11th Corps Signal Brigade Tests HF Radio Skills
The Killeen-based unit participated in the Noble Skywave radio competition to enhance long-distance communication resilience.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Soldiers from the 11th Corps Signal Brigade recently tested their high-frequency radio capabilities during the 54-hour Noble Skywave competition. The training exercise focused on maintaining connectivity through alternative methods when primary systems are degraded or unavailable.
Why it matters
The competition ensures signal soldiers can maintain critical command and control during large-scale combat operations. By training on diverse radio technologies, the brigade improves its ability to operate effectively in challenging, contested environments.
Soldiers utilized single sideband, 2G ALE, and 3G ALE technologies to establish long-distance connections. These systems allow personnel to practice alternative communication methods as part of standardized PACE plans.
The players
11th Corps Signal Brigade
An Army unit responsible for providing communication and information support to ensure command and control across wide areas.
Canadian Armed Forces
The unified military organization of Canada that serves as the host for the international Noble Skywave competition.
Tyler Lavender
A Private First Class who participated in the High Frequency Skills Challenge in July 2026.
The details
Personnel established long-distance connections through the Canadian Armed Forces-hosted event, which serves as a vital training ground for signal soldiers. The brigade focused on high-frequency capabilities to bridge gaps in communications infrastructure.
Timeline
July 2026: Pfc. Tyler Lavender participated in a High Frequency Skills Challenge.
October 20-22, 2026: The 11th Corps Signal Brigade competed in the Noble Skywave radio competition.
March 2027: The brigade is scheduled to participate in a low-power HF radio communications exercise at Fort Hood.
The Tech Race
This training follows the Army's PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) communications plan protocol to ensure command resilience during operations. The competition represents a critical update to legacy signal training by emphasizing high-frequency capabilities in a modern electronic environment.
While the competition is a military exercise, the technology behind high-frequency radio remains a vital backup for civilian emergency services during natural disasters. Reliable alternative communication channels ensure that critical data flows even when digital infrastructure like internet cables are damaged.
The takeaway
Maintaining proficiency in high-frequency radio ensures reliable connectivity even when modern digital networks are compromised. Residents can gain a similar advantage by keeping battery-powered or hand-cranked weather radios as a reliable fallback for emergency alerts.
What happens next
The 11th Corps Signal Brigade is scheduled to conduct a low-power high-frequency radio communications exercise at Fort Hood in March 2027.
Further reading
For more information on local infrastructure and digital connectivity efforts, visit the Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Army.
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