Communications / Electronics – January 1969

 

Communications

  1. Message Center.  The Message Center Section is deployed at two locations.  The rear in Quang Tri is responsible for the acquisition of Classified Codes from 3rd Marine Division as well as distribution of classified and unclassified traffic to the Administrative Offices at that location.  The Vandegrift Message Center is responsible for the distribution of Shackle Sheets/Authentication Codes to the tactical units and also to collect Unclassified Traffic from Regimental Headquarters for the Commanding Officer daily read board.
  2. Radio.  Radio transmission is still the primary means of communications in the tactical situation.

Relay stations on FSB Fuller, FSB Neville, FSB Mack and FSB Russell were essential in establishing continuous communications throughout the month of January on the Tactical Net.  Stations located at Vandegrift, and Quang Tri provided reliable communication for the Administrative and Supply Traffic.  Log periodic antennas were used for long distance line of sight communications and were ideal for static FSB deployment.  The field stripped OMNI directional 292 Antennas were most practical for the widely dispersed units and gave more reliable communications than the Log Periodic System from the majority of Command Post Locations.

  1. Covered Circuits.  The KY-38/PRC-77 was used extensively with positive results on the Regimental Tactical Net.  The Battalion received its T/E requirement of KY-38 Cipher units and KY-28 Cipher Keying units this month.  Initially 3 KY-38 units proved defective after one day use each.  The problem has not been resolved as yet.
  2. Wire.  The wire section maintains 4 SB/22 units, two at Vandegrift and two at Quang Tri.  The switchboard at Quang Tri is in constant use where the one at Vandegrift is guarded only when the Battalion is located at Vandegrift Combat Base.  Hot lines to the Combat Operations Center utilized when the Command Group is not at Vandegrift Combat Base.  Field wire loops are deployed as needed in the defensive perimeter when the Command Group is in a tactical position.
  3. Electronics Repair.  This section continued to provide second echelon maintenance from its static position at Quang Tri.  A projected future move is planned for an alternate shop to be constructed at Vandegrift to bring the required repair facilities closer to the deployed Battalion.
  4. Radio Relay.  There was no use for this section during the month of January.
  5. Critical Shortages.  Modules for the AN/PRC-25 remain in a critical status.  In particular they are as follows: A-1, A-2, A-5, A-9, A-10, A-25.  There are no replacement parts available for the transmitter elements for the EE-8 or transmitter /receiver elements for the H-189.  There are no preventative maintenance report sheets available in the tech shop.  Testing gear and meters for the tech chop, such as ME-25/A and UG-255 and Urm-438 are also unavailable at the time.
  6. Equipment Repairs.  Maintenance repairs for the month of January are as follows:
  7. RT-505 – 21
  8. H-189 – 22
  9. H-138 – 9
  10. EE-8 – 5
  11. TA-312 – 3

This page last corrected 5 September 2011