[Milsurplus] Low Band VHF between ships

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob Flory" <farmer.rob.flory at gmail.com>
Subject: [Milsurplus] Low Band VHF between ships


> Hi,
> The Mototola FM units, whose nomenclature I can't dig up in my 
> pre-coffee
> state, were used for inter-command comms.
>
> I have never heard of TBY used for that function and am a bit 
> skeptical.

I was just as surprised as you, but I have original log books
 right here.  The TBY is used by name, including operational
procedures, tuning settings, battery and power supply concerns
and notations on the messages passed.  Fair Radio, back in
the 1970s, stocked a ground plane antenna that turned-out
to be intended for fixed use of the TBY.
I don't remember now who found that data; hope he
will speak up.  I'll dig the log books out and make
some scans when work permits.

Now, I'm not the "Navy ship" expert, so all you folks
who are speak up if I'm off track.

While I've never seen the TBY listed on a manifest of
installed equipment for a ship (I have a few of those too),
the logs are conclusive.  My guess is that the TBY's
portable nature, vs "installed" is the reason, same as
why pairs of SCR-536 in "utility" roles wouldn't be
listed as "installed."

The TBS, which covered 60-80 MC and was built
by G.E., is the only other widely-installed Lo-Band VHF
rig I know of.   Moreover- I know of no other set with
a history of being cleared to use during "radio silence"
than the TBY.  During convoy crossings in the North
Atlantic, when blinker lights or flag hoists (which
are also noted in the logs) weren't sufficent,
they used TBY as an "intercom" or "interphone."
The radio ops maintained a constant watch and
a routine of tests, passing messages and testing
even when under submarine alert.
I'm unaware of any 30 MC low-band VHF by Motorola
commonly installed in WWII U.S. Navy ships.
But then, "never say never."  Experts?

73 Dave S.