when relieved or close circuit, sign log– oncoming operator sign in on circuit– DO NOT ERASE LOG ENTRIES

• line out statement and write correct version next to it

1900 1930

General Procedures for good R/T technique

• Listed on Pg.. 5-4• When speaking on the radio, follow your ABC’s

– Accuracy– Brevity– Clarity

• Listen before transmitting• Talk slow but normal• Avoid extremes in pitch• Use standard pronunciation

General Procedures for good R/T technique

• Speak in a moderately strong voice• Keep correct distance between lips and

microphone• Keep speaker volumes moderate• Give an accurate evaluation for a radio

check• Adhere strictly to prescribed procedures

Numeral pronunciation• Special pronunciation for three numbers

– 3 : TREE– 5 : FY VE– 9 : NINER

• Spell out numbers digit by digit except for exact multiples of thousands– Ex: 9,012 “NINer, Zero, ONE, TWo”– Ex: 7,000 “Seven Thousand”– Ex. 16,000 “One Six Thousand”

Call-Signs• Plain Language (SECURE)

– Ex: Battle Group Command– PORT ROYAL this is CARNEY

• Daily changing c/s (NONSECURE)– Ex. Fleet Tac– A6W this is P5R

• JANAP 119 c/s (SECURE) – usually flight ops b/w aircraft and ship– Sunday Punch this is Easy Rider Three One

• Bridge-to-Bridge – – Use either Ship’s name, hull number, general

characteristics, etc…– PORT ROYAL this is CARNEY

Prowords• Pronounceable words or phrases that have

been assigned meanings for purpose of expediting radio conversations

“All after” “All before” “Break”

“Disregard this transmission” “This is”

“Execute to follow” “I say again”

“Out” “Over” “From” “Wait”

“Immediate execute”

Prowords• the proword is spoken• it’s prosign is placed in the communications

log– Know prowords/prosigns on HANDOUT

• proword on left• prosign on right

• Voice - “Execute to follow, Alfa Speed One Zero, over”

• Log - XTF, A Speed 10, K.

Precedence

• Relative order in which message handled and delivered both over net and message traffic– Flash (O) - fast as possible, less than 10

minutes– Immediate (I) - 30 minutes– Priority (P) - 3 hours– Routine (R) - 6 hours

Acknowledgments

• The proword ROGER is used to acknowledge that a message can be acted upon

• Only if the Commanding Officer heard, understood, and directed acknowledgment of a message may the proword WILCO be used– Roger and WILCO are not to be used together

Establishing Communications

• Full call signs are used when establishing a net

• To establish a net, the NCS calls all stations• Stations answer in alphabetical order of the

first letter of their call sign

Radio Checks

• Allow units to report on the signal strength and readability of radio transmissions

• Station assumed to have good signal strength and readability unless otherwise notified

Radio Checks• Basic Radio check - each can hear one

another• Example: W9T conducting a radiocheck

with P6V

– “P6V this is W9T, radiocheck, over”

– “This is P6V, roger, over”

– “This is W9T, roger out”

Radio Checks• Report signal strength then readability

– signal strength: loud, good, weak, very weak, fading

– readability: clear, readable, unreadable, distorted, with interference, intermittent

• Example: during radio check P6V is not loud and garbled– “Y5S this is P6V, over.”– “This is Y5S, read you weak and unreadable,

over.”– “This is P6V, roger out.”

Radio Checks• Basic Radio check - one cannot contact

anyone on the circuit• Ex. W9T trying to reach P6V for a

radiocheck

– “P6V this is W9T, radiocheck, over”

– “P6V this is W9T, nothing heard, out”

Wait…I missed the last half of the transmission!!!

• Repetitions– Prowords: SAY AGAIN, ALL BEFORE, ALL AFTER,

WORD BEFORE, WORD AFTER• Ex: S9E DE W3R, BV-WB-4, K.

• DE S9E, SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER BV, K.

• S9E DE W3R, I SAY AGAIN WB-4, K.

• DE S9E, R, AR

Corrections

• “P6V this is Y9F, Execute to follow corpen tree eight eight, oops, um, uhhh, out.”

• “P6V this is Y9F, Execute to follow corpen tree eight eight, DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION, OUT”

WRONG!

RIGHT!ENTIRE MSG CANEXED NO RESPONSE NECESSARY

What if I sent a signal wrong?

• “P6V this is Y9F, Corpen Port one eight zero, over”

• “P6V this is Y9F, NEGAT Corpen Port one eight zero. Break, Execute to follow Corpen Port one eight zero.”

WRONG!

CANEX SIGNAL WITH CORRECTION!

Can I just make the correction in the middle of the transmission if I

catch myself messing up?

• “S9E this is W3R, Execute to follow TURN zero niner zero CORRECTION zero niner five, over.

