63 MILITARY ELECTRONICS TRAINING MANUALS 1941-1966

The military faced a difficult problem in WWII. This was the first war where the relatively recent technology of electronics played a significant role – a role that changed enormously across the war years. At the beginning of the war, electronics was limited mostly to communications – telephone, telegraph, and radio. Hundreds of thousands of radio receivers and transmitters were built. Every aircraft had separate units to communicate with other aircraft and with the ground stations. Every boat and land installation had communications gear.  All this equipment had to be installed, tested, and maintained using a work force that knew nothing of electronics. The military found itself in the business of essentially running trade schools to teach legions of new recruits something about electronics. To even maintain this equipment, basic knowledge of electricity and electronics was deemed necessary. Given the paucity of available material, the Army took upon itself the development of a range of training materials. Civilian companies, such as Philco and GM, were engaged to develop coursework and training manuals. This collection represents the main thrust of these materials – a large but necessarily incomplete record of the materials that were used.

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Scans are all 400lpi. Manuals with color illustrations were scanned in full color. Special attention has been given to preserve half-tone images. Each page of each manual has been hand-edited in Photoshop to give as much of the appearance of the original as possible.

Electronic Fundamentals Series. This is a series of 23 manuals that take the recruit step-by-step through a general electronics education. The technology was changing so rapidly that the nature of the manuals changed throughout the development. Certain manuals (Introduction to Transistors) were conceived and scheduled during the production of the series. As far as I know, the following manuals constitute the complete series. The ones included on this collection are as follows:

TM 11-660 “Introduction to Electronics” July 1949, 50p – This is really a sales brochure for the discipline of electronics. It is not technical. It uses an expansive kind of language that is no longer popular. For instance, the introduction starts with “This is a story of the electron” . It ends with “[This book] is an introduction to the pursuit of those paths which lead to the command of Electricity, Radio, Radar, Television, Telegraphy, Telephony – to the command of the March of the Electron.” Wonderful writing! Chapters include evolution of communications, wire telegraphy, telephony, radio, radio direction finding, radar, loran, meterological electronics, television, the electronics parade, and conclusion.

TM 11-661 “Electrical Fundamentals (Direct Current)” June 1951, 200p. This is a basic introduction to electricity and magnetism. It goes further into the basics of electronic components – current, voltage, resistance, Ohm’s law, batteries, circuits, electromagnetism, induced electromotive force and inductance. Appendices include chemical reactions in lead-acid cells and  Kirchoff’s laws.

TM 11-662 “Basic Theory and Application of Electron Tubes” February 1952, 230p. This is an excellent introduction to the theory and practice of vacuum tubes, written in the peak of the use of the tube and before the invasion of transistors. Chapters include Electron Emission, Diodes, Triodes,  Multielectrode Tubes, Amplification, Amplifier Gain and Coupling, Rectifiers and Detectors, Oscillators, Transmitting Tubes, Other Tubes, Tube Manual.

TM 11-663 “Electronic Power Supplies” October 1951, 110p. This has a good description of the design of electronic power supplies in the vacuum tube era. Chapters include single-phase rectifiers, polyphase rectifiers, filter circuits, voltage dividers, voltage regulators, power-supply control systems, complete power-supply systems, R-F power supplies, vibrator power supplies, dynamotors, rotary convertors, inverters.

TM 11-664 “Basic Theory and Use of Electronic Test Equipment” February 1952, 160p. This describes the equipment of a typical electronics shop in the early 50’s. Chapters include D-C ammeters and voltmeters, A-C ammeters and voltmeters, ohmmeters, vacuum-tube voltmeters, multimeters, tube testers, power measurement, signal generators and oscillators, frequency measurement, bridges.

TM 11-665 “C-W and A-M Radio Transmitters and Receivers” September 1952, 280p. This manual discusses the basics of radio transmitter and receiver design, from the source oscillators through to the detectors. Chapters include radio-frequency generation, continuous-wave transmission, amplitude modulation, auxiliary circuits, radio reception, superheterodyne receivers, C-W detection.

TM 11-666 “Antennas and Radio Propagation” February 1953, 230p. Note that the original title of this manual was “Wave Propagation and Antennas”.  This manual starts with a description of radio propagation, then goes into the components of an antenna system and a number of examples of commonly-used antennas. Chapters include modes of propagation, half-wave and quarter-wave antennas, long-wire antennas, driven and parasitic arrays, radio direction finding antennas.

