[Milsurplus] RCA SSB-1

[w8au at sssnet.com]

>OK, group:  Here's a final-final on the SSB-1 from BuShips proj engr 
>Fred, W4CHT.  Fascinating stuff, this history......

       73,  Perry   w8au

>----------------------------------------------------
>
>A bit of SSB-1 History ..
>
>The RCA SSB-1 was an equipment developed for use in Africa so that the
>various landowners could communicate with each user at the time
>of the Mau-Mau (sp?) uprisings.  (w8au note:  RCA Canada was the mfr
           according to ID plates)

>In 1958 the U.S. Navy became interested in SSB.  Initial tests
>were conducted on ships using mostly Collins Radio available amateur 
>equipment. There were 16 shps, as I recall, outfitted and used in air defense
>exercises to prove the advantage over the then used CW/AM circuits.
>  Twenty-Four hour tapes on the side-by-side circuits proved the 
> overwhelming advantage of SSB communications.
>
>The Bureau of Ships project searched for suitable and temporary use 
>of equipments that were available until military equipment 
>(AN/WRC-2, AN/URT-23, AN/URC-32, AN/URC-35, R-1051/URR)  could be 
>designed, produced and installed.

>The only near suitable commercially available equipment was the
>RCA SSB-1. This was selected, procured and installed primarily on 
>combatant ships to provide the SSB capability. The intent was to fix-install
>in the ship's wheel house. When it was determined that a location was to be
>in CIC or other selected areas, the problem  became apparent for the
>need of a remote antenna tuner. The AN/SRA-20 was quickly designed 
>and produced in a short time to meet the need.
>
>The intent for use was for the equipment to be set up on the four 
>crystal-controlled channels and not changed. These commercial 
>equipments were not ruggedized for the frequent channel changing 
>that fleet operations  employed causing equipment casualties. This 
>commercial equipment could not withstand the frequent channel 
>changing requiring crystals and the retuning of screwdriver components.
>
>The SSB-1 was removed from ships when the more ruggedized military
>equipment became available and then provided to Naval Reserve units 
>for their use.
>
>Fred Chapman W4CHT , Project Engineer (at the 1958-1970 time frame)
>
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