CODATIAL OO Chapter 7 - ° ‘cations Communications for Operation HARDTACK were planned and installed to provide: essential air navigational aids for safe and efficient operation of aircraft; rapid and dependable communications with agencies both outside and inside the Test Area; control and precision positioning of all aircraft participating in a test event. Other factors which had to be evaluated in planning communications and electronics (C & E) facilities were the heavy atmospheric radio noise on high frequencies, the very humid climate and the highly corrosive atmosphere present in the EFC, During Operation NEWSREEL aircraft were controlled over a much greater range than during previous tests. This control situation was ~ complicated by the complete loss of all sky wave radio propagation which z occurred simultaneously with detonation of the high altitude devices. A more complete discussion of all Task Group 7.4 communications is presented in the following paragraphs. . The responsibility for providing and operating all ARTC communications and air navigational aids for Task Group 7.4 was delegated to the AACS Comminications Element. ARTC traffic for flights outside the test erea was transmitted to Kwajalein Center using one high frequency single side band system. (1) voice circuit on the Early difficulties in maintain- ing contact on this circuit made it necessary to establish a back-up radio circuit from Eniwetok Approach Corftrol to Kwajalein Center. Air route traffic for weather islands, such as flight plans for resupply aircraft was transmitted through the Weather Island "Weather and Rad-Safe" net. /2 ¢