[Milsurplus] Guadalcanal Communications

[Ray Fantini]

I cannot believe that no one has mentioned the TBX, I would think it
would be the radio of choice for early pacific operations. Their are
pictures and lots of written evidence of its use at Tarawa, so would
think the TBX was at Guadalcanal first. The TBY was their for sure but
think that their being VHF and unstable as they are that their useable
range is line of sight and not much more, not that the TBX was a power
house with its six watts or so, but then again I have read accounts of
the Marines using the captured Japanese transmitters that were
permanently installed at Guadalcanal. I do not remember where I read the
account but their was a quote that " the best thing to do with the TBX
was to throw it in a ditch and find a jeep with a TCS in it" Perhaps
when the Army moved in they brought their track or truck mounted SCR-299
sets at that time? Myself having used a TBX-6 on several occasions like
the radio but cannot imagine using it in a combat operation.
Ray Fantini KA3EKH