DISCONTINUANCE OF THE CIA FOREIGN RADIO FREQUENCY USAGE REFERENCE FACILITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000400070001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2002
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• Content Type: MF

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4- Ord
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THROUGH:
SUBJECT:
REFERENCE:
Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director (Intelligence)
Discontinuance of the CIA Foreign Radio
Frequency Usage Reference Facility
Memorandum for DCI from AD/CR dated
23 November 1959, same subject
I have signed the referenced memorandum since the
DD/P has had only a small proportion of the service requests to the
Radio Stations Branch. However, since that Branch has been of
particular service to the two major radios of the 10 Division, I
would like to request that the question of the continuation of the
functions of the Branch be placed before USIB to determine whether
they cannot be carried out somewhere else. If the functions were
completely eliminated as a U.S. Government activity, DD/P interests
might not be adequately covered in future negotiations involving the
complicated problem of radio frequencies.
c ar. M. Bissell, Jr.
Deputy Director
(Plans)
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SsEsC-RsEsT Executive Regist7v
q it
CEETRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CENTRAL REFERENCE
23 November 1959
FaNORANDUM FOR Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT s Disnontinuance of the CIA Foreign Radio
Frequency Usage Reference Facility
1. This action memorandum contains recommendations in pars? 9
invnlving the USIB and the NSC0
2. In keeping with directives from the DIVI to effect certain
reductions in OCR by June 308 1960, we have concluded that it is
preferable to eliminate a discrete unit rather than to allocate outs
across the board and thereby reduce further the operational capabilities
of several units. Because the mission of the Radio Stations Branch is
in many reopects leas closely related to the main thrust of CIA re-
sponsibilities, we have selected it as the unit to abolish in order to
save 30 people.
3. The Radio Station's Branch (RSB) was eatablished in early 19.94
enrsuant to NSC 169. Its mission includes the colleation and maintenance
'of a centralised machine controlled file of information on foreign radio
frequency usage and radio stations particulars. InformatLon regarding
volume of businese, eource of requests, and cuatomer evaluation, is
aummarised in (TAB l'A'9.0
40 018 for the purpose of possibly recommending its discontinuance,
has under review another function started pursuant to NSC 269: the evalus
ation of the technical effectiveness of U.S. international broadcasting.
While this evaluation function is related to the Radio Stations Branch
MEE E71777
4.1g-
_n nlv_m
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mission ite,aentinuance is not dependent on the existence of MB?
5. Liscuesions with NSA a 00149 USIA 9 and FCC have clearly indicated
that none is in a position to accept the transfer of this function to it0
Each is faced with the same problem we have in making reductions? NSA
did offer to accept responsibi1ity3 provided we furnimh and indefiritekv
support 10 ana1ysta0 Under this arrangements we would need at leest one
additional In CIA to serve in staff eapacity0 fle thie would seem to
assure continuation of some services, it would not be a wholly satiefeetory
arrangement? Moreover we would etill have to selent other function to
which an 11 man cut could be alleeeeed? In view of present CCR men power
commitments to the testing of the MINICARD system and prospective work on
the Dpii automatic data procethg feasibility study we aennot further
reduce our operating nnAte without seriously dierupting regular meruitee
rendered the community?
60 Sinee RSB was establiehee to implerrient NSC 169 we do not feel
that the DCI should aboliah it without notifyinz the NSC0 NSC Action 1910
did rescind NSC 169a but did so subjeet to the uuderetamdIng that 'Such
resnission is note of itselga intended to came> or ehenge ary of the
programs'authoried or being earried out under NSC 169 0 0 00 in liew
of this wordingo we believe that formal NSC action mey not be rewired
but that notification of intent to the EXIMItira Secretary will sufTiteo
70 The RBB vas deaf4ae4 to vovido a WaTiCe of acmmcm oomsowa in
a specialized field it has been so ceneidered by the intelligence
ccamunity since its intePtion deepite leak of a DUD eatering its
operations? Heneea we believe you should notify the US*: members of
plans to discontinue this s rvice prior to going to the NBC?