TM 11-667 “Higher-Frequency Techniques (Excluding Microwaves)” October 1952, 140p. In some ways, the UHF tubes discussed here represent the pinnacle of vacuum-tube development. Several of them operate beyond the 1 GHz barrier. Manual discusses the special techniques needed to achieve this performance. Chapters include distributed properties-circuit elements, circuit elements – line sections, circuit elements – lumped-property components, vacuum tubes – 30 to 1,000 MC band, special oscillator circuits, coupling principles and circuits, propagation and antennas, high-frequency radio-communications set.

TM 11-668 “F-M Radio Transmitters and Receivers” September 1952, 200p. After the military discovered the noise-immunity of FM, most of the communications moved away from FM. Despite the increase in complexity of the systems, FM took over most fixed and mobile point-to-point communications. Chapters include modulation systems, principles of F-M, methods of producing frequency modulation, F-M Transmitter, F-M Receivers.

TM 11-669 “Transients and Waveforms” 95p, 1951. From introduction “Voltages having complex waveshapes frequently are used in electronic equipment. Since these waveshapes do not follow the conventional sine-wave pattern, they are called nonsinusoidal waves. Originally, non-sinusoidal waveforms were regarded as undesirable distortions of sinusoidal waves. Today, however, they are used in many complex circuits, and their study has been extended to determine new ways of producing and utilizing them.”

TM 11-670 “Special-Purpose Oscillators and Amplifiers” 130p, 1952. Chapters include Amplifier Fundamentals, Narrow-Band Amplifiers, Wide-Band Amplifiers, Feedback Amplifiers, Cathode Followers, Phase Inverters, Sound System Amplifiers, Sinusoidal R-C Oscillators, Nonsinusoidal Oscillators.

TM 11-671 “Cathode-Ray Tubes and Their Associated Circuits” 220p, 1951. This is an introduction to the design of these very important tools in the height of the vacuum-tube era. Cathode-Ray tubes had been deployed for years in radar and electronic test circuits by the time this manual was written. Chapters include Fundamentals of Cathode-Ray Tubes, Basic Display Systems, Sweep-Generating Circuits, Vertical and Horizontal Amplifiers, Auxiliary Circuits, Voltage and Current Requirements for Radar Scans, Applications of Test Oscilloscopes, Synchroscope.

TM 11-672 “Pulse Techniques” 110p, 1954. This manual signals the beginning of the digital era. Signaling began to use electronic circuits rather than mechanical relays. It became time to start training the technicians in these techniques. Chapters include Introduction to Pulses, Limiter and Clipper Circuits, Differentiating and Integrating Circuits, D-C Restoration,  Multivibrators, Blocking Oscillators.

TM 11-673 “Generation and Transmission of Microwave Energy” 210p, 1953. Microwaves had been used for some years in radar systems. In the 1950s, they began to be used for communication as well. The “new” developments of the Klystron and Magnetron oscillators brought microwaves into more common use as well. Chapters include Propagation at Microwave Frequencies, Microwave Transmission Systems, Cavity Resonators, Microwave Oscillators, Microwave Receivers, Microwave Antennas.

TM 11-674 “Servo Systems and Data Transmission” – 120p, 1952. Servo mechanisms became increasingly important during the war years with radar systems becoming common, as well as the remote-control gun systems such as found in the B-29 bombers and others. Chapters include Basic Servo Principles, Servo Components, Examples of Servos and Servo Systems, Long-Distance Data Transmission.

TM 11-675 “R-F Transmission Lines” 90p, 1951. This covers the basics of constant-impedance lines. Chapters include Fundamental Line Theory, Practical Line Theory, including reflections, resonant lines, types of line, line measurements.

TM 11-676 “Grounding Procedure and Protective Devices” 50p, 1948. With large high-power transmitters becoming common, the issues of grounding became critical. Chapters include Installation of Grounds, Measuring Ground Resistance, Protective Devices.

