[ARC5] True meaning of "Command" set.

[Bob Macklin]

The COMMAND SETS were used by the pilots for plane to plane communication, 
to the towers for traffic control, and to Group/Wing ops for instructions.

The LIASON sets were used in bomber and patrol aircraft for long range 
communication.

The liaison sets were mostly used in CW mode. The command sets were seldom 
used in CW mode. If you have cockpit photos of the control boxes in a WWII 
fighter look where the "KEY" is located relative to the pilots RIGHT ELBOW!

During the Suez Crisis (October 1956) my wing (F-84s) was flying cover for 
B-47s (ARMED) over the Caribbean. Our Wing Commander was flight leader on 
one mission. The command set was an ARC-33. He called Wing OPS at Austin Tx 
to inform HQ at McDill (Tampa) to have the B-47s descend to 39K where the 
F-84s could cover them or the F-84s were going home. The F-84s went home. It 
was at that point the SAC realized they no longer needed fighter escorts.

In Korea in the early 50s we had ARC-3 command set. Each Wing has an 
operation channel and each squadron had an operation channel.

I got out of the USAF in late 58. We still had KB-29s with ARC-8 liaison 
sets. But only flew with a radio operator when over the ocean.

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa.
"Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kenneth G. Gordon" <kgordon2006 at frontier.com>
To: <ARC5 at mailman.QTH.net>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 2:06 PM
Subject: [ARC5] True meaning of "Command" set.


>I am confused: I thought the meaning of this term was "sending commands to 
>the aircraft
> pilots" vs "liason", meaning communicating back to base.
>
> Yet, the ARC-5 sets were used to communicate with base too, and also 
> between aircraft.
>
> So, can anyone clarify?
>
> Ken W7EKB
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