Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

In underwater operations, the RCA ITV camera is housed inside a watertight steel cylinder devised by technicians of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The cylin- der is mounted in a submersible free-flooded, ball-type "diving bell." Atop the bell, and connected to it by a gear train and yoke assembly, is a watertight electrically driven power unit which permits remote control of the TV camera's scanning action—360 degrees around, and 90 degrees in elevation. What the camera "sees" is projected over a flexible multiconductor cable to a re- mote control TV monitor aboard the Pompano. System Eliminates Risks Mr. Sand pointed out that such a system can con- ceivably be operated at much greater depths than a diver can withstand, and for much longer periods of time. In addition, a television system eliminates any risks which may be incurred when a diver operates an ordinary underwater film camera. "The value of underwater television as an aid to investigations in marine biology has been demonstrated in these operations," Mr. Sand said. "In addition to gear research in the commercial fisheries, it may prove to be of assistance in the delineation and harvesting of clam, oyster and scallop beds. Closer views might also be obtained of bottom formations, bottom-type fish, and fish in their natural habitat. At the present time, these may be located only with difficulty by depth-sounding equipment. "Furthermore, underwater television offers possibili- ties of direct monitoring of water temperatures, current flows, turbidity, and other oceanographic data related to the fisheries." RCAs Pocket-Size Two-Way Radio J- he SMALLEST two-way FM radio ever built is now being tested by the U. S. Army Signal Corps and the Department of Defense as a possible communications device for squads and other small tactical military groups in the field. Developed experimentally by RCA's Engi- neering Products Division, the transistorized instrument is tiny enough to be carried in a shirt pocket, yet power- ful enough for two-way communication over a quarter- mile range. Announcement of the new development was made recently by Theodore A. Smith, Vice-President and Gen- eral Manager of the Engineering Products Division, who disclosed that a quantity of the tiny transceivers had been purchased by the Signal Corps for testing by the Operations Research Office, Department of Defense, at Fort Carson, Colorado. Uses Twelve Transistors Mr. Smith disclosed these details of the unique instrument: Built around twelve transistors and a single electron tube, the pocket-size transceiver is a new design ap- proach to two-way portable radio equipment. The ultra- miniature unit was made possible by the use of tran- sistors and new electronic circuitry which present at the same time advantages of high stability, dependable per- formance, long battery life, and ruggedness. In addition, Smallest portable two-way FM radio ever built is shown in Signal Corps field tests in Colorado. Tiny unit is strapped to soldier's helmet. RADIO AGE 25 he said, the equipment is readily adaptable to fully automatic operation. The transceiver incorporates two simple controls for two-way communication—a push-to-talk button, and a combination of on-off and volume-control switch. No tuning or adjustment is required, and the built-in micro- phone-earphone provides clearly audible reception when it is held several inches from the ear. The receiving unit itself is small enough to store in a vest pocket. Produced as an independent unit for one-way communication, it could be used to link a platoon or squad leader with individual soldiers. The RCA transistorized transceiver weighs only 15 ounces and is about the size of a small tobacco tin.