Allied Communications Publications

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Allied Communications Publications are documents developed by the Combined Communications-Electronics Board and NATO, which define the procedures for communicating in computer messaging, radiotelephony, radiotelegraph, radioteletype (RATT), air-to-ground signalling (panel signalling), and other forms of communications used by the armed forces of the five CCEB member countries and/or NATO.

Allied Communications Publications
Revision
Short TitleFull TitleDeveloperDescriptionStatusOriginal1234567891011Other
ACP 100Allied Callsign and Address Group System: Instructions and Assignments [1] B (March 1972)C (August 1974)D (March, 1978)E (May, 1981)F (March, 1984)KL, M
ACP 100 (SEATO SUPP-1)SEATO Call Sign and Address Group Assignments [2] I (Apr 1979)
ACP 100 (US SUPP-1)U. S. Call Sign and Address Group System - Instructions and Assignments (U) [3] CJ (Oct 1980)K (Aug 1981)
ACP 101Air Force Address Groups [4]
ACP 102Army Address Groups [4]
ACP 103Naval Address Groups [4]
ACP 104Allied, Joint and Geographical Address Groups
ACP 105Master Index of Four Letter Call Signs and Address Groups [4]
ACP 110Tactical Call Sign Book (U) [3]
ACP 110 USN SUPP-1U.S. Naval Tactical Call Sign Book for Aircraft [2] Apr 1960A (Aug 1969)B (Sep 1972)
ACP 112Task Organization Call Sign Book [5] Designed to facilitate communications with and between the Task Forces, Elements, Groups and Units comprising the NATO Naval Task Organization. [4] AB (Apr 1961)
ACP 113Automation of List-Type Communication, Publication Call Sign Book for ShipsCCEBContains a list of International Call Signs for Ships. [4] P, Q, R, S, T, U V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, AC, AH [6]
ACP 114Call Sign Book for Fixed and Land Radio Stations [4]
ACP 116Address Group Book [7]
ACP 117Allied Routing Indicator Book [1]
ACP 117 COMNAV SUPP-1Allied Routing Indicator Book Commonwealth Naval supplement No. 1 [2] Mar, 1967
ACP 117 (US SUPP-1)Allied Routing Indicator Book (U) [3]
ACP 117 (US SUPP-2)Routing Indicator Book for Mobile Commands and Units (U) [3]
ACP 117 (US SUPP-3)Defense Communications System Routing Doctrine General Purpose Networks (U) [3]
ACP 117 (US SUPP-4)US Special Purpose Routing Indicator Book (U) [3]
ACP 117 (US SUPP-5)CONUS Military TWX/Telex Directory (U) [3]
ACP 117 (CAN-US SUPP-1)Allied Routing Indicator Book--Canada–United States Supplement No. 1(U) [3]
ACP 118Visual Call Sign Book [2] D (Feb 1954)E (Apr 1967)
ACP 119SEATO Voice Call Sips for Tactical Aircraft (SEATO supplement NO. 1) [2] May 1969
ACP 120Common Security Protocol (CSP) [8] CCEBFrozen1998
ACP 121Communications Instructions - GeneralCCEBBackground, Punctuation abbreviations; phonetic spelling; MINIMIZE in emergencies; lettered time zones.

Contains information regarding assignments and use of frequencies; means of communications; message preparation; call signs, routing indicators and address groups and method of determining code speeds, message precedence, etc. ACP 121 is primarily for use by originators and communications officers. [4]

