CHAPTER 3 STATION OPERATIONS

TM 11-5895-878-14&P

CHAPTER 3

STATION OPERATIONS

Section I. OPERATION PRACTICES AND METHODS

of this manual should be made to ensure familiarity with

3-1. System Management

the facilities provided. Most of the day-today technical

a. The Pentagon station is an important part of a

control operations require a thorough understanding of

vast, worldwide military communications network

the complete station.

Rapid response to CCOC

handling voice and electronic data communications. Its

directives can only be accomplished by technical

specific operational function in this network is to provide

controllers who have this understanding.

a wideband relay service and circuit relay service

between other technical control sites, and to provide a

3-3. Station Management Facilities and Usage

central access point in the Washington, DC area into the

Effective management and specific assignment of

communications network. This mission encompasses

responsibilities are essential elements for successful

all of those actions necessary to maintain flexibility in

operation of the station. The station design provides the

traffic and circuit routing, reliability of through and

tools and operational concepts necessary for effective

terminating circuits, and peak efficiency in transmission

station management. The effective assignment of

quality.

This capability can be realized only by

responsibilities by the station manager then depends on

employing approved management principles and by

his ability to match the capabilities of operational

strict adherence to proven standard operating

personnel to the station machine.

A functional

procedures at all stations.

description of man/machine operational interfaces is

b. Overall system management direction resides

provided here as an aid in this matching process. More

with the Communications Command Operations Center

specific operating functions of individual equipments are

(CCOC) and the Defense Communications Agency

described in detail in the equipment technical manuals

(DCA). The discussions which follow are based upon

and handbooks.

the facilities provided at the site. Specific operating

a. Patching Functions. Patching is accomplished

procedures will be published by the CCOC, and in case

at two areas on site.

of conflict between information contained in this manual

(1) Video and Group Interface. The video

and the COC-DCA procedures, the latter will govern.

and group inputs and outputs are connected directly to

Although the management of the system resides with

video patch facilities. Rerouting of the multiplexed

the CCOC, the implementation of the operational

direction, quality of service, and rapid restoration of

groups is readily accomplished at this point by patching.

service in the event of failure is the responsibility of

(2) VF and Digital Channel Interface. Black

each individual operator in the system. Unless there is

and Red circuits are wired to the associated patch bays

thorough cooperation and mutual respect among the

in the P&T area. The patching facilities in this area

personnel manning the stations, even a perfectly

provide access to the circuits.

designed and well managed operation will fail to provide

b. Monitoring and Testing Functions.

an effective communications service.

Adequate

(1) Monitor and Test Point Interface. All VF

facilities are provided at all stations and a management

and digital jack sets include a monitor jack appearance.

and control structure is available. The proper use of the

These jacks are arranged to permit monitoring and

station's facilities and equipment will assure a station

testing without interrupting the circuit.

operating capability which is effective, reliable, and

(2) Test Bay Interface. The test bays contain

efficient.

transmission measuring equipment and other test items

to facilitate maintenance, fault isolation, analysis, and

3-2. Station Management Approach

correction.

The technical control subsystem has been specifically

Status Reporting and Coordination

designed as the station control center and is equipped to

Functions. Operating personnel at the station are the

permit effective station management. All operational

primary users of the supervisory subsystem which

orders, circuit activation and deactivation functions,:

provides orderwire communications. This subsystem

system reporting, alternate routing procedures,

provides communications with other stations as

emergency procedures, and any other actions affecting

required. Reporting requirements are established by the

the operation of this station will be directed to, or

station SOP.

performed by the technical control operators. Much of

the' content of this chapter is therefore addressed

3-4. Duties of the Technical Controller

specifically to the station technical controllers and is

a. General.

The principal functions of the

intended to be used as a working guide in conjunction

technical controller are to monitor, test, and patch, as

with station SOP's, records, and individual equipment

required, to ensure operation at peak efficiency and

manuals and handbooks (app A). Since the circuit

quality. The technical

configuration is subject to operational changes, a

detailed study of the equipment descriptions in chapter 2

3-1