[Milsurplus] R: Sonobuoy

[FERMI Ugo]

Hue Miller wrote:

> Is that the issue with the mock-TM cover that says "TM-73 
> Not So Technical Manual" ? I didn't see the ad but i saw 
> the conversion article in this, with at least the original 
> schematic. AN/DMQ-something or other, wasn't it?

Yes, that was the article by Al Denson W1BYX, the owner of Denson
Electronic Corp. The article was on page 96, and the ad on page 97.  The
business was located at Rockville, CT.
The sonobuoy in the article was an AN/SSQ-23A, produced in early 60's;
it had two 12AX7'2 in the modulator and one 12AT7 and one 6BQ7 in the
TX.

> Sounds like a weird and wonderful sub-niche of the hobby.
> What's the earliest model you have?

Actually, sonobyous are my favored collection items. I started picking
up some of them from the sea (!!!) in 1970 when I was living in Sicily
island, not far from an USN base located in the isle. I then found out
that sonobuoys were also available at a local surplus seller (much less
riskful!) At that time I dismantled all the bouys I found for recovery
of parts (recovery of whole FM TX when crystal controlled, solid state
transmitters came into use).
Years later I changed my mind and started collecting sonobuoys instead
of destroying them. I now have an almost complete collection: my
earliest buoys are one CRT-1 and one CRT-1A from 1944.  I have later,
all-tube models such as SSQ-2, SSQ-23, SSQ-23A; one tube / transistor
SSQ-28; many transisorized buoys and some using IC's and even
microprocessors (a 1988 SSQ-77).  Besides collecting sonobuoys I keep
collecting documentation such as MIL standards, NAVWEPS manuals,
technical articles and so.  I can now say that I am a sort of sonobuoy
historian ... 
Anyway: I am alway looking for old sonobuoys. When I have a pair of
buoys of same model I keep one as is, and fit the chassis of the other
one in a plexiglass tube for display.  So I am doubling my collection
... for the joy of my wife of course!  Also finding parts is very
important: I sometimes find uncomplete sonobuoys (usually missing bits
and pieces of the chassis, or the battery or hydrophone) and can
complete them with parts found in someone's junk box.  So please, have a
look in your drawers, and if you find a few old parts that you remember
are from a sonobuoy, contact me through the list!  The same if you find
a manual. 

Many tnx - 73's
Ugo IW1FQG
A.k.a. the sonobuoy maniac ...