In-ForceG [9] H [1] I [10]
ACP 121 (US SUPP-1)Communication Instructions--General (U) [3] C
ACP 121 (NATO SUPP-1) (R)Communication Instructions General NATO Basegram System (U) [3]
ACP 122Information Assurance for Allied Communications and Information SystemsCCEBContains instructions regarding censorship, handling of classified material, cryptographic operation, transmission security, traffic analysis and deception. [4] G [11]
ACP 123Common Message Strategy and ProceduresCCEBX.400 messages/Military Message Handling System B [12]
ACP 124Communication Instructions Radiotelegraph ProcedureCovers radio net proceduresB (Jan 1957)C (Jul 1969)D [13]
ACP 125 Communication Instructions Radiotelephone ... proceduresCCEBMain English-language document for radio voice communications procedures. Accuracy methods; definition of prowords; plain language radio check; Discipline; Messages; Operating Rules; Misc methods (sync time; grid references)In-ForceD (Jul 1970)F [14] G [15]
ACP 125 U.S. SUPP-1HF Air-Ground Radiotelephone Procedures U.S. Supplement 1 to ACP 125 (B)Sep 1958
ACP 125 (US SUPP-2)Radiotelephone Procedures for the Conduct of Artillery and Naval Gunfire (U) [3] See also ATP 4 Allied Spotting Procedure for Naval Gunfire Support.A (Feb 1984)
ACP 126Communications Instructions - Teletypewriter (Teleprinter) Instructions.CCEBACP 126(C) is now withdrawn from publication. This copy is retained for reference only. JAFPUB 2016-49 refers.Withdrawn 2016-10-20C [16]
ACP 127Communications Instructions - Tape Relay Procedures.CCEBIn-Force but FrozenG [17]
ACP 127 Supp-1Communications Instructions – Procedures for Allied Fleet RATT Operations.CCEBK [18]
ACP 128Allied Telecommunications Record System (ALTERS) Operating ProceduresCCEBA [19]
ACP 129Communication Instructions - Visual Signaling Procedures (U) [3] CCEBB (Feb 1965)
ACP 129 NS-1Communication Instructions Visual Signaling ProceduresInitial [20]
ACP 130Communications Instructions - Direction Finding (D/F) Procedure [7]
ACP 130Communications Instructions Signalling Procedures in the Visual Medium.For emergency communications. Semaphore; Flaghoist; Sound; Infrared Comms; Panel signalling; Marking of drop zones; emergency signals; pyrotechnics; Combines ACP-129 and ACP-168In-ForceA [21]
ACP 131 Communications Instructions - Operating Signals.CCEBMorse Code Q-Codes, etc. 1964 version has 3x9 radio checkIn-ForceB [22] D (May 1986)F [23]
ACP 133Common Directory Services and Procedures [1] CCEB
ACP 133 SUPP-1Communications Instructions: Common Directory Services and Procedures Supplement [8] CCEBA
ACP 134Telephone Switchboard Operating Procedures (U) [3]
ACP 134 NS-1Telephone Switchboard Operating Procedure [2]
ACP 135Communications Instructions - Distress and Rescue Procedures.CCEBIn-ForceF [24]
ACP 136Communication Instructions--Panel Signaling (U) [3] Contains a system whereby ground personnel may communicate to a limited degree with aircraft by means of panels laid out on the ground, or by markings in the soil. [4]
ACP 137Pegasus Directory Services Technical Architecture [8] CCEBA
ACP 142A Protocol for Reliable Multicast Messaging in Bandwidth Constrained and

Delayed Acknowledgement (EMCON) Environments. [1]

CCEB
ACP 145Gateway-to-Gateway Implementation Guide for ACP 123/STANAG 4406

Messaging Services. [1]

