» Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:53 am Ground Wave Emergency Network (GWEN) was used to facilitate communications between the United States Government and the Armed Forces before, during and after a nuclear war. The system was designed to survive the effects of a "high-altitude nuclear explosion electromagnetic pulse". Because EMPs had a tendency to produce sudden power surges and overload and otherwise render useless unprotected electronic equipment, in addition to interfering with transmissions dependent on the ionosphere for propagation, GWEN used instead, a "ground-hugging wave" that allowed it to be unaffected by an EMP.
A snippet from Wikipedia (Yes I know. It's Wikipedia. Not necessarily accurate. probably. )
OperationsIn the GWEN system, originating stations send ultra high frequency (UHF) signals by broadcast towers for line-of-site receipt at Relay Nodes (RNs). The RNs form an unmanned network throughout the US, with individual RNs at spacings of approximately 150 to 200 miles (320 km). The RNs transmit received messages via LF signals for ultimate receipt by receive-only terminals at existing military communication buildings. By utilizing LF ground transmission the GWEN system minimizes the potential effect of HEMP on military communications.The network had three types of stations: input/output stations (I/Os), receive-only stations (ROs), and relay nodes (RNs). I/O stations could send and receive messages. ROs only received messages transmitted through I/Os. Dispersed and unmanned RNs, would provide continuous relay links between I/Os and ROs. The I/Os and ROs would reside at locations with strategic military forces, and the RNs would be scattered throughout the country on government or privately leased land. Distance between the relay nodes were determined by the ground wave transmission wavelength, at intervals of approximately 150–200 miles.[7]During initial operations, the towers would receive and relay brief test messages every 20 minutes.[8] The system had built-in redundancy, using packet switching techniques for reconstruction of connectivity if system damage occurs.[9]ProblemsEarly in its lifetime, electrical interference problems caused by GWEN system operation began to surface. Since the stations were using LF, the chosen frequency was within 1 kHz of the operating frequency of nearby electrical carrier current systems. With GWEN handling constant voice, teletype and other data traffic, interference was noticed by local power companies on a diagnostic two kilohertz side carrier tone – if the carrier disappeared, the power grid would interpret that as a system fault.[10]Site LayoutThe overall site area of an relay node was approximately 11 acres (approximately 700 x 700 feet). Typical site features include a longwave transmitting tower (generally between 290 and 299 feet (91 m) tall), a backup diesel generator with a two chambered fuel tank having a capacity of 1,020 gallons, 8 x 14 x 8-ft antenna-tuning unit (ATU) in the center of the site, and a radio processor; electronic equipment washoused in three shelters. Two of the shelters were located inside the fenced area at the perimeter of the property, and the other at the base of the tower. The equipment area and the tower base were surrounded by locked, eight-foot high-chain link fences topped with barbed wire. In addition, each node had a UHF antenna and an LF receive antenna on a ten-foot mast located inside the equipment area. The main GWEN antenna operated intermittently in the LF band at 150 to 175 kilohertz (kHz) (e.g., the bottom of the AM band is 530 kHz). The peak broadcasting power was from 2,000 to 3,000 watts. The UHF antenna operated at 20 watts, between 225 and 400 megahertz (MHz).The GWEN transmitter sites include: * A 299-foot broadcast antenna tower * A large ground plane, designed for ground conductivity conditions at the site * An antenna tuning unit enclosure at the base of the tower * Two equipment shelters * Electronic racks that will accept the DGPS equipment * All utilities that are required for operation of the DGPS broadcast site * Air conditioning and environmental controls * Back-up power generators * Above ground fuel storage tanks * Security enclosures with intrusion alarms
Now that we have real life out of the way, and the history lesson is over, lets get on to business.
Plot: An upgraded GWEN facility, near one of the military bases (Still debating where) has become the headquarters for a new wasteland radio station. Run by a merc by the name Jerry Mesa, it serves as an alternative source for wasteland news, music, commentary and entertainment. Mesa's broadcasting range is limited, and he wants you to scout out other GWEN facilities to help in this goal. The player will scout out four I/O relays, and six Relay Nodes.
Setup: the GWEN facilities will be set up similar to what was mentioned above, with some noticeable differences. The facilities will be fortified, and extend underground using the utility interior tileset. They will be defended, and /hopefully/ a challenge to most to get in.
Jerry Mesa will have a custom voice, for both radio broadcasts and general dialog.
Once secured, GWEN stations may be used as player homes/outposts. The I/O relays in particular will have small sleeping quarters attached.
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Now with the 'WILL HAVES" out of the way, lets get to the "I WANTS".
I want to have broadcasts set to play at specific times of the day. Easy listening in the morning wit announcements and commentary., toe tapping jives in the afternoon, with news announcements and commentary. Finally portions of old radio shows at night (Remember the whistler?).
Thats about it ... about as ambitions as I want to get right now
I should have pictures up by later tonight.