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8, Transmittal of notification to the NSC should be via OCD14 in
view of the coordinating responsibility of that agency under NSC Action
1910 b 2)0
90 Recommendations:
ao That DCI approve present CCII plans for discontinuing
the Radio Stations Branch at the end of the current
fiscal yearo
730 That DCI place the draft memorandum for the Executive
Secretary, NSCs, on the US113 agenda for noting and such
discussion as it may evoke (TAB"B").
c0 That DCI then sign the draft and forward it to the
NSC via 0C3)149
CONCURRENCES:
ECU 2 5 NOV 1959
ut1W?FM7?ct:o71
MC X'
rituf, A. BOW,
Asestant Director
Central Reference
Signed 27 NOV 1959
ty
rrW,t7?ror 611757)111---
The recommendations in paragraph 9 are approved?
8 JAN 190
Late
SIGNED
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TAB "A"
5s7dt Tri7,10z
{7.T4ITED STATES INTEK.LIa3KCE BOARD
C421MXTTM CN DOCIML7nvrial
rtnal.g 8t8.1,471T BM:rtell
*a 3K10
le A reaosesiven.t e Agency pri:14thqs gad the aced altreet 7feclueCli,.N.K3
p-4)1,y7,canel and monw used in OR 7oaf., moil_cUl in a 'w,Z.'itat:lVe
awe the Radio StE'tiens Byanzt at tic,,e cio3e of eie clArTent A-77nw,o
docioion uill ts ',ocgod GU the mesl'A liscugsamle be:1,n%, ;Isle uith
klarmtivG Se(mtcT7 cg tho na3D thG OgAe6, ef Gaya 1121263 YAC:7-t1?%
an6 Ritekior usera of this rearonce ssrvienc
pu.,Argoecf th:la papeT? :!i.?.a enem of ESE, of `'d:L1) p:,nplaod
,2nd to furnish iaoramtaien ahrat 7711:_i,ch Lwp. 'oe g i3tPk.=
aev.ent df.neuealons botmen iat41g'vla tC,ei
The Redie. Steedan B2,-anch trcs aotd13jsk,ed in early 13,54 ec
vat of NSC eaUfan on ESC 1SAMAZE als2tc.-:d 27 Ce,?:50 53E, wad mital2mtod
NSC hetion 191C, elztael 17 Novi 5E4. .k.acog c thLi c itS3
allueleo the collection and maintename of n contva%laed maehino couvaled.
inforitzticn ora fogz raao athel.(2), stc.tivs',
Over the ya,z,To it Alm da.t.a. ii2mY agmeiss-, taIs
itrzaca cancerned.with the ZrAtZi'z tn.1.1
ilkeZ Mt/MEI Arallae,Ji;tTati.V0 Rrlf:15..0 C9C3",12AK 'WOO ay.,/ flYNEcUBE
Jenewi,, Dnal?ng ry 1959'.0 or emxples.kfl top:lize!ot 3,571:
wrer 2,0 differsrat (1.1,22?41.satiano of tc,'Il47lacsat (mg TAB 7a,i0)0 Naln
.:13Lrant1:7-0 UGYQ8
OBY/OV, 103T mvegt:' 3V,:,
ME
6--'0 z
.1,8
USJA/WA
477
n
:a:
GLTP4
26_;
73
e
Yficif
VM
Mo baiic publ:i.oaticz of P.Sli i the qn-ee1iaahz3:-.716
:327.3(4.1eDey (OW) o wilszh VAIV2CO co diGU,4951-1141`Mlo
AR:El-Ties of iii cd r fj fjrzant montlo 81'3
in TAB "W.,0
6,, The uselfracoa tam senlme gta y EBB ievideneed Toy 1etteF.7)
Epcitionreeeiwcii fro w mem, 3CM3 of vfla1*I1 ara exeerptse11 TS-1171 21,30
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S.E-C-R-E*P
MD 2
CoDIB.D.45
3 September 1959
7* Action: This paper has been put on the Agenda of the neat
. meeting orebBlb for notings, or such discussion as it may elicit in
view of CODIB2s responsibility under DGID 1/4 (New Series)$ Pus. 3
(d).
