Citizen Soldier weatherman looks at Mother Nature’s impact on Signal
Greg Majewski
The weather and signal! Could there be anything better? I get the chance to work in the best of both worlds. In my civilian life, I’m a meteorologist at WJHG-TV in Panama City, Fla. In the Army Reserve, I’m a Public Affairs and Signal officer for the 335th Theater Signal Command in East Point, Ga.
Here at Roving Sands on Fort Bliss, I thought this would be a great time to take a look at the close relationship between weather effects and the Signal Corps’ ability to communicate on the battlefield.
Weather impacts nearly all signal equipment in some fashion. Weather safety is also of concern. But what piece of signal equipment does Mother Nature give operators the most obstacles to overcome? Let’s start out with the system that has part of the atmosphere in its name called Tropospheric Tropospheric scattering or TROPO for short.
The shelter is called an AN/ TRC-170. There are two versions of the antenna used, the V2 & V3. The V2 is used in the heavy TROPO version. Its transmissions are much stronger than its V3 counterpart.
For TROPO to work, two TROPO shelters set up at different distant locations. An average TROPO shot covers about 120 miles. The two transmitted beams cross at the lower troposphere, bouncing back to the receiving end. One dish receives, while the other transmits. Here’s where the weather comes in.
If a strong temperature inversion sets up, the beams bend down and miss each other. The same can be said for any line-of-sight transmissions. An inversion is caused when the temperature at the ground cools faster than the air above it. The bigger the temperature differences from the surface to the air above, the stronger the inversion.
Another factor for TROPO units is weather on the sun. Sunspot activity on the sun can strongly interfere with transmissions and receptions. Sunspots are dark spots on the surface of the sun. They are cooler areas and tend to erupt in gigantic explosions sending a tremendous amount of radiation towards the earth.
This radiation is intercepted and absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere most of the time, causing minor problems. But when major eruptions occur, they can cause havoc on nearly all types of communication systems.
This leads to another communications device that has problems with sunspots. That’s the tactical satellite systems or TACSAT. There are many different types of satellite equipment used in the Signal Corps. The most commonly used systems include the AN/TSC-85+ and the AN/TSC-93C+ & 93D.
Strong solar activity can impact these systems’ data, voice, and video streams. Space weather isn’t the only impediment to satellite transmissions. Surface weather can also cause problems.
Just like your own TV dish at home, military satellites can also experience rain fade from a passing heavy thunderstorm, degrading a satellite system to the point of no reception.
And if lightning is in the area, both satellite and TROPO operators must be aware of any possible lightning strike. Since satellite and TROPO must be in the clear to transmit their data, they tend to be the tallest objects around. Lightning tends to strike the tallest object. Both teams place lightning rods above their antennas and dishes to help protect them from a possible strike.
If the rods are not properly grounded, a lightning strike will not only fry a communications setup, but can seriously injure or even kill a Soldier nearby. When it comes to lightning safety, there can be no shortcuts.
The last major weather obstacle that all signal elements must prepare for is high winds. High winds can tumble antennas and pick up dishes, tossing them like matchsticks. And in a desert environment like Iraq, wind can drive large dust storms, impacting all electrical systems.
The bottom line is signal operators can take some preventive measures to protect themselves and their equipment from the worst Mother Nature has to offer. But Soldiers must also not take weather for granted, and listen to all forecast briefs from higher headquarters.
CPT Majewski is a graduate of the Signal Officer Basic Course, the Signal Captain’s Career Course-RC, and the Public Affairs Officer Course at the DoD Information School. He is the PAO for the 335th Theater Signal Command located in East Point, Ga., near Fort McPherson. In civilian life, Majewski is a meteorologist who recently transferred to a local Atlanta TV station.
