Major Advancement in HF Operational Capability

14:21 GMT, August 17, 2010 Chesapeake Technology International Corporation (CTI) and Rockwell Collins have successfully demonstrated real-time, interactive Internet Relay Chat (IRC) over a High Frequency (HF) radio link using Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). The demonstration was attended by representatives from all of the military services as well as from other interested organizations. This demonstration shows the operational viability of providing IRC capabilities to air, sea, surface, and sub-surface platforms utilizing HF radio communications.

The HF radio link for the demo was established using two Rockwell Collins VRC-100 HF radio sets between Cedar Rapids, IA and Richardson, TX; a distance of over 700 miles. CTI provided IRC Proxy software that allowed commercial IRC client and server applications to be used with no modification. Additionally, the “chat session” included Internet participants from across the United States, communicating bi-directionally over the HF link in real-time via a standard Internet IRC server connected into the HF radio network by CTI’s “HF Bridge” system.

“This demonstration represents a tremendous leap forward in the operational capability provided by HF communications. It allows all types of platforms to participate in modern Internet communications from remote theaters of operation,” said CTI’s President and CEO, Michael Kepferle. Based upon the extensive use of HF radios across many military, diplomatic, emergency response and law enforcement organizations, this capability could rapidly enhance operational communications and situational awareness in many communications-challenged environments and situations around the world.