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My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington

Created by Paul Signorelli, W0RW on 2021-07-30

 


My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington


The USS Bennington (Aircraft Carrier CVS-20, known as "Benn") was scheduled to be in the Santa Monica Bay (California) for a special open house in May 1966. It was anchored off the Santa Monica pier and they had been shuttling visitors back and forth all weekend. There were a few special VIP's too (Miss Santa Monica). i had heard of the event and wanted to see if I could signal them.


   It was a warm spring Saturday night, when I drove up to the Topanga Lookout, 2400 feet above Malibu. I had used this great radio location before during one of the Malibu fires to relay Red Cross communications from Malibu to LA and Van Nuys.


   I scanned the coastline and saw 'Benn' easily in the shimmering moon light. The moon was waning in the Southwest and 'Benn' was in the Southeast.

 

Here is the equipment I used:


Transmitter:
I had my GE 4540 (450W, 7 inch diameter) aircraft landing light (only good for 3 wpm) and a Grimes Signal Lamp Model K-3 (100W) in my car. The Grimes (http://www.303rdbg.com/pp-signal-light.html) has a trigger finger switch and the GE 4520 lamp is good for high speed signaling because it has a fast extinguish time.
(Big spot lights, called 'Sun's around here, were standard equipment for use on night time transmitter hunts, T-Hunts, which were very popular then).


Receiver:

   I spotted 'Benn' about 15 miles away with my 10x50 binocs.


Contact:

   At about 0500z, I swung the 450W landing light back and forth across the 'Benn' which created a flashing signal. The 450W took 2 seconds to extinguish so it was only good for QRSs. Soon I got a flashing response. I used my 100W signaling lamp to send my call sign. The navy signalman on lookout sent a few letters and a bunch of "T's".

 
He kept repeating letters over and over.


I finally learned from his response to me that I had to send a dash after each word to acknowledge his signal or he would automatically repeat his last word.


After I learned the sequence we had a great conversation for an hour. I asked him if he had access to any radio equipment, but he didn't. Benn's tactical call was 'Big Boy'. (If ships are always referred to as feminine, it should have been 'Big Girl'). He taught me to send "A" for CQ. I am not sure these are still the current procedures.


There are flashing light signal procedures at:

http://www.jproc.ca/rrp/rrp2/visual_lights.html


The USS Bennington was involved with the sinking of the Yamato in WWII.
She recovered Apollo 4 out of the Pacific too. She was decommissioned in 1970 and towed to India for the shipbreakers in 1994.


 The crew still maintains contact on the Bennington email reflector. I emailed Jack, WD6AEI, who was on board that night. I am still waiting for a QSL card. Most of the crew was on leave and had a good time on shore.


I had been on a cruise to Catalina Island on 'Benn' with the IEEE the year before.


 They even have a web site now, you can see pictures and check out the history and Photo Gallery at:
http://www.uss-bennington.org/photos.html
 

 Recently I have outfitted my HeNe laser with a CW shutter and connected it to my keyer but It's probably not a good idea to signal a carrier with a laser these days. If you see a flashing light in the hills, please answer "K K K K".


 Paul  Signorelli,   w0rw

 

 

 

 

K8OEX2021-09-09
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
In the mid sixties while in Boston Navy yard, I once used the straight key used to signal with the yardarm lights (on the DL-4) to call CQ. Someone on one of the other ships answered me the same way.
Reply to a comment by : KC6RWI on 2021-08-02

If the ship is sitting still in harbor at I am surprised that some one on board was aware enough to note the fact that a signal light was sending. I am not doubting the story, rather I am surprised at the awareness of the ship. Could this happen in todays time, or is light signals less used?
W0RW2021-08-16
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Hi Bill,
LEDs are used in Fiber Optics communications mainly for short-to-moderate transmission distances because they have relatively large emitting areas. They cost less than laser diodes, but have a limited bandwidth.
Laser diodes can couple many times more power to optical fiber than LEDs. They are more expensive, but are required for applications that must transmit signals over long distances. They have wide bandwidth.
Paul w0rw
Reply to a comment by : W8LV on 2021-08-16

Right... What I meant was: How good are LEDs in order to make such a signal light for use TODAY as far as the extinguish rate? Fascinated with all things Morse, quite an interesting article! 73 DE W8LV BILL
W8LV2021-08-16
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Right...
What I meant was: How good are LEDs in order to make such a signal light for use TODAY as far as the extinguish rate?

