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Long-distance HF manpack radio
Although stricktly speaking the SE-6861 was a standard military radio during
the 1990s, and therefore should not be classified as a spy radio station, it
was used heavily by Special Forces (SF) in several NATO countries,
often in combination with a secure messaging unit.
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The SE-6861 is shown here is its typical canvas back pack, with side pockets
for the antenna's and the handset.
The frequency of the unit can be set in units 100Hz using a series of
push-buttons hidden behind a small metal flap.
The radio is shown here with the flap open.
The actual radio set is much smaller as can be seen in the images below.
The bare unit consists of two parts: the upper part which is the actual
radio set, and the lower part that contains the rechargable batteries.
Two clamps are used to hold them together.
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The SE-6861 was developed in the early 1980s by
AEG Telefunken in Ulm (Germany)
and was intended for a 30 to 1500 km range.
The full technical manual is available via a link at the bottom of this page.
In The Netherlands it was called LAPR, which is short for Lange Afstand
Ploeg Radio (Long Distance Group Radio).
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The SE-6861 was supplied with its own suitable headset. In many cases however,
it was used in combination with the Racal headset shown here, because of the
much higher audio quality.
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Electronic Message Unit (EMU)
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The SE-6861 was often used in combination with an
Electronic Message Unit (EMU)
for the secure exchange of secret messages. The main advantage
of using an EMU is that the message can be prepared off-line. Once the
message is complete, it is transmitted at very high speed (burst), in order to
minimise the risk of detection and interception. Most EMUs also use some level
of cryptography to keep the message secure.
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A typical example of an suitable EMU is the
Nokia PARSA (Partiosanomalaite)
shown here.
It is a small portable unit that can be attached to the
soldier's webbing.
It is powered by its own internal batteries and short
messages can be entered on a rubber key pad, together with the message key.
The message is displayed on a red single row 16 character LED display.
 More information
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Digital Message Device (DMD)
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In the UK and in The Netherlands, the SE-6861 was often used with a
Racal
MEROD (Message Entry and Read-Out Device), such as the
MA4248,
the MA4450
and the
MA4480.
For the US market, Racal developed a special version of the MEROD,
that was known as the KY-879/P.
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The image on the right shows a typical Racal MEROD unit,
the MA-4450,
with was used in combination with a variety of radio sets, including the
SE-6861. It is shown here with the optional illumination lid opened.
More information
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In the Netherlands, the SE-6861 was introduced in the early 1980s,
for use by the Special Forces (104 Waarnemings- en Verkenningscompagnie).
It was called LAPR, which is short for Lange Afstand Ploeg Radio
(Long Distance Group Radio) and was given the internal designator KL/TRC-5151.
The SE-6861 was used in combination with a Racal MEROD crypto unit,
either the
MA-4248,
the MA-4450
or the
MA-4480
which was given the designator KY-55590/TGC-5551.
The common Dutch name for it was DBA (Digitaal Berichten Apparaat).
The SF 104 used this rig to operate from behind enemy lines, after infiltration
during the night or after having been dropped as a parachutist. They would hide
themselves underground and operate from there.
They often used inconspicious NVIS wire antennas, such as the well-known WINDOM.
The messages were first converted into a series of short message blocks and were
then converted into 'nonsense' using the DBA crypto unit. The DBA contained an AFSK
modem for this purpose.
The radio was operated in an acurate time and frequency scheme, which was very
difficult to predict for an outsider. As a result, the radio station was very
dificult to intercept and trace. All messages were monitored and recorded in
a central listening post comprising a few radios, a PC and the Racal Message
Base Station MA-4420
(KY-5589/TGC-5578). The messages could be printed onto
paper in a format that was comprehendible for INTEL-people.
In the early 2000s, the Dutch Special Forces dropped the SE-6861 in favour of
a Harris radio set.
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- 1.8-30 MHz in 100Hz steps
- Automatic ATU with memory
- Modulation: SSB, CW and FSK
- Transmitter, power: 15W PEP
- Receiver, 1st IF: 70 MHz
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© Copyright 2009-2011, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Sat,31 Dec 2011.13:04:59
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