[Milsurplus] Convoy VHF (Was "Radiation from...)

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Forster" <jfor at quikus.com>


> Maybe the U-boats heard nothing at 2.5 MHz because the ships were using
> the TBS?

Navy escorts, according to the available prints, certainly had TBS.
But the merchant ships were not equipped with such expensive toys.
I have original communications log books that cover several convoys.
The merchants used TBY with the mentioned GP antennas 
much as we would use handie-talkies to coordinate a work site today-
turn orders, station-keeping corrections, "you have a light showing" etc.
Even a long "butt-chewing" by the Convoy Commander over someone
using foul language on the TBY circuit.  It was not left on all the time
(batteries are mentioned) but manned at specific "watch" times 
and when needed.  They were to be manned when U-boats 
were known to be in the area, 
so I don't think they were worried about the TBY being DFed.
Given the TBY's short range, the sub would likely see a convoy
long before DFing a TBY. 

The TBYs appear to have been surprisingly reliable.
Failure of a convoy ship's TBY was noted in the log 
and there weren't many such failures.
Frequencies were quoted as usually around the "725" dial markings
and were regularly checked, which doubtless aided that reliablity.
They also used a sequence of three colored stearn lights and
blinker lights at night,  flag hoists during the day.

73 DE Dave AB5S