CCEB
ACP 147Call Sign Book for Merchant Ships in Time of War [2] BI (Oct 1966)J (Nov 1967)K (Jun 1969)L (May 1970), M (Mar 1975), N (Dec 1975), P (Dec 1978), R (Oct 1980)
ACP 148Wartime Instructions for Merchant Ships (Visual Signaling and Tactics) [2] A handbook for convoy and independent ship operation and a guide to convoy maneuvering and signalling procedure. [4] Dec 1959A (Dec 1959)
ACP 149Wartime Instructions for Merchant Ships (Radio) [2] Contains instructions for the conduct of radio communications with and within merchant ship convoys. [4] A (Feb 1965)
ACP 149 NATO SUPP-1Wartime Instructions for Merchant Ships (Radio) [2] Jun 1958
ACP 149 SEAT0 SWP-1Wartime Instructions for Merchant Ships (Radio) [2] C (Feb 1965)
ACP 149 SWP-1Wartime Instructions for Merchant Ships (Radio) [2] Feb 1965
ACP 150Recognition and Identification Instructions - Air, Land and Sea Forces. [1] Contains a general description of the scope, objectives, application, limitation, means and methods of recognition and identification with instructions regarding their use. [4] D
ACP 151Recognition and Identification Instructions [7] Contains instructions regarding employment of visual and electronic means of recognition and identification of air and ground forces. [4] A
ACP 152Recognition and Identification Instructions - Ground Forces [7]
ACP 153Recognition and Identification Instructions - Surface Forces [7] Contains instructions regarding the employment of visual and electronic means of recognition and identification of surface warships, merchant ships, between submarines and surface warships and between submarines and aircraft. [4]
ACP 154Recognition and Identification Instructions - Harbour Entrance Control [7] Contains instructions regarding the responsibility and procedure for identifying major warships, minor warships and merchant ships entering defended ports. [4]
ACP 155Recognition and Identification Instructions - Key List No.1 - Basic Key List [7]
ACP 156Recognition and Identification Instructions - Key List No.2 - Air-Ship-Ground [7]
ACP 157Recognition and Identification Instructions - Key List No.3 - Merchant Vessels [7]
ACP 158Recognition and Identification Instructions - Book of Numbered Index Columns [7]
ACP 160IFF/SIF Operating Procedures [1] CCEB
ACP 165Operational Brevity Codes [1] Contains radiotelephone procedure, prowords and operational brevity codes for Air Warning, Air Defense, Anti-aircraft Coordination, Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Countermeasures.B (Apr 1965)D (Dec 1977)
ACP 166Voice Procedure for Ground Controlled ApproachContains instructions on Ground Control Approach and standard voice phraseology for use in connection with Ground Control Approach procedure. [4]
ACP 167Glossary of Communications-Electronic Terms.CCEBB (May 1965)C (Feb 1971)D (Feb 1973)F (Aug 1981)H [25] I [26]
ACP 168Pyrotechnic Signals (U) [3] Combined into ACP 130AC (Jul 1979)
ACP 175Allied Naval Signal Book [4]
ACP 176Allied Naval and Maritime Air Communications Instructions [1] Updated version? [27] C (Aug 1964)
ACP 176 NATO SUPP-1Allied Naval and Maritime Air Communication Instructions [2] A Apr 1967)
ACP 176 NATO SUPP-2NATO Naval and Maritime Air Radio Organization
ACP 177Land Forces Electronic Warfare Instructions. [28] Frozen
ACP 178Maritime Electronic Warfare Instructions. [29] Frozen
ACP 179Maritime Electronic Warfare Instructions Air Forces [2] Oct 1965
ACP 180Electronic Warfare. - Draft [9]
ACP 185Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Cross-Certification Between Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB) Nations [8] CCEBPublishedA
ACP 190Guide to Spectrum Management in Military Operations [1] CCEBPublishedOct 1958
ACP 190 (US SUPP-1)Guide to Frequency Planning (U) [3] Feb 1963
ACP 191Ionospheric Sounder Operations [1]
ACP 193A Ground Routing Protocol (GRP) for use with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) Capable HF Radios.CCEBA [30]
ACP 194Policy for the Coordination of Radio Frequency Allocations and

Assignments between Cooperating Nations [1]

CCEB
ACP 198Instructions for the preparation of Allied Communications Publications [1] CCEBEstablishes a standard format for ACPs, including rules for assignment of short titles, preparation, assembly, and pagination. [4]
ACP 200Allied Maritime Tactical Wide Area Networking [1]
ACP 200.V1Maritime and Mobile Tacticalwide Area networking (MTWAN) in the Maritime Environment: Operating Guidance [31] CCEBD
ACP 200.V2Maritime and Mobile Tactical Wide Area Networking (MTWAN): Tactical Guidance [31] CCEBD
ACP 201Communications Instructions Internet Protocol (IP) Services [8] CCEBA
ACP 220Multi National Videoconferencing Services [1] CCEB
ACP 230Pegasus Service Operations Management Framework (PSOM) [8] CCEBA
ACP 256Operations Code and Prearranged Message Codes [32]
ACP 257Map Reference and Numbered Cryptosystems [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

A radio net is three or more radio stations communicating with each other on a common channel or frequency. A net is essentially a moderated conference call conducted over two-way radio, typically in half-duplex operating conditions. The use of half-duplex operation requires a very particular set of operating procedures to be followed in order to avoid inefficiencies and chaos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NATO phonetic alphabet</span> Most widely used spelling alphabet

The (International) Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, commonly known as the NATO phonetic alphabet, is the most widely used set of clear code words for communicating the letters of the Roman alphabet. Technically a radiotelephonic spelling alphabet, it goes by various names, including NATO spelling alphabet, ICAO phonetic alphabet and ICAO spelling alphabet. The ITU phonetic alphabet and figure code is a rarely used variant that differs in the code words for digits.

