[TEC] VIIB Flak Question

[Capt Jack Harkness]

Hmm, okay then. One note about the antenna for functional purposes: the rod antenna was a vhf type and only worked for short range, line-of-sight communications such as ship-to-ship; it was the jumper lines going fore and aft from the tower that provided long range comms, so I'm not sure the antenna rod was ever deployed while submerged...

[TheBeast]

Originally Posted by Capt Jack Harkness

Hmm, okay then. One note about the antenna for functional purposes: the rod antenna was a vhf type and only worked for short range, line-of-sight communications such as ship-to-ship; it was the jumper lines going fore and aft from the tower that provided long range comms, so I'm not sure the antenna rod was ever deployed while submerged...

Good Point. Since most Submarines during WWII could receive radio messages while at periscope depth. I just assumed it was that antenna being used. It is suppose to extend as high as the ObsScope. I will adjust its height so it only raises about 1.5 meters hiding most or all of the mast.

[Capt Jack Harkness]

Actually I found an interesting note that the radio and hydrophone operators were the same person! So u-boats could not listen to the hydrophones on the surface simply because there was no one at the station, and they could not receive radio messages submerged for the same reason.

http://www.uboat.net/men/crew/radio.htm

[TheBeast]

Originally Posted by Capt Jack Harkness

Actually I found an interesting note that the radio and hydrophone operators were the same person! So u-boats could not listen to the hydrophones on the surface simply because there was no one at the station, and they could not receive radio messages submerged for the same reason.

http://www.uboat.net/men/crew/radio.htm

The arcticle you linked does not say the Radioman was also the only Sonarman. It states that the Radioman was trainned to opperate the Sonar Station as well as the Radio Station. It is a very common practice in the military to cross train. The Radioman could also be trained as the ships doctor as well.
NO WHERE does it say the Sonar was not available when surfaced. Sonar availability while surface was dependant on the type equipment installed and the speed the boat is moving.
I am certain that the Sonarman was also trained to opperate the Radio Station as were a few othe crew members. Again this i military cross trainning.
The picture showing the Radioman at the Sonarstation also shows another crewman in the background wearing a headset hooked to the Sonar Station at the same time. When submerged below Periscope depth, there really is no need to man the radio station, so why not help on Sonar.

[Capt Jack Harkness]

Hmm, I suppose so... I just assumed that the dual training meant that the radio crew doubled as sound crew.