Radar Maintenance
The month of November was characterized by frequent and severe wind storms. Winds in excess of 100 MPH were encountered many times during the reporting period. During a storm on 18 November 1955, the radome covering the height finder was punctured by a piece of wood blown by high winds. Through the alertness of men on duty operating the pressurizing system, the pressure was maintained within the radome for the duration of the storm. The hole was promptly patched after the storm had subsided, thus rendering the radome serviceable.
On 21 November the antenna of the prime search radar was destroyed by high winds. The antenna was destroyed when a storm interrupted the erection of an experimental Rigid Radome. The rubber radome was removed on 20 November and the erection of the Rigid Radome started immediately. Upon receiving a storm warning on 21 November all work was stopped on the Rigid Radome and the equipment was lashed to the tower in an attempt to prevent it from being damaged by the winds forecasted. At 2303 hours local, 23 November 1955, the first indication that the partially erected Rigid Radome was stating to break apart were noted. At this time the station was experiencing wind velocities in excess of 110 MPH. The Rigid Radome continued to break apart for the next eight hours until it was totally destroyed. Pieces of the radome were blown to the south and struck adjacent buildings and corridors. Damage was caused to the buildings in three places. The antenna was completely destroyed by the severe winds and the flying Rigid Radome in particular.
Communications
The shortage of UHF antennas has become critical. With the loss of five antennas during the last storm we now have four in operating condition. Severe icing and high winds resulted in the complete destruction of the antennas.
Frequent power failures at the transmitter site, due to continuous storms from 18 November to date, have seriously hampered radio communications. UHF and VHF emergency channel transmitters have been moved into Operations, thus enabling these channels to operate during such failure periods. Without power it was impossible to de-ice the LF antenna, and as a result it came down several times during the reporting period. Two T-282 UHF radio transmitters were out of commission due to power failure and loss of antennas. This section has been greatly crippled by the severe storms encountered by this station.
The following equipment was inoperative from 17 November because of power failure and the loss of antennas caused by severe storms during that month; four FRT-502 transmitters, one TH-49 transmitter, two TH-41 transmitters, one GRC-27 transmitter, and one civilian homer beacon.
Due to snow, ice, and high winds breaking dropwires, the telephone drops at the lower camp are in poor operating condition. Weather conditions together with the shortage of personnel makes getting to the lower camp to repair damage difficult.
Supply
Upon termination of the November storm, damage was surveyed and ROCP requisitions were submitted to the support base for the prime search radar. Positive supply action has been taken on all items by Goose Air Base with notification of action to this unit and 64th Air Division (Defense). The prime search radar is still inoperative at the end of this reporting period.