RAC RADIO VP

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Tiberius fairly, Jan 17, 2021.

  1. Tiberius fairly

    Tiberius fairly New Member

    Evening troops

    I need help with the above mentioned topic.

    I’m aware of another post that states that

    eg. A squadron would Able etc

    the troop ic would be able 1 with the troop sergeant being 1A and so on from there

    or is it simply a1 a2 a3 etc ???
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Ron Goldstein , would you be able to help with this as you were a wireless-op ?
     
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  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  4. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    There is an 'example radio net' in the old British Army Handbook, unfortunately unreferenced. That looks to depict an Armoured Regiment, though with four Troops per Squadron, which would date it to 1940-42(ish). Troop IDs are 1A, 1B, 1C, then 2A, 2B, 2C, etc. It may be from the 1943 Signal Training All Arms Pamphlet No.5, which I'm waiting on a digital copy of from the AWM; they are a long way behind on orders of course but not as far as the IWM it seems. I also had a look in the superseding Signal Training All Arms Pamphlet No.7 from March 1945. I only have Part I and it's not mentioned in there (currently trying to track down a copy of Part III, which seemingly offers some examples of unit wireless nets).

    I did pick up a copy of the 1946 issued Signal Tactics Pamphlet 10, Part IV - the Armoured Regiment and the Armoured Car Regiment from the site linked to by VP above. It doesn't go into specifics on subunit call signs though. They do have a comprehensive collection and you can get downloads for free, but they are metered out and heavily watermarked to deter 'touting' I suppose.

    Gary
     
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  5. Tiberius fairly

    Tiberius fairly New Member

    That signals signals is a bit buggy. It’s literally the callsign matrix I’m looking it might’ve been called something different but it’s more settle an argument between and a American. He’s adamant that British tanks used a major minor callsign system (I’ve never heard of it) yet I’m sure it’s the e.g. Ajax 1 for troop commander Ajax 1 A, 1B etc etc. Found a few manuals from vickersmg.org but the vital information still eludes me.
     
  6. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    Well thanks to the wonder of the internet, and the cracking service of the archivist at the University of Victoria, I have got hold of the May 1945 issue of RT Procedure Part III. Signals are something on my 'to understand list' (which is separate from my 'to do' list), and while I am much less frightened of wireless/radio set types and uses than I used to be, understanding procedures is something I haven't yet tired to workout.

    There is in the pamphlet an example of an RAC Regt (of any type) using either a Regimental net or Squadron nets, which are something that I did have to fathom out a long time ago. In brief the Regimental net sees all outstations (that is any vehicle or dismounted set) netted on the same frequency. The benefit is that any Troop, Squadron or RHQ set can contact any other set in the Regt without having to change frequency. The downside is that while one set is broadcasting no other set on the net can do so. The Squadron net sees each of the Sqns set up their own net, so all outstations net on the same frequency as their Sqn HQ. The benefit is that Sqn COs can talk more freely with their Troops, however they cannot contact RHQ without changing frequency. The solution in the British Army was the 'rear link', which was usually the third of four tank in a Sqn HQ being netted to the RHQ frequency. Sqn COs were supposed to communicate regularly with their rear link using the 'B' set of the No.19 set, which was for short distance comms, then the rear link could pass on instructions from RHQ, and pass back info from SHQ by switching back to their own 'A' set.

    The Pamphlet draws a distinction between calls based on whether the Regt is on a Regimental or a Squadron net. For a Regt using separate Sqn nets, and RHQ having the call sign 'Baker', the control set (RHQ) would call as "All stations, Baker". Each Sqn rear link would reply as "Baker One", "Baker Two" and "Baker Three", according to their Sqn. The example for Sqns has B Sqn as link sign BST, with Sqn HQ also call as "All stations, Baker One", with Troops responding as "Baker One", "Baker Two", etc.

    Examples of a unit using a Regimental net include;

    Troop leader of 2 Tp in A Sqn (with link sign George) calling his own tanks as "All stations, George Two Able".
    Squadron leader of A Sqn calling his own Troops as "All stations, George One"

    I know that doesn't make much sense in isolation, however it does depend on the call sign allocations, which I think were a basic three letters, to which could then be added a number and a further letter. These link/call signs would part of the signal plan and were deliberate chosen so as to help disguise the identity of stations from enemy intercept.

    Gary
     
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  7. Tiberius fairly

    Tiberius fairly New Member

    Gary this is awesome. Could o request a small favour and that if you do happen to find any of this e pamphlets could divulge the contents please. This is such a breakthrough
     

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