[Milsurplus] [ARC5] History of the GO-series of USNLong-RangeTransmitters

[Mike Morrow]

It can be taken as given that there are indeed significant differences between the GO models made by different manufacturers during its production history from 1933 to 1940:

Hygrade-Sylvania:    GO          1933
Western Electric:    GO-1        1934  (Canceled)
                     GO-2        1935
Westinghouse:        GO-3        1937
                     GO-7        1940
                     GO-8        1940
                     GO-9        1940
General Electric:    GO-4        1938
                     GO-5/GO-6   1939

Of particular note, the GE GO-4 raised the GO-series top frequency from 13575 to 26500 kHz.  That is remarkable, especially for 1938.  The GE GO-5/GO-6 reduced that to 22000 kHz, yet even that was well above the top frequency of all GO units made by anyone else.

I'd love to read the instruction books for the GO-4 and GO-5/GO-6.  Next I'd like the IBs for the H-S GO, WE GO-2, and WH GO-3.  Doubtless there are many design differences between these models.  I'd bet that the main thing they have in common is similar size, shape, and weight.  I can't help wondering if in very obscure and forgotten places, at least one copy of these IBs still exists...but I would not bet on it.

Some find it remarkable that only 50 RAT, 50 RAT-1, and 46 RAV sets were made.  However, it is unlikely that any of the GO models before GO-9 were made in numbers any greater than that.  USN non-carrier-based long-range patrol aircraft were about the only aircraft in which GOs (and those receivers too) were used.  Before 1941, just how many of those USN aircraft were in service?

Mike / KK5F

-----Original Message-----
>From: Howard Holden <holden7471 at msn.com>
>
>If the photo is indeed a GO-6, there's been some significant changes in the 
>design from early to late. The HF side in the photo has no IPA or PA grid 
>current meters, and looks like two less controls in the PA stage. Would be 
>interesting to know the design evolution from the early ones to the GO-9.
>
>Howie WB2AWQ
>
>-----Original Message----- 
>From: George Babits
>
>Well, that transmitter doesn't look anything like the one I have with the
>G0-6 tag on it that I have.  It is about half burried but maybe I can get a
>picture of the front of it.  However, so far I have been unable to post
>pictures on this reflector.
>
>73,
>George
>W7HDL
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Mike Morrow" <kk5f at earthlink.net>
>
>>> I tried finding a link to these, because I have never heard of them.
>>> No joy. Must be rare as hens teeth?
>>
>> The 1940 Westinghouse GO-9 is the most common, by far:
>>
>>  http://aafradio.org/flightdeck/go9.htm
>>
>> Even GO-9 instruction books are common.  But...
>>
>> Everything else appears non-existent...except maybe this one:
>>
>>  http://tlbigley.com/Cutaway%20PBY/int-07.html
>>  http://tlbigley.com/Cutaway%20PBY/int-06.html
>>
>> The story of the associated PBY-5B is told here:
>>
>>  http://tlbigley.com/Cutaway%20PBY/
>>
>> The large transmitter is definitely earlier than the GO-9 one would expect 
>> to find on a PBY-5B.  Close examination of the nomenclature plates seems 
>> to show the manufacturer's name as two words...making it most probably a 
>> 1939 General Electric GO-6.  Some support for that possibility comes from 
>> the radio listing for a PBY-5A shown here:
>>
>>  http://aafradio.org/docs/Navy-radio-gear-1.GIF
>>
>> Mike / KK5F