TEINFIDENTIAU
PART II], CHAPTER 8
8.15
The submarine cable program cost approximately $2 million for Operation
HARDTACK. Two new 26-pair cables were in-
stalled around both atolls to provide required
pairs for the TG 7.1 timing and firing mission.
Additions were made to the telephone cable
plant to provide a minimum of 16 pairs at most
off-island locations. Studies indicate that it costs
from $14 to $% million to maintain the submarine cable system for each operation. TG 7.5
is considering microwave to back up and eventually replace major submarine cable runs utilized
to provide communications services. TG 7.5 has
also recommended that TU-5, TG 7.1, conduct
tests to determine the feasibility of eventually
replacing the cable timing and firing system with
microwave. Microwave has ;roved dependable in
telephone company commiunications and tele-
vision applications and is portable to meet the
changing requirements of test programs.
8.16
Augmentation of the Sites Elmer-Fred
cable plant was accomplished byinstalling
JTF-Seven-furnished
telegraph
carrier
equip-
ment to derive additional teletype quality channels. Installation of JTF-Seven microwave provided the required additional telephone channels.
and back-up to the submarine cable plant. Both
of these facilities functions] as designed, providing a high grade of communications service.
MOBILE RADIO SERVICE
8.17
TG 7.1 was provided the following commercial VHF mobile type communications
networks at a cost of approximately $200,000:
Command Net.
..... Both Atolls
TU-4 (Sandia) Net... Both Atolls
Rad-Safe Net... 0.2... Both Atolls
TU-1 (LASL) Net...Eniwetok Atoll
TU-2 (UCRL) Net... Bikini Atoll
Administrative Net. Bikini Atoll
8.18
In many cases, these radios paralled dial
telephone service at Eniwetok Atoll, and
in other cases radios on several different nets
were installed in an office to supplement tele-
phone service. The number of mobile-type installations was limited. Traffic studies taken
under varying operationa! conditions revealed
that only a small percentage of the system capacity was utilized.
8.19
VHF-FM tactical-tyvpe military radio
equipment
(AN,VRC
series), on loan
from military sources. was installed in TG 7.5
Boat Pools, TG 7.5 Air Dispatcher nets, and
TU-3, TG 7.1 nets. Approximately 200 units
were installed, mostly afloat. These units pro-
vided a flexible means of communications, be-
cause they could be pretuned to operate on
several different nets. All nets were considered
adequate.
INTERFERENCE DETECTION SERVICE
8.20
Since a considerable portion of the scientific diagnostic data was obtained through
the use of microwave telemetry, it was of prime
importance that these channels be protected
from interference by radar and other radio sig-
nals. At Site Elmer, a military-furnished interference measuring and locating set was installed
in REDWING Station 1518. This installation
protected the telemetry circuits located on the
adjacent 300-foot tower. A similar installation.
made in Building 204, Nan, was transferred to
Johnston Island during June. Portable units
covering 0-300 megacycles were operated at
both atolls, as required. This equipment was
utilized to locate radio interference to any
authorized radio facility. The interference detection team identified the offending signal, pinpointed its location, and advised JTF-Seven
for regulatory action.
8.21
Considerable difficulty was experienced
in bringing the older type of equipment
up to satisfactory operating standards. The
equipment furnished to protect the microwave
telemetry lacked the sensitivity and operating
efficiency of later model equipment. TG 7.5 is
investigating the availability of commercial-type
interference-detection equipment; it is planned
that such a system mounted in trailer will be
procured for use in future Nevada and Eniwetok
programs.
8.22
conan m nnn nnnen on oe
SUBMARINE CABLE SERVICES
NEWSREEL OPERATION
Although the original delineation of TG
7.5 communications responsibilities with
respect to the transfer of the TEAK and
ORANGE events to Johnston [sland was very
minor, requirements increased as program planning developed. A telegraph circuit was esta-
blished between Johnston Island and Site Elmer
to handle traffic during the initial entry until
the projected military voice circuits were esta-
blished in May. A harbor control station, using
HF and VHF radio equipment, was established
to handle marine traffic.
8.23
Approximately 25 VHF-FM-VRC-18 type
radio units were installed and maintained
to support TG 7.1. Ship-shore radiotelephone
service was provided the USS BOXER by installing AN/’TRC-24-type equipment and telephone carrier to provide four voice channels. In
mid-June. a requirement was received to provide
and install single side-hand HF transmitters and
receivers for a count-down circuit covering a 90degree sector between Johnston Island and the
Hawaiian Islands. Emergency procurement
action was initiated by the Contractor’s Los An-
geles Office, and the equipment was purchased,
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