EQUIPMENT BOARD MINUTES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01578A000100110011-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 23, 2000
• Sequence Number: 11
• Content Type: MIN

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EQUIPMENT BOARD
MINUTES
Meeting number 3-67 of the Equipment Board was held on 10 May 1967
in the OC Conference Room Headquarters Building. Those present were:
DD/CO (Chairman)
OC -E
OC-0
OC-S
OC-OS
25X1A OC-P
OC-P
OC-SP
OC -E
OC-OS
OC-A/B&F
OC-OS (Secretary)
I. OLD BUSINESS
None
II. NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation for disposition of RS-6 (OC-OS)
Standardization - Gates ST-3A transmitter (OC-E)
1. Introduction
The purpose of this meeting was to review and take appropriate
action on the above recommended programs.
a. Disposition of RS-6 - The following outlines inventory
status of the RS-6 radio system as of 10 May 1967:
QUANTITY
368
20
1933
54
25X1 A 50
T
QUANTITY
378
739
Apped For
RS-6 INVENTORY
LOCATION CONDITION DOLLAR VALUE
C-1 $163,774
C-5 8,900
C-1 860,262
C-1 24,032
C-1 22,252
$1,079,220
RS-6A INVENTORY
CONDITION
C-1
C-1
DOLLAR VALUE
$17d,601
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RS-6 INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS
QUANTITY LOCATION
CONDITION
DOLLAR VALUE
53 (RR-6)
C-1
$4,770
19 (RR-6A)
C-1
1,710
25X1A
58 (RT-6)
C-1
8,700
65 (RT-6A)
C-1
9,750
238 (Filter Unit)
C-1
29,750
3 (Maint. Kit)
C-1
836
$555
25X1A
There are also numerous small parts (capacitors, resistors, etc)
which are used in repair of RS-6 equipment but are not identified as
part of the RS-6 system.
b. eviewed the history of the RS-6 and the require-
ments for which it was designed and procured; circa 19+9-1951. The
set was built as a manual keying, low-cost, and light-weight replace-
ment for the World War II SSTR-l. At the time, Agency plans focused
on large scale stay-behind activities and strategic reserve/war
planning programs. However, world conditions did not require imple-
mentation of contingency plans and as a result RS-6 equipments were
not used at the anticipated rate. Another factor that has had a
bearing on limited use of RS-6 equipments was technical advancements
made in the development of clandestine radio systems starting about
1957-58. The advent of transistors, medium speed keying, and improved
electronic packaging techniques allowed development of more reliable
and sophisticated agent radios. While, over the years, RS-6's have
been used where practical, no significant inventory reduction has
been possible. Changing operational concepts coupled with technical ad-
v,ancements have rendered the RS-6 obsolete in all respects. It was
noted that newer equipments are available to replace RS-6 sets in
strategic reserve if such action is necessary.
c. Next the Board discussed methods for disposition of the
RS-6 inventory:
25X1A
(1) Offer to military
charge.
(2) Dispose of through GSA for public market surplus
sale.
(3) Dispose of by destruction.
25X1A
25X1A
Because the set is obsolete, it would not be acceptable to the
military. The Air Force has long since discarded the RS-6's they
purchased a number of years ago. It would not be good policy to
offer obsolete equipment to hich cannot be
supported technically. And the surplus sale of equipments which are
readily identified with CIA could if they "turn up" in the wrong
places prove to be of embarrassment to the Agency. Security con-
siderations alone seemingly would rule out any surplus sale con-
sideration. A fui:ther potential embarrassment that could result from
sale as surplus would be the possible availability to
at a price of $25-00 to $50.00 of a radio set for whicl t e h d paid
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approximately 0+50.00.
25X1A
d. described the Gates ST-3A transmitter and its
application in Agency communication systems - both staff and clandestine.
The Board agreed that the transmitter meets requirements and that
it should be made an item of standard equipment.
3. Conclusions
a. The RS-6 is an obsolete equipment and no useful purpose can
be served by its retention in stock. Because it is obsolete and
cannot be supported technically, it would not be good polic
to
y
25X1A offer it to the U.S. Military even on a "no
charge" basis. Additionally i wou no be in the interest of
the Agency to offer the RS-6 for surplus sale because it is readily
identified as a CIA equipment. All members agreed that disposition
of the RS-6 inventory should be accomplished by "disposal by destruction"
and that such procedure should be recommended to the Office of
Logistics.
b. The Gates ST-3A transmitter is an essential item and should
be placed on the Standard Equipment List.
4+. Recommendations
a. OC-E/MSB should take the necessary action to initiate
disposal procedures for the RS-6. Disposal of the total inventory
to be made in appropriate increments. Because of security and
other considerations involved, the Office of Logistics should be
urged to accomplish disposal by destruction. Also MSB should arrange
for the recall and/or local dispositions of RS-6's in overseas stock.
y
ac
on
25X1A transmitter on the Standard Equipment List.
b. OC-E is to take necessar
ti
to place the Gates ST-3A
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AGENDA
EQUIPMENT BOARD MEETING
Meeting No67
Date 10 May 1967
Time ; 11+00
Place OC Conference Room - 2D03 Headquarters Building
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
(a) Recommendation for disposition of RS-6 Radio Equipment
(b) Standardization of Gates ST-3A Radio Transmitter
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP79-01578A000100110011-6