[Milsurplus] Low Band VHF between ships

[Travis Davis]

Robert,

The Motorola units were model MAN (CGG-43057) on 30-40 megacycles FM.
It is the old coffin box Motorola cop radios -transmitter is a
Motorola model FMT-25VW and the receiver is a Motorola model FMR-13V.
The look like this: http://www.wb6nvh.com/chpradio/Deluxe1.jpg

The Navy had intended them to be used for a dedicated radio net
between the CIC (Combat Information Center) of the various ships in a
task group or task force -it didn't work well because of the limited
range of the unit. I do know that Motorola MANs were installed and
that man ships carried them though notably ENTERPRISE, MASSACHUSETTS,
NORTH CAROLINA, and TEXAS carried them (in face we are in the process
of trying to hunt down components and reinstall one of those aboard
TEXAS).

Dave,

As to the TBY, TEXAS had one permanently installed in her Flag Radio
room to be used as an auxiliary TBS -I have come across references to
TBYs being used on other ships but I can not recall for the life of me
where I saw them. Additionally there was a spare that was stored in
the Radio II. TEXAS also carried two TBX transceivers (stored) though
undoubtedly these are for landing parties and SFCPs. If you would like
I can send several inventories for the radio equipment aboard TEXAS...



Message: 4
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 06:33:46 -0500
From: "David Stinson" <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Low Band VHF between ships
To: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <D92B101E19AB4C9380CAA0C361A5B2DC at DaddyPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
       reply-type=original


----- 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.