CONTRACT RD-91SA, MARINE CRYSTAL VIDEO, TRIP AND PROGRESS REPORT.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03424A000200030010-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2011
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: February 17, 1956
• Content Type: MEMO

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Office Memorandum ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
svsJEC: Co act RD-91SA, Marine Crystal Video Trip and Pro e,pp
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Report.
1. On 31 January and 1 February the writer visited the
plant to determine the status of the subject contract. Those
present were:
ebruary 1956
2. The ELINT Activities Branch of SPD has indicated an ur-
'gent need for transistor video amplifiers similar to a type being
developed under the terms of this contract. In an effort to de-
termine how these units might be obtained on a priority basis from
the writer explored various means of procurement. In dis-
cussions with the people, it was decided that fabrication
of the spare units will be started immediately so that these items
may be forwarded, to us in the form of advance shipment of spare
parts. This will make possible an immediate delivery of 18 pre-
amplifiers of 750 kc bandwidth type. The contract is to be
amended to allow for additional units to be furnished with the
basic system. Additional antennas in the L, S. and X bands are
also going to be procured under a similar setup. The contract
will also be amended to allow for more antenna spares. This is
noted in Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the attachment.
3. Two complete channels of a representative band have been
fabricated. This includes all circuit functions from the crystal
preceeding the pre-amplifier through all amplifiers to the plates
of the cathode ray tube. The operation of this was demonstrated
to the writer, who was allowed to conduct certain tests on it. The
operation of this unit appears to be very satisfactory. As the
relative level signal in each channel was changed, it was noted
that the azimuth indication on the oscilloscope changed accordingly.
It was noted, however, that for extremely short pulses on a very
low repetition rate, there was an error in apparent azimuth of
about 10 degrees. This, however, is an impossible condition which
does not exist in practice. For all normal pulse widths and repe-
tition rates, the azimuth indications are reasonably accurate.
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CONFIDENTIAL
4. The method of calibration of each channel within each band
was discussed and the manner in which it is to be accomplished. In
all previous discussions the writer had based most thoughts upon
the fact that certain of the balance controls would be accessible
from the front panel. It was, therefore, with considerable sur-
prise that it was learned that all balance controls are contained
within the internal chassis. It is therefore necessary to remove
one of the oscilloscope sub-assemblies from the console in order
to make any adjustments. The button which controls the calibrator
itself is located on the front panel, while the balance controls
are located on the side of the chassis, approximately half-way
back. In order to make this adjustment, it is necessary to loosen
the four captive screws holding the sub-assembly within the con-
sole, completely remove the unit from the console, and connect it
to the plug by means of an adaptor cable. In this position, it
will then be possible to actuate the calibrator and perform the
necessary adjustments to the calibration potentiometers. The
writer questioned the advisability of this, and suggested that a
more suitable location for these adjustments would be on the front
panel of the unit. Note Paragraph 10 of the attachment. The
project engineer, was rather adamant in his position in
stating that the design work had been completed and it would be
impossible to make any changes, as there was no space available.
The writer does not consider that a breadboard layout and an en-
gineering sketch is sufficient proof to support a statement of a
fixed layout. was unable to furnish further evidence.
Therefore, the writer took the position that is to investi-
gate the possibility of moving certain of the balance controls to
the front panels so that they may be accessible at times when
they may be needed.
5. The question of shutters for the antenna was discussed.
=has investigated the various electro-mechanical solenoids and
other relays which may be used to operate crystal shutters in the
high-band antennas and has found that the power required to oper-
ate these units far exceeds the total requirements of the entire
system in the other electronic circuitry. Therefore, they have
requested permission to investigate mechanical means of closing
a shutter. This could be accomplished in several ways, but
chiefly by the use of a flexible cable. The writer took the
position that such a means would be feasible only if a single
movement of a single control would operate all shutters, electri-
cal and mechanical. Please note Paragraph 16 of the attachment.
6. In gene al. the of this contract has been satis-
factory, both at . Certain delays have been
encountered, of which the most serious was the difficulty in get-
ting the present amendment to the contract for the calibration and
filter system. This amendment is dated 1 February 1956. However,
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CONE
in checking with ~ on 10 Febru the paper had not yet
reached them. It is believed that will have the authoriza-
tion to proceed work during the week of 13 February. In other re-
spects, the writer has felt certain dissatisfaction with the prog-
ress. This has been noticed in two particular directions. The
first is a lack of overall organization, although independent
groups operating on the various problems have done excellent jobs
of solving their particular phase of the work.
