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ME MORANDUM FOR
ATTENTION
SUBJECT
3 Jan. 64
TSD/CAR MOMO #646
3 January 1963
: Chief, Special Affairs Staff
: Mr. A. Rodriquez
: Radio Switch Equipment for Demolition
Firing Purposes
:
03 1. After our conversation on this subject on 30 December,
the question was discussed with Mr. Jay Alpern.) TSD/AOB, and
Mr. (Lee Poole, TSD/QRF. The following information if forwarded
for your consideration as a result of our discussions.
03
7
2. Mr. Alpern, Audio Operations Branch, recommends two
companies as sources of equipment of this nature. These companies
have experience, under classified contracts with TSD, in producing
reliable equipment for special purposes of this sort. They also,
of course turn out commercial equipment of good quality for normal
communications needs. These companies are:
a.
29,08
Motorola, Chicago, Illinois )
b. Kell, Cambridge, Massachusetts) 29,08
29.29
The TSD VHF radio switch equipment for demolition needs was
developed for us by Motorola. 'Kell-Com') ransistorized sets have
been produced to meet the special needs (not for demolition purposes)
of other SAS projects.
3. In the opinion of both persons consulted, the expenses noted
in our first discussion should have produced a reasonable amount of
workable equipment if the source was both capable and reliable.
TSD recommends the use of frequencies in the VHF/VHF spectrum for
equipment of this sort and crystal tuning control for reasons of reliability,
selectivity and rejection of spurious signals.
4. Inexpensive equipment of Japanese or American manufacture
in the citizen's band frequency ranges for toys, radio control devices,
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Page Two
short range communications, etc., is available from many
manufacturers. Our Quick Reaction Facility can produce a
small number of radio switches based on these devices with a
considerably lesser degree of security from false signal triggering
with a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks. Simple mechanical protection
against accidental triggering can be gained by inclusion of counting
switches, for example, which require a preset number of firing
impulses intentionally transmitted to produce the final closure of
a relay and firing of a charge.
5. Reliability of operation in terms of response to a
transmitted signal of a given power is quite difficult to predict when
conditions of antenna length, orientation and exposure cannot be
foreseen. Location of the receiver.in a target building will also have
a strong bearing on 'range' from the transmitter. Building construction,
intervening obstacles and interference from other nearby radio fre-
quency sources will affect performance of the set.
6. If you wish to discuss the problems in greater depth,
we recommend a conference with audio 'echnicians or engineers.
It may serve to clarify the appropriate „haracteristics which special or m
modified commercial equipment should possess to meet the needs of your
operation. Problems of camouflaging the explosive or incendiary material
to serve operational requirements would be minor compared to the
necessary consideration of effects on the receiver switch concealed
within which could have important effects on performance.
Distribution:
2-C/SAS
AUSTIN M. JONES
C/TSD/CAB/SD
03