SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION

The word “Signal” is derived from the Latin word “signum”, meaning mark or sign. It is a means of transmitting
information in accordance with certain pre-arranged system or code in cases where direct verbal or written statement is
unnecessary, undesirable, or impractical.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

1. Frequency- the number of recurrences of a periodic phenomenon in a unit of time. The number of cycles per
second. The unit is express in Hertz (Hz)

Primary Frequencies:

a. High Freq (HF) : 30 – 30 MHz

b. Very High Freq (VHF): 30 – 300 MHz

c. Ultra High Freq (UHF): 300 – 3000 MHz

d. Super High Freq (UHF): 3 – 30 GHz

e. Extremely High Freq (EHF): 30 – 300 GHz

2. Amplitude Modulation (AM) - a type of modulation wherein the basic waveform is made to vary the amplitude,
or strength, of the carrier wave.

3. Frequency Modulation (FM) – a type of modulation wherein the carrier has constant amplitude but whose
frequency is varied in accordance with the modulating signal.

4. Antenna- an electrical conductor, or systems of conductors, used to transmit or receive radio waves.

5. Call Sign any combination of characters, numbers or pronounceable words which identified a communication
facility, command, authority, activity, unit, used primarily for establishing and maintaining communication.

6. CEOI – Communication Electronics Operation Instructions- a series of orders issued for the technical control and
coordination of the signal activities of the command. Also known as Signal Operation Instruction (SOI).

7. (CESI) Communication Electronics Standing Instructions- a series of instruction explaining the use of items
included in the CEOI.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION

Although all of the characteristics of signal communication are interrelated, they are not necessarily completely
compatible. Emphasis on one characteristic may degrade another. For example, the importance of speed may outright
outweigh the

need for security. Generally, a carefully applied balance of all characteristics will provide an effective and efficient
communication system. The following are the characteristics of communications:

1. RELIABILITY - is paramount in all circumstances. The term includes accuracy of communications.

2. MULTIPLE MEANS - the communication planner must avoid reliance on a single means of communication. Since
all means are subject to interferences, enemy action, personnel and equipment failure, the communication system is
appreciably strengthened by the use of multiple means of communications.

3. SPEED - Communication speed is based on operational urgency. Ideally, the greatest speed would be attained if
every user could communicate directly with every other user of the communication system.
 4. SECURITY - Maximum communication security is obtained by employing every safeguard consistent with
operational requirements. Effective security depends on the proper balance between security controls and operational
urgency.

5. FLEXIBILITY - Communication means and system for their employment should be flexible and capable of
supporting the degree of operational stress to which the command could reasonably be subjected in time of war.

6. DISPERSION- Units are dispersed to provide the enemy with unprofitable targets and so with
communications facilities.

RADIO

Radio is the primary means of communications for signal support in the tactical units. It is the most flexible
means of communication and requires no fixed circuits be activating, extending or maintaining.

1. Advantages of Radio:

a. Can span great distances

b. Speed of installation and can be integrates with wire system

c. Require minimum manpower and space for equipment

d. Provides communications across impassable terrains over which it may be impracticable to install wire.

e. Retransmission can be used to increase range and overcome obstacles.

2. Disadvantages of Radio:

a. Lack of security. It is the least secured means of communications. It must be assumed that interception occurs
each time a transmitter is placed in operation.

b. Radio operations requires common frequency, compatible equipment and common range

c. Subject to interference from the atmosphere, terrain and man-made sources.

d. Subject to poor reception due to causes such as:

1.) Distance between two radio sets.

2.) Poor choice of location.

3.) Bad terrain ( hilly and mountainous )

4.) Noise and interference

5.) Poor antenna installation.

6.) Poor frequency selection.

Principal characteristics:

1. Types of Set:

a. Portable – those that can be carried by an individual and can be operated while moving.

b. Transportable – those than can be moved from one place to another normally by a team of men but cannot be
operated while moving.

c. Vehicular – those that are normally installed in vehicles and obtain power from the vehicle’s battery.

d. General – can be operated both on ground and vehicle.

