DOMESTIC RADIO PROGRAM
(CT:TEL-101; 07-03-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT/FO/ITI/LWS/RPB)
5 FAH-2 H-771 Diplomatic Technology’s (DT) DOMESTIC RADIO PROGRAM
(CT:TEL-101; 07-03-2024)
DT’s Radio Programs Branch (RPB):
(1) Implements policies, standards, and procedures for developing, maintaining and installing high frequency (HF), ultrahigh frequency (UHF), and very high frequency (VHF) radio systems domestically;
(2) Engineers, designs, plans, installs, and maintains radio systems; and
(3) Provides emergency communications systems in crisis situations and communications support for special operations.
5 FAH-2 H-772 Domestic Radio Support
5 FAH-2 H-772.1 Bureau of Administration (A)
(CT:TEL-101; 07-03-2024)
a. Office of Emergency Management (OEM) – RPB supports the Office of Emergency Management’s personnel accountability function in national capital region E&E networks by supplying radio equipment and use of the DT mutual aide channel on the Washington Area Radio Network (WARN) in the Washington, DC area. RPB provides life-cycle replacement of all radio assets used by OEM to include the WARN console position used in the OEM Emergency Management Center.
b. Fleet Management Division (FMD) - RPB supports FMD’s motor pool by supplying radio equipment and use of the DT mutual aid channel on the WARN in the Washington, DC area. RPB provides life-cycle replacement of all radio assets used by motor pool to include the WARN console position used in the Motor Pool Command Center.
c. Facilities management services (FMS) - RPB supports FMS by supplying radio equipment for use during emergencies in the Harry S. Truman Building. RPB provides life-cycle replacement of all radio assets used by FMS.
5 FAH-2 H-772.2 Office of the Chief of Protocol (S/CPR)
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
RPB supports S/CPR with radio communication equipment used during protocol events throughout the year. If required, RPB will provide equipment and onsite support for these events. If necessary, RPB will coordinate with the Department spectrum manager for additional frequencies needed during the event. It is the responsibility of the event coordinator to establish the communication plan and channel assignments for the event.
5 FAH-2 H-772.3 United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN)
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
RPB provides USUN with the same level of radio support as any US Embassy located outside the United States, including VHF/UHF and HF radios.
5 FAH-2 H-772.4 Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
For training purposes, RPB provides current and legacy radio equipment typically fielded at embassies to FSI’s School of Applied Information Technology (SAIT).
5 FAH-2 H-772.5 Diplomatic Security (DS)
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
In support of passport/visa fraud investigations; protection of the Secretary of State, visiting foreign dignitaries, and DoS facilities (Uniformed Guard Division), RPB maintains radio communications systems at domestic sites, as well as provides subscriber equipment and lifecycle maintenance.
5 FAH-2 H-773 Radio Accountability
(CT:TEL-101; 07-03-2024)
(State only)
a. Radios are considered accountable property. Persons issued radios are held personally accountable for the radio issued to them and are required to return their radios to their functional office’s property officer when the equipment is no longer needed. The property office must ensure all radios are returned to RPB.
b. DS agents on domestic assignments are issued DT funded radios through the office of Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicles (DS/PSP/DEAV). Agents are personally accountable for radios issued to them and are required to return them to DS/PSP/DEAV at the end of the domestic assignment. Radios issued by DS/PSP/DEAV may be taken overseas only in connection with official temporary duty assignments.
5 FAH-2 H-774 Radio Maintenance
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
a. The radio point of contact (POC) for each functional office with radios will coordinate with RPB to ensure repair for any malfunctioning radio.
b. Personnel having problems with their handheld radios should turn them in to their office’s radio point of contact for repair and replacement. The POC will coordinate with RPB to replace the radio.
c. The POC will send all damaged handheld radios to the Department together with a brief description of the problem. The POC will deliver in person or send the radios United Parcel Service (UPS) insured to the following address:
U.S. Department of State
Radio Programs Branch
10377 Mordor Drive
Lorton, Virginia 22079
DS will send radios to DEAV and DEAV will contact RPB:
U.S. Department of State
Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicles
DS/PSP/DEAV (SA-7A)
7957 Cluny Court
Springfield, Virginia 22153
5 FAH-2 H-775 Radio Encryption
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State)
RPB deploys Advance Encryption Standard (AES) capable radios. These encryption algorithms provide limited protection from unauthorized interception of voice communications. AES is approved for transmissions up to and including Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU). Under no circumstances shall AES-equipped radios be used for the transmission of classified information, as defined by Executive Order 13526.
5 FAH-2 H-775.1 Controlling and Safeguarding Radios
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State)
a. The classification of AES radio equipment is sensitive but unclassified (SBU), whether or not loaded with active AES key codes or not.
b. Spare encryption capable radios must be zeroized and stored in secure locations only accessible by authorized personnel. If not equipped with a zeroize feature, a randomly produced key code must be loaded in order to overwrite the actual operational code.
c. To ensure the integrity of encrypted conversations, all personnel issued an encryption capable radio must maintain proper accountability at all times. In the event a radio cannot be accounted for, RPB must be contacted to initiate an encryption key change.
5 FAH-2 H-775.2 Key Loaders
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State)
All AES cryptographic key loaders must be controlled and stored in a secure location.
5 FAH-2 H-775.3 Compromise and Loss of AES Equipment
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State)
The integrity of AES encryption keys and equipment is critical to ensuring that communications are protected. Any AES equipped radio, keying equipment, or key codes that are lost, stolen, seized, captured, or otherwise compromised, must be reported immediately thru the office chain of command.
5 FAH-2 H-776 Law Enforcement (LE) and Incident Response (IR) RADIO ChannelS
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
a. Interagency Law Enforcement (LE) and incident response (IR) channels are federal interoperability (FIO) channels authorized by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). FIO channels are available for use among federal agencies and between federal agencies and non-federal entities with which federal agencies have a requirement to operate. The channels are available to federal agencies on a shared basis and will not be authorized for the exclusive use of any one federal agency.
b. The VHF and UHF LE and IR channels are being made available in all DS domestic radios.
5 FAH-2 H-777 Special Events
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(State only)
RPB supports radio requirements for special events held domestically. Radio requirements for special events must be coordinated as far in advance as possible. If required, RPB will provide equipment and onsite support for these events. If required, RPB will coordinate with the department spectrum manager for additional frequencies needed during the event. It is the responsibility of the event coordinator to establish the communication plan and channel assignments for the event.
5 FAH-2 H-778 THROUGH H-779 UNASSIGNED