US Army Wire Communication WW I to Present

US Army Wire Communication WW I to Present

Communication: The Signal Corps

During and after the war with Spain the Signal Corps rendered an important service in the construction, rehabilitation, and operation of telephone and telegraph lines, including the laying of several cables. It was during this period that the Signal Corps turned increasingly to the radio as a means of communication, but advances were also made in telephony and telegraphy.

An act of May 26, 1900, provided for an extensive system of military telegraph and cable lines in Alaska. Although radio stations were installed as early as 1903, it was not until early 1930's that the submarine cable system and all telegraph stations, with the exception of the line along the Alaska Railroad, were replaced by radio equipment. Experiments in air observation through the use of balloons had been conducted as early as the Civil War. Office Memorandum No. 6, dated August 1, 1907, created an Aeronautical Division within the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. Seven years later, an act of July 18, 1914, authorized the establishment of an Aviation Section within the Signal Corps. Army aeronautics continued to be a function of the Signal Corps until May 20, 1918, when all air service activities were transferred to the Bureau of Military Aeronautics and the Bureau of Aircraft Production.

When the War Department library was under the Chief Signal Officer between 1894 and 1904, the Signal Corps had acquired photographs and negatives of historical value, including the Brady Civil War Collection. In 1917 responsibility for ground photography was also done by the Signal Corps. When aviation activities were divorced from the Signal Corps in 1918, all aerial and ground photography pertaining to aviation activities was transferred to the Air Corps. The Signal Corps continued to have responsibility for maintaining the historical files of still and motion pictures, the production of training film, and other ground photographic work not specifically assigned to other services. In 1925 the Signal Corps became responsible for the pictorial publicity work of the Army.

During World War I the Signal Corps provided special meteorological service for the Army, and because of continued special needs of the Air Corps and other branches of the Army, this service was continue until 1937, when the operation of meteorological service was transferred to the using arms. Responsibility for the development, procurement, supply and maintenance of meteorological equipment was retained by the Signal Corps until the Army Air Forces took over the research and development programs for meteorological and other air-related equipment in the fall of 1944.

In 1914 both radios and telephones were the main ways of communication. These were very vital for the troops in trenches. However, that did not mean that messengers, dogs and pigeons were out of business. Although communication systems remained quite primitive during the war compared with today's standards, there were significant improvements by 1918. For example, early model Continuous Wave (CW) wireless (radio) sets and "spark" or "loop" sets were a great development on earlier systems of communication. With them, different groups on the battlefield could communicate quickly, without requiring men as messengers. The role of these systems was primarily to transmit messages from relay stations to battalions and brigade headquarters during the fighting. The radio system used by the Royal Air Force, although fairly unsophisticated, allowed aerial views of troop movements to be communicated faster and more effectively. For more on this, read about the battle of Hamel.

Tactical communications made a further leap forward with the development of the telephone in the 1880s. It was used in the trenches of World War One, but depended upon the laying of land lines. These early telephone systems were not mobile, so radio (a development from the telegraph, and then known as the 'wireless' because it was not dependent on external electrical wiring) played a crucial role in communications - although radio sets were not very portable either.

On March 1, 1923, the War Department Message Center was organized and established in the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. The special wire and radio service it provided for the War Department and other Government agencies to important contributions of the Signal Corps during World War II. The scope of Signal Corps activities was greatly expanded during World War II. As headquarters office for one of the major technical services (placed organizationally under the Army Service Forces from March 1942 to June 1946), the Office of the Chief Signal Officer was responsible for supervising the research and development, maintenance, and supply programs of all signal, electronic, meteorological, photographic, cryptographic, and related equipment and supplies, except communications and weather equipment used exclusively by the Army Air Forces; the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Army's major wire and radio communication systems and networks; and the production, collection, and preservation of still and motion pictures, except for photographic materials peculiar to air operations. The Office also exercised certain technical supervision over the training of Signal Corps troops.

U. S. ARMY WWI FIELD TELEGRAPH SET: In well worn brown leather case marked "SERVICE BUZZER, SIGNAL CORPS U. S. ARMY, MODEL 1914. Manufactured by Stromberg Carlson Tel Mfg Co., Rochester, NY IN 1917. A tiny Telegraph key is integrated into the unit and can be pressed with the cover closed in mud and rain through a thin leather area on the cover. Includes the original headphones and hard-to-find adjusting tools.

Same as above but mfg in 1918 Less headphones & adjusting tools.

