[ARC5] RAT, RAV, ARA, and RAX Questions and Observations

[David Stinson]

> Could the RATs have been made (and quietly shipped to the UK) very early
> on to look for the German navigation 'Beams', essentially as ELINT
> receivers? The wide frequency coverage seems a bit odd for a
> communications receiver, IMO.

I know about the supposed role of the RAT in the experimental
GO transmitter 20+ MC "aircraft" frequencies.  
Perhaps.  I know of no documentation of RAT in that role,
but it makes a certain amount of sense.

I have a first-hand account of pre-US-entry UK use 
of the RAT in an ELINT role, by one of the 
U.S. Navy radio techs reportedly sent to the UK in 1941
 just for that purpose, and that the RAT was installed
 in light, fast aircraft with a pilot and and operator 
to do the observations, mostly at night.
The information came to me purely by accident.
The individual who told me past away many years ago.
I can *prove* nothing whatever about this account,
and I am not going to attempt to defend it.
I believe the account, because the integraty of the man 
I knew was beyond question.  He had nothing whatever
to gain by spinning a yarn to me- a nobody comm guy-
and he knew a lot about early war comm gear.
I only wish I'd had more time with him.

Regards,
David S.