LA REALIDAD PUEDE FRAGMENTARSE EN PERÍODOS.

6-41. The AN/PRC-117F is designed to act as the transmission means for a range of command, control and communications input devices (both digital data and analog). These include standard audio (voice) communications via a handset; line-level audio-data devices such as the handheld data terminals found in SOF, military intelligence, field artillery and other units; analog teletype modems; C2 digital DTE as found in the ABCS; PCs; e-mail systems, video systems, fax and more. The AN/PRC-117F can operate across both the VHF and UHF military tactical frequency bands using either LOS modes or satellite propagation media for BLOS communications.

6-42. According to the article “AN/PRC-117 Special Operations Forces Radio Has Applications for

Digital Divisions and Beyond”, due to the microprocessor design, digital signal processing and software

control, the AN/PRC-117F is actually the equivalent of many current radios in one manpack or vehicle mounted box. This greatly reduces the space, weight, power and support requirements for both individual fighting platforms and tactical-operations centers. This also greatly reduces co-site interference problems and, if used properly, can reduce the number of tactical radio nets required to support a digitally equipped fighting force. The AN/PRC-117F has the following characteristics and capabilities—

z Frequency range of 30–512 MHz. This frequency range covers not only the “standard” Army tactical (30–88 MHz) band but also covers the frequency bands and modulation modes commonly used by the USAF, USN and Coast Guard for operations, air traffic control (ATC), tactical data links and maritime uses. This makes the radio ideal for use as a “liaison radio” or “gateway” between service components using different waveforms for joint ground sea and air operations. Also, AN/PRC-117Fs frequency range and waveform modes are compatible with civil and public service frequency bands commonly used by non-DOD local, state, federal and foreign agencies.

z Modulation. As delivered, the radio is programmed at the factory for compatibility with current “standard” modulation characteristics segmented in the traditional RF bands—

„ VHF low band. 30.00000–89.99999 MHz, FSK. This makes the radio

interoperable with SINCGARS, AN/PRC-68, AN/PRC-126 and other tactical radios of both foreign and domestic manufacture.

„ VHF high band. 90.00000–224.99999 MHz FM, AM, FSK, amplitude

shift-keying. In this frequency band, the radio can be used for air-to-air, air-to-ground and ground-to-ground voice and data communications using waveforms found in this band. The AN/PRC-117F is compatible with a variety of existing military aircraft and air-traffic-control radio communications, as well as military air-to-ground data-link communications, the commercial USMC band, USN/Coast Guard communications and civil police, fire and emergency-management standard radios. Due to its capability, joint and civil-military liaison for both voice and data can be accomplished in one radio by units that have AN/PRC-117F. This is particularly important to the Army National Guard because of their large role in civil support operations.

„ UHF band. 225.00000–511.99999 MHz. AM, FSK, amplitude shift

keying. In this frequency band, AN/PRC-117F can be used to perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, ground-to-ground, fixed or mobile radio communications missions for both voice and data modes. The AN/PRC-117F is also compatible with ECCM-capable equipment such as AN/ARC-164 and AN/ARC-182 that can be widely found in existing tri-service ground, airborne and special-mission systems.

„ UHF SATCOM. 243.00000–270.00000 MHz and 292.00000–318.00000

MHz. In this frequency range, AN/PRC-117F is fully compatible with SC and DAMA TACSAT systems. The AN/PRC-117F also has full orderwire capability and can send and receive data at a rate of 64 kbps in a 25 kHz channel or 12 kbps in a 5 kHz channel. Also, automatic requests for wireless network extension of bad data packets and COMSEC are embedded in the radio hardware and software. This key SATCOM capability gives the radio a feature no other standard CNR has: the ability to communicate BLOS without wireless network extension stations from the same radio package that’s used for LOS communications.

6-43. The AN/PRC-117F operates in the following LOS fixed frequency CT operating capabilities and limitations—

z VINSON—16 kbps data rate, 25 kHz COMSEC (KY-57/58) mode for secure voice and data. z KG-84 compatible—(data only) supports voice only using a 12 kbps data rate in FM and trellis

code modulation from 30.00000–511.99999 MHz and AM mode from 90.00000–511.99999 MHz. Also available in all modes of UHF SATCOM.

z TEKs—electronically loaded 128 bit transmission encryption keys used to secure voice and data communications.

z COMSEC fill—TEKs, TSKs, and KEKs can be filled from the following devices—

„ AN/CYZ-10, DTD (ANCD). „ AN/PYQ-10, SKL.

„ KYK-13, electronic transfer device. „ KYX-15, net control device. „ MX-18290, ECCM fill device. „ KOI-18, general purpose tape reader.

6-44. The AN/PRC-117F can operate in HAVEQUICK I/II, utilizing FH from 225–400 MHz, providing compatibility with current airborne FH. It can also operate in SINCGARS FH mode from 30.0000–87.975 MHz. and supports SINCGARS SIP/ESIP features by being placed in either a net master or a net member mode.

6-45. The AN/PRC-117F can scan up to 10 LOS fixed frequency or dedicated SATCOM radio voice operation nets. It does not scan HAVEQUICK, SINCGARS, or UHF DAMA nets and digital squelch

cannot be used. Scanning combinations of CT and PT nets is allowed by the PT override feature of the VINSON and FASCINATOR CT mode.