Communications Options for the Common Man – Part 6, by Tunnel Rabbit
(Continued from Part 5. This concludes the article.)
Field Phone Line Circuits: The Platoon Hot Loop
This method can to be used if the layout of LP/OPs is favorable. This method of connecting phones is referred to as the Platoon Hot Loop, yet the connection can be made to string the phones together, not in a circle but all along a singe line be it straight or in a circular shape that resembles a perimeter.
The ‘loop’ is actually the electrical path created the connections made in a series in the same way Christmas tree lights were once supplied with power. And we know what happens when one of the bulbs burns out: The whole string goes out. The technique uses a single wire pair that can connect many phones in series. The limit of phones is actually determined by the ringing power that can be supplied by any one of the phones that are on the line. Too many phones will require more power than is available from the weakest magneto that generates up to 90 VAC with sufficient amperage to ring a few other phones without assistance from a switchboard.
Here is how to make a Platoon Hot Loop: This method is worthy of consideration as there may be a shortage of commo wire, especially if the operation is in the field. The two phones at both ends of the line are connected as if they are the only two phones on the line. Other phones located in between the outermost phones use only one wire of the wire pair.
This single wire is cut and the end stripped. Each wire end is connected to the positive connector on the phone, and the other wire end is connected to the negative connection point of the phone. It does not matter which wire end is connected where, but that each wire end must be connected to the phone so that it becomes connected to the other phones on the line. The method allows any of the phones on the line to call all the other phones simultaneously and speak to all the others at the same time. This, therefore, is essentially a party line.
It is an efficient use of wire and makes instant communications between all LP/OPs possible as would radio would make it possible. The strength in this method allows a connection to be made anywhere the line is available, and a phones can be redeployed at a new location and LP/OP along this line without running additional wire and the method eliminates the need for a switch board.
The weakness of this wiring scheme is that if there is a faulty connection at any of the phones on the line, or a broken line, the entire line and all the phones goes dead together. If there not a shortage of wire, home runs to each station, or LP/OP, all the way back to the base station or FOB, should be made for the sake of reliability.
A Work-Around For a Large Number of Phones on a Single Circuit
If the load created by too many phones on the same line is excessive, it will not be possible to effectively ring more than a few phones. A substitute or work around method of signaling that a call is being made greatly reduces the load and the VAC power required so that many more phones, up to 20 on a line is possible This work around can allow additional phones to the line as the power requirement to signal an incoming power is greatly reduced. For noise discipline, using either a 12V buzzer instead of ringing the phone, and/or using a 12V red LED that pulses, or both can be attached directly at the terminals and wired in series or parallel, as the circuit is so configured. Again, for noise discipline, the mechanical ringer must be disconnected or heavily muted.
WD1A Has a Thousand and One Uses
Like paracord or baking soda, WD-1A has “a thousand and one uses” other than as its intended purpose as commo wire. It can also be used to hard-wire a P.A. system from a CB to the front gate, or used as hard wire for passive or active trip wire alarms, or for whatever devices one might devise. WD-1A will not be wasted. Be sure to also purchase a man-portable and operate DR8 spool reel to recover unused wire.
WD1A also makes for sturdy light-gauge (22-gauge) HF antennas and is good for high-voltage electric fencing as well. When one considers it is possible multi-purpose roles from clothesline to tangle foot wire, and that its length can be doubled when the wire pair is separate into two separate wires, a full roll might be be worth the out lay of cash for the extra wire that might remain on the spool after two or more runs are installed for field phone use. And one must be prepared to relocate phones temporarily to an alternative LPOP established at a later date, or one may need to permanently relocate. It is easier to leave the installed wire in place if one has spare wire on a reel.
Unconventional Methods to Optimize the Use of Field Phones
The spare wire pair could also be used to activate a loud buzzer that softly chirps as the turn of the magneto is made on the field phone. It also functions as the speaker of an intercom or P.A. It is essentially micro speaker when the push to talk button is depressed on the field phone. This a poor mans substitute for additional phones.
