[Milsurplus] Subject: Re: RAX-1 Contract Information

[Hue Miller]

> The CG-46116 (1.5 t 9.0 MHz) would have normally been the receiver that 
> got
> the most use (by far) in liaison service.  The CG-46115 (0.2 to 1.5 MHz)
> would likely have been almost never needed in the Pacific.  There
> doesn't appear to have been much in the way of beacon or broadcast band
> transmitters in the Pacific.  And, had there been, the lack of pilot
> control of a RAX-1 would make its use awkward.  The pilot-controlled
> ZB-* or AN/ARR-2 would have provided homing capability to YE/YG beacons.

I suggest Mike Morrow be issued a service medal for Meritorious Service for
the post on Navy liaison receiver development.
I must comment that  it appears from a 1945 Pacific Air Facilities booklet I
have, that practically every island and
large landmass airfield alike, had LF and MF services, most often both
homing and range stations.  I can eventually scan this booklet and forward
it to interested parties; I will advise when that time arrives, but for now 
I
am thinking of relocating again and so this publication is packed away.
I do agree that for pure navigation, the RAX was not the receiver. For one
thing, the antenna inputs were intended to be wired as daisy-chained
through all 3 receivers, as shown in Mike Hanz's posted photos.  Not
switched to loop.
Also don't forget the use of LF-MF homing equipment for forming
up on a transmitting plane; recall the Indianapolis incident, where
the discovering patrol plane transmitted a beacon signal for other
arriving planes to locate it. Still, the RAX was not the receiver for
this use. ( As far as I can tell. )
It appears there were a multiple more of LF-MF beacons than locations
offering the YE system signals.
Also I note Chet Wisner's account of his Atlantic patrol PBY having the
radio equipment changed from RAX+GO to BC-348 + ATC in 1943.
I also have seen a photo of some kind of Navy cargo plane with
apparently a BC-375 in it.  -Hue Miller