[Hallicrafters] How to reach Mars with a Signal Generator??

[William L Howard]

How to reach Mars with a Signal Generator??
March  08, 2005

Near-space demo aims to prove boost in combat communication ability
Air Force Space Command News Service
Lt. Col. Richard Lane
Air Force Space Battlelab Demonstration Branch

SCHRIEVER AFB, Colo. – The Air Force Space Battlelab here hopes a
demonstration March 16-18 proves free-floating balloons carrying
commercial off-the-shelf two-way radios can boost the communication
ability of warfighters on the ground.
The proof of concept demonstration, named “Combat SkySat,” takes place
near Phoenix. It uses payloads and near-space operations technology
developed by Space Data Corporation and PRC-148 two-way radios
manufactured by Thales Communications, Inc. Near-space is the region of
the earth’s atmosphere between 65,000 and 325,000 feet above sea level.

The system will demonstrate beyond line-of-sight communication
capability to support Air Force tactical air control parties. TACP
operators work closely with the Army to coordinate close air support
during ground operations. The Space Battlelab has teamed with the 13th
Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Carson, Colo., for the
demonstration.

Ultimately, Combat SkySat could extend beyond line-of-sight
communications for TACP operations. Tech. Sgt. Nathan “Deacon” Hoffman,
13 ASOS, is excited about the additional capability it may provide.

“[In January], Combat SkySat provided an extension of ground-to-ground
UHF communications to over 200 miles with the PRC-148 repeater.
Extending ground-to-ground and ground-to-air communications (for low
flying aircraft) could pay big dividends to TACP and other ground combat
operations,” he said.

The use of free-floating balloons as a communications platform may sound
like an unusual entrant in the high-tech world of space and aviation,
but Space Data operates just such a commercial system today with a high
rate of reliability.

“We have been launching our near-space SkySite payloads every day for
over a year,” said retired Air Force Col. Charles Tracy, Space Data’s
vice president of operations. “Space Data payloads download telemetry
information on a 24/7 basis from remote gas and oil well sites
throughout Oklahoma and Texas.”

In preparation for the March 2005 demonstration, several altitude and
UHF radio communication tests have already been conducted in Arizona
using Space Data’s payload integrated with Thales’ PRC-148 radios.

“The radios have performed very well at altitudes far outside of normal
operating conditions,” said Capt Dave Donahue, Space Battlelab
demonstration officer for Combat SkySat. The balloon-borne platforms
typically operate between 65,000 feet and 95,000 feet; then use a
parachute to return the integrated payload package back to earth upon
completion of the mission.

Such operations are made possible by the precise control Space Data is
able to exercise over its floating platforms. The company has been
awarded multiple patents, including one for a vent and ballast system
that is used to control altitude. “This technology helps provide for the
much longer duration flights that are a requirement for our commercial
operations,” said Mr.Tracy. Space Data has integrated two PRC-148 radios
into their flight hardware. These radios provide a communications
repeater capability when two are connected with a repeater cable.

“Two PRC-148 radios and a repeater cable weigh less than five pounds and
are the lightest radio repeater package we manufacture,” said Kenneth
Leighton, director, Product Management, Thales Communications, Inc.

This configuration will support relay of non-secure and secure
(encrypted) communication for both voice and data signals, without
encryption components onboard the balloon-borne platform.

“[In January], we tested a secure UHF radio communications capability at
a distance over 200 miles through a Combat SkySat repeater flying at
67,000 feet,” said Captain Donahue.

In addition, a January 25 test flight of Combat SkySat flying at 66,000
feet tested radio repeater communications with aircraft flying on
Arizona’s Goldwater Range. Aircraft using the UHF repeater included
A-10s from the 354th Fighter Squadron (Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.), F-16s
from 179th Fighter Squadron (Duluth, Minn.), and an E-8C Joint
Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System aircraft from the 116th ACW
(Robins AFB, Ga.).


http://www.peterson.af.mil/hqafspc/News/News_Asp/nws_tmp.asp?storyid=05-
070
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