• VHF (LB): 30 – 90 MHz

• HF/AM (SSB): 3 – 30 MHz

3. Operating Range: The rated range of the radio for planning purposes.

• VHF/FM (LB): 8 km planning range

• HF/AM (SSB): 40 km planning range

4. Power Source:

 Dry Cell Battery (BA-30)

 Vehicular Battery

 Generator

COMMON TACTICAL RADIO

URC 187

FREQUENCY RANGE 2-12 MHZ

NR OF CHANNELS 20,000

TEMPERATURE RANGE 10 C to +55C

POWER REQUIREMENTS 12 to 13.5 VDC

APPLICATIONS SHORT, MEDIUM OR LONG RANGE

TYPE OF MODULATION AM/HF

TRANSMITTER POWER OUTPUT 20 WATTS

PRC 77 VHF

FREQUENCY RANGE 30 to 52.95 Mhz (Low Band

53 to 75.95 Mhz (High Band

NR OF CHANNELS 920

CHANNEL SPACING 50 KHZ

POWER REQUIREMENTS 12.5 to 15 VDC

APPLICATIONS / RANGE 5 MILES (8 KM)

TYPE OF MODULATION FM/VHF

TRANSMITTER POWER OUTPUT 1-4 WATTS

BATTERY LIFE 60 HRS (W/ 9:1 R/T RATIO)

PRC 126

FREQUENCY RANGE 30 to 88 Mhz

NR OF CHANNELS 920

TEMPERATURE RANGE 40C to +55C

APPLICATIONS 500 mtrs to 3 Km

TYPE OF MODULATION – FM/VHF

TRANSMITTER POWER OUTPUT – 1 WATT

CHANNEL SPACING 25 KHZ

BATTERY LIFE 60 HRS (W/ 9:1 R/T RATIO)

HARRIS TACTICAL RADIO RF 2310

FREQUENCY RANGE 1.6 to 30 Mhz

NR OF CHANNELS 15

TEMPERATURE RANGE 30C to +50C

POWER REQUIREMENTS 13.8 VDC

APPLICATIONS

TYPE OF MODULATION AM/HF

TRANSMITTER POWER OUTPUT 125 WATTS

RADIO COMMUNICATIO FUNDAMENTALS

1. Radio Net - a group of several stations working together in the same frequency

2. Calls Sign - combination of characters (letters and numbers) or pronounceable words that identify the facility
or station.

a. Individual Call Sign b. Collective Call Sign

3. Net Call Sign - a call sign that identifies all radio station operating in a particular net and using the same
frequency.

4. Call - a method of establishing communication whereby the station calling transmits the identity of the
stations called as well as his own identity.

5. Prowords - are pronounceable words that have assigned meaning to facilitate transmission by radio.

PHONETIC ALPHABET

Letter Word Pronunciation Letter Word Pronunciation

A ALFA AL FAH N NOVEMBER NO VEM BER

B BRAVO BRAH VOH O OSCAR OSS CAH

C CHARLIE CHAR LEE P PAPA PAH PAH

D DELTA DELL TAH Q QUEBEC KEH BECK

E ECHO ECK OH R ROMEOROW ME OH

F FOXYTROT FOXS TROT S SIERRA SEE AIR RAH

G GOLF GOLF T TANGO TANG GO

H HOTEL HOH TELL U UNIFORM YOU NEE FORM

J JULIETT JEW LEE ETT W WHISKEY WISS KEY

K KILO KEY LOH X XRAY ECKS RAY

L LIMA LEE MAH Y YANKEEYANG KEY

M MIKE MIKE Z ZULU ZOO LOO

NUMERICAL PRESENTATIONS

1. To distinguish numerals from words similarly pronounced, the proword “FIGURES” might be used preceding
such numbers.

2. When numerals are transmitted by radiotelephone, the following rules for their pronunciation will be observed:

Numeral Spoken As Numeral Spoken As

0 ZE RO 5 FIFE

1 WUN 6 SIX

2 TOO 7 SEV - EN

3 TREE 8 AIT

4 FOW - ER 9 NIN - ER

3. Numbers will be transmitted digit by digit except that exact multiple of thousands may be spoken as such.
However, there are special cases, such as anti-air warfare reporting procedures, when the normal pronunciation of
numerals is prescribed for example, 17 would then be “seventeen.”

Numeral Spoken As

44 FOW-ER FOW-ER

90 NIN-ER ZERO

136 WUN TREE SIX

TIME 1200 WUN TOO ZE-RO ZE-RO

1478 WUN FOW-ER SEV-EN AIT

7000 SEV-EN TOU-SAND

16000 WUN SIX TOU-SAND

812681 AIT WUN TOO SIX AIT WUN

4. The figure “ZERO” is to be written “0,” the figure “ONE” is to be written “1” and the letter “ZULU” is to be written
“Z.”

5. Difficult words may be spelled phonetically using the four-step method. Abbreviations and isolated letters
should be phonetisized without the proword “I SPELL.”
PROWORDS

Prowords Meaning

ALL AFTER The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that which follows

ALL BEFORE The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that which precedes __________.