Fascinated with all things Morse, quite an interesting article!

73 DE W8LV BILL
W0RW2021-08-16
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Hi Bill,
i guess you missed the reference to the "GE 4540 (450W, 7 inch diameter) aircraft landing light (only good for 3 wpm) and a Grimes Signal Lamp Model K-3 (100W) in my car. The Grimes (http://www.303rdbg.com/pp-signal-light.html) has a trigger finger switch and the GE 4520 lamp". These are sealed beam incandescent spot lights.
We didn't have any bright LED's in 1966.
Paul w0rw
Reply to a comment by : W8LV on 2021-08-15

Great Article! I wonder what the extinguish rate of LEDs are? I recall the toy signal lamp of the 1960's. 73 DE W8LV BILL
W8LV2021-08-15
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Great Article! I wonder what the extinguish rate of LEDs are? I recall the toy signal lamp of the 1960's.

73 DE W8LV BILL
W0RW2021-08-14
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
We didn't have Lasers back then,
The first Laser was located about 5 miles below me in Malibu. The first working model of the laser was created at Hughes Research Laboratories in 1960 by Theodore Maiman .
Paul w0rw
Reply to a comment by : K7DAA on 2021-08-13

Very good idea about not signaling anyone with a laser: "But officers, I was just sending 'Hello' to the pilot! Handcuffs!? Nooo...!" Enjoyed the story very much, and I even learned something--thanks for sharing! 73, Dave
K7DAA2021-08-13
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Very good idea about not signaling anyone with a laser:

"But officers, I was just sending 'Hello' to the pilot! Handcuffs!? Nooo...!"

Enjoyed the story very much, and I even learned something--thanks for sharing!

73,

Dave
K4VBX2021-08-10
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Great story. In the literal sense, radio IS communication via a beam of light. You deserve that QSO card. BZ.
N8FVJ2021-08-08
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Wow!
Reply to a comment by : K7OFG on 2021-07-31

Great story. Thanks for sharing. Steve, k7ofg.
W8JMI2021-08-05
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
As my Navy Friends say.. "Bravo Zulu" ..Well Done!
Reply to a comment by : VE3CUI on 2021-08-02

NICE STORY, Paul...! Glad that I came across it. THANKS...!!!
VE3CUI2021-08-02
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
NICE STORY, Paul...!

Glad that I came across it.

THANKS...!!!
KC6RWI2021-08-02
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
If the ship is sitting still in harbor at I am surprised that some one on board was aware enough to note the fact that a signal light was sending.
I am not doubting the story, rather I am surprised at the awareness of the ship.
Could this happen in todays time, or is light signals less used?
W0RW2021-08-01
Re: My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
"Moab Signalling Devices” is eHam article 42128.
https://www.eham.net/articles/42128
Paul w0rw
Reply to a comment by : W0RW on 2021-08-01

If you liked this article you might also like: Moab Signalling Devices” . Paul w0rw
W0RW2021-08-01
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
If you liked this article you might also like:
Moab Signalling Devices” .
Paul w0rw
W0LD2021-07-31
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Paul,

You are a true "Shining Light" for communications!

Lauren, W0LD
KJ4DGE2021-07-31
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Really enjoyed the story and the links. Love ships and the history.

Greg-KJ4DGE
K7OFG2021-07-31
My Flashing Light QSO with the USS Bennington
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Steve, k7ofg.