number of transmitters.
During the interim phase, experiments were con-~
ducted by TG 7.5 which proved the feasibility of extending VHF range to"
cover the Bikimt*Atoll—Eniwetok Atoll area, This VHF link has given ex-*'
cellent service and, as a result, communication between Eniwetok “Atoll” and’
Bikini Atoll was the most reliable of all circufts. In ‘addition to’ telephone”*
and teletype circuits carried on this link, in June of 1956 ‘the’‘remaining
“channels wereutilized to extend the range of voice’ ciphony equipment from
the Bikini to the Enfwetok area,
"” Off-atoll communication circuits were required to provide’ communtca=
tion service to Wotho Island, Wotho Atoll; Wake Island, Marshall ‘Islands;
Eniwetok Island, Rongerik Atoll; Kusaie Island, East Caroline ‘Islands; and*”
Ujelang Atoll. Communication equipment, cryptographic equipment, andpersonnel required for this service were provided by CJTF 7 Weather Detach="
ment. The JTF 7 Net was used for Kusaie, Rongerik, and Wake, while at
Wotho and Ujelang communication stations were established to serve the
projects. In order to provide cryptographic training and to provide time ,
studies for messages on off-atoll circuits, a series of drill ‘messages
'
was 4
sent during the month of April 1956.
These drill messages‘disclosed mes *
sage handling weaknesses which were corrected prior to the’first!eventbfte
the series,
Short range communications for TG 7.1 were provided: by ‘EG&G © a
(TU-7.1.5) using commercial equipment, and TG 7.5 using DOD equipment.
Antenna location was given prime consideration in the planning phaseof'
Redwing. Shipboard antenna and coaxtal cabling were installed ‘at West Coast
shipyards on the large vessels. Equipment was installed asships arrived"
in the FA.
Installation of antennae and leads at locations in the PPG began fnJanuary 1956, As stations were completed, masts were erected and antenna
lead-in wire installed.
As users arrived, their sets were installed. ba
This task group used 134 Motorola transceivers, 34° remote units, 28%~
Handi-Talkies and 11 pack sets to activate eight voice nets. fi additionto”
the above commercial equipment, approximately 40 AN/VRC-18 and 20 “:
AN/PRC-10 units were utilized to cover four nets serving DOD projects, o
*Operation Castle proved the need for an adequate TG 7.1 control point
afloat, in addition to the control points ashore on Enyu Island and Parry”
Island. After the USS Curtiss (AV-4) was designated CTG 7.1 Command ~
Ship, plans were submitted for a complete Control Station to be located just
aft of Flag Plot on the 03 Deck, Prior to the Curtiss’ departure for PPG,
this installation was completed. This control point was used to remotely
fire was in stand-by condition for all other Bikini events. ©
A teleconference capability was established from Parry Island to Enyu
Island and USS Curtiss (AV-4) in the PPG. Additionally, there was the
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