RCA ET-8030 Lifeboat Radio, 1945
We previously introduced radio stations of the AMERICAN Radiomarine Corporation's ET-8030 lifeboats. Although the unit was never deployed during the war, it was released in April 1945 in radio age, rCA's quarterly magazine. The magazine has the cover of the magazine on its cover and is operated by students at the American Merchant Marine Academy in Kingspoint, New York.
Permanently installed in a lifeboat, the unit is operated via a manual crank that provides power and provides a key to the transmitter. In auto mode, the device will send a long dash and SOS at 500 kHz and 8280 kHz. It can also be switched to manual mode to allow voice transmission and includes receivers of 500 kHz and 8100-8600 kHz. The device can be used with a mounted V-shaped antenna mounted on the mast, but the most notable feature is that the helium balloon can raise the antenna to an altitude of 300 feet (91.44 meters) and place it for a week. Boxed kites are also provided as a backup.