Posted on 12/13/2019 6:26:40 PM PST by ameribbean expat
Not only were they among the last Boeing 707 derivatives ever built, but they are also packed full of EMP hardened systems and highly skilled crews that would literally hold the world as we know it in their hands during a major crisis. Although advanced and highly secure satellite communications and line-of-sight data-links are critical parts of their capability set, a far more cumbersome system is used to talk to ballistic missile submarines hiding deep below the waves. The deployment of this fascinating capability was caught today by a plane tracker that was monitoring an E-6B operating off the coast of New Jersey.
*****
The E-6B's primary VLF antenna is just over five miles long. It also has a shorter one that is deployed via a trapdoor arrangement in its tail. The VLF antennas are stabilized with a drogue on its trailing end. The idea is to get the antennas as close to vertical as possible for maximum transmission effectiveness. This is done by putting the aircraft into a very steep and tight banking turn at slow speed and above 20,000 feet, not far above the aircraft's stall speed. These turns are repeated, oftentimes for hours at a time, as messages are sent.
*****
A submarine trails its own long VLF antenna to receive the transmission. If the submarine is too deep to receive the signal, the VLF antenna can be floated to a shallower depth via a buoy while the submarine remains underway at greater depth.
This maneuver is precisely what was spotted today by one eagle-eyed aircraft tracker and open-source intelligence enthusiast, @vcdgf555. An E-6B was operating off the northeastern coast of the U.S., hundreds of miles out to sea, and executing a VLF communications deployment maneuver.
Many people, me included, struggle with auto spell-check. On balance, it’s a good thing unless you’re already a good typist and a good speller, both of which I am. Then it’s just a pain in the heinie. (Hey, it didn’t try to change “heinie.) Try “cua rang muni” while you’re in Saigon. You can ask a taxi driver for “Nha Hang 94” or there are other, better places. I used to go to 94 frequently, no A/C though.
Thanks...
Works for subs - they don't want people listening in anyhow, right?
Project Sanguine from the 80’s till 2004 was a Navy extreme low frequency (ELF) antenna used to send messages to sub’s back in the day. I think each antenna built in the UP of Michigan and Wisconsin was each 30 miles long and connected by buried cable to make one hell of a radio station ......
The E6-B is part of a layered system I suspect, ranging from ground, air and space, is to keep the MAD Doctrine alive and well. Not sure of the Sanguine Antennas current status but if I was the chief cook and bottle washer in charge of such thangs I would keep such sites in reserve. Just in case the current primary means like the ground based site in Maine and the E6-B Airborne were jammed or incapacitated . My opinion only....
Stay Safe FP !!
I finally got by to see the place today, except I am not certain which one you’re talking about...
There’s one on the corner. It’s 94, at the address 94.
Then like three doors away, there is another 94.
Both have PROMINANT signs and it seems might be competitors.
Both have big signs which say ‘94’.
I think they are both seafood places. They are it seems similar. But the second one just away from the corner, is at 84.
Any idea whether one is original, one is a more recent competitor?
Thanks. :)
The one on the corner is authentic, the other is a knock-off but it’s been there a long time, prob not bad. The one on the corner is very good but remember no A/C Beer is cold however.
I recommend the cua rang muoi.
If you ever go to Hai Phong or places in China, there are entire streets with knock off places, e.g., all plumbing stores, all ladder stores (actually saw that in Hai Phong). Who’s to know which one is the original. Enjoy.
Sorry for the late reply, just saw ur post. No, the two wires angle down about 120 degrees and for a J pole antenna. You fly in an orbit with a 30 degree angle of bank. We transmitted and were copied world wide.
Thanks for the reply. Interesting process from a long time ago. Lots of the stuff we did subsea was done a long time ago by the Navy.
Or, maybe “Does anyone on board have the sniffles and cannot taste their food?”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.