[Milsurplus] Any reason to Navy ID numbers

[Mike Hanz]

To further elaborate on Dave's comments - from NAVSHIPS 900,109:

"The Alphabetical System. -  The above paragraph describes what may be 
referred to as the "Numerical System of Navy Type Designations".  [The 5 
digit series like CW-46215-A]  The designation is comprised of prefix 
letters, the numerical portion, and the suffix letter.   However, there 
is in existence a system which is used for units peculiar to radar 
equipments and special apparatus which may be called the "Alphabetical 
System of Navy Type Designations."   This type is analogous to that 
described above, except the last three or four numbers of the numerical 
portion are replaced with alphabetical letters starting with AAA and 
progressing alphabetically; such as, AAA, AAB, AAC...AAZ, ABA, ABB... 
etc.  Also, the suffix letter is replaced by a suffix number; the first 
modification being indicated by the number "1", etc.  The fundamental 
principals governing the application of both systems of Navy type 
designations are the same."

Sez here the numbers were assigned by the Bureau of Ships at the time of 
a contract award.  Note that they give no rationale for creating the 
different system for radar/special equipment... :-(
  

David Stinson wrote:

> *Generally* speaking:
>
> Cx, Cxx or Cxxx:
> "C" for "communication," though often
> used for non-comm radio devices.
> "x," "xx" or "xxx" to denote the builder/contractor, i.e.
> CW for Western Electric, CBY for Aircraft Radio Corp,
> CG for General Electric, etc.
>
> -46xxx  Receiver types were -46, followed by
> three digits assigned sequentially to units.
> -52xxx  Transmitter types with the three
> digits assigned sequentially.
>
> Other "-two numbers" indicated other types
> of componants.  I have a list of them here somewhere.
>
>
> J. Forster wrote:
>
>> Can anyone explain the Navy WW II equipment ID system. These appear 
>> to be the
>> ASB-5 components:
>>
>> CGW-46ABO        Rx
>> CPR-46ABJ        Rx
>> CPR-46ACJ        Rx
>>
>> CRR-52ABL        Tx
>> CQC-55ACB        Indicator
>> CQW-20ABV        Power Supply
>> CPR-14AAG        RF Switch
>> CWI-60ABJ        Power Meter
>>
>> Thanks,
>> -John
>>
>>
>>
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