efforts to disrupt the enemy’s electiveness, and to allow your  actions  to  go  unnoticed.  To  accomplish  these objectives, EMCON conditions are designed with the following   guidelines: Minimize detection by enemy sensors Allow  effective  friendly  command  and  control (C2) Support operations security (OPSEC) Support operational deception (OPDEC) Minimize interference among friendly systems Degrade effectiveness of enemy C2 NOTIFICATION All   ships   need   to   keep   command   and   control informed  of  any  actions  that  may  restrict,  change,  or alter in any way communication functions. The most fundamental of these actions follow:     If at all possible, ships should notify the shore station of scheduled periods of EMCON due to radiation    restrictions    (HERO,    HERF, RADHAZ)  or  other  events  (man  aloft,  aircraft operations,  etc.)  prior  to  the  actual  restrictive period. If  EMCON  is  imposed  without  notice,  relay procedures  to  deliver  outgoing  traffic  may  be attempted.  Shore  stations  must  be  alert  to  the sudden,  unscheduled  imposition  of  EMCON  and the  accompanying  lack  of  any  transmission  from the  ship. Guidance for each EMCON condition must be posted   at   each   station   or   space   with responsibility for setting or monitoring a given EMCON condition for the emitters. If the ship should enter EMCON without prior notice,  the  shore  station  will  keep  a  listening monitor on the ship’s frequencies until the ship returns  to  the  air.  Additionally,  a  listening  watch will  be  kept  on  the  HICOM  (covered  and uncovered)  net  for  possible  contact  from  the ship. Once   a   ship   with   a   multichannel   (VFCT) termination  has  returned  to  the  air  on  previously assigned   frequencies,   the   orderwire   will   be restored  before  the  traffic  circuits.  If  the  ship 3-2 maintains  a  single  channel  (FSK)  termination, the  circuit  will  be  reestablished  via  the  technical control  center. AUTHORITY  TO  IMPOSE  EMCON EMCON is imposed as directed by the task group, squadron, or local instructions and standard operations procedures. HAZARDS  OF  ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION  TO  ORDNANCE (HERO) A danger of RF radiation is the risk of premature firing of ordnance or explosion of their warheads during loading   and   offloading   operations.   The   hazard   to electronic explosive devices (EEDs) occurs because of the  heat  generated  by  a  current  passing  through  the sensitive   wires   surrounding   a   temperature-sensitive explosive. If energy is dissipated into the wires, current will   flow,   the   explosive   will   become   hot,   and   an explosion  can  result. CRITERIA When   ordnance   or   their   warheads   are   loaded, unloaded, or transferred, shipboard HERO conditions may   sometimes   prohibit   the   transmission   of   RF frequency   energy   below   30   MHz.   To   maintain communication when HERO conditions are in effect, you   will   be   required   to   use   other   frequencies   or communication methods. ACTUATION Transmitters  and  their  antennas  have  only  one purpose,  which  is  to  radiate  electromagnetic  energy. The initiating elements of ordnance items need only to be  supplied  with  the  proper  amount  of  energy  for  an explosion to take place. RF energy may enter a weapon through a hole or crack in the skin of the weapon. RF energy may also be conducted into the weapon by the firing  leads  or  other  wires  that  penetrate  the  weapon enclosure. The probability of unintentional EED actuation is not totally predictable since detonation depends upon such   variables   as   frequency,   field   strength,   and environment.  In  general,  ordnance  systems  that  have proven  to  be  susceptible  to  RF  energy  are  most susceptible during loading, unloading, and handling in RF electromagnetic fields.