TM 11-678 “Fundamentals of Telephony” 270p, 1953. This has everything you need to know to run a 50’s-era telephone central office. It is full of wiring diagrams and descriptions of relay and switching equipment, as well as back-up batteries and inter-office battery systems. Chapters include Transmitters and Receivers, Introduction to Telephony Systems, Sound, Local-Battery Telephone, Common-Battery Telephony, Auxiliary Central-Office Equipment, Sound-Powered Communications, Transmission Lines, Special Circuits, Dial Telephone Systems. Appendix – Circuit Symbols.

TM 11-679 “Fundamentals of Carrier and Repeater” 250p, 1953. This concerns long-line telephony and telegraphy, which required periodic amplification (repeating) to keep signal integrity over long distances. It does have block diagrams and some schematics. Chapters include Transmission Lines, Voice-Frequency Repeaters, Carrier Telephony, Carrier Telegraphy, Transmission Measurements.

TM 11-680 “Teletypewriter Circuits and Equipment (Fundamentals)” 240p, 1947. The teletypewriter was a mechanical marvel of levers, cogs, gears, motors, solenoids, and electronics. This manual describes the basic elements with only passing references to actual physical units in the field. Chapters include Teletypewriter Equipment Features, Test Sets and Rectifiers, Radio Teletype Equipment, Records Procedures for Adverse Climatic Conditions and Destruction Procedures(!).

TM 11-681 “Electrical Fundamentals (Alternting Current)” 240p, 1951. This starts where TM 11-661 (Direct Current) leaves off with magnetism and emf. Chapters include Inductance, Capacitance, A-C Circuits with Inductance Capacitance and Resistance, Tuned Circuits and Resonance, Transformers, D-C Machines, A-C Machines.

The following were not part of the original series plan but were added later:

TM 11-684 “Principles and Applications of Mathematics for Communications-Electronics” 260p, 1961. This is really a mathematics text covering basic algebra, logarithms, plane geometry, through trigonometry. It goes pretty fast, but seems complete. Chapters include Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Powers and Roots, Algebra, Graphs, Powers of Ten, Logarithms, Plane Geometry, Trigonometry, Radians, Vectors, Applications of Mathematical Principles to Common Communications-Electronics Problems, Problems in DC Electricity, Problems in AC Electricity, Applications of Logarithms to Transmission Problems, Graphical Representation and Solution of Electrical Problems, Binary Numbers (!), Basic Slide Rule Operations.

TM 11-685 “Fundamentals of Single-Sideband Communication”, 140p, 1961. This was included to cover the “new” single-sideband modulation system. There was a big changeover in the 50’s moving away from “traditional” amplitude modulation. For the most part, the Navy went toward single-sideband communication, whereas the army went more towards frequency-modulation. Apparently one of the big “missing links” was the linear RF power amplifier that had only become available in the early 50’s. This joint Army/Air Force manual covers the basics of the engineering aspects of single-sideband systems and does include quite a few circuit diagrams of transmitters, receivers, exciters, and more.  Chapters include Introduction to Single-Sideband Communication, Single-Sideband Exciters, RF Linear-Power Amplifiers and Output Circuits, Single-Sideband Receiver, Frequency Standards Synthesis and Stabilized Master Oscillator, SSB System Testing.

This next one (TM 11-690) was originally listed as “Electronics Glossary”. I don’t believe it was ever actually published. Too bad. The Air Force published a related tome in 1959. See AFM 100-39 below.

TM 11-690 “Basic Theory and Application of Transistors” 260p, 1959. This is the analogous manual to the one on vacuum tubes (TM 11-662), covering the new-fangled solid-state devices. Chapters include Fundamental Theory, Transistor Amplifier Fundamentals, Parameters Equivalent Circuits and Characteristic Curves, Bias Stabilization, Transistor Analysis and Comparison Using Characteristic Curves and Charts, Audio Amplifiers, Tuned Amplifiers, Wide-Band Amplifiers, Oscillators, Pulse and Switching Circuits, Modulation Mixing and Demodulation, Additional Semiconductor Devices.

A few of the Philco Training Library volumes are included. These are:

AN-167 “Philco Training Manual on Cable Fabrication” 54p, 1949. Seven lessons with labs for all aspects of military cable fabrication – topics include cable lacing, VHF&UHF connectors, AN connectors.

AN-169A “Philco Training Manual on Shop Practices” 105p, 1959. Covers the basics of the workshop for electronics maintenance – basic tools through tube testers, vacuum-tube voltmeters and more.

