ATCCU HISTORY
102 Communications Flight, working out of Trenton, had a requirement for some sort of portable communications to use when the A/C were on a Search and Rescue mission. Consequently, technicians of RCAF Stn Trenton put together a Station Telecommunications communications package in 1955 for deployed operations. The kit consisted of:
Some transmitters in the 200-500 KHZ range, and 2-30 MHZ Bands, manually tuned and hand calibrated uncalibrated, which meant that frequency meters had to be carried in the kit as well. The transmitters were aircraft equipment so they had to have a power source (28V DC) and a long wire antenna.
A VHF Amplitude Modulated four channel, crystal controlled, manually pre-tuned radio transmitter/receiver for local command/control of aircraft. This transmitter required a 24-28 volt DC power source and special tuning equipment and skills.
Portable antenna mast kits were not-existent at that time, thus technicians had to use telephone poles, trees, buildings, etc. More than once technicians threw a rock, with string attached through a tree, so a rope could be pulled up, which in turn pulled the antenna, thus assuring the radio would work.
The equipment was all World War II vintage, suffered badly from old age, and had poor operating characteristics, but id did the job, with technicians working so long on it, they overcame most of the deficiencies. All equipment was mounted in very heavy 3/4 inch plywood boxes with metal reinforced edges. Boxes plus equipment weighed 800 pounds. Additionally, two 24 volt aircraft batteries (each weighing over 100 pounds) and an aircraft starting Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) weighing some 150 pounds were included. Try wrestling all that out of a CANSO blister into a rowboat on a windy day! Also remember, the old CANSO did not have any equipment doors to help in the transference.
In 1959-60 a new deployable kit was constructed, again by the Trenton Telecom Air Section. The aim was to improve the operating system of the equipment and to reduce the overall weight. The kit consisted of:
an ART/AN-13 Transmitter (ten frequency autotuned) with built-in crystal calibration, combined with an up-to-date version of a BC348 Receiver. The antenna was updated and much easier to set up;
an AN/ICA-67 ten channel pretuned crystal controlled VHF/AM Transceiver; and an SCR274N HF/AM Transmitter adapted with a keyer which could be used as a low-power non-directional beacon.
These were all mounted in lightweight aluminum containers with incorporated folding desks, table lamps etc. A sectional mast antenna was constructed out of TV masts and ropes. A newer style Aircraft APU which did not need several 100 pound batteries was also included.
At this time the RCAF replaced the CANSO with Albatross aircraft. The Albatross was used to carry the gear as well as the Dakota and sometimes an Otter. All these aircraft had new modern gadgets called freight doors which eased the loading/unloading problem.
This kit remained in use for many years and later became the initial kit of the Air Transportable Communication and Control Team (ATCCT) which was established after Air Transport Command was moved to Trenton in 1959.
Initially, the SAR kits were manned by technicians drawn from the Telecom Air section and were required to set-up, operate and maintain the equipment. Later, they were augmented by technicians from the Telecom Ground Section and, on a few deployments, were supported by skilled radio operators from the Trenton Radio room. Interface with the Base was by the Trenton Radio room, which later became the Trenton Military Aeronautical Communications Station (MACS). Eventually, a manning establishment was devised for this team within the Telecom section. This establishment later became the ATCCT. Most deployments were in support of Search and Rescue operations or VIP fishing expeditions, one of which included HRH Prince Philip.
During 1955-58, Air Transport Command decided that an air transportable Ground Controlled Approach System was needed for Box Top operations at Alert and other Northern stations to provide 24/7 operating capability for the C119 Boxcar Aircraft. Canadian Joint Air Training Centre Rivers, Manitoba was tasked to have its Air Traffic Control and Telecom Sections provide such a facility for Transport operations. It consisted of:
a Quadradar with the control/operating console and associated radio equipment enclosed in a tent! (Not the best thing for use in the frozen North in December). This was later replaced by a home-made cabin (which largely resembled an eight-holer), mounted on a WW II bomb trailer. The pedestal was supported on one end of the trailer while the sails were transported inside the cabin. As well as the basic radio and operating consoles, the cabin was fitted with basic living facilities for two men and a rest/workshop area. The prime mover for this equipment was a 4 x 4 commercial pattern pick-up truck with a front-mounted fork lift that was utilized to assemble the pedestal and sails in the field. Power for operations was provided by two 1932 vintage D322 Caterpillar 18KVA Auxiliary power units which were mounted on wheels instead of the original skids.
Updated: November 28, 2004