[Milsurplus] LO radiation

[Hue Miller]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Forster" <jfor at quik.com>
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] LO radiation


> Hue Miller wrote:
> 
> > I'd suggest that a U-boat running surfaced, would have two receivers
> > ready, one on the fleet broadcast frequency, for late-breaking
> > messages about target locations, and one on 500 kHz, for listening
> > for SSS and SOS messages from enemy ships.

> I can see why a U boat would monitor the distress frequency when it accosted a
> ship, but why would it monitor 500 KHz at times when it was surfaced and
> patrolling or recharging batteries? And why would it want to DF a distress call?
> To attack those ships going to the aid of the stricken ship?
> 
> -John

Nowhere did i say the U-boat actually DF'd the distress calls and SSS reports,
altho it occurred to me that this would be both possible and useful.  If you
hear an SSS report  ( "submarine sighted" ),  that might be an advantage to
your survival. If you hear an SOS, you have a clue as to, for example, how a
group attack on a convoy is going, because the fleet broadcast certainly was
not up to the minute with relaying information. In fact, i am sure i have read 
of such monitoring - as usual, cannot put my paws on the texts right now; i 
will have to add this to my must-fetch list. 
As for attacking ships going to the rescue of stricken vessels: the goal of
U-boats was not to sink small ships going to the rescue, but to sink capital
warships and freighters. DEs and such were not really worthwhile except 
in self-defense.  
( One of the mistakes of Japanese naval warfare: it was more noble and 
worthwhile to go after warships - even picket ships and DEs and such-
instead of freighters bringing war materiel. )  -Hue Miller
-Hue Miller