Aviano AB Innovation: Electromagnetic Visual Recording System

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rebeccah Woodrow
  • 31st Fighter Wing, Public Affairs

This month, Aviano Air Base will be the first in U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) to try out an innovative new frequency monitoring system.

The new system, called Electromagnetic Visual Recording System, or EVRS, will provide the 31st Communications Squadron with better insight into how the over 300 radio frequencies (RF) operate on base.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Owens, 31st CS installation spectrum manager, described the vital importance of organizing these frequencies and their purpose.

“My job is to ensure we’re operating within the legal parameters given to us,” said Owens. “With RF used for flying operations, equipment and communications, like that of Security Forces, it is important to prevent interferences and hazards to personnel.”

The EVRS technology consists of nodes that receive RF information around a specified area and report back to a single monitoring station. A total of four nodes will be installed around base by contractors from USAFE and experts on this technology with help from members of the 31st CS and 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The installation of the EVRS will give the 31st CS a way to manage all frequencies at one time, in one location. Not only will the system monitor frequency use, it will also be able to highlight any frequencies not being used, which can then be allocated to other units or freed up entirely for less spectrum congestion.

Owens said, “The RF spectrum is not an inexhaustible resource.  It is a very precious resource which must be managed to ensure efficient and equitable access for the services which use it.”

For USAFE, the innovative technology of the EVRS being applied at Aviano AB is just the start. It will go on to be introduced at other bases within USAFE’s area of responsibility, creating operational spaces that are more lethal, agile and always ready.