Attacirkentes
TAB 0110
TAB "B12
TAB nn
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TAB "A"
CODIB-11.45
3 September 1959
CIA:
OSI
Service Requests Placed On
Radio :italic= Branch
egerremoolgrusrmwamommeninn
1037
97
83
68
14
1
1290
205
32
25X1
PIC
ORR
OCR
CCI
Total DDI
IDP
25X1
25X1
Total CIA
Conmiunitys
Defense c.
NSA
Army
Navy
AF
Coast Guard
Total Defenee
USIA
CCM
620
90
84
36
JJLUGIIMPanicatior_a COEMIleCiert
State
Total NonDefense
Total Comansmity
Grand Total
122
843
1477
264
180
129
26
5
4
1
1086
1929
31456
44%
24.6%
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Etcerpta Fron Letters deceived
ram 1JeersOfl
TAB SC"
CODIB.B.45
3 September 1959
25X1 ILI I Director of Communications/ClAs "betake opportunity to express appreciation for the service which Ar
office receives from the Radio Stations Branch* It has been our experience
that information essential to the efficient operation of my Special Pro.
grams Staff, Supplementary Activities Branch, can be obtained from no
other source,'"
be Edgar T. Martin, Engineering Managelfr? Broadcasting Services,
Unita States Information Agency: RI wish to express the appreciation
of this office for the work performed by the Radio Stations Branch in
the preparation of the various machine tabulation runs of the Inter.
national Frequency Registration Boards draft plan for the High Fre.
gamey Broadcasting Service* This data, Co has saved this, and other
interested government agencies, a very large number of man.hours in the
analysis of the IFRB draft plan and its effect upon the United States
broadcasting effort* In addition, the machine runs made possiblememe
important comparisons which would not have been feasible otherwise* The
tabulated data has already been used by this Agency and several other
government committees as a basis for preparing the US position for the
High Frequency Broadcasting Service that will be presented at the Inter.
national Radio Conference scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland,
later this year and I am sure that the tabulations will further prove
to be very valuable to our delegation at the Conference0*
00 Roscoe C0 Huggins, Colonel, Signal Corps, Coimanding, United '
States Army Signal Intelligence Agency' *This is to express our appre.
ciation for the services rendered by the Radio Stations Branch 0 0 0
in furnishing timely radio facilities inforeation0 Since the inception
of this service, this agency has made considerable use of the product and
has found it to be invaluable in the preparation of certain telecommnnica.
tions studies* The flexibility in being able to request the information
in any sequency or category has been of extreme benefit* This obviates
the necessity for manual sorting and selection of the data which was the
only method available to us prior to your consolidation of the information?
This agency has a continuing need of this valuable service and wishes to
acknowledge our sincere appreciation for your splendid cooperation."
d0 Office of Naval Intelligence, Department of the Navy: "I
believe that the Radio Stations Branch' facility has tremendous
25X1 potential as an intelligence research tool* especially if it can have
full and unrestricted ancese to the data of All our national security
sgencleso"
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TAB "0"
COLID445
3 September
e. I. B. Eskridge, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office
of OPirationsi "Your agency recently performed a most useful service
in connection with the Loran4 Radionavigation System program in the
European area. This program. 0 0 was undertaken to meet an urgent
requirement of the Department of Defense for an accurate radionavigation
system in certain strategicallyAmportant areas 0 ? Your agency made
a very substantial contribution by recording and analysing monitoring
data submitted by the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard."
f. T6 I. Peterson, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Depart-
ment a the Navy: "The dadio btations Branch provides a service which is
not Obtainable in the organised, complete, and detailed form in any other
U. S. activity. In the future,we would be most appreciative if particular
attention could be paid to buiding up greater breadth of data in the
frequency spectrum below 60 kilocycles per second 0 0 Also to frequency
usage by each of the Soviet Bloc military as well as civilian users
within the vhf communications hands."
