A: NSEP is the National Security and Emergency Preparedness radio organization.
A: NSEP is a national program involving agencies such as the National Telecommunications Alliance (NTA) and the National Telecommunications System. NSEP is a backbone used to communicate during national and state disasters as well as telecommunicatons blackouts.
Q: Can you name some NSEP participants?
A: Yes: Pacific Bell, SBC, Cincinnati Bell, Southern New England Telehone, U.S.West, Ameritech, Bell South, Bell Atlantic, and Artel.
Q: How is a license issued to participate?
A: Assuming the equipment is the appropriate type and use specifications, a station license has to be issued for NSEP use by the FCC through the Pacific Bell licensing office. Licenses are issued on a site specific (e.g., EOC) or need-to-have basis ONLY (State OES).
Q: Can you describe an NSEP exercise or net?
A: Partially. Special call signs are FCC approved. As an example the Pacific Bell Sacramento EOC uses WNKR 878 call sign. Pacific Bell NSEP operations are held each week on a designated frequency, followed by a second net operation on a different frequency. Purpose of the nets is to assure the equipment is operating and to move essential information related to radio network operations.
Q: How many stations participate in NSEP?
A: We can't provide that for the nation. In the California and Nevada Pacific Bell Area approximately 16 including the California Office of Emergency Services check into the weekly nets.
Q: What frequencies are used?
A: The FCC has provided certain special High Frequency (HF) channels for NSEP. They may be used by any NSEP licensee for offical NSEP purposes only.
Q: How does NSEP relate to SHARES?
A: SHARES stands for Shared Resources HF Radio Network.
Q: Is NSEP a backup to SHARES?
A: No. NSEP is a Telecommunications net for a specific group. SHARES is an HF radio net of all Federal radio systems as well as civilian systems. These stations drill together and can link to provide a robust HF radio communications infrastructure.
Q: What agencies are involved with SHARES?
A: The list is extremely long. Some of the organizations include the FBI, FAA, USDA, FEMA, GSA, NCS, NTIA, NTA, FCC, EPA, USAF, USA, USN, USMC, USCG, CAP, Military MARS, and National Guard units. The telecommunications companies fall under the NTA. NTA is an acronyum for the National Telecommunications Alliance.
Q: Are SHARES HF radio operations voice only?
A: No, digital operations may also be conducted on SHARES frequencies.
Q: Is the ALE mode used on SHARES and NSEP?
A: Yes and no. No on NSEP, yes on SHARES. ALE is an acronym for Automatic Link Establishment. It is a mode of operation which establishes a secure link between two stations digitally and permits both voice and data traffic to be passed between them.
(Source: a 1999 Pacific Bell Sacramento NSEP Bulletin)