AUTHENTICATE The station called is to reply to the challenge that follows __________.

AUTHENTICATION IS The transmission authentication of this message is ______________.

BREAK I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the message.

CORRECT You are correct or what you have transmitted is correct.

CORRECTION An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will continue with the last word correctly
transmitted.

An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated). The correct version is _____.

DISREGARD TRANSMISSION-OUT This transmission is in error. Disregard it. (This proword shall not be used to
cancel any message that has been completely transmitted and for which receipt or acknowledge has been received)

DO NOT ANSWER Stations called are not to answer this call, receipt for the message, or otherwise to transmit it
connection with this transmission. When this proword is employed, the transmission shall be ended with the proword
“OUT”.

EXEMPT The addresses immediately following are exempted from the collective call.

FIGURES Numerals or numbers follow. (Optional)

FLASH Precedence FLASH. Reserved for initial enemy contact reports on special emergency operational combat traffic
originated by specifically designated high commanders of units directly affected. This traffic is to SHORT reports of
emergency situations of vital proportion. Handling is as fast as is humanly possible with an objective time of 10 minutes
or less.

FROM The originator of this message is indicated by the address designation immediately following.

GROUPS This message contains the number of groups indicated.

IMMEDIATE Precedence immediate. The precedence reserved for message relating to situations which gravely affect
the security of national/allied forces or populace, and which require immediate delivery.

INFO The addressees immediately following are addressed for info.

I AUTHENTICATE The group that follows it is the reply to your challenge to authenticate.

I READ BACK The following is my response to your instructions to read back.

I SAY AGAIN I am repeating transmission or portion indicated.

I SPELL I shall spell the next word phonetically.

I VERIFY That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated. (To be used as a reply to verify)

MESSAGE A message that requires recording is about to follow. (Transmitted immediately after the call)
MORE TO FOLLOW Transmitting station has additional traffic for the receiving station.

OUT This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected. (Since OVER and OUT have
opposite meanings, they are never used together.

OVER This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary, Go ahead; transmit

PRIORITY Precedence PRIORITY. Reserved for important messages that must have precedence over routine traffic.
This is the highest precedence that normally may be assigned to a message of administrative nature.

READ BACK Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as received

RELAY (TO) Transmit this message to all addresses (or addresses immediately following this proword). The address
component is mandatory when this proword id used.

ROGER I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.

ROUTINE Precedence ROUTINE. Reserved for all types of messages which are not of sufficient urgency to justify a
higher precedence, but must have be delivered to the addressee without delay.

SAY AGAIN Repeat all of your last transmission. (Followed by identification data means “Repeat ____(Portion
indication).”)

SERVICE The message that follows is a service message.

SILENCE “Cease Transmission Immediately.” Silence will be maintained until lifted. (Transmission imposing
silence must be authenticated).

SILENCE LIFTED Silence is lifted. (When an authentication system is in force the transmission lifting silence is to be
authenticated).

SPEAK SLOWER Your transmission is too fast a speed. Reduce speed of transmission.

THIS IS This transmission is from the station whose designator immediately follows.

TIME That which immediately follows is the time or date/time group of the message.

TO The addressee(s) immediately following is (are) addressed for action.

UNKNOWN STATION The identity of the station with which I am attempting to establish communications is unknown.

VERIFY Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version. (To be used only at
the discretion of the addressee to which the questioned message was directed)

WAIT I must pause for a few seconds.

WAIT OUT I must pause for a longer than a few seconds.

WILCO I have received your signal, understand it, and will comply. (To be used only by the addressee. Since the
meaning of ROGER is included in that of WILCO, the two prowords are never used together).

WORD AFTER He word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows ___________.

WORD BEFORE The word of the message to which I have reference is that which precedes.

WORD TWICE Communication is difficult. Transmit (ring) each phrase (or each code group) twice. This proword may
be used as an order, request, or as information.

WRONG Your last transmission is incorrect. The correct version is ___.

Communication Security is one of the largest problem confronting commanders today. With rapid advance in
technology, our communication systems have likewise improved by leaps and bounds. However, equally proportional is
the increase in vulnerability of our systems to interpretation. With modern concept of warfare emphasizing on mobility
and wide dispersion, communication for command and control is playing a more vital role. An efficient and rapid
communication is a double-edged weapon. Battles can never be won unless our troops receive their orders with as much
dispatch as possible without making the enemy privy to our communications. Once the enemy is able to intercept and
gain intelligence from our communications, this highly effective weapon will reverse itself, boomerang on us, and cause
death and destruction and even total annihilation. It is therefore imperative that military personnel made aware of and
realize the importance of communication security.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Communication Security - all measures taken to protect all information which may be of value to the enemy or the
deliberate misleading of that enemy in the interpretation of information he may be able to gather. From this definition,
you will note hat communication security is a two-pronged activity. First the protection of information and second - the
deliberate misleading of the enemy in his interpretation of information he may be able to gather.

