Our Services

Basic High Frequency Radio And Antenna Theory

We discuss high frequency radio wave propagation, antenna polarity, antennas, wave forms, and other basic concepts to help the communicator maintain and improve his or her communication skills.

Frequency Propagation Class

We learn to use online tools to learn how to operate as a frequency manager. This includes the use of VOACAP, great circle azimuth computation, maiden head grid square determination, space weather effects on propagation, and ionosonde frequency mapping.

Radio Direction Finding Through Radio Networks

Understanding how high frequency propagation paths function is a critical component to the unit's radio direction finding efforts.

We offer classes in the history of RDF and how the detection and location of high frequency signals has not changed that much over time. We listen to signals and look at the waterfall to visualize patterns.

We dicuss propagation paths and their prediction as starting points for operators to begin their detection efforts.

Once the academic portion is completed, we move to a field location to set up the unit's RDF equipment and move into the detection phase.

As part of the course, we require the students to detect, locate and characterize high frequency signals. We accomplish this by locating upwards of a dozen communication nodes that operate from 30 to 1,000 miles from base in both long distance and NVIS configurations. The station comes on the air at a planned time to send SSB voice, 2G, 3G and M110A message formats.

Field Expedient Antennas

The student receives classroom instruction about how to create field expedient antennas with materials sourced from local commercial supppliers. We review ten antenna types. The class includes the mathmatical formulas needed to calculate antenna lengths in various wave formats.

Next, we give materials to the students to allow them to make an antenna or two of their choice.

Finally, we take the students to the field. There, using their newly minted antennas, attached to PRC-160 or PRC-137 radios, we operate the radios in a network and attempt to contact radio stations in NVIS range and out to 1,000 miles.

Manual Encryption Techniques

In an emergency, under a scenario where a unit no longer has access to its primary Type One or Type Three encrypted radio, but must send an encrypted message, or must hand deliver an encrypted message, this class covers authorized manual encryption techniques (as part of the E in PACE) that might be used when no other viable message encryption format is available.

The class reviews several versions of poly alphabetic, aperiodic, substitution cipher sytems. We learn to use a one time pad and how to create a one time crypto key. We utilize Vigenere’s Tableau, also called the tri-graph, to encrypt messages using trignomes. The students learn to create the tri-graph, and are required to successfully encrypt and decrypt messages.

Operating In Radio Networks

Your operator can operate in a widely dispersed HF radio network. This allows the operator to practice their HF radio and antenna crafting and placement skills.

We can provide DX or NVIS practice sessions.