Arthur!". Lobel, Acting Chief, Telecommunications Division,
Deparment of State: "It is desired to expresa appreciation to the
Agency for the part played by its representatives in the Radio Stations
Branch in preparation of the analysis& a large :mount of miscellaneOus
monitor datirol
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TAB SB"
A
23 November 1959
MEMORANDUM FORE Executive Secretary
National Security Council
VIA Director of Civil and Defense Mobilization
SUBJECT Foreign Radio Frequency Usage Reference Facility
10 In view of our current priorities and the need for effecting
personnel and budgetary cuts o have concluded that this Agency cannot
continue to operate it foreign radio frequency usage reference fecal..
ties (the Radio Stations Branch) organized pursuant to MC 169 (rescinded
by NBC Action 1910)0
20 We have discueeed a propooal to discontinue this service at
the end of the current fiscal year with the major uaer agencies and
with the United State intelligence Board. While all inte;eated
agencies woad like thie activity to be continned&mone ia in a
position to take it over,
30 CIA iteelf accounte for 44% of the demand e made on the Radio
Statiees Branch(' Outaide of CIA,' the largest users are the National
Security Agency (18% of requests levied)s, the United States Information
Agency (14%),, and the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization (8%).
4. In my opinion& the diecontinuanne of our prcgrams in the field
of radio frequency usage, while undesirables) will be leve harmful than
would an equivalent reduction of other programs of this Ageneye I am
prepared to adjust CIA program to reduces if not eliminates, present
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dependance an the Radio Stations Dranoh, and hope other users msy do
S. I am forwarding this memorandum through the Director of Civil
and Wanes Mobilisation in view of hie coordinating responsibilities
under= Action 1910.
Anima 104 Dulles
Director
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SIC rET
TAB *IP
A
23 November 1959
MMORANDUMFORs Executive Secretary
National Security Council
VIA a Director of Civil and Defense Mobilisation
SUBJECT Foreign Radio Frequency Usage Reference Facility
10 In view of our current priorities and the need for effecting
personnel and budgetary cuts s I have concluded that this Agency cannot
continue to operate Ito foreign radio frequency usage reference facilie
ties (the Radio Stations Branch) organized pursuant to NSC 169 (reminded
by NE4 Action 1910)0
20 We have discussed a proposal to discontinue this service at
the end of the current fiscal year with the major user egenciee and
with the United States Intelligenae Board0 While all interested
agencie would like this eetivity to be continueds none is in a
position to take it overo
30 CIA itself accoemte for Ilia of the demand a made on the Radio
Stations Branch. Outside of CIAs the largest usern are the National
Security Agency (16% of requeats levied) the United States Imtormation
Agency (1a)s and the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization (8%)0
40 In qv opinions the dilmontinuambe of our programs in the field
of radio frequency usages while undenirabled will be leve harmful than
would an equivalent reduction of other programs of this Agency? I am
prepared to adjust CIA programa to reduced if not eliminates present
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dependence on the Radio Stations Branoh, and hope other users may do
likewise.
5* Iam forwarding this memorandum through the Director of Civil
and Defense Mobilisation in view of his coordinating responsibilities
under NW Action 19100
Allen Wo Dullei
Director
84.E?C.41,4.1
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Dulles
Just before you left for Florida you. said
you wished to take this matter up at your Deputies'
Meeting when you returned.
FMC
30 December 59
(DATE)
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FORM NO. in, REPLACES FORM 10- 101
54 iv AVI-11CH MAY BE USED.