‌Beyond the Static: Finding the FOT, Securing the Mission

‌Their mission, your connection

By Sgt. George Mattison, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command

Article published on: July 1, 2025 in the Summer 2025 edition of Army Communicator

Read Time: < 3 mins

Members of Fort Huachuca’s HF team (left to right): Juanita Portz, Eric Trace, Julie Vanderdasson, and Dylan Alton. (Photo by Steve Goddard, HF Gateway CoE)

They aren’t on the front lines, but their expertise ensures that those who are never lose contact. Tucked away on a seemingly quiet corner of Fort Huachuca, Arizona, operates a different type of Team: The High Frequency (HF) Gateway Center of Excellence. These Signaleers are the unsung heroes of U.S. Army HF communications, working to ensure clear and reliable connections across vast distances – regardless of terrain, weather, or equipment.

This dedicated team’s operations cover the globe, providing unwavering support to a constant rotation of units and missions across thousands of miles. Their expertise extends far beyond simply operating equipment; they are the “go to” problem solvers, the whisperers of long-range communication. Whether trouble-shooting a homemade antenna or establishing a critical link across continents, the HF team is the silent backbone of countless successful operations.

"HF communications is as much an art as it is a skill. If Soldiers don't regularly train with their HF radios and practice their skills, previous training is quickly lost. We here at the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command offer a variety of over-the-air opportunities for Soldiers and units to hone and refine their HF operator skills," said Paul English, chief of Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (AMARS). "Whether your unit is just needing to do quick radio checks for sergeant's time training, or you are interested in competing in HF competitions, we are here to help.”

Beyond their daily operational support, the team has taken on a unique responsibility: becoming the driving force behind U.S. Army HF radio competitions. Recognizing the critical importance of maintaining and honing HF skills across the military, the team designs, organizes, and executes challenging competitions that draw participants from various units, branches, and countries. These competitions are far from simple tests. They simulate real-world scenarios, pushing teams to establish and maintain communications in challenging conditions, often with limited power and under time pressure. During spring each year, they host the Department of Defense HF Low Power Competition, or QRPX, testing U.S. and Canadian Auxiliary Forces ability to operate at low power. It is a testament to the abilities of the operators when seeing who and where they can reach while limited to 20-watt maximum output power in the competition. This year, the QRPX had 167 units/ auxiliarists participating from all over the United States to Japan, including some from Canada and Korea. Each year, the competition grows and becomes more complex as our force refocuses on HF operations.

"The competitions are about more than just bragging rights," explained Dylan Alton, the team's newest member. "They force participants to think outside the box, to adapt their skills under pressure, ultimately building a stronger, more resilient communications network across the entire military."

The NETCOM QRPX, July HF skills challenge, and Canadian-sponsored international HF competition offer Soldiers opportunities to train on HF skills, learn new operator skills, and to compete with similar units in a non-hostile environment – all while assessing and improving their own operator skills.

Though they may operate largely behind the scenes, the impact of the HF team resonates across every mission they support. They are the silent partners, the consummate professionals, ensuring that when a message needs to travel across mountains and oceans, it arrives loud and clear. Their commitment to excellence, both in daily operations and in fostering a culture of HF mastery, makes them a true force multiplier quietly shaping the battlefield with every signal sent and received. They love helping Soldiers build their expertise and advance the profession forward.

If you are interested in participating in an upcoming HF Skills Challenge, ad hoc over the air opportunities, or the Canadian international HF competition (Noble Skywave), reach out to the team at: usar-my.huachuca.netcom.mbx.g-33-atd-hf-gateway@army.mil.