Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction

In my recent SurvivalBlog multi-part article, Communications Options for the Common Man, I looked at how to use commonly available license-free radios in a way that provided a low level of communication security by following a few basic rules, by mostly untrained people. Included in that article was the use of field phones that are easy to use, and provide the highest level of communication security that could be available to both untrained and trained personnel.

In this article, I will describe methods that could only be used by trained and disciplined personnel who can maintain higher standards, and use more sophisticated transceivers and better Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to attain a higher level of communication security. Field phones are not discussed as the previous article adequately covered the topic.

My Background

As previously mentioned, I have no military training and therefore I cannot be considered an authority on the topic. Also, consider the fact that I do not adhere to a military SOP. I am mostly self-taught, using various sources available on the Internet, including military training manuals. I began learning about the use of communications as the military would, long before any training courses and related literature were available, and have adapted military SOPs to civilian applications that include unconventional means and methods. By the way, each branch of the United States military uses slightly different SOPs, and for good reasons.

How I would conduct comms is similar, yet not exactly the same as the military would. Because of a lack of professional instruction and training, I do have holes in my education that were hopefully adequately filled by my experience using radios daily, as a part of my early profession. Of course, we can never know too much, and will always find more that we need to improve upon. Experience gained during on-the-job training is a sometimes painful way to learn. So get the training we can, as we can, and before it becomes necessary to learn the hard way, as lives could be lost as a result.

As citizen defenders, we should embrace well-proven military SOP, yet also adapt it to suit civilians, and use an unconventional SOP that makes us more effective and less predictable. For example, if I am working predominantly with prior law enforcement folks, then I would revert to using the LAPD phonetic alphabet that law enforcement typically uses, and may also use the old 10-Codes in addition to a brevity matrix. A truncated version of the old 10-Code system will greatly reduce transmission times, yet a brevity matrix is mandatory in certain circumstances.

When talking to experienced hams, I’ll use the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) transmission protocols, and lingo (Q-codes), and the military phonetic alphabet. (Which is also standard for hams in all English-speaking countries.)

As you can see in the table below, the police and military phonetic alphabets are somewhat similar, and can be understood by any proficient English speaker:

Fortunately, I can offer some knowledge on the topic of practical and tactical push-to-talk communications. If I could afford the time to write more, then I would. I am old, but I will never be able to “retire”, per se. I usually stay out of the deep end of the pool of this topic, and attempt to keep it simple for most folks who are not technically inclined, or have little exposure to the topic, since that is the majority of this audience. This time, I am doing a deep dive for those who are ready for it. It is time to get serious.

If you would like to learn more and learn from a military professional, then seek out training from Brushbeater.org (N.C. Scout) who travels the country. Or seek the basic classes offered by the author of Tactical Wisdom, at Joe Dolio’s training center located near Big Fork, Montana. Personally, I have never attended any training course as the expense well exceeds my tight budget, but for those who can afford such training, it could be of great benefit and will accelerate your progress. Remember: A solid defense of life and liberty will require a solid communications plan that is well-executed.

Training and Commo

Success in any venture requires a solid plan and adequate skills. A solid plan and proper execution of communications are key to coordinating all activities, big and small. It is a skill set to be mastered. As it certainly pertains to the small unit or individual stations, commo is most likely to go down due to radiotelephone operator (RTO) error. All skills are perishable. If I do not operate a particular transceiver regularly, my proficiency declines. The same goes for my proficiency with firearms. At one time, I was lightning fast and deadly accurate, but as I ‘rust up’ from a lack of ongoing training and with the passage of time, I am now older, slower, and less accurate.

Reliable Comms and COMSEC

As most of our planning should, any Signals Operation Instructions (SOIs) should employ the PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) concept and be written so clearly that they are easy to refer to quickly and use. This is an example that does not use field phones as the default primary means that might be employed as part of a static defense at a homestead. The SOI is suitable for a patrol using handie-takie radios when it makes sense to do so:

Primary: 154.880 (MURS CH#5, 2 Watt maximum )

Alternate: 464.500 MHz (Business Band, 2 watts maximum)

Contingency: 146.520 MHz (2 Meter Simplex)

Emergency: Hand and Arm Signals, and if not a VS-17 panel, or improvise with a homemade Hunter Orange and white cloth panel attached to the opposite side, or use as a flag. Whistles for a SAR (search and rescue) situation can be used by those who are injured or lost.

The Primary and Alternate

The first reason we would use UHF and VHF as the primary and secondary means is to avoid detection by a threat that is using an ordinary analog scanner to sweep the radio spectrum from 144 to 480 MHz as they could easily miss a brief 5 second or less transmission. Or they may use a transceiver to slowly scan the channels that are a part of the radio service that their transceiver uses, i.e. FRS/GMRS. The Primary and Alternate frequencies use VHF and UHF that are on two distinct parts of the radio spectrum can also defeat the use of a single scanner using a Close Call feature (Uniden) that can detect any frequency in use on either UHF or VHF, yet not on both simultaneously.

In addition, UHF works much better than VHF does from inside buildings and vehicles, while VHF works better at extended distances in forested and mountainous regions. When traveling by vehicle, it is best to use UHF if there is no external antenna on the vehicle. And yet sometimes UHF will work better in a region than VHF is usually considered to be best, and for no apparent reason. It is good to have the option of having both UHF and VHF readily available, given the foreseen circumstances.

The Tactical Operations Center (TOC or dispatch/base station) should monitor all three assigned frequencies at the same time so that if a call is attempted on other than the primary frequency, it would not be missed. Do not use a scanner to monitor these frequencies, but three.  For each, have a single receiver with the channel number, PACE level, and frequency clearly labeled and visible above or on the transceiver that is monitoring that frequency.

In the event that a call is received on a frequency that is currently designated as the contingency frequency, we would not want to miss this call for assistance and quickly respond by simply keying the mic attached to the transceiver. We would not want to have to change frequencies or the setting on a dual receiver, but be able respond immediately, especially when the primary radio traffic is heavy. If we turn our head to the left or right to see the transceiver assigned the frequency, then we instantly know the nature of the call and can respond seamlessly and respond as necessary or possible.

Contingency Communications

Regardless of the radio service selected for a contingency role, do not use a PL (‘privacy line’ that is a tone), or tones in general. The contingency frequency is a latter resort attempt to use radio communications, and should be used only for making a call for help and recovery. If we are using the contingency frequency the patrol is in trouble and is calling for help. If the use of a repeater makes communications in difficult radio terrain possible, then it should be used.

(To be continued tomorrow, in Part 2.)