MASTER STATION LOG (MSL)

The MSL is the official narrative record maintained to record significant events (e.g., power failures, complete system outages, major equipment outages or impairments such as HAZCON'S and any other event that may have an impact on operations, time verification, shift or watch changes, special tests, etc.). Every communication space must maintain a Master Station Log.

Entries must be made in chronological order. The shift or watch supervisor is required to sign the log when logging "on" and "off" duty and at the end of the RADAY.

If the MSL is an automated log, it shall be designed so that it does not allow alternations. For manual logs, a hard copy of the MSL must be filed at the end of each RADAY. MSLs must be retained for a minimum of 12 months.

THE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

The communications plan satisfies the communications requirements of an operation. It specifies circuits, channels, and facilities to be used and stipulates the policies and procedures that are applicable. The plan is, in effect, an assignment of communications tasks to be performed by subordinate commanders or by supporting commands.

The planner first establishes requirements for communications and then determines the best means for satisfying them. This process may reveal shortages or inadequacies in what is available. If inadequacies are identified, it may become necessary to share circuits or facilities, as well as to merge or consolidate requirements. All possibilities should be considered to support valid operational requirements.

In planning communications, the planner must evaluate such factors as the performance, capabilities, and capacities of systems and facilities, as well as the personnel. These factors are merely guides and averages. They represent the sum result of experience in previous similar situations, and are considered only after any local factors are determined. These factors change from time to time and must all be available for final determination of communications requirements.

QUALITY CONTROL

The AN/SSQ-88/A/B system was designed to provide a means of monitoring and evaluating performance of any communications system used by forces afloat. You will utilize this system with RCS interface as well as various other types of monitoring systems; for example, oscilloscopes, meggers, and visual, just to name a few.

You will be checking for various signal quality characteristics, including dc distortion, audio distribution levels, frequency accuracy of RF signals, spectrum analysis and loop current. Those measurements are broad categories and can be broken down to specific tests for specific systems.

You will correct all discrepancies, complete the appropriate reports, and send them to the proper authority or file them for further reference.

CIRCUIT SETUP/RESTORATIONS

RADAY is the start of a new 24-hour period. At that time all designated systems will restart. It can be a crypto restart, the simple methods of starting (opening) a new log, or message numbering system, starting at the number 0001.

RADAY starts at 0001Z worldwide. The 0000Z

time frame does not exist and WILL NOT be used. The following restart items is a rudimentary list to give the user an idea of areas and items that require restart at the beginning of the new radio day.

DETERMINE COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOLS

Protocols are generally set by the CINCs, area commander, Naval instructions, and local instructions. Protocols are also determined by the mission and the area of operations.

COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS

The use of communications circuits require that those circuits at various times of the day be placed online, in reserve, or taken offline. The reasons have to do with whether the circuit is needed immediately, or can be placed on ready reserve for use, or if the requirement for that particular circuit has expired.

Activate

Activating communications circuit usually means turning on or starting a circuit to allow for communications signals to ride (or pass) on them. When a circuit is activated, it will be logged in an active status on the status board. A circuit can be activated for any number of reasons, including special communications, overload, or installation of a new circuit path.

Deactivate

To terminate or deactivate a circuit is to stop using that path and remove all your equipment from that particular path. The deactivated circuit is then logged out on the status board.

Standby

By placing communications circuits standby, you are placing them in hold. They are ready for activation or deactivation should the need arise. Again, this type of circuit is placed on the status board so that the supervisor knows the status of each of the circuits under his control.