WWI FIELD TELEGRAPH/TELEPHONE SET: Enclosed in a nicely finished wooden box, this set contains the same style of key that is found in the WWI 1914 service buzzer set. The handset hangs on a hook which folds out of the case and there is a ringing magneto with folding crank handle and battery compartment for "D" cells. Manufactured by KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD SUPPLY CO., Chicago, U.S.A.

Post WW I Field Telegraphs sets and Field Telephones

CAMP TELEPHONE MODEL A. This was a redesign to use only one BA-1 battery of the EE-3B, which was converted after WWI from the EE-3 which contained a buzzer for Morse signaling over connections too poor for voice use. Unfortunately the Germans discovered how to pickup the electromagnetic waves and/or earth currents at quite a distance from such wired devices and rendered their use unknowingly insecure. This didn't dissuade the British from continuing to use Fuller Phones (U.S. equivalent model EE-1) during W.W.II. I've seen photos of the devices the Germans used to "listen-in" but so far know of no one who has preserved such a device.

EE 1 Field telephone

WW II Field Telegraphs sets and Field Telephones

The US did go through a series of telephones going from the 1918 Service Buzzer in a leather case to the EE 3 Field telephone in a wooden case to the EE 5 Field Telephone in a leather case and then to the EE 8 telephone. By the start of WW II, the EE 8 in a leather case was standard issue. Early experience in the Pacific showed that leather did not hold up well and the EE 8 was then put in a canvas case.

The TG-5 telegraph set came out in the mid 1930s, more than a decade after the Fuller Phone. It uses an interrupter that is essentially an earphone with a carbon contact type switch driven by the diaphragm. The TG-5 must be operated with the bottom of the case level for the interrupter to work properly. It runs at about 1 kHz.

The signal sent over the wire is a DC level, not an audio tone. There's a sensitive relay that detects this DC current and when it closes sounds the tone (if the hi impedance headphone is physically plugged into the jack-switch) or sounds the door bell if the plug is removed.

The interrupter is a clever way to generate a 1 kHz tone without any tubes or transistors.

This is not a phone, but a Morse code set that works with a pair of field wire or more commonly with a single wire (or phantom wire) and an Earth ground. 4 x 7 x 5" high. Uses 2 ea. BA-30 "local batteries" and one each (or more if needed) BA-2 22.5 Volt "line Battery". The 22.5 Volt BA-2 has wire leads to connect to the binding post. The two BA-30 "D" flashlight cells go in a compartment on the back of the box. Uses a single earphone (HS-32) that stows in the top right of the box. The top left is the larger battery compartment. These work with a single wire line and a ground return path, similar to the Fuller phone using a 1,000 Hz tone generated by in interrupter BZ-7-N.

TM 11-351 Telegraph Sets TG-5 and TG-5-A, Sep 22, 1941.

Change 2, dated 22 July 1943 adds the "B" revision. The "B" version weight 7 lbs, compared to 6 lbs for the "A" versions caused by the box being made of steel instead of Aluminum on the "A" versions. There are also newer versions of the interrupter (BZ-7-N) and relay (BK-7-B) in the "B" version The "A" versions have adjustments "spring" and "gap" while the "B" version has a single "adjust" for relay optimization.

TG 5 A Telegraph set

EE 3 Field telephone

EE 5 Field telephone

EE 8 Field Telephones

The U.S. Army Field Telephones EE-8, EE-8A, and EE-8B is a portable field telephone designed for use on either local or common battery telephone systems. The talking and signaling range varies with the type of wire used, the condition of the wire (dry, wet, frayed) and whether the wire is on the ground or in the air. As a local battery telephone, a talking range of 11 to 17 miles is typical, suitable for Corps area usage.

The phones are contained in a case approximately 9.5 x 7.75 x 3.5 inches weighing about 9.75 pounds including battery. The EE-8-A and -B are a little larger than the EE-8. The main difference between the EE-8 and the other models is that a section of the case lid has been cut out and replaced by flexible material to enable the handset to be hung on the case in a position to hold down the lever switch.

At the start of World War II, the EE-8 in a leather case with a leather strap was standard issue. However, experience in the Pacific showed right away that leather did not hold up and the EE-8 leather case was replaced by an olive drab canvas case with web strap. The EE-8 and EE-8A utilize an aluminum chassis while the EE-8B chassis is sheet steel.

The EE-8 was used from early in World War II through the Vietnam War. Its last production had a nylon case and straps, after the changeover to that material in 1967.

At the top of the phone, exposed when the cover is opened, there is a terminal block. All control switches and binding posts for wire are contained on the terminal block. The lever switch is curved and spring loaded so that it is depressed when the weight of the handset is rested on it (EE-8 is off line, switch open). The EE-8 comes on the line when the handset is lifted (switch closed).

A 90-100 volt, 20 Hz hand-cranked ringing generator GN-38 is contained in the case of an EE-8 or EE-8A while the GN-38A or GN-38B is used with the EE-8B. The crank is operated from the side of the case. The TS-9-F Handset connects to the EE-8 or EE-8A and is stored in the case, in an open area accessible when the top cover is open. The EE-8B has similar handset TS-13-E. Two BA-30 1.5 volt D-cell batteries are installed in the battery compartment reached from the terminal block area at the top-inside of the case.

How to use the EE-8 Field Phone

Operation of the phone is the same with all models.

Point to Point Operation. In point to point circuits, local battery operation is used and the pair of phones on each end of the circuit are connected directly together (no switchboard). The hand-cranked generator is used to signal the other station. Ranges up to hundreds of miles are possible under ideal conditions with high quality wire.

Switchboard Operation. Switchboards may be used in local battery mode or common battery mode. In local battery operation, all EE-8 phones are connected to the switchboard which can connect any pair as necessary. The hand-cranked generator is used to signal the switchboard. Several local battery switchboards can be connected together by trunks; any telephone of any of the switchboards can be connected to any other phone. Use of a switchboard in local battery mode reduces the distance that the signals will carry.

Common battery mode switchboard operation involves common battery signaling and local battery transmission. The local EE-8 must have batteries and the handset switch must be operated when talking. The lever switch of the telephone is used to signal the switchboard operator.

EE-8 Field Phone Accessories

The EE-89 Telephone Repeater may be used to increase the distance between EE-8 field telephones, up to double. The EE-89 is powered by a single BA-40 (See TM 11-2006).

In arctic weather, the BA-2030/U Battery should be used in place of the BA-30.

The technical manual for the EE-8 phones is TM 11-333.

EE 65Test set, Canvas cased EE 8 and an early leather cased EE 8 field telephones

The EE-65 Wire Chief's Test Set

The EE65 was primarily used in forward areas, usually by an enlisted technician called a "Wire Chief". The Wire Chief would have been responsible for a group of signalmen up to platoon size and would have the responsibility of coordinating the laying of wire, the maintenance of wire and the recovery of wire

Field Telephone switchboards

During the interwar years, funding for research on new signal equipment was limited and what funds were available went into research and development of radio communications. As a result, our telephone switchboards were essentially WW I technology. Two switchboards were the most common, the BD 71, a 6 line switchboard and the BD 72 a 12 line switchboard.

The BD71 was primarily used in forward areas, typically at the company level. This switchboard has 6 lines that can be used to interface with field telephones, field telegraphs or to radio equipment.

TP 9 Amplified telephone

As allied forces advanced across Europe, communication over greater distances was required. As a result the TP 9 Amplified Telephone and telephone repeaters were fielded. Shown below are the TP 9 Amplified Telephone and the EE 89 Telephone repeater.

EE-89 Telephone repeater

Two wire voice frequency intermediate repeater for use on lines with 20 or 1000-cycle signalling. Provides thru simplex telegraph operation. Uses one battery BA-40 which last for about 2 weeks.

EE 89 Telephone Repeater

EE-99 Telephone repeater

Four wire voice frequency telephone repeater for use on wire and cable facilities with 20 or 1000-cycle signaling. Contains hybrid coil equipment for providing a two-wire termination on one side of repeater when used at a terminal or at a junction with two-wire line. With simplex telegraph operation 1000-cycle signaling required. Uses power unit PE-204 or three batteries BA-23 and four BA-36.

Korean War Era Telephones

Successor Equipment to the EE-8 Field Telephone

The rugged light-weight Telephone Set TA-312/PT was the main successor to the EE-8 field phone. As another analog 2-wire phone, it will interoperate with the EE-8. The TA-312 was used from the 1950s, while the EE-8 was still in service, through the 1980s.

The TA-43 was a successor to the EE-8 field phone used all through W.W.II and will inter operate with the EE-8, being an analog 2 wire system. The TA-312 was a successor to the TA-43. This is one of those Army products that's made to be indestructible and last forever like the PRC-90 & URC-10 survival radios. The TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s. Replaced by the TA-838 which is the current (2003) analog field phone.

TA 312 Field Telephone

These have been available surplus since late 1960. It uses 2 each BA-30 ("D") batteries when in the Local Battery (LB) mode. There is a canvas case with a shoulder strap that can also be used to hang the phone.

TA-312 TM 11-2155 dated 27 Dec 1957 had the following changes:

C4 18 Nov 1963 then went to TM 11-5805-201-12 dated June 1967 and includes changes 1 & 2 but does not mention the TA 955.

It can also be connected to the Plain Old Telephone System, as a receive only extension in stock form, or when the optional TA-955 Touch Tone pad is installed as a fully functioning phone.

MIL-T-14358C is the spec for the TA-312 and a copy is dated 7 Sep 1989.

12 Dec 1991 the spec was modified. 29 March 1996 that spec was deactivated.

6 May 1999 the modified spec was cancelled.

Probably replaced by the TA-838 and/or digital phones like the TA-954, TA-1042, etc.

TA-312 parts TM 11-5805-201-20P dated July 1977 includes change 1 does not mention the TA955.

Touch Tone dialing was introduced in the early 1960s and I would guess that's when the TA955 came out. The TA977 is an almost identical TT pad and works with the SB-22 switchboard.

Retrofit Kit for TA-312 Magneto Field Telephone

The TA-312 Magneto Field Telephone, has been serving worldwide for many decades, as a front line telephone connection between two or more units, directly or through telephone exchange.

Due to world wide demand to improve the TA-312 telephone to a more sophisticated one, Peryphon projected, designed, and manufactured a suitable improvement RETROFIT Kit. The retrofit replaces its mechanical parts into electronic ones, leaving the same characteristics, and adding some new features. This ready to install RETROFIT has already been performed in tens of thousands of Army TA-312 phones. The retrofit is comprised of the following :

1. Replacing the manual generator by an electronic capsulated one, having the same dimensions.

2. Adding a warning LED for “Low Battery”.

3. LED indicator holding ring for 20 seconds, and outgoing warning ring released by PTT push.

4. Push button, replacing the rotating handle system.

SB-22/PT TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARD

The SB-22/PT telephone switchboard is a lightweight, battery-operated, field switchboard that has 12 interconnecting voice- frequency circuits. The SB-22/PT is normally used to interconnect local-battery telephone circuits, remote-controlled radio circuits, and voice-frequency teletypewriter circuits. Four BA-30 flashlight batteries provide 3 volts of direct current for its operation. The SB-22/PT has a range of 14 to 22 miles. The switchboard unit weighs about 30 pounds. The SB-22/PT consists of four basic parts: the operator's pack); the line and trunk pack ; the accessory kits; and the handset-headset). Before operating the SB-22/PT switchboard, you should first become familiar with the different controls.

SB 22/PT 12 line switchboard

Post Vietnam Telephones

TA 838 Telephones

SB 993/GT Manual switchboard

SB-993/GT MANUAL SWITCHBOARD: Designed for quick connection and takedown of up to six battery or sound powered field phones (such as EE-8, TA-1, TA-43, TA-312), plus an operator unit. Consists of seven U-184/G terminal plug-jacks that plug into (stack onto) the rear of another U-184. Active lines make neon lamp in U-184 glow as an indicator. Also should include MT-2156/GT metal case. 1.3x12x3"

Military type Autovon sets

These sets were built to meet the needs of the US military during the cold war to be able to set priority of a call on the now decommissioned Autovon (nuke hardened) "AUTOmatic Voice Over Network" phone network. These lines were buried 35 feet or more under ground and encased in conduit and concrete. It was hoped that this network would survive a first strike by the USSR. This system was less vulnerable to attack then today's satellite system.

The extra column of keys set the priority of your call, Priority, Immediate. Flash & Flash Override

Digital Military Terminals (These have both telephone and data connections)

The Digital Non-secure Voice Terminal (DNVT) TA-954/TT is a four-wire terminal contained in a ruggedized case, which transmits and receives conditioned diphase-modulated digitized voice and loop signaling information at 16 or 32 kb/s. The DNVT has a 16-key push button keyboard, receiver and ring volume controls, an incoming call/off-hook indicator light, and writing pad. It contains built-in protection from nuclear energy electromagnetic pulses and lightning. Handset H-350/U is issued with the DNVT. The microphone element is activated when the handset is removed from the cradle (hot mike). The push-to-net radio interface switch is only pressed to key the C-6709. The DNVT provides a digital communications interface with Tri-Service Tactical Communications (TRI-TAC) and Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) circuit switches.

As far as I know this phone can NOT work with another phone of the same model, it only works with a digital switch. If you know other, please let me know.

TM 11-5805-735-12 DIGITAL NON-SECURE VOICE TERMINAL, TA-954/TT, PART NO. 23400-502 (NSN 5805-01-159-9691) {TO 31W1-2TT-161; EE165-DA-OMP-010; TM 08789A-12/1}

TA-1035/U Digital Non-secure Voice Terminal

NSN: 5805-01-246-6826

Reference: TM 11-5805-761-12&P

TM 11-5805-761-13&P TELEPHONE, DIGITAL, NON-SECUR TA-1035/U (NSN 5805-01-246-6826) (EIC: HHT) MSE (THIS ITEM IS INCLUDED IN EM 0075) - restricted

As a prime subscriber terminal, the TA-1035/U provides full-duplex, conditioned, diphase digital voice and loop signaling information with wire and mobile access equipment. It also provides supervisory, clock, plain text, and voltage reference signals with data devices. The TA-1035/U provides a data port for interfacing the communications terminal (CT) and AN/UXC-7 data devices to the echelons corps and below (ECB) network. The TA-1035/U operates in a common-battery power mode, deriving its power from the switch line termination circuit.

As far as I know this phone can NOT work with another phone of the same model, it only works with a digital switch. If you know other, please let me know.

TA-1042 Digital Non-Secure Voice Terminal (DNVT)

Reference: TM 11-5805-780-12&P

The digital nonsecure voice terminal (DNVT) is a ruggedized field telephone. It is operable as a tabletop device in tents, shelters, and office environments. It also may be operated outdoors while strapped to a tree or pole. The DNVT is designed for durability to exposure of the elements during operation and transportation. Voice communication is accomplished through the handset. Digital data from an external device interfaces through the TA-1042A/U's digital data port (DDP). The DNVT transmits and receives full duplex, conditioned diphase digital voice and loop signaling information at 16 or 32 kb/s rates. The DNVT is a nonsecure telephone with no encryption capability. It digitizes voice information using continuously variable slope delta (CVSD) modulation. Digital communication transmissions, both to and from the DNVT, are accomplished using a conditioned diphase (CDP) data transmission method. This is accomplished by using the DDP. The DNVT operates in both common battery mode and local battery point-to-point mode, but not simultaneously. Two of these phones will talk to each other.

TA-341/TT Touch Tone Desk Set

General Information

The TA-341/TT is a four-wire, transistor, local-battery telephone intended for use in sheltered areas. It is designed for use with tactical automatic switches but also can be used in a point-to-point mode. Up to four sets can be bridged across a single four-wire line for extension service. DTMF tones activated by a push-button key sender are used for signaling.

Technical Characteristics

Range. . . . . . . . . . .3 km (2 mi) from AN/TTC-38 under worst conditions

Type of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Local or common battery

Signaling (Outgoing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .900 to 3400 Hz DTMF

Signaling (Incoming) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 V AC, 20 Hz

Type of Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Audible tone, adjustable volume

Power Requirement. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 V DC (four BA-42s or equivalent) "C" cells

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.2 kg (7 lb)

Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10" wide, 9" deep and 4" high. For comparison a Bell System 500 desk set is 5" wide, 8 1/2" deep and 4 1/2" high. The TA-341 takes up more than twice the desk space! Why so big? Answer is maybe because this phone supports three modes of operation (D.C. Supervision, A.C Supervision and Point to Point with either 2 or 4 wire connections.

Sheltered areas means out of the weather, this is a desk phone not a field phone.

The phone comes in a canvas carrying case that is nicely fitted to the TA-341/TT.

There at least 3 versions, TA-341, TA-341A and TA-341B.

Supervisory Modes

Connection to the Public Switched Telephone Netw0rk (PSTN)

Install 4 each "C" batteries in the battery compartment acording to the diagram on the bottom of the phone.

Switch to D.C. SUPV mode of operation.

Connect a standard modular cord to the Red and Green terminals.

Leave the Black and White terminals open.

AC Supervision Mode

When you talk the handset off hook a 2,248 Hz tone is sent out. When the handset is placed back on hook a 2,595 Hz tone is sent for 6 seconds then stops.

When the handset is lifted a 572.7 Hz tone is generated on the Green and Black Transmit pair for 2 seconds to ring the other TA-341 phone.

The Signal Corps: The Emergency (To December 1941)

The Signal Corps: The Test (December 1941 to July 1943)

The Signal Corps: The Outcome (Mid-1943 Through 1945)

The William L. Howard Ordnance Technical Intelligence Museum Collection

Army Field Manuals (FM-#)

Army Technical Manuals (TM-#)

Army Training Manuals

Other "reference" publications

Brooke Clarke's web site