[nrv-hams] Wednesday VTARA Meeting: "Military HF Radio Communications and Near Vertical Incidence Skywave Propagation”

[Nathaniel Anthony Frissell]

Hi, everyone.  Happy Thanksgiving again!

Here is the information on this week’s presentation, which will be given by VTARA member Captain Matthew Sherburne, KF4WZB.  It should be a really interesting presentation.  Hope to see you there!

73,
Nathaniel, W2NAF
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VT Amateur Radio Association: "Military HF Radio Communications and Near Vertical Incidence Skywave Propagation”
Speaker: Captain Matthew Sherburne / US Army Signal Corps
Time: Wednesday, December 4, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Place: Squires, Mountain Lake Conference Room

Synopsis:

   HF communications allows us to communicate around the world by reflecting radio waves off the ionosphere.  This mode of communication has allowed militaries to move farther and faster than ever before at least until satellite communications were launched.   Learn how HF is still a viable means of voice and data communication for both amateur radio operators and the military.     

   I will cover the basics of HF radio-wave propagation followed by a history in military HF communications from WWII to today.  Before communication satellites were launched, Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) was the preferred method for communicating over mountains and large areas covering a 300-mile radius.   I will discuss how various militaries adapted their vehicles to take advantage of NVIS communications and the current antennas in use today.
 
Bio:  CPT Matthew Sherburne is a Telecommunications Systems Engineer in the US Army Signal Corps.  He has served as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division engineering and managing en route airborne communications on board C-130 and C-17 aircraft and tactical satellite assemblages in forward deployed areas.  He also served as the communications officer for an airborne infantry battalion within the 82nd managing voice and data communications on HF, VHF, UHF, Ku, and Ka bands.  He is a 2007 graduate of West Point with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  CPT Sherburne is currently a MSEE student in the VT IT Security Office and Lab.