The Q-code is a standardised collection of three-letter codes that each start with the letter "Q". It is an operating signal initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. To distinguish the use of a Q-code transmitted as a question from the same Q-code transmitted as a statement, operators either prefixed it with the military network question marker "INT" or suffixed it with the standard Morse question mark UD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allied military phonetic spelling alphabets</span> Word lists used in military radio communication

The Allied military phonetic spelling alphabets prescribed the words that are used to represent each letter of the alphabet, when spelling other words out loud, letter-by-letter, and how the spelling words should be pronounced for use by the Allies of World War II. They are not a "phonetic alphabet" in the sense in which that term is used in phonetics, i.e. they are not a system for transcribing speech sounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radiotelephone</span> Communications system for transmission of speech over radio

A radiotelephone, abbreviated RT, is a radio communication system for conducting a conversation; radiotelephony means telephony by radio. It is in contrast to radiotelegraphy, which is radio transmission of telegrams (messages), or television, transmission of moving pictures and sound. The term is related to radio broadcasting, which transmit audio one way to listeners. Radiotelephony refers specifically to two-way radio systems for bidirectional person-to-person voice communication between separated users, such as CB radio or marine radio. In spite of the name, radiotelephony systems are not necessarily connected to or have anything to do with the telephone network, and in some radio services, including GMRS, interconnection is prohibited.

A signal strength and readability report is a standardized format for reporting the strength of the radio signal and the readability (quality) of the radiotelephone (voice) or radiotelegraph signal transmitted by another station as received at the reporting station's location and by their radio station equipment. These report formats are usually designed for only one communications mode or the other, although a few are used for both telegraph and voice communications. All but one of these signal report formats involve the transmission of numbers.

Radiotelephony procedure includes various techniques used to clarify, simplify and standardize spoken communications over two-way radios, in use by the armed forces, in civil aviation, police and fire dispatching systems, citizens' band radio (CB), and amateur radio.

The Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB) is a five-nation joint military communications-electronics (C-E) organisation whose mission is the coordination of any military C-E matter that is referred to it by a member nation. The member nations of the CCEB are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The CCEB is the Sponsoring Authority for all Allied Communications Publications (ACPs). ACPs are raised and issued under common agreement between the member nations. The CCEB Board consists of a senior Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) representative from each of the member nations.

ACP-131 is the controlling publication for the listing of Q codes and Z codes. It is published by the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB) countries, and revised from time to time. When the meanings of the codes contained in ACP-131 are translated into various languages, the codes provide a means of communicating between ships of various nations, such as during a NATO exercise, when a common language is not in effect.

A spelling alphabet is a set of words used to represent the letters of an alphabet in oral communication, especially over a two-way radio or telephone. The words chosen to represent the letters sound sufficiently different from each other to clearly differentiate them. This avoids any confusion that could easily otherwise result from the names of letters that sound similar, except for some small difference easily missed or easily degraded by the imperfect sound quality of the apparatus. For example, in the Latin alphabet, the letters B, P, and D sound similar and could easily be confused, but the words "bravo", "papa" and "delta" sound completely different, making confusion unlikely.

A radiogram is a formal written message transmitted by radio. Also known as a radio telegram or radio telegraphic message, radiograms use a standardized message format, form and radiotelephone and/or radiotelegraph transmission procedures. These procedures typically provide a means of transmitting the content of the messages without including the names of the various headers and message sections, so as to minimize the time needed to transmit messages over limited and/or congested radio channels. Various formats have been used historically by maritime radio services, military organizations, and Amateur Radio organizations.

Procedure words are words or phrases limited to radio telephone procedure used to facilitate communication by conveying information in a condensed standard verbal format. Prowords are voice versions of the much older procedural signs for Morse code which were first developed in the 1860s for Morse telegraphy, and their meaning is identical.

The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, i.e., Bravo Zulu, also referred to as "BZ," is a naval signal, typically conveyed by flaghoist or voice radio, meaning "Well Done" with regard to actions, operations or performance. In addition to the British Royal Navy, it has also been used as part of vernacular slang within the U.S. Navy, NATO, and other Allied naval forces. It can be combined with the "negative" signal, spoken or written as NEGAT, to say "NEGAT Bravo Zulu" to convey "not well done" for a given action.

APRS Calling is a manual procedure for calling stations on the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) to initiate communications on another frequency, or possibly by other means. It is inspired by Digital Selective Calling, a part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. It also builds on existing digital procedures inherited from morse code and radioteletype operation. ITU Q codes are used in conjunction with APRS text messages to implement APRS calling. APRS calling is intended to complement monitoring voice calling frequencies.

A plain-language radio check is the means of requesting and giving a signal strength and readability report for radiotelephony (voice) communications, and is the direct equivalent to the QSA and QRK code used to give the same report in radiotelegraph communications. SINPEMFO code is the voice signal reporting format developed by the ITU in 1959, but sees little use outside of shortwave listeners.

16-line message format, or Basic Message Format, is the standard military radiogram format for the manner in which a paper message form is transcribed through voice, Morse code, or TTY transmission formats. The overall structure of the message has three parts: HEADING, TEXT, and ENDING. This heading is further divided into procedure, preamble, address, and prefix. Each format line contains pre-defined content. An actual message may have fewer than 16 actual lines, or far more than 16, because some lines are skipped in some delivery methods, and a long message may have a TEXT portion that is longer than 16 lines by itself.

