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Topic: SO Radar Development |
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smallwi
MASTER
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Posted on: Jul 13, 2025 - 2:04pm
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While working through other research I came across extensive files at NARA related to the SO radar development. This radar started development in 1941 as CXBX, later expanded to include the CXBY designation. I am not sure if these are two separate radar developments or they represent the transmit and receive sides of a single radar. In 1943 the designation of the radar was changed to SO.
The development activity was being performed by Raytheon, managed by the Radiation Laboratory at MIT. Documents state the radar was being developed specifically for use on PT boats. The project team from MIT consisted of five engineers. Their names are found in the summary of projects for the lab attached.
The SO development records are held at the NARA Waltham, MA location. Records Group 227, for those familiar with the NARA filing system. Most of the records are still paper, but some have been scanned and available on the NARA website. I will post more information as I review the scanned documents in detail.
Bill
Bill Smallshaw |
Total Posts: 154 | Joined:
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Jul 18, 2025 - 3:05pm
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Thanks Bill!
Looking forward to seeing what more you can find on this.
Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Gerry McGovern
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jul 29, 2025 - 6:15am
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Back in 1979 when I first started working on the tour boat Sightseer (ex-PT-486), we had a vintage RCA radar onboard that was military surplus. It was a 125 volt AC radar that had to 'warm up" like the old TV's back then. The tubes took a bit to reach temperature. Once warmed up and adjusted, the images on the screen were amazing sharp! As time moved on, there was only one radar technician locally in New Jersey that still knew how to work on this unit. As the screen started failing, he mentioned that parts were no longer available and it was time to get a modern radar. The owner of the boat purchased a 12 volt DC Furuno radar. After installation, he had the installing back numerous times because of the poor quality of the target returns. He finally stated that, "that is the best picture you are going to get on a radar and that there is nothing wrong with the unit". The reality was, that modern Furuno radar painted targets like blobs whereas the old RCA radar would send a clear, sharp image of each target return. On that RCA radar, you could easily see the pointy end of a ship! The Furuno just showed round blobs. After 40 years of sailing as Captain on many different boats and ships and experiencing all types of radar over my years, no radar picture has ever matched the clarity of that RCA radar! In this picture, you can see the RCA radar antenna in the center and the Furuno radar antenna offset to the port side.
Former crew member of the Big Blue Sightseer ex-PT 486 |
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