MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Sept.3/98 Index: RAYTHEON STORY PART II; RAYTHEON COMES OF AGE DURING WW-II WAR EMERGENCY RADIO SERVICE; By Jeffrey Herman MEMBERS WRITE; M-16 Laser Training System, FYI Pueblo Air Festival, HUMOR; *********************************************** RAYTHEON STORY PART II; Raytheon Comes of Age During World War II By Jacqueline Sagl, Raytheon Corporate Communications This is the second in a series of articles for The Bulletin exploring the company's history:Reprinted with permission from an internal Raytheon Systems Company publication titled " The Bulletin". During World War II, British scientists had developed short-wave, or microwave, radar in an effort to protect itself against enemy aircraft. Britain considered the radar to be its most important advantage against Nazi raids because it enabled them to "see" at night when the Nazis were virtually blind. However, at the time, Britain was not able to devise a method of mass producing magnetron tubes, the heart of its radar. In urgent need to mass produce the tens of thousands of magnetron tubes that would be required to thwart Luftwaffe raids and counterattack the Germans, Britain turned to the United States for help. In 1940, British scientists traveled to the United States to enlist help from America's largest industrial firms. Raytheon, which already had been experimenting with microwave tubes and producing transmitting tubes, was considered too small to be in the running and was not on the list of companies the British planned to visit. At the recommendation of Edward Bowles, director of MIT's Radiation Laboratory, Raytheon was added to the list and a meeting was arranged between Britain's leading scientists and Raytheon engineer, Percy L. Spencer. Spencer, a man with only a grade school education, listened carefully to the British describe their method of producing the magnetron tubes, a process Spencer boldly informed them was "awkward and impractical." He persuaded the scientists to allow him to take the tube, Britain's most valuable secret weapon, home for the weekend. On Monday, Percy Spencer arrived at work with it all figured out. Not only had he come up with radical changes that would simplify the manufacturing process, his recommendations would also improve the functioning of the radar overall. Impressed, Britain awarded, through the MIT Radiation Laboratory, "little" Raytheon a small contract to supply the magnetrons at the same time it awarded giant Western Electric a large contract. By 1944, Raytheon was producing 2,000 magnetron tubes per day. Raytheon eventually was established as the major magnetron supplier during the war, providing the most important military advantage for Britain and the Allied Forces. At the end of the war, Raytheon was producing 80 percent of all magnetrons, leaving Western Electric, RCA, GE and other giants far behind. Submitted by George Humphrey 73 KC5WBV gah@koyote.com *********************************************** WAR EMERGENCY RADIO SERVICE; By Jeffrey Herman First a bit of background: In 1939 there were 51,000 US hams. In Sept. of that year war came to Europe. Of the 250 DXCC countries, 121 of them immediately went off the air (including Canada and the UK). The US maintained the strictest sense of neutrality. This was re-enforced by the ARRL, which came up with a neutrality code for amateurs. Hams were asked by the ARRL to voluntarily abide by the code, which they did en masse; this earned additional support for the amateur radio service in governmental circles. (In an effort to streamline its operation in preparation for possible US involvement in the war, the FCC at this time introduced multiple- choice tests.) By June 1940, the US invoked the Telecommunications Convention prohibiting US amateurs from contacting hams elsewhere; at the same time all portable and mobile operation below 56 MHz was banned (except the ARRL Field Day). At the request of the ARRL, the ban was modified to allow the League's Emergency Corps to continue work on the lower frequencies for training and drills. All licensees were required to send a set of fingerprints, a photo, and proof of citizenship to the FCC. The FCC needed 500 radio operators to man listening and direction- finding stations - they asked the League's assistance - the League put out the word in QST and within days of that issue, the FCC had the 500 operators it needed. (It's important to note for the duration of the war, the military and government always turned to the ARRL when radio operators and equipment were needed; the League would put out the call in QST and over W1AW, and the quotas were always filled in short order. Of the 51 kilohams mentioned above, 25k enlisted, and 25k remained at home to teach radio and electronics, serve in the communications industry, and serve in WERS.) By June of 1941, tubes and other components were in short supply; each time the military asked hams to donate parts, they were flooded with whatever was needed. Many US hams were recruited for a Civilian Technical Corps to operate and repair British radar equipment. Also at this time, the Office of Civil Defense, at the offering of the ARRL, created a CD comm system with ham radio as its backbone (this relationship between between CD and ARS exists even today). Because the Army needed 80m, the FCC gave hams 40m phone privileges for the first time, to make up for the loss of 80. December 7, 1941, the US entered the war; hams were immediately ordered to go QRT. By special FCC order, the ARRL's W1AW was to continue its transmissions. At the request of the ARRL, the War