Communications/Electronics

1. Operations.  The communications platoon conducted normal operations in support of Battalion operations throughout the month.  Elements of the Battalion located within the Dong Ha Combat Base were serviced by the internal battalion telephone system with entry into the III MAF telephone system.  Tactical radio communications support for the entire month was via the battalion tactical net (VHF) except for the deployment of D Company, 29-31 Oct 1966, which required activation of a high frequency (HF) tactical net for direct communications.
2. Radio.  Radio communications from the battalion command post, located at the Dong Ha Combat Base, (coord 241598) to elements of the battalion deployed to the mouth of the Cua Viet River Grid Square 3469 and to the Cam Lo Bridge (coord 148604) were normal.  Distances involved, approximately eleven miles and six miles respectively, required the use of RC-292 antennas at each location to assure reliable communications.  On the night of 28 Oct 1966, D Co (-) (rein) was deployed to a position (coord Grid Square YD 5452) on a ‘Sparrow Hawk’ mission.  Direct FM (VHF) communications from Dong Ha to this position was not possible with either.

The AN/PRC-25 or AN/MRC-109 FM (VHF), radio communications was maintained by relay through A Company.  Because of the distance involved in the development AN/PRC-47 was deployed with the company.  An HF net was established, and satisfactory communications was maintained.

2. Wire.  Wire communications was normal during the month.  A local wire system was installed to support the defense of the Cam Lo Bridge in order to coordinate attached supporting arms and to control elements of the platoon deployed on opposite banks of the river.  Four (4) lines were installed across the river: two (2) across the bridge and two (2) submerged.  This was done to ensure continuous wire communication should the lines across the bridge be destroyed by mortar fire.  Submerged lines afford a measure of protection against mortar fire.  The lines were completely washed away on 23Oct66 when the river flooded and were re-installed on 30Oct66.
3. Message Center.  Message center operations were normal for the month.  Message totals for Oct 1966 were:
4. Classified

(1)         Incoming – 415

(2)         Outgoing – 4

1. Unclassified

(1)         Incoming – 168

(2)         Outgoing – 26

Battalion message center personnel augmented the Task Force Delta message center through 16 Oct 1966.

1. Status of Equipment.  Total equipment breakdowns for the month were.

                        TH-5                                                 3

                        TGC-14                                            1

                        RT 524/VRC-12                            1

                        A-22 Module/PRC-25               1

                        TA-222-line pack/SB-22        9

                        H-138 Handset/PRC-25            3

                        PRC-25                                              11

                        TA-1 Telephone                             1

                        PW 197 Gen.                                     1

                        BB451 Batt.                                       6

                        URM 32A                                            1

                        SB-22                                                  1

1. Equipment repaired by the battalion electronic maintenance section (2^nd echelon repair):

PRC-25       10

PRC-47         2

PRC-41         2

GRA-39         3

PRC-10         4

GRA-6           1

2. Equipment forwarded to FLSU for 3^rd echelon maintenance.

TH-5                                     1            TA-1 Telephone             1

TGC-14                                 1             PU-197 Generator       1

RE 524/VRC-12                 1             TA-312 Telephone       1

A22 Module/PRC-25      1              BB451 Battery               6

TA-222 Line Pack            9              URM-32A                      1

H-138 Handset                  3             SB-22                               1

PRC-25                                 1

3. Major T/E items of Electronic Equipment remaining on requisition as of 31 Oct 1966.

Items                                    Date                                    Quan

RL-31                                  11Oct                                        1

USM-15                              30Jan                                       1

TA-1                                      5Aug                                       1

TA-1                                      9Aug                                       1

RC-292                              18Jun                                        5

AN/MRC-83                       10May                                    1

AN/PRC-41                         1Jun                                        1

AN/PIQ-5                              9Aug                                    1

TS-10                                    3Mar                                      2

AN/URM-105                     11Jun                                      2

AN/URM-50C                      9Aug                                    1

BB-451                              21Jul                                           5

BB-451                             27Oct                                          2

This page last corrected 25 August 2011