Classified Military Information - All information concerning documents, cryptographic devises, development
projects and materials falling under the security classification of TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL, and RESTRICTED.

Registered Document - Any classified document which have been registered usually by numbers and periodically
accounted for. This is a security measure that ensures periodic accounting of classified documents.

Short Title - A designation applied to classified materials, documents or devises usually words, figures, numbers
or a combination thereof. This is intended for brevity as well as an additional security measures.

Compromise - This occurs when a classified document, material or a cryptographic devises/system becomes
known or is suspected to have been made known to unauthorized personnel.

Authentication - This is a security measure designed to protect a communication system against fraudulent
message transmission.

SIGNAL SECURITY TECHNIQUES

TACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1. Assembly Area:

a. The first step in moving to the battle

b. Last chance to make final preparations for battle

c. Radio communications must be kept minimum to prevent enemy detection and compromise

Communications used – Messenger, Visual and Sound

2. Offensive Operations – radio is the primary means of communications during the attack. Prior to the attack,
radio listening silence should be imposed to maintain surprise. Once the attack is launched and the enemy has been
engaged, this restriction can be removed. Visual and Sound communications can be employed during the attack to
transmit prearranged messages in accordance with CEOI.

3. Defensive Operations - to prevent, resist, repulse or destroy enemy attack. While holding a specific terrain,
primary communications will be Wire. During fire and maneuver, primary emphasis will be placed on secure FM radios
and messengers.
a. Area Defense – retention of a specific terrain for a specific period. Communications used: Wires and Cables,
Visual and Sounds and Messengers.

b. Mobile Defense – emphasis on the destruction of the enemy rather than the retention of a terrain.

Communications used: Radio, Visual and Sound.

4. Retrograde Operations – during the preparation for retrograde movement, our existing communications should
continue their normal operations at the CP location, which will soon be abandoned, new installations, should be held to
an absolute minimum while maximum is made to existing facilities. The commander and his staff will employ special
messengers during the rapidly changing situation. Messengers will be kept at the old CP location to insure
communications with forces left in contact with the enemy.

5. Relief Operations – forces in contact with the enemy may be relieved to conserve fighting power or be given a
new mission, bringing the reserve unit into action.

a. Relief in Place – relieving unit takes over all responsibilities for the combat mission and AO. The relieving unit
should take over the existing C-E facilities to the extent possible so the electronic signature of the unit will not change.
Radio silence is one of the most important precautions and provides the needed security to make the operation
successful. Communications used: Messengers, Wires and Cables.

b. Passage of Line - occurs when moving unit pass thru stationary unit already dispersed and in contact with the
enemy. Messengers will be used within and between two units. Visual signals should be limited to pre-arranged
identification signals such as armbands, hand-to-hand signals and panels. Care must be used with these because the
enemy might also see and use them.
BASIC SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

I. INSTRUCTION: Read each question carefully and select the best answer that corresponds to each question indicated
below.

* Required

Email address *

Write Your Name (LN, FN, MI) *

1. Signal Communication is a transfer of information from one place to or person except by direct conversation. *

1 point

a. True

b. False

2. Superior to Subordinate, provides that the commander is the one responsible for installation, operation and
maintenance of Signal Communication to the lower units *

1 point

a. True

b. False

3. Messenger is the oldest and relatively most secured means of communication. *

1 point

a. True

b. False

4. Radio Net is a group of several stations working together in the same frequency *

1 point

a. True

b. False

5. Calls Sign is a combination of characters (letters and numbers) or pronounceable words that identifies the facility or
station. *

1 point

a. True

b. False

6. Net Call Sign is a call sign that identifies all radio station operating in a particular net and using the same frequency. *

1 point

a. True

b. False
7. Call is a method of establishing communication whereby the station calling transmits the identity of the stations called
as well as his own identity. *

1 point

a. True

b. False

8. Prowords are pronounceable words that have assigned meaning to facilitate transmission by radio *

1 point

a. True

b. False

9. Communication Security is the protection resulting from all measures designed to deny unauthorized person in their
interpretation of the result of such study *

1 point

a. True

b. False

10. Drafter or Writer is the the person actually composes a message. This may be the commander himself or other
personnel that has been delegated with the responsibility of preparing the message. *

1 point

a. True

b. False