The QSA code and QRK code are interrelated and complementary signal reporting codes for use in wireless telegraphy. An enhanced format, SINPO code, was published in the ITU Radio Regulations, Geneva, 1959, but is longer and unwieldy for use in the fast pace of Morse code communications.

ACP 125 is the short name for Allied Communications Publication 125: Communications Instructions—Radiotelephone Procedures, developed and published by the Combined Communications Electronics Board, for use by the Five Eyes nations and the rest of NATO. According to the latest version,

"The aim of ACP 125 is to prescribe the voice procedure for use by the armed forces of Allied nations on secure and non-secure tactical voice nets. Its purpose is to provide a standardized way of passing speech and data traffic as securely as possible consistent with accuracy, speed and the needs of command and control."

Allied Communication Procedures is the set of manuals and supplements published by the Combined Communications Electronics Board that prescribe the methods and standards to be used while conducting visual, audible, radiotelegraph, and radiotelephone communications within NATO member nations. These procedures relate to procedure words, radiotelephony procedure, Allied Military phonetic spelling alphabets, plain language radio checks, the 16-line message format (radiogram), and others.

Time synchronization over radio is the procedure used for time transfer performed by humans over two-way radio circuits, including voice, telegraph, and teletype.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Communication Instructions - General - ACP 121(H)" (PDF). April 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Communications Publications Collection, 1929-1989" (PDF). Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 U.S. Army Field Manual FM 11-41
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "SGM-627-56: Allied Communications Publications (ACPs)" (PDF).
  5. ↑ "Item SGM-0139-56 - ACP 112 (A) - TASK ORGANIZATION CALL SIGN BOOK".
  6. ↑ "ACP 113(AH) CALL SIGN BOOK FOR SHIPS" (PDF).
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "NATO Standing Group Decision on S.G. 33/3: A report by the Communications Electronics Coordination Sectionon Communications (Signals) Procedures and Message Forms" (PDF).
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 CCEB public site (behind free registration)
  9. 1 2 "COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS GENERAL ACP 121(G)" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS - GENERAL" (PDF).
  11. ↑ "Information Assurance for Allied Communications and Information Systems" (PDF).
  12. ↑ "ACP 123 (B) Common Messaging Strategy and Procedures". 2009. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.470.2950 .
  13. ↑ "ACP 124 (D): COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS RADIO TELEGRAPH PROCEDURE" (PDF).
  14. ↑ "Allied Communications Publication, Communications Instructions, Radiotelephone Procedures, ACP 125(F)" (PDF). September 2001.
  15. ↑ "Communications Instructions: Radiotelephone Procedures ACP125 (G)" (PDF). 28 November 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  16. ↑ "COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS TELETYPEWRITER (TELEPRINTER) PROCEDURES ACP126 (C)" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS TAPE RELAY PROCEDURES ACP127 (G)" (PDF).
  18. ↑ "Communications Instructions – Procedures for Allied Fleet RATT Operations" (PDF).
  19. ↑ "Allied Telecommunications Record System (ALTERS) Operating Procedures" (PDF).
  20. ↑ "ACP 128 Communication Instructions Visual Signaling Procedures" (PDF).
  21. ↑ "ACP 130(A) Communications Instructions Signalling Procedures in the Visual Medium" (PDF).
  22. ↑ "ACP 131(B) Communications Instructions Operating Signals" (PDF).
  23. ↑ "Communications Instructions - Operating Signals" (PDF).
  24. ↑ "ACP 135(F) Communications Instructions Distress and Rescue Procedures" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  25. ↑ "ACP 167(H) Glossary of Communications-Electronics Terms" (PDF).[ permanent dead link ]
  26. ↑ "Glossary of Communications-Electronic Terms" (PDF).
  27. ↑ "Partnership for Peace Naval and Maritime Air Communications Instructions" (PDF).
  28. ↑ "NATO Item SGM-1492-53-ACP 177 (INTERIM)".
  29. ↑ "Item MC 0072/2 - ACP 178 - MARITIME ELECTRONIC WARFARE INSTRUCTIONS".
  30. ↑ "A Ground Routing Protocol (GRP) for use with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) Capable HF Radios" (PDF).
  31. 1 2 "Communication Instructions - General - ACP 121(H)" (PDF). April 2007.
  32. 1 2 "Addendum 113 of Joint Publications on File in the Adjutant General's Office".
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