335th TSC Joint Acronym List Part 1
AAMDC–Army Air and Missile Defense Command
AAIC–Army Architecture Integration Cell
ABCS–Army Battle Command System
ABM–Anti-ballistic missile
ABMOC–Air Battle Management Operations Center
ACCC–Air Communications Control Center
ACCE–Air Component Coordination Element
ACIPS-LT–Army Casualty Info Processing System (Light)
ACUS–Area Common User System
ACS–Air Control Station
ADAG–Arrival Departure Air Group
ADCCN–Air Defense Command and Control Net
ADCP-2–Air Defense Communication Platform 2
ADI–Analog Digital Interface
ADOCS–Automated Deep Operations Coordination System
ADSI–Air Defense System Integrator
AEPDS–Advanced ELINT processing and Dissemination System
AEPS–Army Electronic Product Support
AFATDS–Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems
ALOC–Administrative and Logistics Operations Center
AMD–Air and Missile Defense
AMDWS–Air and Missile Defense Workstation
AMHS–Automated Message Handling System
AMS–Automated Manifest System
AOC–Air Operations Center
AROC–Army Requirement Oversight Council
ARSTRUC–Army Structure Message
ARTS–Army Reserve Transformation Study
ASAS–All Source Analysis System
ASAS-AS–All Source Analysis System (All Source)
ASAS-LITE–All Source Analysis System (LITE)
ASAS-SS–All Source Analysis System (Single Source)
ASAS-RWS–All Source Analysis System (Remote Work Station)
335th TSC Joint Acronym List Part 2.
ASCC–Army Service Component Command
ASEDP–Army Space Exploitation Demonstration Program
ASI–Actuator Sensor Interface
ASOC–Air Support Operations Center
ASOS–Air Support Operations Squadron
ASOS–Army Support to Other Services
ASPG–Army Strategic Planning Guidance
ASTI–router, company name
ATEC–Army Test and Evaluation Command
ATO–Air Tasking Order
AWACS–Airborne Warning and Control System
BAT–Biometrics Automated Toolset
BBN TCP–Baseband Node Transit Case Package
BCOTM–Battle Command On The Move
BCP–Battle Command Post
BCS–Battlespace Command System
BCSC–Combat Communications Squadron
BCS3–Battle Command Sustainment Support System
BFN–Bridge to Future Networks
BFT–Blue Force Tracker
BLUFOR–Blue Force
BLOS–Beyond Line of Sight
BMDO–Ballistic Missile Defense Organization
BOD–Board of Directors
BOS–Battlefield Operating System
C2–Command and Control
CAA–Concepts Analysis Agency
CAISI–Combat Service Support Automated Information System Interface
CAMDEN–Cooperative Air and Missile Defense Exercise Network
CAOC–Combined Air Operations Center
CAOC-N–Combined Air Operations Center (North)
CAX–Computer aided exercise
CBCS–Combat Communications Squadron
CCOD–Command Center Operational Display
CCP–Command and Control Post; Contingency Communications Package
CCG–Combat Communications Group
CCIR–Commanders Critical Information Requirements
CDA–Commanders Digital Assistant
CDMA–Code Division Multiple Access
CEOI–Communication and Electronics Operating Instructions
CFACC–Combined Force Air Component Commander
CFLCC–Coalition Forces Land Component Command
CGS–Command Group Station
CHAMS–CI/HUMINT Automated Management System
CHATS–CI/HUMINT Automated Tool Set
CIC–Combat Integration Center
CIK–Crypto Ignition Key
CLAWS–Complimentary Low Altitude Weapons System
CLOE–Common Logistics Upgrading Environment
CND–Computer Network Defense
COI–Communities of Interest
COMEX–Communications Exercise
COP–Common Operational Picture
COSIS–Care of Supplies in Storage
CPD–Capabilities Production Document
CPOF–Command Post of the Future
CPX–Command Post Exercise
CROP–Common Relevant Operational Picture
CRC–Control and Reporting Center
CRE–Control and Reporting Element
CSCE–Communications Systems Control Element
CSU–Channel Service Unit
CTAPS–Contingency Theater Automated Planning System
C2PC–Command and Control Personal Computers
C3I–Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
C4–Command, Control, Communications, and Computers
C4ISR–Command, Control, Communications, Computers &Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance
DAASC–Defense Automatic Addressing System Center
DAMA–Demand Assigned Multiple Access
DAS–Defended Asset List
DCIPS–Defense Casualty Information Processing System
DCN–Defense Communications Network
DCO–Dial Central Office
DCTS–Defense Collaborative Tool Set
DEMUX–Demultiplex
DERF–Defense Emergency Relief Funds
DESEX–Defense Supply Expert System
DIMHRS–Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System
DIMS–Detainee Information Management System
DINFOS–Defense Information School
DISN–Defense Information Switch Network
DMOC–Distributed Mission Operation Center
DMS–Data Management System; Defense Messaging System
DOIM–Department/Directorate of Information Management
DOTMLPF–Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities
335th TSC Joint Acronym List Part 3
DSN–Digital Switch Network
DSU–Digital Service Unit
DTG–Digital Trunk Group; Date Time Group
DTRACS–Defense Tracking System
DTSS–Digital Topographic Support System
DTSS-L–Digital Topographic Support System (Light)
DUST–Drive Up System Training
DVSG–DISN Video Services Global
EDAS–Enlisted Distribution & Assignment System
EECP–Early Entry Command Post
EHF–Extremely High Frequency
ELINT–Electronic Intelligence
E-MILPO–Electronic Military Personnel Office
EMT–Effects Management Tool
EPLRS–Enhanced Position and Location Reporting System
ESA–Enterprise Systems Activity
ESTA–Enterprise Systems Technology Activity
ETA–Estimated Time of Arrival
EWC–Electronic Warfare Center
FAA–Federal Aviation Administration
FAD–Funds Allocation Document
FAST–Forward Area Support Terminal; Forward Surgical Team
FBCB2–Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below
FDMA–Frequency Division Multiple Access
FDU–Force Design Update
FIOP–Family of Interoperable Operational Pictures
FOB–Forward Operating Base
FOM–Fiber Optic Modem
FTP–File Transfer Protocol
GAV–Graphical All View
GCCC–Ground Communications Control Center
GCCS–Global Command and Control System
GCCS-A–Global Command and Control System–Army
GCCS-I3–Global Command and Control System–Integrated Imagery and Intelligence
GCSS-A ILAP–Integrated Logistics Application Program (WEB)
GDSS–Global Decision Support System
GHZ–Gigahertz
GIG–Global Information Grid
GSA–General Services Administration
GTN–Global Transportation Network
HSOC–Home Station Operations Center
IA–Information Assurance
IAVA–Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert
ICC–Interface Coordination Center
ICO–Interface Coordination Officer
ICP–Incremental Change Package
ICT–Integrated Concept Team
IDC–Information Dominance Center
IDM–Information Dissemination Management
IDNX–Integrated Data Network Exchange
IFF–Identification Friend or Foe
IGX–Integrated Gigabit Exchange
I & I–Instructors and Inspectors (USMC)
ILAP–Integrated Logistics Application Program
IMETS–Integrated Meteorological System
IO–Information Operation
IOM–Install, Operate, and Maintain
IOS–Intelligence and Operations System
IPL–Imagery Product Library
IRC–Internet Relay Chat
IRRS–Integrated Road Rail Information System
ISA–Intraservice Support Agreements (DD Form 1144)
ISB–Intermediate Staging Base
ISD–Information Services Division
ISSO–Information Systems Security Officer
ISYSCON–Integrated System Control
IWS–Information Workspace
ITV–In-Transit Visibility
IWS–Information Work Space
I3MP–Installation Infrastructure Modernization Plan
JADDC–Joint Air Defense Direction Center
JAOC–Joint Air Operations Center
JBCS–Joint Battlespace Command Systems
JBMC2–Joint Battle Management Command & Control
JC2ISR–Joint Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance
JCAP–Joint Crisis Action Planning
JCCC–Joint Combat Camera Center
JCEOI–Joint Communications and Electronics Instructions
JCIET–Joint Combat Identification Evaluation Team
JCMD–Joint Cruise Missile Defense
JDIICS-D–Joint Defense Information Infrastructure Control System (Deployed)
JDISS- Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System
