[Milsurplus] Helicopter Comms Intercept as referenced in "The Greatest Beer Run Ever"

[MICHAEL BITTNER]

Off topic, but somewhat related: I remember Bob Hope saying in one of his shows for the troops in Vietnam, "I know we're supposed to have security in communications, but I don't care if Charlie is listening, we need the ratings".    Mike W6MAB

> On November 1, 2022 at 8:27 AM Kevin Kibbe <kbkibbe at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>     It's always been my understanding that there was a near total lack of radio comms security in Vietnam, that the U.S. didn't regard the VC/NVA capabilities seriously.
> 
>     Kevin
> 
>     On Tue, Nov 1, 2022 at 5:22 AM Rob Flory <farmer.rob.flory at gmail.com mailto:farmer.rob.flory at gmail.com > wrote:
> 
>         > >         I recently read this book, quite a story, and it had some radio content.
> > 
> >         One of the author's friends had a job installing upgraded comms gear in helicopters because VC or NVA were intercepting or at least detecting helicopter comms with an ordinary FM radio. 
> > 
> >         What was not clear was whether that meant a broadcast radio or an FM field radio of some kind. 
> > 
> >         I believe helos were equipped with low band FM gear and that either:
> > 
> >         1)captured or interoperable sets were used or
> >         2)harmonics of the low band FM gear were detected on a relatively empty FM broadcast band.
> > 
> >         Option 1 would give legit intercept capability, which could be defeated by encryption.  Option 2 might give enough early warning capability to either disappear or assume a defensive posture.  Presence of signal, encrypted or not, might give the necessary warning.
> > 
> >         Encryption would require the ground pounders to be encrypted also. 
> > 
> >         Anyone know anything that might flesh out the story?
> > 
> >         RF
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