At the time of purchase several years ago, these very loud piezo buzzers cost me about $1 each. They can be operated as a loud warning device when constant voltage between 9 and 12 VDC on a field phone circuit is applied by a momentary switch. Field phones can tolerate constant 12 VDC when connected to converted commercial phones. When the magneto is turned to ring the bell of another field phone or that of a re-purposed commercial phone, up to 90 VAC (Volts Alternating Current) can be generated. Neither the piezo buzzer nor commercial phone is damaged by the high A.C. voltage. In fact, older commercial phones required roughly 90 VAC to operate their mechanical ringers or electronic ringers.
BTW, not all commercial phones can be re-purposed to be used in a circuit with military field phones. Therefore, I can not offer a blanket recommendation to use commercial phones as a low-cost equivalent to military field phones. It is noteworthy that most field phones that use only two wires will work with most other field phones that use only two wires to operate. Only by trial and error, or testing a candidate phone will a suitable commercial phone be found to be compatible.
Multiband Scanners
At least one or preferably more inexpensive analog multiband scanners should also be apart of the communications plan as it can provide greatly need situational awareness and possibly a low level of intelligence. A digital recorder with it’s Voice Operated function (VOX) engaged can listen to the scanner while you work in the garden and condense 24 hours of radio traffic into a very short listening period of less than an hour.
Monitor all frequencies that you would use, and all common radio services and more, and in particular all the Amateur radio bands and VHF from 150 to 160 MHz were the bulk of analog radio traffic is found. Ideally, those who are manning the LP/OP will also be monitoring a scanner that can intercept the approach of attackers, or hear real time reports of attacking gangs or other trouble ahead toward, or that is in the area of the retreat from distant or nearby homesteads who may or may not be associated.
Remember Rhodesia
Develop an informal and local radio net that uses common FRS and CB radios that may prove one day to be invaluable in many unanticipated ways, and may become the basis of a community defense force, an idea that can be explored in the Civil Defense Manual available from Jack Lawson. Also study the Rhodesian War, and read the short online book Farmer at War, and visit the blog provided by The Lizard Farmer for additional insights of the conditions and problems we may have to contend with. Also, be sure to visit DonShift.com.
As was greatly appreciated by Rhodesian farmers, the Agric-Alert radio network that was established by the Rhodesian government. It was an invaluable tool for isolated farmers during the Rhodesian Bush War. The VHF Agric-Alert radio system covered the entire country, but was organized by regions. It had roll calls at 6 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. each day. Any farmers who did not respond were investigated and government forces deployed to the area, often by helicopter.
The Agric-Alert was operational 24/7 and provided threat alerts. Farmers could warn other farmers by issuing a “Code 1” that indicated that communist terrorists were in the area. Up to 60 farms were on a system. All were given call signs and a daily on-air briefings was conducted. Training sessions, meetings, and demonstrations on how to use the radio equipment, firearms, apply first aid to gunshot wounds, and means of defense were made available to farmers.
The Rhodesian government forces could provide very little protection to farmers. Farmers were mostly on their own and endured attacks from mortars to snipers. Farms had to provide their own security measures, if they had any at all. Occasionally, Rhodesian Army forces would be in the area to deal with hot spots of communist guerilla activity.
The farmers were in constant danger and armed themselves with ingenious ways that we might someday be forced to adopt, such as many electrically operated large-bore water pipe shotguns mounted in a fan array onto heavy steel front bumpers. Vehicles were up-armored to withstand landmines placed in the road by communist insurgents. Many farmers were murdered and their farms raided with impunity, or simply burnt to the ground out of spite. The Agri-Alert radio system also provided warnings of possible ambushes on the roads in remote areas, news of deaths, intelligence, or at the very least situational awareness. Yet perhaps of greatest value was the moral or psychological support to continue the fight for liberty.
The lessons that Rhodesian farmers learned well can serve us today. Do not assume that if one is in a remote location that we are necessarily safer for it. If we do not assume that the enemy is 3 times more physically fit, 3 times smarter and 3 times better armed or more capable than ourselves, then we have likely already lost the fight. Have a plan to use any form of communications to bring a community together as divided and isolated, we would be conquered, one by one, by a weaker force.
Conclusion
Communication has always been the backbone of an organized and effective defense. Use it or lose it. The threats we could face are many, and these are not uneducated or unsophisticated ruffians with rusty AK-47s. ‘They’ will almost surely be quite more capable than that.
Addendum: Some other related articles on communications that I wrote for SurvivalBlog are mentioned and linked in this article: Pirate Radio for Sea and Land.
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