[R-390] Re: [R-390]Boys Toys

[Richard.McClung@Dielectric.spx.com]

I beg to differ with you on the fact that the CIA did not morse intercept.
They in fact did do morse intercept.
The first 2 AN/TSC-26's delivered to the US Army were assigned to the CIA.
The AN/TSC-26 was the Special Forces Base Station Communications Central.
The RCVR van had 3 receiver positions that were set up to operate diversity
in morse intercept, CW burst intercept, or SSB voice communications.

Each position originally had two R-390(*)'s, two CV-1716 IF to tone
converters, two Kahn ISB converters, a RD-265 recorder-reproducer, and a
control panel to remotely control the three 2.5KW ISB XMTRs in the XMTR
van. The third van was the Control van which had two R-390(*)s, one CV-116,
one Northern Radio Model 172 AFSK RATT demodulator. Page printers, typing
reperforators, and crypto gear for RATT COMMS..........

In the field they had RS-1's and DELCO 5300's (to name two radio sets) that
transmitted CW and CW burst.......

Most COMMS were done in the BTB method.  The Blind Transmission Broadcast
method.

The base station would xmt on several frequencies like the old marine
coastal stations with a marker and  transmit traffic to the deployed
agents/teams.  This was done in the full duplex mode.   The Base station
would acknowledge the intercept of traffic from the field in their regular
BTB transmissions..............

Positive contact would only usually be used on an emergency frequency when
eminent danger or compromise has occurred and the agent/team must be
exfiltrated.
RICH  @B> }