7. This was most noticeable during the period that the
Section En sneer was handling this project. More
recently, has taken over the overall direction
of this project. It was noted ch better organizational
Aptlin complished under . It was since learned that
has left the organization. It is believed, and
hoped, that the program will stabilize as soon as can
become more fully aware of all of the problems. The seennd point
of dissatisfaction concerns the project engineer,
The writer does not questio engineering cap-
abilities; however, he appears to have a imagination and ap-
pears to be rather stereotyped in his thinking and his approach
to problems. The writer has on many occasions found it extremely
difficult to have certain problems considered. This is not made
easier by the fact that many of the situations must, by necessity,
be clothed in security regulations, in which the writer is unable
to reveal the reason and necessity for certain approaches. The
writer, however, does not consider a lack of total knowledge of a
problem as reason to refuse consideration of that problem. This
dissatisfaction with the project has been brought unofficially
to the attention of the
the writer has held wit
tative. It may be note
the writer in his observations:
through discussions
j, the local represen-
generally agrees with
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Minutes of Meeting of 1 February 1956.
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# i ii 1Lo LI I I 1/lL
OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
In reply refsr -to:
H-2061/ARA./70/56
6 February 1956
SUBJECT:
L.etJAg,.)with Dept. of Defense on February 1, 1956 at
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PRESENT:
CC: Those present
A confenence was held to determine the H-2061 status
and to discuss current problems. The discussion included the
following points:
1. A Navy Pulse Analyzer Model RDJ-1 is to be loaned
by the government to for the purpose of
testing the transistor circuitry used in conjunction
with this piece of equipment. It has been decided
to use the three (3) Tektronix Model 514AD
Oscilloscopes as maintenance test equipment. The
three Tektronix oscilloscopes will be delivered to
the customer without shock or vibration mounts.
2. The Band 8 horn, loaned to the customer for testing,
is to be returned following these tests in order to
expedite ordering of these horns by the sub-
contractor.
CONFIDENTIAL
3. An Ampex Model 800, multiple channel, tape recorder
is to be furnished to Philco by the customer for
testing the circuitry used in conjunction with this
piece of equipment. This recorder is to be furnished
with AM/P'WM Record Amplifiers. The recorder networks
are to be designed for actual recorder bandwidths.
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H-2061/ARA/70/56 -2- 6 February 1956
4. ~ is to build eighteen (18) additional video
pre-amplifiers of the 750 KC bandwidth type to be
included as additional spares. The contract is to
be amended to allow for additional spares.
5. The contract is also to be amended to allow for
more antenna spares.
6. A contract amendment approval to allow for the
additional scope, filters and calibrators, is
expected in 0 by February 3-
7, The antenna structure is to be designed with a
flat base mount at present. A final decision on
the method of mounting is to be made on or before
February 10 by the customer.
8. The relay to be used for actuating an external
camera will be a momentary closing type with one
extra set of contacts for controlling an external
alarm circuit. The camera and the alarm equipments
are not to be furnished by 0.
9. The possibility of seeing the I is almost
nonexistent. Therefore, the questions about the
and the other structures which
may interfere with or cause inaccuracies in the
operation of the H-2061 equipment are left
unanswered at this time. In the event information
pertaining to the vessel is transmitted to
by the customer in time to modify the existing
design, if modification is required, this will be
done. However, due to the time delay involved and
the added cost incurred in making design changes it
may not be advisable to make any modifications after
February 10.
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10. The customer has suggested that certain balancing
controls be changed in location so as to be accessible
from the front panel of the console unit. I is 25X1
to investigate the modification and to determine the
feasibility of the redesign. In the event that the
change is physically possible thee will be a time delay
and added cost incurred in both the redesign work
and procurement of special subminiature potentiometers.
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un` TtAL
H-2061/ARA7 156 -3- 6 February 1956
11. The console unit is to be designed to have all
connectors except the phone Jack and the camera
actuate connector at the rear. The customer is to
determine the advisability of changing the recorder
connectors to a four terminal type plus a four
conductor shielded cable. If no decision is forth-
coming before March 1 from the customer the design
will continue as is.
12. The voltmeter at the front of the console is to
have an expanded scale with no marking except for
fully charged and recharge indicator lines.
13. The customer is to provide 0 with an average
PRR6 crystal video receiver on a loan basis in order
to compare the noise ,.performance of the SBT video
pre-amplifiers with the PRR6 used as a standard.
The PRR6 has a one megacycle bandwidth.
14. The customer is to return the miniaturized 750 KC
video pre-amplifier sent for evaluation. This unit
is to be rechecked to determine why it failed.
15. The battery charging problem was discussed. No
decision was reached on whether 0 is to supply
charging equipment. It is knon that a power source
exists aboard ship of the 110 volt - 60 cps type.
A decision on charging facilities must be made by
March 1 in order that suitable equipment be made
available,
16.
The antenna shutter question was discussed. If the
subcontractor finds it necessary to use a mechanical
system to operate the shutters for bands 7 and 8,
the mechanical and electrical controls shall be
designed to operate simultaneously from one control
point.
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