ZSPI ROTC UNIT

LEARNING MODULE 7
THE OFFICIAL LEARNING MODULE OF ZSPI ROTC UNIT

INTRODUCTION TO SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

NAME:____________________________ Course & Year:____________ Date:_______________

Military Science:____ Cadet Number:________________ Module Serial Number:_____________________

 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.

2. Frequency Range: The lowest to highest frequency in which the radio will
operate

 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
SHORT, MEDIUM OR LONG
APPLICATIONS
RANGE
TYPE OF MODULATION AM/HF
TRANSMITTER POWER OUTPUT 20 WATTS
 PRC 77 VHF
30 to 52.95 Mhz (Low Band
FREQUENCY RANGE
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
POWER REQUIREMENTS – 12 VDC
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 Pronunciatio Letter Word Pronunciation
n
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 ROMEO ROW 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
I INDIA IN DEE AH V VICTOR VIK TAH
J JULIETT JEW LEE ETT W WHISKEY WISS KEY
K KILO KEY LOH X XRAY ECKS RAY
L LIMA LEE MAH Y YANKEE YANG 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
The portion of the message to which I have reference is all
ALL AFTER
that which follows
The portion of the message to which I have reference is all
ALL BEFORE
that which precedes ____________.
The station called is to reply to the challenge that follows
AUTHENTICATE
____________.
AUTHENTICATION The transmission authentication of this message is
IS ________________.
I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other
BREAK
portions of the message.
CORRECT You are correct or what you have transmitted is correct.
An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission
will continue with the last word correctly transmitted.
CORRECTION
An error has been made in this transmission (or message
indicated). The correct version is _______.
This transmission is in error. Disregard it. (This proword
DISREGARD
shall not be used to cancel any message that has been
TRANSMISSION-
completely transmitted and for which receipt or
OUT
acknowledge has been received)
Stations called are not to answer this call, receipt for the
message, or otherwise to transmit it connection with this
DO NOT ANSWER transmission. When this proword is employed, the
transmission shall be ended with the proword “OUT”.
The addresses immediately following are exempted from
EXEMPT
the collective call.
FIGURES Numerals or numbers follow. (Optional)
Precedence FLASH. Reserved for initial enemy contact
reports on special emergency operational combat traffic
originated by specifically designated high commanders of
FLASH 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.
The originator of this message is indicated by the address
FROM
designation immediately following.
GROUPS This message contains the number of groups indicated.
 Precedence immediate. The precedence reserved for
message relating to situations which gravely affect the
IMMEDIATE
security of national/allied forces or populace, and which
require immediate delivery.
The addressees immediately following are addressed for
INFO
info.
The group that follows it is the reply to your challenge to
I AUTHENTICATE
authenticate.
The following is my response to your instructions to read
I READ BACK
back.
I SAY AGAIN I am repeating transmission or portion indicated.
I SPELL I shall spell the next word phonetically.
That which follows has been verified at your request and is
I VERIFY
repeated. (To be used as a reply to verify)
A message that requires recording is about to follow.
MESSAGE
(Transmitted immediately after the call)
MORE TO Transmitting station has additional traffic for the receiving
FOLLOW station.
This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is
OUT required or expected. (Since OVER and OUT have
opposite meanings, they are never used together.
This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is
OVER
necessary, Go ahead; transmit
Precedence PRIORITY. Reserved for important messages
that must have precedence over routine traffic. This is the
PRIORITY
highest precedence that normally may be assigned to a
message of administrative nature.
Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as
READ BACK
received
Transmit this message to all addresses (or addresses
RELAY (TO) immediately following this proword). The address
component is mandatory when this proword id used.
ROGER I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
Precedence ROUTINE. Reserved for all types of
messages which are not of sufficient urgency to justify a
ROUTINE
higher precedence, but must have be delivered to the
addressee without delay.
Repeat all of your last transmission. (Followed by
SAY AGAIN 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 is lifted. (When an authentication system is in force
SILENCE LIFTED
the transmission lifting silence is to be authenticated).
Your transmission is too fast a speed. Reduce speed of
SPEAK SLOWER
transmission.
This transmission is from the station whose designator
THIS IS
immediately follows.
That which immediately follows is the time or date/time
TIME
group of the message.
The addressee(s) immediately following is (are) addressed
TO
for action.
UNKNOWN The identity of the station with which I am attempting to
STATION establish communications is unknown.
Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the
originator and send correct version. (To be used only at
VERIFY
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.
I have received your signal, understand it, and will comply.
(To be used only by the addressee. Since the meaning of
WILCO
ROGER is included in that of WILCO, the two prowords are
never used together).
He word of the message to which I have reference is that
WORD AFTER
which follows _____________.
The word of the message to which I have reference is that
WORD BEFORE
which precedes.
Communication is difficult. Transmit (ring) each phrase (or
WORD TWICE each code group) twice. This proword may be used as an
order, request, or as information.
Your last transmission is incorrect. The correct version is
WRONG
_____.

COMMUNICATION SECURITY

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.
Name: __________________________________ Cadet Number: ____________________
Course:___________________ Module Serial Number: _______________________
Date:__________________

BASIC SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

(ESSAY)

INSTRUCTION: WRITE YOUR ESSAY IN OTHER SHEET OF PAPER IN NOT LESS THAN 150
WORDS

1. How important signal communication in the Military Organization?