CORRECTION then PHRASE at mistake

Tactical Signals

• The executive method of transmitting tactical signals is used when the OTC wants all units to maneuver at the same time. There are two executive methods:

Delayed Executive

Immediate Executive

Delayed Executive• Two part transmission method

• Use when conducting a complex maneuver

• Allows ships more time to prepare for maneuver

Delayed Executive• The proword “EXECUTE TO FOLLOW” is

used immediately before the text. The signal of execution is transmitted within a short time using the proword “STANDBY - EXECUTE.”

• “PORT ROYAL this is LAKE ERIE, Execute to follow, Corpen starboard one three zero, over”– “This is LAKE ERIE, roger out.”

• “PORT ROYAL this is LAKE ERIE, Corpen starboard, standby, execute over”

(couple minutes later)

Immediate Executive• Single transmission

• Maneuver easily understood

• Situation calls for quick action

Immediate Executive• In cases of urgency, the signal to execute

can be transmitted as the final portion of the message, using with the proword “IMMEDIATE EXECUTE” to commence the signal, and “STANDBY - EXECUTE” to finish.

• “PORT ROYAL this is LAKE ERIE, Immediate execute, Speed 6, I say again, Speed 6. Standby….execute, over.”

Example of Delayed vs. Immediate Executive Set-up

• You are W3R• You want to tell S9E to Turn port to a

course of 090 degrees true via– Delayed Executive– Immediate Executive

• Draft two separate signals

Delayed Executive Method• S9E DE W3R, XTF Turn PORT 090, K.

• DE S9E, R, AR.

• S9E DE W3R, Turn PORT 090, standby…..XT, K

• DE S9E, R, AR

Immediate Executive

• S9E DE W3R, IX Turn PORT 090 IMI Turn PORT 090….Standby, XT, K.

• DE S9E, R, AR.

Communications Security

• Reminder that transmissions by r/t are subject to enemy interception and have no security protection

• Must be short and concise as possible

Forbidden R/T practices• Violation of radio silence• unofficial conversation between operators• transmitting on a directed net without

permission• excessive tuning and testing• transmitting the operator’s personal sign or

name• unauthorized use of plain language

Forbidden R/T practices• compromise of classified call signs by plain

language disclosures• profane, indecent, or obscene language

COMSEC• “BEADWINDOW” - tell station that they

have disclosed over a nonsecure circuit an essential element of friendly info (EEFI)

– EEFI is information that if disclosed over radio circuit and correlated with other information, could provide key part of intelligence to enemy

– Applicable to all nonsecure voice circuits

– List of Beadwindow codes to be used in transmission posted at all nonsecure net sites

COMSEC• Sample transmission

– Ex: Over nonsecure FLT TAC “NIMITZ this is CARNEY, K.”

– Any station can answer……DE A6V (LAKE ERIE) BEADWINDOW 06, K.

– Only response to Beadwindow - ROGER OUT!!!

Authentication• Security measure designed to protect

communications if any chance it might be of enemy origin– operator’s mistakes and voice are early detection

warnings• Mandatory during following conditions:

• any station suspects imitative deception on a circuit• any station is challenged or requested to authenticate• making contact and amplifying reports in plain language

or brevity code• directing radio silence or requiring a station to break an

imposed radio silence

Homework

• Exam changed to Monday, 25 FEB• In-Class R/T Exercise for today and

Wednesday• In-Class review and introduction to surface

ship ops on Friday

Group Assignment

• Group LEYTE 1– Hernandez, Lacy, Harwood

• Group LEYTE 2– Canale, Astroth, Marks

• Group OBANNON 1– Wakayama, Bailey, Ralston

• Group OBANNON 2– George, Barnecut, Parker, Horton

Group Assignment

• Group LEYTE 1– Morales, Anderson, Taylor

• Group LEYTE 2– Contreras, Cobb, Mulle

• Group OBANNON 1– Fox, Gauthier, Cook

• Group OBANNON 2– Lopez, South, McClung, McKown

Group assignments

• Maintain R/T log• Conducting transmission• Encode/decode transmission

Major Players

• USS LEYTE GULF C/S U3X• USS O’BANNON C/S S9F• USS NIMITZ C/S P6V• COLLECTIVE C/S L2N

Radio Checks• Basic Radio check - each can hear one

another• Example: W9T conducting a radiocheck

with P6V

– “P6V this is W9T, radiocheck, over”

– “This is P6V, roger, over”

– “This is W9T, roger out”

Radio Checks• Example: W9T informs P6V that they are

conducting flight operations.

– “P6V this is W9T, BG-AV, over”

– “This is P6V, roger, out”

1205 P6V W9F RADIOCHECK, K1207 W9F P6V BG-AV, K

Sample responses

• Interrogative statements:– This is P6V, Roger, wait out.

• Given a long tactical signal– This is P6V, Roger, out.– Signal is understood– Encode tactical signal and go over radio to

station to verify it is correct