BASIC SIGNAL

COMMUNICATION
 Scope of Instruction
INTRODUCTION TO SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

MEANS OF SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

SIGNAL COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITY RELATIONSHIP

INTRODUCTION TO SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

a. Signal Communication – is a method or

means or a combination thereof of conveying
information from one person or place to another
except direct conversation.

b. Means of Signal Communication – is a medium

by which information is conveyed from one person or
place to another.

c. Agency of Signal Communication – is a

facility which embraces the personnel and equipment
necessary to provide signal communication by any
means or a combination thereof.
MEANS OF SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

a.   Physical communication:

1.    Messenger – is the oldest and relatively most secure means

of communication and may be classified into special and scheduled
messenger service.

2.   Trained Animals – although the AFP does not use this
means of communication, its use is not precluded. This means it
makes use of the ability of some animals to find their way back
from relatively extended distances and from strange places.

3. Mail – although this is considered as another means of

physical communication, this is not controlled by the
communicators. In the AFP, the adjutant general and its
equivalent entity in lower echelons are provided with the funds
necessary to defray postal expenses
Advantages of Messenger Service
 
a.  Most secure means of communication.
b.  Transmit item in bulk forms.
c.  Not dependent on electrical means.
d.  No need of sophisticated installation.
 
 Disadvantages of Messenger Service

a.  Slow rate of transmission.

b.  Do not afford person to person contact.
c.  Stop by terrain obstacle/ weather conditions.
 
 b.   Telecommunication:
 
The word telecommunication is derived from the Greek combining form
tele meaning far; far off or broadly operating at a distance. Thus the word
telegraph originally meant simply communication from afar and then
applied to all methods of communications across distances such as
semaphore telegraph of ancient times. Use of this word denotes an
electrical method of transmission is of comparatively recent origin.
Similarly, the word telecommunication includes but is not limited to
electrical means. Sound and visual means of communications similarly
falls under this means.
 
1. Radio – is the most useful, fastest and versatile means of
communication. It is considered a principal means of communication
hence enough radio sets are provided to units to make rear
communications available to unit commander and key staff officers.
 TYPE OF TACTICAL RADIO
SETS
1. URC 773M
a. Frequency modulated (FM)
b. Transmission range 10km
c. Whip Antenna
d. Man Pack
e. Power Source 12VDC 24pcs BA 30
 PRC 77
a. Frequency modulated (FM)
b. Transmission range 8km
c. Man Pack
d. Press to Talk
e. Power source 12VDC 20pcs BA 30
 URC 187
a. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
b. Transmission Range 40kms (sky wave
propagation)
c. Dipole Antenna
d. Press to talk
e. Power source – 36pcs BA 30, 12-24VDC
Advantages of Radios
 
a. Faster to install than wire communication.
b. It is flexible.
c. It is mobile.
d. Integrated with wire facilities.
e. Provides communication over impassable terrain.
 
Disadvantages of Radios
 
a. Subject to equipment breakdown.
b. Subjected to atmospheric condition.
c. Subjected to interference.
d. It is least secure.
 
 2. Wire – is one of the principal means of communication and includes the
use of field wires, cables assemblies, wire laying and recovery equipment,
sound powered and battery operated telephones, digital and rotary telephones,
switchboards, teletypewriters, and associated equipments.

Advantages of Wire Communication

 
a.       Provides person to person contact.
b.       Capable of break – in operation.
c.       Relatively secure.
 
Disadvantages of Wire Communication
 
a.       Requires time and effort to install.
b.       Subject to sabotage and destruction.
c.       Stopped by terrain obstacle.
 3. Sound – also supplementary means of communications that is available
to all units. Sound signals are transmitted by whistles, bugles, horns, gongs,
weapons and other noise making devices. They are used chiefly to attract
attentions, transmit pre-arranged messages and spread alarms.
 
Advantages of Sound
 
a. Transmit short pre-arranged messages.
b. Suitable for short distances.
c. Stations do not depend on line of sight location.
 
Disadvantages of Sound
 
a. Vulnerable to interception.
b. It can be limited.
c. Affected by battle noises.
 
 4. Visual – this is a supplementary means of communication that is
available to all units. Visual signals in most units are generally limited to panels,
arm - and-hand signals and other pre-arranged signals as pyrotechnics and
aircraft maneuvers.
 
Advantages of Visual
 
a. Suitable for short pre-arranged message.
b. Suitable for short distances.
c. Does not requires sophisticated installation.
d. Does not use bulky equipment.
 
Disadvantages of Visual
 
a. Vulnerable to interception.
b. Subject to imitative deception.
c. Stations depend on the line of sight location.
 
SIGNAL COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITY RELATIONSHIP

a. Superior to Subordinate – This principles provides

that the commander of a superior unit is responsible for the
installation, operation and maintenance of signal communication to
the subordinate units. Attached units are subordinate to the unit to
which attached and therefore the commander of the unit to which
attached is responsible for the installation, operation and
maintenance of signal communications.

b. Supporting to Supported – The commander of a unit that is

assigned a supporting mission is responsible for the installation, operation, and
maintenance of signal communication to the supported unit.

c. Reinforcing to Reinforce – This principle holds true only for the

artillery units for it is only an artillery unit that can reinforce the fire of another
unit, The commander of an artillery unit is responsible for the installation,
operation, and maintenance of signal communication to reinforced artillery
unit.
 d. Lateral Communication – Normally, the responsibility for the
establishment of communication between adjacent units is fixed by next
higher commander or may established in the unit’s standing operating
procedures. In the absence of specific orders fixing this responsibility, the
commander of the unit on the left is responsible for the installation, operation
and maintenance of signal communication to the unit on the right.

e. Internal communication – Signal communication is command

responsibility. It therefore follows that the commander of a unit regardless
of its size is responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of
all signal communication facilities that will be needed by his command for
internal control and command.

f. Maintenance – Effective maintenance requires the close

coordination and joint participation of all concerned. If communication
is disrupted, its reestablishment is the joint duty of all units affected.
However, responsibility remains with the unit commander who is
responsible for the establishment of communication