AN-183 “Philco Training Manual for Radio Set AN/ARC-3”, 150p, 1950. The AN/ARC-3 is related to the AN/ARC-5. It was used for Navy aircraft communications. It is a VHF receiver/transmitter combination. This is quite an elaborate manual with 24 lessons covering every part of the radio.

AN-195 “Philco Training Manual on Electrical Power Equipment: Generators and Motors”  180p, 1951. Chapters include Magnetism and Electromagnetism, Inductance and Capacitance, Principles of D-C Generators, Construction of D-C Generators,  Maintenance of D-C Generation, Principles of D-C Motors, Construction and Maintenance of Dynamotors, Fundamentals of Alternating Current, Principles of A-C Generators, Principles of A-C Generators-Windings,  Principles of Induction Motors, Principles of Synchronous Motors, Principles of Single-Phase Motors, Principles of Converters, Maintenance of A-C Generators and Motors, Circuit Protection and Control, Amplidynes and Synchros, Electric Lighting, Maintenance Equipment.

AN-230 “Philco Training Manual Radar System Measurements Theory and Practice” 110p, 1951. This is a relatively high-level overview of radar system testing. It doesn’t address a particular radar system, but it does cover a number of pieces of standard (at the time) radar testing devices. Chapters include Power Measurement, Frequency Measurement, Spectrum Analysis, Receiver Performance Measurements, Standing-Wave-Ratio Measurement, Calibration of Attenuating Losses, Calibration of Timing Circuits, Over-All Radar System Performance. Includes 3 examinations and answer sheets.

AN-234 “Philco Construction Handbook on Communications Antennas: Antenna Series Volume II” 70p, 1951. Volume I is AN-374 below. This one is especially interesting because it shows details on exactly how to build each of a dozen or so types of antennas, with detailed fold-out engineering drawings with measurements.

AN-256 “Philco Training Manual: Synchros and Servomechanisms”  155p, 1954. This covers the very basics through examples of practical applications of servomechanisms. It is organized as a series of 18 lectures.

AN-296 “Philco Training Manual: Electronic Circuit Directory” 240p, 1953. This is a catalog of recommended circuit designs, starting from theory through practical circuits, all for vacuum tubes. No transistors. This is similar to NAVAER 16-1-519 below, but maybe not quite as detailed. The sections include Amplifiers, Power supplies, oscillators,  detectors, frequency converters, modulators, wave-shapers, limiters, clampers, multivibrators, sweep-generators, counters, blocking and shock-excited [!] oscillators, time-delay circuits, typical circuit combinations (including an outline of radar systems).

AN-374 “Philco Training Manuals on Antennas, Volume I”, 240p, 1956. This is the first part of a 2-volume series (see AN-195 above). It is mostly theoretical, dealing with propagation of waves and the theory of various of the circuit elements. Chapters include Propagation of Radio Waves, Antenna Fundamentals, Transmission-Line Theory, Antenna Feed, Coupling Circuits, Types of Antennas, Construction and Measurement. Other military manuals on antennas include TM 11-666 and Air Force Manual 52-19.

The Air Force and the Navy got into the act as well. In general, the Air Force manuals are extremely well-written. They are clear and well-illustrated. The production quality is generally better than the Army manuals, especially the earlier war-era manuals. Here are a few of the manuals they offered:

AFM 51-6 “Electronics and Radar: Principles and Uses”  140p, 1953. This is the Air Force version of some of the above manuals, but compressed into a relatively brief overview. It is a great introduction to electronics and its military applications. Chapters include Magnetism, Direct Current, Batteries, DC Generators and Motors, Alternating Current, AC Generators and Motors, Electron Tubes, Transmitters, Radiation, Receivers, Aircraft Communications Equipment, Cathode-Ray Tubes, Radar, Air Navigational Aids, Ground Navigational Aids, Additional Radar Uses, Defense and Tactical Systems, Radar Bombing, Pilot-Operating Radar, Electronic Countermeasures, Remote Control.

AFM 52-7 “Elementary Electricity for Airplane Mechanics” 160p, 1951. This has to do with aircraft electrical systems – lighting, generators, and more. This starts at a basic level, but goes on to some relatively complex subjects. Chapters include Airplane Storage Batteries, Principles of Magnetism and Solenoid Relays, Circuit Controlling Devices, Power Distribution and Wiring Systems, Airplane Lighting Systems, Electrical Circuit Testing, Generators and Generator Systems, Direct-Current Motors, Starters and Starting Systems, Principles of Induction and Capacitors, Airplane Ignition Systems, Fundamentals of Alternating Current, Principles of Transformers, Rectifiers and Vacuum Tubes, Measuring Instruments, Alternators and AC Motors, Alternator Systems.