JDLM–Joint Deployment Logistics Module
JECG–Joint Exercise Control Group
JETA–Joint Experimentation, Test and Evaluation, and Advanced Technology Concept Demonstrations (JFCOM)
JFCOM–Joint Forces Command
JFLCC–Joint Forces Land Component Commander
JFWC–Joint Warfighting Center
JIB–Joint Information Bureau
JICC-D–Joint Interface Control Cell (Deployable)
JICO–Joint Interface Control Officer
JISR–Joint Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
JLENS–Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System
JLWI–Joint Logistics Warfighter Initiative
JMICS–JWICS Mobile Integrated Communications System
TSC Joint Acronym List Part 4
JNIC–Joint National Integration Center
JNMS–Joint Network Management System
JNN–Joint Network Node
JNTC-S–Joint Network Transport Capability (Space)
JOA–Joint Operations Area
JOCAT–Joint Operational C4I Assessment Team
JOPES–Joint Operational Planning and Execution System
JRAC–Joint Rear Area Command
JROC–Joint Requirement Oversight Council
JSIRS–Joint Spectrum Interference Resolution
JSMO–Joint Spectrum Management Office
JSTARS–Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
JSTE–Joint Systems Training Exercise
JSWS–Joint Service Work Station
JTAGS–Joint Tactical Group Station
JTASC–Joint Training Analysis and Simulation Center
JTAV–Joint Total Asset Visibility
JTEN–Joint Training Experimental Network
JTF–Joint Task Force
JTIDS–Joint Tactical Information Distribution System
JTRS–Joint Tactical Radio System
JTT–Joint Tactical Terminal
JTT/TA–Joint Training Task
JVB–Joint Visitors Bureau
JWAC–Joint Warfare Analysis Center
JWARN–Joint Warning and Reporting Network
JWFC–Joint Warfighting Center
JWICS–Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System
KBPS–Kilobits per second
KW–Kilowatts
LIDB–Logistics Integrated Data Base
LMTV–Light Medium Tactical Vehicle
LNO–Liaison Officer
LOG WEB–Logistics Web
LOS–Line of sight
LRM–Long Range Missile
LSOC–Landwarnet Support Operations Center
LSR–Local Service Request
LTPO–Lower Tier Project Office
LTU–Line Terminating Unit
LVPS–Low Voltage Power Supply
MACS–Marine Air Control Squadron
MAGTF–Marine Air Ground Task Force
MAN–Metro Area Network
MCS–Maneuver Control System
MCS-Lite–Maneuver Control System (Lite)
METT-TC–Mission, Enemy, Troops, Terrain, Time, Civil Considerations
MIDB–Military Intelligence Database
MITT–Mobile Integrated Tactical Terminal
MMEWR–Minimum Mission Essential Wartime Requirements
MRE–Meal Ready to Eat; Mission Rehearsal Exercise
MSEL–Master Scenario Event List
MTOE–Modified Table of Organization and Equipment
MTS–Mobile Tracking System
MUA–Maneuver Unit of Action
MUX–Multiplexer
NC–Node Center
NDRS–National Detainee Registration System
NFIP–National Foreign Intelligence Program
NGREA–National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account
NIPR–Non-Secure Internet Protocol Routing
NTSR–Nothing Significant To Report
OA–Operational Architecture
OCAR–Office of the Chief of the Army Reserves
OIT–Office of Information Technology
O & O–Organization & Operations
OSD–Office of the Secretary of Defense
OSMIS–Operating & Support Management Information System
PADIL–Patriot Air Defense Information Language
PBUSE–Property Book and User Supply–Enhanced
PDC–Program Designator Code
PEG–Planning & Engineering Guide
PHIT–Port Handling/Inland Transportation
PKI–Public Key Infrastructure
PMO–Production Management Officer(s)
POM–Program Objective Memorandum
PTC-AIMS–Portable Transportation Coordinator–Automated Information for Movements System
PTP–Peer to Peer
RADC–Regional Air Defense Commander RAF–Royal Air Force
RCC–Regional Combatant Commander
RCV–Receive
RETAIN–Real Time Automation Information Network
RF–Radio Frequency
RFID–Radio Frequency Identification Device
RICO–Regional Interface Control Cell (USMC)
RICO-S–Regional Interface Control Cell (South)
COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Army Signal Center
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group