Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Radio procedure

[Ed Greany <crest25@attglobal.net>]

I must commend Vance on an excellent answer to a simple question. I was
going to answer the question myself being a former bubblehead sonarman
and now very active in communications (ham, GMRS, and business) but I
thought I'd see what came out of the bushes. Ty, you have an entire
lecture below so save this one; it's worth every keystroke.

One area not addressed was what type of equipment to use. Of course
marine radio is on vhf but radio waves don't normally work well
underwater. <joke>.  So, an interphase of UQC (underwater telephone) or
other equipment must be used.

Can anyone here advise what equipment is available and/or they have used
successfully. I had always envisioned something like a BRA-8 (antenna
bouy on a towed line) for a radio antenna or perhaps a floating wire but
there must be some good experience here that are just shy readers.
Please come out and address this important area of subbing.

Thanks again Vance.

Ed Greany, STS-2(SS)
USS Will Rogers (SSBN659) Plankowner

VBra676539@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Ty,
> 
> If you mean radio communications, the protocol is precisely the same as in
> any other boat to boat transmission. Clarity is the key--and keeping the
> chatter to a minimum (especially if you are in my neck of the woods, where
> fishermen gab on the radio like a bunch of crows).
> 
> UQC comms are a different medium. The trick is to speak clearly, use small
> words rather than big ones when possible, and announce yourself. "Surface,
> surface, surface....this is DeepTy" click. Don't start talking about things
> until the guy up top puts his coffee down and gets to the microphone. He (or
> she) should respond to acknowledge that they have heard and are ready to
> listen. "DeepTy, this is surface. Go ahead." or some such. It is often better
> to repeat your commo, to give them time to scribble something in the log, as
> in: "Passing six-zero-zero feet. Repeat, six-zero-zero feet." They will
> reply: "Roger, six-zero-zero" to let you know that they have understood your
> message. Six-zero-zero is easier to understand over the UQC than six-hundred.
> Remember, clarity.
> 
> It is common to report in 100 foot increments when ascending or descending in
> deeper water. You will also want to announce bottom contact and
> situation/condition information (depth, viz, current, bottom condition as
> needed). When you set a course, let them know, or when you do something else
> that will impact their tracking efforts, let them know. If you have
> pre-planned the dive carefully, then most of this will turn out to be
> confirmation of the plan .... we hope.
> 
> Comm checks are typically performed with just a double click on the mike,
> which puts out a biggish pair of acoustic blips that is clearly audible. This
> is a mission choice, maybe every ten or fifteen minutes depending on
> circumstances. This is done to stay in touch and to let people know that all
> is well. The comm check double-click is normally initiated by the surface,
> and responded to by the submarine. You'd be surprised how annoying it is to
> be constantly interrupted by the need to "answer" a comm check. It breaks
> your concentration something fierce. A good dive will have a couple of
> paragraphs in the top-side log and a whole string ot "Comm check--ok" entries.
> 
> When you are surfacing, always stop at some pre-determined depth to let your
> surface support ship know where you are so they can verify that all is clear
> and ready for you to surface. A depth of fifty feet or so is common offshore.
> I'll release a "bubble" from the ballast (air) which is clearly visible on
> the surface and gives them location and direction for recovery. This is in
> addition to the commo telling them what you are up to prior to surfacing. The
> belt and suspenders approach is common practice--better safe than sorry, as
> the old saying goes.
> 
> There were lots of bubbles anyway, as we always surfaced on the main ballast
> system (in the Perry boats and Aquarius) as this allowed us to vent or blow
> as needed to control ascent rate. The VBT was pumped electrically and was
> painfully slow. However, with a hard tank system (like the JSLs or Pisces, or
> K-subs), we did the same using the VBTs, as they were just as quick as the
> Mains and didn't get you going too fast. Remember that the volume of air
> expands in the Mains, and very rapidly, I might add, when you are in shallow
> water or close to the surface. You want to hold 60 - 70 feet per minute or
> thereabouts. Just follow the bubbles up and you'll be fine.
> 
> You haven't lived until you come back to the light from a deep dive and look
> up to see that silvery canopy above you with all the released bubbles from
> your tanks rising around you. It'll take your breath away. Just don't forget
> to call those poor saps on top who didn't get to go. They'll need time to
> finish their balogna sandwiches.
> 
> Best Regards,
> Vance