signal officer must prioritize the wire circuits of the battalion. The question is whether the installation of a
particular circuit will allow a reduction in the number of radio stations. Generally, the wire system duplicates the
radio nets of the battalion. The installed wire becomes the primary communications. Wire circuits to subordinate
batteries reduce the radio traffic load on the nets. If the battalion is performing a DS mission, circuits to the
brigade CP and brigade FSO should be established. Common users have access into the brigade switchboard for
communications with battalion FSOs and FIST chiefs and into the division multi-channel system. The access
provides the FA battalion FDC with a link through the multi-channel to the DIVARTY TOC. Four wire teams are
assigned to the communications platoon of a DS artillery battalion (Figure 2-8). Figure 2-9, page 2-14, shows the
wire system at a firing battery. The phone lines from each gun converge at a terminal strip TM-184, where they
are further routed to the battery switchboard.
Figure 2-8. DS battalion telephone and circuit distribution diagram
b. Three of the wire teams are responsible for establishing wire communications with the three firing
batteries. The first priority is the line from the battalion TACFIRE to each battery computer system. These lines
transmit firing data and fire missions. The second priority is the line from the battery command switchboard to
the battalion command switchboard. This is a voice circuit used for command and control, as well as
administrative and logistical traffic.
2-13
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