Communications – Electronics

A.                 General

1.                 The operable communications equipment in the Battalion is in reasonably good condition due to prudent first and second echelon maintenance procedures but limited by the scarcity of replacement and spare parts.  The unavailability of such items as switch covers, breath shields, and diaphragms, which are a necessity in insuring moisture proof integrity, present a problem in the monsoon season.

B.                 Deadline Equipment

1.                  Four of the five AN/PRC-47 radio sets rated by this Battalion are deadline in accordance with MCO 4000.12c because of unavailability of replacement monoblocks for the component item, battery BB-451/U.  Two of the three AN/PRC-41 radio sets rated by the Battalion are deadlined for the same reason.  Of the twenty eight BB-451/U batteries in the Battalion all have been recharged more than twenty times and twenty three of this number are inoperative due to the none=availability of replacement monoblocks.

2.                  Eight AN/PRC-10 radio sets are currently in third echelon repair at FLSU #1 for repair and alignment.

3.                  Eleven AN/PRC-6 radio sets are in third echelon repair at FLSU #1.  The majority of these radios have broken battery plugs.  It has been found that the conclusion of night operations and a combat situation can cause a hurried attempt at inserting a battery in a radio.  The battery plug is extremely fragile and cannot take rough treatment.

4.                  Five TA-1/PT telephones are in third echelon maintenance at FLSU #1 awaiting parts.

5.                 One generator set PU-348 is in third echelon repair at FLSU #1 for 2000 hour overhaul.

C.                Security Violations

1.                  Three violations have been reported for the disclosure, in the clear, of coordinates for future rendezvous points.

D.                Message Traffic

1.                   Incoming

a.                  Radio – 600

b.                  Message center – 119

c.                  Unclassified – 191

2.               Outgoing

a.                  Radio – 2,400  

b.                  Message center – 0

c.                  Unclassified – 6

E.                 Personnel Status

1.     2511 Field Wiremen – shortage – 2

2.     2822 Off-line Crypto Repairman – shortages 1

3.     5931 Radar Technician – shortages – 1

4.     2531 Voice Radio Operator – shortages – 4

5.     2841 Radio Repairman – overage – 1

6.     2533 Radio telegraph Operator – overage – 3

7.     2543 Message Center Man – shortages – 2

8.     2500 Basic Communications Man – overage – 3

F.                 Training Accomplished

1.     Radio

a.                  Security – 1 hour

b.                  Basic Radio Procedures – 4 hours

c.                  AN/PRC-10 Operations and Maintenance – 4 hours

d.                  AN/PRC-6 Operation and Maintenance – 4 hours

2.     Wire

a.                  Field Wire Techniques – 12 hours

b.                  Pole Line Construction – 4 hours

c.                  Wire Splices and Ties – 4 hours

3.     Message Center

a.                  Off-Line Encryption – 33 hours

G.                Problems

1.                  Subordinate units of the Battalion have participated in numerous patrols at extended ranges from 12 to 18 miles from the command post.  The Battalion participated in one extended range Battalion (-) operation.  Contact within the Battalion has for the most part, been direct via AN/PRC-10.  In cases where intervening terrain has direct contact, automatic retransmission and voice relay from an intermediated point has been found not only to be adequate buy desirable.

Because of extended range and terrain problems, the AN/PRC-6 radio has been found virtually useless above the squad level. Each platoon should have an AN/PRC-10 to insure reliable Command Communications.

During Battalion size operations the radio set, AN/PRC-47 has proven to provide excellent communications with higher headquarters.  Drawbacks encountered result mainly from the inability to operate this radio in a mobile man pack situation.  The rapid mobility of the command group is hampered to a degree by the time required to set up and break down the set for operation.  Another problem encountered is in the power source BB-451/U.  If exposed to the sunlight is this climate it has been known to lose its electrical charge in a matter of a dew hours.  This is sometimes unavoidable in that the back up batteries have to be carried on pack boards over glaring sand.  This electrical loss has been inhibited to a degree by covering the battery with cloth or placing it in a haversack.

The successful installation of a 6000 meter two pair cable to Delta Company on Ky Xuan including a 400 meter underwater section, and a 7000 meter two pair cable to Charlie company, on Ky Hoa, including a 500 meter underwater section, was completed.