[Milsurplus] Automatic Direction Finding Eqpt.

[William Donzelli]

> I've been reading the history of automatic direction-finding which 
> was developed during WWII, and was important in neutralizing the 
> U-Boats.  But, I don't think I have ever seen any of the equipment.  
> The designations are DAJ, DAQ, DAK, DAG, DAU, DAW, DBA, 
> DAR, and British types FH-3 and FH-4.  I believe even today 
> release is prohibited under the Munitions Export control Act.  Has 
> anyone ever seen any for sale?  Not many were made, perhaps a 
> few thousand.

DAK and DAQ are around. I have most of a DAQ or two, and I know several 
people that have DAKs. Fair Radio had DAUs long ago. Pieces and parts of 
DAJ and such pop up from time to time. Baranowsky had scads of the stuff, 
along with the Army's SCR-503.

The one (of the HFs, that is)  that you will probably never see (I haven't 
either) is the DT. These were in service in the late 1930s and saw use 
into the war, until the better sets came out.

Another rarey is the Collins DAB. This has a huge set, with the receiver 
sitting on a post, with two antennae sticking out on beams something like 
15 feet on either side. The whole deal turned on the post. Must have been 
built like a battleship.  

William Donzelli
aw288@osfn.org