VLF Case Histories

RF is an Enabling Technology

Continental Electronics has created LF and VLF solutions for some of the world's most important governmental and military projects. Our work has made it possible to literally communicate over the horizon, under the seas and into space in ways that once were only the dreams of science fiction. Learn more about how we've led the way in innovative uses of RF in the Low and Very Low Frequency ranges.

You'll be surprsed to learn about the ways we've used RF technology to innovate some very impressive accomplishments:

FM Broadcast Case Histories
Shortwave Case Histories
LF Case Histories / VLF Case Histories
Science/Industry Case Histories

Long before founding Continental Electronics in 1946, our Founder J.O. Weldon was a leader in the RF industry. Over the ensuing 7-decades, Continental has continued to show the way. Learn how our work has literally defined the science and applications of RF technology.

VLF Case Histories

Continentals unparalleled history of VLF achievements stretch back across 50 years. Below are Continentals more recent achievements, all of which employed solid state technologies.

Major Upgrade for 5 VLF Statrions
VLF Ashore Lifetime Upkeep Effort
Contract Awarded 1999 and completed 2005; 5 Sites funded:
AN/FRT-3, Jim Creek, Oso, Washington (state) USA
AN/FRT-64, Lualualei, Hawaii USA
AN/FRT-31, Cutler, Maine USA
AN/FRT-67, HE Holt, Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia
AN/FRT-95, Aguada, Puerto Rico, USA
The AN/FRT-31, -64 and -67 were upgraded with digital sine wave synthesis solid-state IPA for the tube final PAs.

In 1999, Continental received the follow-on contract to TKAP for an additional $35 million in renovations and upgrades to the Navy's worldwide submarine communications sites. These upgrades, known as the VALUE program, replace old control systems with state-of-the-art computer systems, and at the same time, remove and replace all the aging wire in these multi-megawatt transmitters. Numerous equipments nearing obsolescence are being replaced.

CEC is drawing upon more than five decades of experience in designing, developing, and installing VLF systems and other communications technologies to provide the Navy with the world's most advanced, reliable communications networks available. The new upgrades, which include software and hardware, will bring a high level of automation to
the VLF communications network.

"The U.S. Navy trusts CEC's equipment with one of the world's most vital broadcast communications networks because of our proven reliability. We apply that same level of reliability to commercial applications because we believe all of our customers deserve the same dependability," said David Burkey, then CEC president. "We deliver the identical level of expertise, quality and commitment to our AM/FM and digital television broadcasting customers that we provide the Navy because they have mission-critical needs as well." The Navy has already exercised part of the contract by placing an order for more than $5.1 million in modifications to the Naval Radio Station, Jim Creek in Arlington, WA. The Navy is expected to (and DID) exercise its options to upgrade additional VLF broadcast network sites annually for the next four years.

VLF technology, the radio spectrum between 3 kHz and 30 kHz, has been used for naval submarine communications since the first systems were designed and installed by CEC during the 1950s and 1960s. The VLF system is the most reliable form of long distance and underwater communications ever developed, even under the most adverse conditions. The VLF signals can penetrate solid rock and the ocean surface, both of which block radio waves at higher frequencies. In 1991, CEC was awarded another U.S. Navy VLF contract for the Transmitter Keep Alive Program (TKAP).

In addition to its demonstrated expertise in VLF transmission technology, CEC is an established player in the AM/FM and High-Power short-wave broadcast industries, with an equally impressive track record for engineering quality and reliability in its commercial systems. CEC has successfully combined its strength to design, develop and deliver the world's most advanced digital broadcast equipment for commercial and military applications.

NICT