AFM 52-8 “Radar Circuit Analysis” 480p, 1951. Radar was brought into reality during WWII. This manual discusses the vacuum-tube circuits necessary to built radar systems. Chapters include Mathematics for Radar, DC and AC Circuits, Measuring Instruments, Vacuum Tubes and Power Supplies, Principles of Radar, Timing Circuits, Amplifiers and Oscillators, Modulation and Detection, Radio Frequency Lines, Waveguides and Cavity Resonators, Oscillators at Radar Frequencies, Radar Antennas, Selsyns and Servomechanisms (see AN-256 above as well).

AFM 52-8 1962 V1 and V2 “Electronic Circuit Analysis” about 450p each, 1962. When they revised the above manual, they turned it into a full course on aircraft electronics, from the basics through waveguides. Chapters (across the two volumes) include Mathematics for Electronics, DC and AC Circuits, Measuring Instruments, Electron Tubes and Power Supplies, Principles f Radar, Timing Circuits, Amplifiers and Oscillators, Transistors, Modulation Detection and Single-Sideband Transmission, Transmission Lines, Waveguides Cavity Resonators and Duplexers, UHF Oscillators.

AFM 52-19 “Antenna Systems” 300p, 1953. This is the Air Force version of TM 11-666 above. Chapters include Introduction, Transmission Line Theory, Antenna Types and Features, Antenna Construction and Installation, and Antenna Measurements and Test Equipment.

AFM 100-5 “Radio Receivers” 170p, 1956. This is a more detailed look at receivers (to go with the next volume on transmitters). Chapters include Fundamentals, TRF Receiver, Superheterodyne Receiver, Communications Receiver, VHF and UHF Receivers, Frequency Modulation, Special-Purpose Receivers, Performance Tests and Troubleshooting Techniques. Many example schematics, some from actual aviation receivers.

AFM 100-6 “Radio Transmitters” 180p, 1957 – Chapters include Radio Communication, Oscillators, Basic Transmitter Circuits, Modulation Systems, Test and Auxiliary Equipment. Many schematics taken from actual aviation transmitters of the peak of the vacuum-tube era.

AFM 100-39 “Communications-Electronics Terminology” 850p, 1959. From the Foreword “This manual provides a complete cross reference listing of those terms, nicknames, designations, abbreviations, and definitions used in military communications and electronics including the field of astronautics. Additional definitions of words not pertaining to military communications or electronics are given for clarity and support.” This is without a doubt the most complete and extensive compilation of communications terminology. It also draws in terminology from many related area, like power generation, motors, servos, and more. At maybe 15 words per page, there are over 1000 defined terms here.

AFM 101-8 “Fundamentals of Electronics” 560p, 1959. This is a much more fundamental course in the theory of electronics. This would be a reasonable starting place to better understand the above volumes on receivers and transmitters. It is ostensibly written for the Air Navigator. The introduction states “As a navigator you will operate and perform in-flight maintenance on complex electrical and electronic equipment which has greatly aided the Air Force to become a big, modern organization. None of the equipment can keep itself cared for and repaired. The proper functioning of each piece of equipment depends completely upon the know-how of the operator and repairman assigned to it.” There are too many chapters to list here, but they go through radio direction finders, radar, high-frequency basics, and much, much more. This is a very complete manual.

NAVAER 16-1-519 “Handbook Preferred Circuits Navy Aeronautical Electronic Equipment” 390p, 1955. Prepared by the National Bureau of Standards Department of Commerce for the Bureau of Aeronautics, Department of the Navy.  I guess the Navy got tired of getting wacky designs in their equipment. They got with the National Bureau of Standards and produced a series of very detailed “cookbook” designs for various vacuum-tube modules, including a number of video circuits (mixers, amplifiers, drivers), audio circuits (amplifiers, detectors, gain controls), servo and motor circuits (motor controllers, servo preamplifiers, resolvers), oscillators (crystal, electron-coupled), and many more. There is a section of design notes on each circuit, explaining the rationale behind the configuration and the considerations for practical deployment. This is a must-read for any budding vacuum-tube circuit designer.

