An Prc 117f Technical Manual -

"Sir, the book says the mountains are in the way," Miller whispered. "Tell the mountains to move," the Captain replied.

The manual spoke in a language of acronyms that sounded like bad beatboxing. COMSEC, TRANSEC, PT, CT, JTRS. An Prc 117F Technical Manual

It was 0200 hours in a valley that smelled of wet dust and diesel. The mission depended on a satellite link that currently refused to exist. "Sir, the book says the mountains are in

: According to the diagram on page 4-12, Miller had to orient the foldable UHF antenna toward a satellite that was currently 22,000 miles above a very different part of the world. He adjusted the "tape measure" antenna, looking like a man trying to catch a signal with a metal ruler. COMSEC, TRANSEC, PT, CT, JTRS

Miller looked at the manual. The manual looked back. Under "Troubleshooting," it suggested checking the cables. Miller checked the cables. They were tight. It then suggested "Environment Interference."