[ARC5] Broadcast band Transmitters

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Although it does not state "why", a Directive issued on August 7, 1942 by 
Signal Section, Air Service Command, Patterson Field, OH states 

"It is imperitive that planes scheduled for overseas operations have 
coverage of the 200 to 500 kilocycle band".  The Directive is quoted in the 
Airborne Radio Equipment Manual published in April, 1943.

However, that only applies to the Liasion set. not the Command set.  My 
guess is that the Command Sets (AN/ARC-5) were intended as low power beacon 
transmitters, possibly something to do with the invasion of Japan, which 
fortunately never happened.

In a message dated 11/06/2015 21:39:39 PM Central Standard Time, 
arc5 at ix.netcom.com writes: 
> I think the use of Liaison transmitters on MF and BCB as
> "homing beacon" transmitters was almost certainly one of
> their missions, given Liaison power levels and access to
> a large, trailing antenna.
> 
> However- using Command Set transmitters in that role
> makes no sense.  I'm holding in my hand a 1250-1500 KC
> coil for the BC-230 transmitter, which is speced at
> 4 watts out when it's on HF.  No telling what it got on
> 1250 KC but I'd bet it wasn't much.   There isn't even
> an antenna tuning tap on the coil as with the HF sets.
> 
> Alas, all we have for now is speculation.  I still lean to
> the "Tertiary Power's Navy" hypothesis.  The 1920s,
> international maritime and naval accords assigned both
> ships and aircraft to frequencies, most of which were
> between 400 and 2000 KC.  Allied aircraft patrolled
> coastlines and intercepted targets all over the globe,
> including places like Latin America and the Middle East.

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480