RADIO COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT Interim Guidelines Prepared by Robert G. Wheaton for the Committee of Safety of the Southern Region of the Texas Constitutional Militia All units are interested in communications and it is quite natural that they will be considering options and contemplating equipment acquisitions toward that end. These guidelines are issued for the dual purposes of letting you know a little of what's available, and to help you avoid some pitfalls which might be costly disappointments or bring public disfavor on the T.C.M. in particular and militia units in general. Cellular Telephone -- We're all pretty much familiar with cellular telephone (cel-tel). Around town in metropolitan areas it generally covers most areas with few drop-outs; however, you may or may not be aware that in rural areas, once you get a few miles off major roadways, you may find yourself out of range of any "cell". Should that happen your communications just failed. Bear that in mind, especially if your unit's operations might regularly be in rural areas. Cel-tel, while a valuable resource, may be unsuitable as your primary communications afield. There is no practical way to communicate to another cel-tel phone in the absence of a telco cell site, or if the site equipment goes down for whatever reason. Pagers -- Once again, we're all pretty much familiar with pager systems. These use VHF and UHF micro-receivers, all listening to a high-powered transmitter which will be located with its antenna high above the surrounding area. This is essentially "line of sight" communications. Pagers may be useful in establishing your alerting or in locating missing members. Range into rural areas may be greater than with cel-tel, but you should carefully evaluate a pager system's coverage for critical noncoverage. System denial can be easily accomplished, another negative. "2-Way" radio --All commercial, 2-way radio, regardless of frequency of operation or mode (AM, FM, single-sideband, etc.) is subject to stringent licensing requirements of the Federal Communications Commission. Frequencies for new assignments may or may not be available. Unlicensed operation of these transmitters is an invitation to severe penalties by FCC administrative law judges. More on that later. Probably impractical due to licensing requirements. Marine band VHF FM radio -- These VHF FM transceivers are low power mobile and handheld transceivers operating from 156.275 to 157.425 MHZ on specific channels. In addition to requiring an FCC license it is imperative that these units be boat-mounted and used only in marine communications. Improper use can be severely sanctioned and for that reason equipment for this band should not be on your shopping list. Definitely not recommended! Professional/Business band VHF FM handheld -- FCC has authorized 3 frequencies in the VHF 154 MHZ range for shared use by low power (1 watt) transceivers with an easy-to-obtain FCC license structure. Radio Shack and other popular merchandisers sell this equipment o-t-c with a license application in the box. However, can militias expect to get a license in a special service band set aside for business and professional users? Perhaps but not likely. And given the current militia vilification campaign and the likelihood it will not abate since there are organized groups who see it as their "duty" to seize every opportunity to vilify the militia, even if FCC were to authorize militia use it would likely reverse itself as soon as "interference from militia" complaints started arriving. It would be foolhardy to recommend these. Personal radio in the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) -- In the UHF spectrum formerly known as Class A Citizens Band and now known as GMRS, FCC has authorized several frequencies for low power handhelds. Radio Shack and several other merchandisers are currently offering $200-bracket transceivers with at least 2 channels; Motorola has a 10 channel, 2 watt, UHF-FM handheld specifically aimed at hunters with a leaf-pattern camo case, and retailing for $260 from Gander Mountain. These radios require a simple-to-apply-for FCC license and the application form accompanies the radio. It is mailed by the user with the $35 fee (may be $80 now) to FCC for processing. It is difficult to see why FCC might deny licenses to individuals intending to use these in their militia-related duties; however, the possibility exists, even if remote. Depending on terrain these are capable of reliable communications up to 2 miles (or line of sight). If used as intended, there is no apparent reason not to recommend radios in the 462 MHZ GMRS. Personal Radio Service (Citizens Band Class D) -- This is the old Class D "CB" 27 MHZ band. Formerly 23 channels it is now 40 channels. While no license is required to operate these radios, they are design-approved by FCC and any modification of the frequencies to avoid interference by moving them between channels or shifting them just outside the band assignment is a serious violation of FCC rules and regulations, and one we cannot afford to risk. These radios are cheap "throwaways" and subject to a cacophony of interference, and being amplitude modulated (AM rather than FM) they are much more susceptible to static interference, man-made and natural. Their downside notwithstanding, if you must "do it on the cheap", these "toys" might get you going. One possible plus is that so many "citizens" out there also have them, and there might be occasions when that would be helpful. Personal Radio Service 49 MHZ (also a "citizens band") -- During the 1980s FCC authorized a new 49 MHZ citizens band for low-power FM transceivers. Five channels are authorized and power is well below 1 watt. Maxon is perhaps the best-known supplier of these radios but Radio Shack has them as well. Do not count on them for reliable communications beyond 1/3 to « mile. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. Five channel units are cheap enough to be "throwaways". Most operate with "AA"-size batteries, either alkaline, or rechargeable NiCaD. Some neat accessories, e.g., headsets and ear-microphones are available. For FTX use over very short distances these might be useful - and some of the government agency types might be using them as well, for exactly the same reasons: cheap and extremely short range (providing a degree of security). Recommendable, but only for that purpose. Frequencies must not be tampered with! No license required. Amateur Radio Service (Ham Radio) -- FCC-licensed, the Amateur Radio Service (ARS) dates back to the earliest days of radio. "Hams", as they are called, have spectrum assignments virtually everywhere. Some assignments are good only during the day, others only at night. Some are short-range and some can blanket the entire country, day or night. Others are primarily "long haul" or "DX", capable of international communication with other hams. Hams do not normally communicate with operators in other radio services. Band segments are assigned by specific frequencies are not. Authorization of different bands or "privileges" is dependent on the operator's class of license - "no-code" tech(nician) being the lowest and limited to radiotelephone operation above 50 MHZ, all the way to "extra" class with all privileges on all bands. The pool of technical knowledge among amateurs is great and amateurs are loosely organized in clubs. The "public service" aspect of ham radio is well-known and long- established. Many hams also specialize in performing public service, establishing communications links, monitoring weather nets, providing communications for public events, etc. If we can overcome the vilification of the militia through positive acts, many hams will see militias as a natural ally. A good many are already involved. For all classes other than "no-code" tech it is necessary to master the Morse code. All classes must pass comprehensive technical and regulatory exams. Tests are multiple choice and done by local radio club groups in most instances, participating in a volunteer examiner system. A modest testing fee is required. Equipment prices run the gamut, but a VHF or UHF handheld radio generally costs $200-300 without major accessories. Interference levels on some bands can be severe, but on the VHF/UHF frequencies most likely to be of use to militia personnel, interference is not a major problem. In addition to the testing and licensing requirements, there are serious downsides. Frequencies generally "belong" to whoever gets there first and has the strongest signal; privacy of communications is nonexistent; and codes and ciphers are prohibited. That would probably not prohibit the use of "authenticators" for messages in plain text, but it certainly prohibits the use of encryption of messages by any means. Whether or not this actually presents a problem is open to question. Given the current P-R problems we are having, encrypted radio traffic by militias on any radio service is likely to invite even more problems and hostility and would seem unwise for that reason alone. In all metropolitan areas hams have now installed VHF and/or UHF FM repeater systems to extend the operating range of their handheld and mobile radios. While typical range between 2 handhelds might be a mile or two, going through a repeater (a remote receiver and re- transmitter with an antenna high above the surrounding area) ranges of 40-50 miles are commonplace, and in the case of mountain-sited repeaters the range may be 100 miles or more. Amateurs who choose to align themselves with the militias will bring with them two invaluable resources: equipment and training. Many, but not all, will already possess a great deal of technical expertise in both radio communications and related fields. The foregoing is prepared to acquaint you with some of the legal ramifications of radio communications by militia personnel (in the event you were unaware of or simply ignoring them), and to give you a "menu" from which to evaluate your needs and possibilities. If your unit has access to, say, 10 military surplus PRC-6 "walkie-talkies", do not automatically assume you can "battery them up" and that will solve your unit's communications problems. Such a wrong assumption might be the beginning of your unit's worst migraine. The Federal Communications Commission regulates most radio communications under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Due to understaffing and underbudgeting constraints, FCC acquired a reputation a few years ago of being a "toothless tiger". However, in recent years Congress has authorized FCC to "rape, plunder and pillage" the few scofflaws they catch, and use their highly publicized cases as examples of what will befall the rest of us if we do not toe the line. They now routinely use their administrative law judges to levy "financial forfeitures" of $10,000 for each day an offense occurs. Toilet-tongued talkshow host Howard Stern is a current example - notwithstanding that the millions levied against the network for broadcasting offensive material has probably been cheap advertising for Stern. FCC may still be underbudgeted and understaffed, but they are by no means toothless. They call on the U.S. Marshal Service when dealing with "hardcase" types. The Texas Constitutional Militia does not need either the expense or the public relations problems that might result from violating FCC regulations. Staying "legal" is essential; there's too much at stake to invite problems from the feds. Hook up all the batteries and wire you want to on your EE-8 or TA-312 field phones, but do not assume that because PRC-6s were made for the military that you can just reactivate them "on the air" because you are militia. An ARS technician or higher class licensee can lawfully use PRC-6s in the 50-54 MHZ band. Newer radios are not nearly so heavy, batteries are o-t-c at Radio Shack, and they are far more reliable. ********* Prepared for the Committee of Safety by Robert G. Wheaton, Committee of Safety member, and Petty Officer 3rd Class (Electronic Technician), U.S. Navy Retired, and a licensed radio amateur, currently "extra" class, for 40 years. Submitted: 24 July 1995 For study material and licensing info on the Amateur Radio Service, contact you local Radio Shack store or any of the following: American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St, Newington, CN 06111 Gordon West Radio School, 2414 College Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 The W5YI Group, Inc., PO Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356