Emergency Radio Service (WERS) was created in June 1942. The GPO was inundated so the rules for WERS appeared only in QST. At the League's insistence, the FCC continued to offer amateur licensing throughout the war; this to provide standards for WERS applicants, and more importantly, to enable amateurs to prove their ability before enlisting in the armed services. The purpose of WERS was to provide communications in connection with air raid protection, and to allow operators to continue their role in providing comms during times of natural disaster as they'd been doing as hams (WERS was not part of the amateur service, but was manned by hams; non-amateurs were permitted to serve in WERS in low level positions). WERS was administered by local CD offices; WERS licenses were issued to communities, not individuals. WERS operated on the former amateur 2 1/2 meter band (112-116 MHz) and on higher frequencies. Again, WERS was not part of the amateur service but hams were asked by OCD to join - and they flocked to it. Until the end of the war, if a ham wanted to operate he could only do so as a WERS operator. QST fully supported WERS by publishing technical articles on building WERS gear and modifying existing 2 1/2 m ham equipment so as to meet the rigid WERS standards. Nearly every issued of QST contained WERS articles - two examples: Oct. 1942: WERS operating procedures; how to train auxiliary (non-amateur) operators. Feb. 1943: OCD's plan for selecting frequencies. A sample of WERS operations: May and July 1942 - comms support for flooding of the Mississippi and Lake Erie; 1944 comms support after an Atlantic Coast hurricane; 1945 - Western NY snowstorm early in the year, spring flooding, and a September Florida hurricane. After VJ Day in 1945, hams were given authorization to begin operating again on the 2 1/2 m band, on a shared basis with WERS. WERS was terminated in mid-November. By the 15th of that month, the FCC released bands at 10, 5, and 2m for amateur use. The post-war era of amateur radio had commenced. This is probably more than you wanted to know! I really love radio history and enjoy sharing it with anyone who expresses an interest. 73, Jeff KH2PZ *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; M-16 Laser Training System, Dennis, have you ever heard of a "Laser transmitter Assy, M16A1". Looks like an attachment for the M16 for war games. It has a lens at one end and a switch labeled "auto" and "semi", a 6 pin cannon connector labeled "J1, Trigger". It also has a slot that looks like a key, with two labels: cw "weapon on", ccw "cont on". It has clips to go on the barrell of the M16 for temporary mounting. I have access to about 20 of these, but I don't have the other end of the connector for the "trigger". If anyone is interested, I could purchase all of them and distribute them accouring to the interest. It was built by Xerox Electro Optical Systems, Pasadena California. It uses a 9 volt conventional battery. It also has what looks like a red LED with "firing" next to it. Let me now ASAP. Oh, by the way, it's green. Jim Hopper ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FYI Pueblo Air Festival, The city of Pueblo, Colorado and the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum will host the annual Pueblo Air Festival on 19 September 1998 from 8AM to 4 PM. The following events/activities are scheduled: Special Forces Parachute Demonstration Fantasy of Flight Simulators Airplane and Balloon rides Military Aircraft and Warbirds Flybys Experimental Aircraft Children's games Aviation Museum Tours Pancake Breakfast 8-11 AM(additional charge) Lunch 11 AM -until (additional charge) Classic Cars Souvenirs Adults $3 Children under 12 free Gates open at 8AM FREE PARKING Sponsored By: Pueblo Chieftain Newspaper Parkview Medical Center KCCY 96.9 FM Minnequa Bank Flower Aviation Isibill Associates Inc. Airport Consultants and Engineers Proceeds to benefit Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum Home of the International B-24 Museum Jason Unwin Volunteer Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum Home of the International B-24 Museum *********************************************** HUMOR; Q: Which sexual position produces the ugliest children? A: Ask your mom. Q: How do you embarrass an archeologist? A: Give him a used tampon and ask him which period it came from. Q: How can you tell if you're at a bulimic bachelor party? A: The cake jumps out of the girl. Q: How do you circumcise a hillbilly? A: Kick his sister in the jaw. Q: What do you call a dog with 4" legs and 6" steel balls? A: Sparky. Q: What's the difference between Courtney Love and Wayne Gretzky? A: Wayne takes a shower after 3 periods. Q: What's the difference between Michael Jackson and greyhound racing? A: The greyhounds wait for the hares to come out. Q: What's somewhat brown and often found in children's underpants? A: Michael Jackson's hand. Q: What's the difference between a bitch and a whore? A: A whore sleeps with everybody at the party, and a bitch sleeps with everybody at the party except you. Q. What do you call a fat girl whose phone rings on Saturday night? A. Startled Q. What do they call duct tape in Missouri? A. Chrome Q. What has 6 balls and fucks rednecks? A. The lottery More Blonde Revenge: Q. Why do brunettes like their dark hair color ? A. It doesn't show the dirt. Q. Who makes all the bras for brunettes ? A. Fisher-Price Q. Why are most brunettes flat-chested? A. It makes it easier for them to read their T-shirts Q. Why are brunettes so proud of their hair? A. It matches their mustache Q. What is the most frustrated