Communications / Electronics – April 1967

 

Communication/Electronics

  1. General.  This report covers the period 2 through 30 April 1967.  The Communications platoon arrived at Dong Ha with the battalion on 2 April 1967.  The entire period was devoted to support of battalion operations, maintenance of equipment, and training of new personnel.  On 7 April Captain Boone was relieved by 1st Lt Hagans as Battalion Communications Officer.
  2. Operations.  Communications were generally satisfactory throughout the period.  Some difficulty due to radio interference was experienced and several frequency changes were necessary.
  3.              Upon arrival at Dong Ha normal internal communications were established.  Entry into the 3rd MarDiv/III MAF telephone system was provided via a trunk terminating in the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines switchboard, later changed to two trunk lines to the 3rd MarDiv (Fwd) switchboard.
  4.              On 4 April the battalion assumed responsibility for the Dong Ha Base Defense.  Communication with 3rd MarDiv (Fwd) was established via Division TAC #2.  A telephone switchboard was set up in the COC, which provided links with all base defense sectors, 3rd MarDiv (Fwd) COC, and the Battalion switchboard.  The Area Defense Net was activated daily from 1700 until 0630.
  5.            On 8 April communication support was provided for a convoy operation from Gio Linh to Con Thien.
  6.             On 12 April communication personnel and equipment departed with Command Group A to commence work on the Gio Linh-Con Thien barrier strip.  Communication between the command group and 3rd MarDiv (Fwd) was provided by entering Division TAC #2.
  7. On 20 April the Ninth Marines assumed opcon of the Battalion.  Base Defense responsibilities and COC communications were turned over to 1st Battalion 9th Marines and communication with the Ninth Marines was established via the Regimental TAC Net.  Successful covered operation on this circuit was achieved on 21 April utilizing the KY-8 Secure Speech Equipment.  The Battalion (rear) maintained a station on Battalion TAC #2.
  8.             Message Center operations were normal for the period.  Distribution of numeral and authentication codes was affected from the rear CP to the user.  Some difficulty was experienced due to reluctance of helicopter pilots to carry courier personnel.  In one instance this resulted in one unit not having current codes.  Message totals were:

Classified

Incoming            665

Outgoing              42

Unclassified

Incoming             318

Outgoing               53

  1. Equipment.  Equipment failure during the period was minimal.  Combat losses were exclusively accessory type items; primarily antennas, antennae base, and handsets for the AN/PRC-25.  Replacement items were available in most cases where the item was unrepairable.  However, replacement parts for major equipment are extremely scarce.
  2.              Major equipment failures are listed below.  All items were evacuated for 3rd Echelon Maintenance.

                            Item                                    Quantity

Receiver/Transmitter RT-524 (AN/PRC-109)      1

Auxiliary Receiver R-442 (AN/PRC-109)                1

Radio Set AN/PRC-25                                                       4

Radio Set AN/PRC-47                                                      2

Radar Set AN/TPS-21                                                       1

Radio Sets AN/PRC-25 were repaired locally        6

  1. The below listed T/E equipment was received:

Radio Set AN/MRC-83                     1

Radio Set AN/MRC-87                     1

Multimeter AN/USN-16B               1

Multimeter AN/URM-105              1

  1.             The below listed major T/E equipment requisitions are outstanding:

Multimeter AN/URM-105                     1

Test Set AN/GRM-55                              1

Tool Kit AN/USH-15                                1

Radio Set AN/MRC-83                            1

Radio Remote Unit AN/GRA-39         1

Battery BB-451 (AN/PRC-47/47)       6

Radio Set AN/PRC-25                              2

This page last corrected 26 August 2011