FULL-PERIOD TERMINATIONS

Full-period terminations are dedicated circuits that provide communications between shore stations and afloat commands. These terminations require allocation of limited NCTAMS/NCTS assets. Therefore, the criteria for requesting, approving, and establishing such circuits is necessarily strict.

Termination Requests

Afloat commands and individual units can request full-period termination during special operations, deployments, intensive training periods, or exercises when primary ship-shore circuits will not suffice. Commands should request full-period terminations only when traffic volume exceeds speed and capability of ship-shore circuits and when operational sensitivity requires circuit discreetness or effective command and control necessitates dedicated circuits.

The heavy demands placed upon NCTAMS/NCTSs for full-period terminations require maximum cooperation between shore stations and afloat commanders prior to and during an operation. Ships having a need for a full-period termination, either for training or operational requirements, must submit a termination request to the COMMAREA master station at least 48 hours prior to activation time.

Emergency commitments or a command directive may necessitate a lead time of less than 48 hours. Whenever possible, however, the 2-day limit must be honored to achieve maximum preparation and coordination. NTP 4 gives details of required information that must be included in a termination request message.

The COMMAREA master station will assign a shore station for a ship's termination circuit. Once the shore station has been assigned, both the ship and the station may begin coordination to identify specific equipment keylists and frequencies needed to effect termination. The shore station will also act as NECOS. Two hours prior to the scheduled termination, the shore station can coordinate with the ship by telephone, local circuitry, or by primary ship-shore.

When the ship shifts terminations, the securing of the current termination and the establishment of a new termination should coincide with a broadcast shift whenever possible. The ship must submit a

COMMSHIFT message.

Termination Types

There are six types of full-period terminations, as follows:

l Single-channel radioteleprinter using either radio path or landline transmission media;

l Single-channel low-data-rate satellite access using satellite transmission media;

l CUDIXS special satellite access for NAVMACS-equipped ships using satellite transmission media;

l Multichannel radioteleprinter using either radio path or landline transmission media;

l Multichannel radioteleprinter using SHF satellite transmission media; and

l Tactical intelligence (TACINTEL) access for TACINTEL-equipped ships using satellite transmission media.

Equipment Tests

To ensure that circuit equipment is in peak operational condition, complete system back-to-back off-the-air tests must be completed 24 hours prior to termination activations. Check cryptoequipment back-to-back after daily crypto changes and prior to putting circuits into service.

An aggressive PMS and quality monitoring program is essential. When checking equipment, look for power levels, scorch or burn marks, proper operation of interlocks, and cleanliness. When cleaning and inspecting antennas, look for cracks, chips, or blistering of insulators. Also check for deterioration, loose connectors, and correct insulator resistance.

COMMSPOT Reports

COMMSPOT reports will be submitted by all ships, including nonterminated units, any time unusual communication difficulties are encountered. Ships will submit the COMMSPOT to the terminating communications station. Timely submission of COMMSPOT reports is necessary to minimize further deterioration of the situation.

Rules and general instructions for preparing JINTACCS formatted COMMSPOT reports are found in the Joint Reporting System (General Purpose Re-ports), NWP 1-03, Supp-1 (formerly NWP 10-1-13).