animal in the world? A. A brunette rabbit Q. What did the frustrated brunette say to her lover? A. What part of 'yes' don't you understand? Q. Why did God create brunettes ? A. So ugly men wouldn't feel left out. Q. What do brunettes miss most about a great party ? A. The invitation Q. Where do brunettes get the hair for a transplant ? A. From their underarms Q. Why do brunettes have to pay an extra $2,000 for a breast job ? A. Because the plastic surgeon has to start from scratch. Q. What do you call a good-looking man with a brunette ? A. A hostage Q. How did Revlon come up with it's brunette hair color ? A. By studying what oil spills did to seaweed ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMAN! Compliment her, cuddle her, kiss her, caress her, love her, stroke her, tease her, comfort her, protect her, hug her, hold her, spend money on her, wine & dine her, buy things for her, listen to her, care for her, stand by her, support her, go to the ends of the earth for her -------------------------------- HOW TO IMPRESS A MAN: Bring Beer. Show up naked. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alabama State Trooper "You're in Alabama, son" Two guys are driving through Alabama when they get pulled over by a state trooper. The trooper walks up, taps on the window with his nightstick, the driver rolls down the window, and the trooper smacks him in the head with the stick. The driver says, " Why did you do that ?" The trooper says, "You're in Alabama, son. When I pull you over, you'll have your license ready"!!!! Driver says, "I'm sorry officer, I'm not from around here." The trooper runs a check on the guy's license and he's clean. He gives the guy his license back and walks around to the passenger side and taps on the window. The passenger rolls his window down and the trooper cracks him with the nightstick. The passenger says, "What the hell did you do that for "?!?!?!? The cop says,. "Just making your wishes come true." Passenger says, "Huh"???? Cop says, "I know that two miles down the road you're gonna say, "I wish that mutha f**ker would've tried that sh*t with me"!!!!!!!!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This man got his prescription for Viagra, and goes home to get ready for when his wife gets home. He calls her on the cell phone, and says, "I'll be home in an hour. "Perfect," she replies. The man thinks her agreement is because the Doctor told him to take his Viagra an hour before. He takes the Viagra and waits. Well, an hour goes by, the man is ready to go, but no wife! She calls him on the cell phone and she says, "Traffic is terrible. I won't be there for about an hour and a half. "The man, frustrated, calls his Doctor for advice. "What should I do?" he asks. The Doctor replied, "It would be a shame to waste it. Do you have a housekeeper around?" "Yes" the man replied. "Well, maybe you can occupy yourself with her instead?" said the Doctor. The man then replied with dismay, "But I don't need Viagra with the housekeeper..." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twas the night before crisis, And behind White House doors, Not a creature was stirring, Especially Al Gore. The interns were nestled, Dressed in their berets, In hopes that Saint Bubba Would come out to play. When on the East Lawn, There arose such a clatter, Even Sam Donaldson Lost control of his bladder. Away to our TVs We flew like a flash, There's a special report, And it's pre-empting M*A*S*H! And what to our wondering Eyes should appear, But a homely lil' troll, With tapes for us to hear. With a K-Mart bought blazer, And a bad frizzy 'do, And a tale to be told- To me, and to you. On the chair! On the carpet! On the Oval Office desk! With a chubby young intern, Who was all eyes and chest. The Pres had been careless, Indeed, dumb and dumber. Now the whole world knew Bubba Had gotten a hummer. And Monica Lewinsky Emerged from the rubble, If she'd just kept her mouth shut, We'd not have all this trouble. And thus set in motion, A whole web o' spiders, With pundits galore, And "White House insiders. You ask, "Who would care About Bill and his penis?" Republican Ken Starr, And he's armed with subpoenas! More rapid than eagles, Process servers, they flew! "Here's one for you! And for you! And you, too!" "Now Jordan! Now Cockell! Is there anyone else?!? Let's subpoena the lawyers! And Bubba himself!!" "We want you to tell us About Bill's private life, And anyone he sleeps with, 'cept, of course, his wife." And many months later, After long we've all suffered, Let's examine more closely Just what Starr's uncovered. We've learned "Little Bill" Has a mind of his own, And - horror of horrors - He likes to get blown! A funny fact surfaced, After 40 million bucks: Seems most people don't care Just who Clinton, er, makes love to. The economy's great, And shows no signs of slowing. Hell, we hope Ms. Lewinsky NEVER stops blowing! Now the public's grown weary. Will this sleaze never end? We just want to get back To "E.R.", and to "Friends." Now Monica, Linda- And Ken Starr, you suck - Get the hell off my TV, Your 15 minutes are up *********************************************** (The preceding was a product of the"Military Collector Group Post", an international email magazine dedicated to the preservation of history and the equipment that made it. Unlimited circulation of this material is authorized so long as the proper credits to the original authors, and publisher or this group are included. For more information conserning this group contact Dennis Starks at, military-radio-guy@juno.com) ***********************************************