Practical considerations.

that they serve.

Thus, long-range enemy artillery fire, missiles, or aerial

bombardment, directed at the stations as a result of enemy direction finding,

will not strike the command post area.

b.

Cover and concealment.

The location selected should provide the

best cover and concealment possible, consistent with good transmission and

reception.

Perfect cover and concealment may impair transmission and

reception.

The amount of permissible impairment depends upon the range

required, the power of the transmitter, the sensitivity of the receiver, the

efficiency of the antenna system, and the nature of the terrain. When a set is

being used to communicate over a distance that is well under the maximum range,

some sacrifice of communications efficiency can be made to permit better

concealment of the set from enemy observation.

c.

Practical considerations.

(1)

Pack sets have sufficiently long cordage to permit operation

from cover, while the radio set is below the surface of the surrounding terrain

and the antenna is it the clear.

(2)

Some sets can be controlled remotely from distances of 100

feet or more.

Sets of this type can be set up in a relatively exposed

position, while the operator remains concealed.

(3)

Antennas off all radio sets must extend above the surface of

the ground to permit normal communications.

(4)

Small tactical set antennas are usually of the whip type.

These antennas are difficult to see from a distance, especially if they are not

silhouetted against the sky.

(5)

Open crests of hills and mountains must be avoided.

A

slightly defiladed position just behind the crest gives better concealment and

sometimes provides better transmission.

(6)

All permanent and semipermanent positions should be properly

camouflaged for protection against both aerial and ground observation.

However, the antenna should not touch trees, brush, or camouflage material.

d.

Local communications. Contact must be maintained between the radio

set and the message center at all times, either by local messenger or field

telephone. The station should also be readily accessible to the unit commander

and his staff.

77.

Final Considerations.

It is almost impossible to select a site that will satisfy all

technical and tactical requirements for a radio set. Therefore, a compromise

is usually necessary and the best site

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