20) Early Radar at Fort Tilden

20) Early Radar at Fort Tilden

Updated: October 12, 2001

SCR-582 Equipment
(Source: Sika Historical Society

The SCR-582 Radar:
The SCR-582 was a harbor surveillance radar set developed by the MIT Radiation Laboratory during World War 2. This radar was designed to detect the presence of ships and to determine the approximate range and azimuth to the ship. This method of detection was found to be far superior to visual observation as it is capable of detecting ships at night and under conditions of poor visibility (i.e. fog, smoke, etc...) The targets were displayed on a 360 degree cathode ray tube (CRT) called a Plan Position Indicator (PPI). The SCR-582 radar was installed atop the 100' tower near the Silver Gull Beach Club.

SCR-582 Specifications:
Range: 90,000 yds (45 nautical miles)
Frequency: 2.8 GHz (10.7 cm)
Peak Power: 50,000 watts (Avg Pwr=25 watts)
Antenna: Single dipole at focal point of 48" parabolic dish
The SCR-682 was a transportable version of the SCR-582 (Source: TM 11-1512, dated 9/9/44)

SCR-582 Installation at Fort Dawes, Deer Island, Boston Harbor

The SCR-296 Radar:
The SCR-296 was a precision fire-control radar assigned to a particular gun battery. This radar set was also developed by the MIT Radiation Laboratory during World War 2. Once a target was detected visually, or by the SCR-582 radar, the SCR-296 was designed to accurately determine the range and azimuth to the ship. This radar did not sweep in a 360 degree arc like the SCR-582, but showed only a narrow sector controlled by the radar operator.

This radar set consisted of many different electronic components contained in a large cabinet with indicator scopes and control boxes arranged on a large table. The radar set required a crew of four men: a range operator, a range reader, an azimuth operator, and an azimuth reader. A power plant operator was also required. To relieve eye fatigue, it was recommended that operators were changed every thirty minutes.

SCR-296 Components:
Radio Transmitter: BC-717-A
Radio Receiver: BC-716-A
Modulation Generator: BC-720-A
Power Control Panel: BD-108-A
High Voltage Rectifier: RA-50-A
Duplex Panel: BD-106-A
Above units in Cabinet: BE-82-A
Azimuth Oscilloscope: BC-718-A
Control Unit: RM-36-A
Regulated Rectifier: RA-49-A
Azimuth Indicator: I-110-A
Range Oscilloscope: BC-719-A
Range Unit: BC-723-A
Motor Generator: MG-16-A

For more information see http://dogbert.ncr.usace.army.mil/military/derp/fuds/sites97/ptvicmil/oew/asr/findings/e5.htm

(Source: Coast Artillery Training Bulletin Vol 2 No 6, dated June 1943)

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