[GreenKeys] 60wpm FSK on AM broadcast stations - followup

[Nick England]

There was a previous link to a USAF project report on 100wpm
experiments in 1965 using +/-18 Hz FSK on AM broadcast stations.
That led me to find out a little more on the previous projects - I
still have no info on Projects SEACOM and RESTORE, but FWIW here is
some info on 1962 BRECOM
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Broadcasting Magazine October 15, 1962

The clear channel stations have been participating in emergency
communications tests with civilian defense and military officials.
Successful demonstrations have shown that point-to-point telegraph
communications can be accomplished by multiplexing the AM carrier.
This has been done successfully in three projects sponsored by the
Department of Defense: "Restore," "Brecom" and "Seacom." All of these
involve the use of clear channel stations to establish teletype
communications links, in one case from SAC headquarters in Omaha to
the east coast, and in another from San Francisco to a radar picket
plane several hundred miles offshore.
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Congressional Record 10/11/62

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE,
Washington, October 4, 1962.
Hon. STUART SYMINGTON, U.S. Senate.
DEAR SENATOR SYMINGTON:
We have attached the résumé of the Brecom project which you requested
in your letter of September 27. We hope this information will be
useful. If you need further facts, please call on us.
Sincerely,
PERRY M. Hoisington II,
Major General, U.S. Air Force, Director, Legislative Liaison.
BRECOM
WHAT IS IT?
The Broadcast Radio Emergency Communications (Brecom) system provides
teletype communications between high-level military command
headquarters. It does so through use of commercial radio broadcasting
stations without interruption to or interference with regularly
scheduled commercial broadcasts.
WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?
An enemy using nuclear weapons could disrupt essential military
communications circuits. Therefore, the military must exploit every
means of communicating which may survive. Brecom is one of these means
which increases the probability of survival of vital military command
and control capability. This capability is provided at a very nominal
cost to the Government.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Brecom is a 60 -word -per -minute teletype circuit between Strategic
Air Command, Offutt AFB, and the Joint Communications Agency at Fort
Ritchie, Md. The circuit is capable of transmission in both
directions, but not simultaneously. To provide additional reliability
and survivability there are alternate routes which can be utilized.
The circuits operate 24 hours daily, 7 days a week. Clear -channel
broadcasting stations are utilized for Brecom because the signals
emitted are sufficiently powerful and interference free to be reliably
received 24 hours a day at adjacent stations a hundred or more miles
away. It is this capability of the clear channel broadcasting stations
which makes Brecom possible. At nighttime, when radio signals travel
much farther, it is possible to operate the path between Offutt Air
Force Base and Fort Ritchie with fewer relays (therefore, more
reliability) than are required during the daytime. Additional power
would provide this same advantage during the daytime. Because
electrical storms cause severe disturbance at broadcast frequencies,
maximum flexibility possible is being engineered into Brecom to
provide routes around stations affected by such interference. The
attachment shows the configuration of Brecom as being tested September
3, 1962 - October 15, 1962. Other configurations are possible and will
be tested.
OTHER COMMENT
Brecom is still in the testing stage. Results thus far indicate that
Brecom is feasible and will provide a highly desirable emergency path
for military communications. Subsequent to further technical
improvement it is intended to include a cryptographic capability
allowing transmission of classified information.
WHAT IS STATUS?
The first Brecom test was conducted from April 16, 1962 -May 15, 1962.
The test revealed several shortcomings, particularly in equipment and
operating procedures. These were remedied. The second Brecom test is
being conducted during the period September 3, 1962 -October 15, 1962.
Regardless of testing status of Brecom and future improvement actions,
Brecom is currently an available and usable system and would be
utilized in any emergency, if required.
BRECOM EAST TO WEST ROUTE
Normal route:
Joint Communications Agency (JCA)-KDKA, Pittsburgh-WJR, Detroit-WGN,
Chicago-WHO, Des Moines-Strategic Air Command Headquarters (SAC) .
(Path can be reversed.)
Alternate nighttime routes:
JCA-KDKA,Plttsburgh-WSM, Nashville-SAC;
or, JCA-WWL,New Orleans-SAC.

BRECOM WEST TO EAST ROUTE
Normal route:
SAC-WOW, Omaha-WHO, Des Moines-KMOX, St. Louis-WHAS, Louisville-WLW,
Cincinnati-KDKA, Pittsburgh-JCA. (Path can be reversed.)
Alternate nighttime routes:
SAC-WOW, Omaha-WHO, Des Moines-JCA;
or, SAC-WWL-New Orleans-JCA.
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