Proposed use of high frequency radio automatic link establishment with MSE for voice and data traffic

Force reductions and the involvement in small worldwide operations ensure the Army will be deployed as dispersed units. Many units will be operating beyond the line-of-sight coverage provided by multichannel radios or out of range of combat net radio. Satellites will provide communications to high priority users, but what about units unable to get satellite time? These units are connected to mobile subscriber equipment (MSE) nodes for voice and data service. This requires connecting MSE nodes with beyond-line-of-sight communications to other MSE nodes or to strategic communications. A high frequency-automatic link establishment (HF-ALE) interface is a solution to this problem for both voice and data communications. This interface also meets other requirements; MSE-to-aircraft interface for air ground communications; a small unit training interface when line-of-sight multichannel radios are not available; units on the move or when units are cut off from the larger operation; and interfacing with other service and government agencies. This paper will examine a voice and data HE-ALE radio interface at the MSE small extension node (SEN) switch. It will describe the components needed to provide short-haul HF communications: an HF-ALE radio, near vertical incident antenna (NVIS) and frequencies, and a packet radio interface for data. This will give small units (battalions and brigades) access to strategic telecommunications without the support of a large tactical network