NAVSHIPS 91828A “Handbook of Test Methods and Practices” 280p, 1955. Produced by the Philco Corporation for the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ships. This is a very complete manual of instruction for the on-ship maintenance engineer. It discusses the equipment and techniques for maintaining all the onboard electronics. Chapters include  Test Equipments and Measurements, Testing Techniques and Practices, Care and Repair of Test Equipment. Equipment covered includes Sonar systems, Synchro and Servo systems, Radar Testing, as well as the usual communications receivers and transmitters.

NAVSHIPS 93440B “Handbook of Miniature Parts and Integrated Circuit Devices for Electronic Equipment” 290p, 1965, Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ships. This is a rather odd manual. I guess the proliferation of transistorized and other innovative components led to a bewildering array of different odd-shaped packages. This manual  has a miniature spec sheet for each part, such as “B104 Motor, D.C. Permanent Magnet, 09-Frame Type” with measurements, power requirements, current ratings, and manufacturer. There are hundreds of parts here: passives, actives, special purpose (delay lines), interconnection and more. This might be a catalog of the state of electronics component design circa 1965.

NAVSHIPS 93484 “A Handbook of Selected Semiconductor Circuits” NObsr 73231, 460p, 1960, prepared by Transistor Applications, Inc. for Bureau of Ships, Department of Navy. This is a cookbook for transistor designs, analogous to the above volume for vacuum-tube designs. Note that 1960 is very early in the development of transistor circuits. Many of the devices they use in these designs are quite primitive in performance. It is no wonder many vacuum-tube designers doubted the utility of transistors when all they could get were 2N174 and 2N220 devices. This manual also covers a much wider variety of circuits, including many used in radio receivers, as transistorized radios were just starting to appear in common use. Another thing I noticed is that many of the designs are identical to vacuum tube designs with the tubes just replaced by transistors. For instance, the low-level audio amplifiers used transformers everywhere, which are quite uncommon today in audio. Chapters include Direct-Coupled Amplifiers, Low-Frequency Amplifiers, High-Frequency Amplifiers, Oscillators, Switching Circuits, Logic Circuits, A-C to D-C Power Supplies, Power Converters, Small-Signal Nonlinear Circuits. Given the dated nature of the designs, it is not clear the modern designer can learn much from these circuits. The discussions of general principles are, of course, timeless, but the specific circuits are generally obsolete.

NAVSHIPS 0967-000-0120 (Formerly NAVSHIPS 900,000.102) “Electronics Installation and Maintenance Book – Electronic Circuits” April 1965, Revised December 1966 (renumbered 0967-000-0121), 845p. This is a huge book. It is organized as 12 handbooks that were previously issued separately. Chapters are Introduction, General Information on Vacuum Tubes, General Information on Semiconductor Circuits, Power-Supply Circuits, Voltage-Regulator Circuits, Amplifier Circuits, Oscillator Circuits, Multivibrator Circuits, Blocking and Shock-Excited Oscillator Circuits, Sweep-Generator Circuits, Detector (Demodulation) Circuits, Mixer Circuits, Frequency (Heterodyne) Circuits, Modulator Circuits, Limiter (Clipper) Circuits, Clamper (D-C Restorer) Circuits, Waveshaping Circuits, Counter Circuits, Logic Circuits,  Time-Delay Circuits, Control Circuits, Cathode-Ray Circuits, Filter Circuits. At this time, both vacuum-tube and transistor circuits were in common usage, so the maintenance technician had to be familiar with both. No mathematics beyond high-school algebra and trigonometry are used.

NAVPERS 10808-A “Naval Electronics: Part 1” 340p, 1954 – This is a superb first course in electronics. It uses no math past high-school algebra and trigonometry. This is entirely concerned with the vacuum-tube era – no transistors. Chapters include Elements of Electricity and Magnetism, Review of Basic A-C Theory, Review of Basic A-C Circuits, The Electrical Nature of Matter, Vacuum Tubes and Applications, Power Supplies, Introduction to Vacuum-Tube Amplifiers, Vacuum-Tube Amplifier Applications, Audio Power Amplifiers, Inductance-Capacitance Oscillators, