looking for information( old military antenna)

[prfgadget]

I am trying to run down information (Technical Manual, Technical Order, Design Drawing’s, Ect. Ect.) on what I am told is a “AS-2802/SRC” “Discage / Discone Antenna”.
These were the antennas used at “Titan Missile Silo’s” as the “Soft Antenna” by the U.S.A.F. during the “Cold War” era.

The Antenna has a frequency range of 2 to 30 Megahertz, is roughly 60-90 feet tall with a 18-24 foot “TOP HAT”.

The only information I think I have is as follows.

Nomenclature: AS-2802/SRC
N.S.N: 5985-01-192-4035
N.I.S. : 01-192-4035
F.S.C. : 5985

Possibly made by Collins Radio as “237-WIX,AS2802/SRC”

This antenna seems to be related to N.E.L.C. : B12771 which refers to a Design Theory paper written in the 1950’s.

The reason I am looking for information is that 40+ years ago , I had the opportunity to use one of these antennas in the Central Highlands of Viet-Nam and was quite impressed with it, I had forgotten all about it until I saw one in a recent “QST” article, now that I am thinking about retiring I would like to try building one or even buying one as surplus if possible.

Any help you can render will be greatly appreciated !

One of the makers (EDO/ail) has been contacted but have yet to respond, and yes, I have checked the arrl antenna book and "googeled" this to death with no real luck .
There is a club that uses one of the collins made antennas at a "Titan site" but they have no info on the antenna .
Tnx , John

 

[prcguy]

Here ya go:
http://gvarc.us/GVARCFrames/Titan/Discone/Discone.htm
I visited the Titan Missile Museum in Tuscon AZ and actually put my hands on this thing. Good thing I didn't have a wrench or wire cutters on me or I may have tried to pack it in the trunk of the car...If your ever near Tuscon I highly recommend the missile tour.
prcguy

 

[prfgadget]

That is the club that want's info also , they don't have it either.

 

[DPD1]

I always wanted to tour that site... That's just another reason to go.

I wouldn't think it would be too hard to build. It's basically just the same old discone formula, only you're just scaling it up. There's probably numerous ways to build it, but I would assume they built the missile one well beyond the quality of what would be necessary for the average person. And I'm also sure Collins probably charged them accordingly.

Dave
www.DPDProductions.com
Antennas & Accessories for the RF Professional & Radio Hobbyist

 

[prfgadget]

As with anything else that say's or even hints at "COLLINS" it means $$$$$$$$$$.
Yes, there are some details available on discone & discage construction even a couple of puter programs , what I am looking for is the actual dementions of the "TITAN SITE" model AND the detail on how the matching and cone "laceing" was done , also the detail on the seperation (phasing?) between the disk and the cone.
All of the above SHOULD be in the "TM or TO" , if someone can find the number I can order one from the library of congress printing office.
but so far no luck , would be even better if someone had the manual and could scan it .

 

[DPD1]

That's a tough one. Though it does look like they have a dimension drawing on that page, just not big enough to read. They must have a bigger copy. As crazy as they are about all the cold war stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if they still keep the design secret.

It's a big one for sure. Your best bet for details might just be going out there and taking photos of everything. If one of those survived it would be a miracle, but it would be cool to say you have a cold war missile silo antenna in your yard. If you built your own, I doubt having the dimensions off a few inches here or there would make much difference.

Dave
www.DPDProductions.com
Antennas & Accessories for the RF Professional & Radio Hobbyist

 

[hoser147]

Hey guys I cant seem to get PCRguys link to open tried different search engines and get no service...............Hoser

 

[mfuller1950]

Hoser,

See if this one will work for you.

http://gvarc.us/GVARCFrames/Titan/Discone/Discone.htm