[ARC5] PBY-1 Radio Question

[Mike Morrow]

Wayne wrote:

> ... a PBY disappeared in clear weather within sight of shore, off the
> coast of San Diego.  Based on some limited research the aircraft was
> most likely a PBY-1 and the loss occurred in August of 1937.
> 
> Does anyone know what kind of radio equipment that aircraft would have
> had and if it would have had more than one radio transmitter?

It's a very reasonable bet that a 1937 PBY-1 carried for communications:

Long Range Radio Operator's Set
GO-2  (1935) IF Transmitter CW -52054   ( 300-  600 kHz, A1/A2, 125 W) 
             HF Transmitter CW -52053   (3000-13575 kHz, A1/A2, 125 W)
RU-5  (1936) #1 Receiver    CBY-46048A  ( 195-13575 kHz, A1/A2/A3)
             #2 Receiver    CBY-46048A  ( 195-13575 kHz, A1/A2/A3)

Short Range Pilot's Set
GF-4  (1936) HF Transmitter CBY-52063A  (3000- 9050 kHz, A1/A2/A3, 15 W)
RU-5A (1936) Receiver       CBY-46051A  ( 195- 9050 kHz, A1/A2/A3)

PBY-1 production began in September 1936, so the sets above represent the most modern sets that could have been installed.

Mike / KK5F