[SMCARA] HERO

[Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS]

No, I am not talking about Batman, Superman or the Green Hornet! This
note is for those of you who drive on base.  

HERO stands for "Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance".
There is a HERO instruction (NAS Pax River Instruction 5100.30F)
available for Pax River that is 124 pages long, so I will give you the
"Cliff Notes" version!

There are a number of HERO Conditions that apply to the use of various
HF and VHF transmitters within specified distances of certain types of
ordnance.  Depending upon the ordnance, either Safe, Unsafe, or
Susceptible, various levels of protection are required.  For instance,
the MARS station on base is in Zone 1 and for Unsafe ordnance within
that zone, no HF transmissions are allowed.  For susceptible ordnance,
the power output is limited (!) to 3000 watts.  No problem there!

If you will be operating a fixed station on base (zone maps are in the
HERO inst), a call to the AODO at 342-3836 is needed to determine the
HERO Condition in effect.  If you are mobile, the base Amateur Radio
Instruction (NASPAXRIVINST 2070.2J) says, among other things:

     d. Not operate a mobile station transmitter in proximity to the
receiver sites at Cedar Point,
     the Air Operations Building, VX-23 (Strike), taxiways, or aircraft.

Common sense would dictate that if you see a tug pulling some ordnance
on a trailer down Cedar Point Road or around a hangar, usually
accompanied by flashing red and blue lights, releasing the PTT button
would be a good idea!  Wait for the Fourth of July to enjoy fireworks!

I have copies of these instructions and you are welcome to look at them.
By the way, there are a huge number of HF transceivers and whips/dipoles
around the many buildings on base, not counting the aircraft with HF
rigs on board.  There has been a recent increase in interest in HERO
from base ops, so now you are "in the loop!

73 Tom/W4OKW

Tom Clarke
P-3/C-130 Program Support, PEO(A)
USN/USMC National Airworthiness Office
Naval Air Systems Command, AIR-4.0P
(301) 995-3793/DSN 995-3793
Fax: (301) 342-3276
Cell (301) 904-2053
frederic.clarke at navy.mil
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only 
because rough men stand in violence on their behalf."
George Orwell