Glendora Emergency Response Communications

Communications Security

Sep 07, 2004

The Glendora Emergency Response Communications weekly net was put to an unexpected test on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 when an unauthorized Spanish language station caused QRM on Alpha 1.

Net control, KF6DSA called for a QSY to Alpha 3, and sent Richard, KG6TRD back to Alpha 1 to shepherd hams to Alpha 3. Although most of the GERC hams were able to QSY to Alpha 3, some did not know the frequency and could not QSY.

It is a good practice to always carry a frequency card with your radio for just such events. These cards are available at GERC meetings.

Ray, KF6LLH has passed on some interesting information pertaining to Military Communications Security rules.

Below follows an excerpt from the Soldiers Manual of Basic Combat Skills:

COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY (COMSEC)

COMSEC prevents the enemy form gaining useful information from communications. Every Soldier must practice COMSEC - MAKE IT A HABIT!

ALWAYS FOLLOW THESE RULES:

Use wire instead of radio if possible
Never violate radio silence
Make transmissions brief, never more than one minute or less
Use proper radio/phone procedure
Use minimum power required
Never transmit classified information in the clear
Use only authorized codes
Use Authentication properly
Site transmitting antennas on reverse slope, away from enemy
Try to work through jamming
Never say anything over the air about being jammed.

73 DE KF6DSA