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 Author  Topic: TCS antenna
Bob

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob  Posted on: May 13, 2013 - 6:12am
Is it true that you could get shocked badly if you touched the tcs antenna while broadcasting?

Bob

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Frank Andruss

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank Andruss   Send Email To Frank Andruss Posted on: May 13, 2013 - 6:40am
Not a Radio Expert, but I had heard the same thing from one of the PT BOAT VETS who had served as Radio Operator on PT-143. He said with the wet properties of the Ocean, that when transmitting that pole was hot. Now I never heard of anyone getting shocked, but in the book Know your PT BOAT it does say that the antenna is hot and never to touch the antenna.


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Bob

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Bob  Posted on: May 13, 2013 - 1:41pm
It seems strange that the antenna on the Higgins is so exposed. They even had a halyard attached to the top of the antenna to raise signal flags. Ive heard that the shock was so bad that it would cause a burn.

Bob

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Gary Paulsen

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Gary Paulsen   Send Email To Gary Paulsen Posted on: May 13, 2013 - 5:48pm
I'm thinking it was only hot when they were transmitting.
Gary


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  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: May 13, 2013 - 5:55pm
I see the "Know Your PT Boat" booklet says not to touch it.

Antenna.- ....On patrol, it is ordinarily best to use maximum height.... Another thing-lookouts take notice-never touch the antenna, especially in damp weather. During a transmission, it is a veritable powerhouse. No transmissions or receptions can be carried out successfully while you are in contact with the antenna. Brace yourself with the hand rails provided and not with the antenna.

I know the antenna can be disconnected with the antenna disconnect knife switch when it is not being used to reduce the risk of lightning blowing up the radio. You can see the disconnect knife switch just to the right of the radio in the photo of PT631 charthouse. Jerry




Jerry Gilmartin

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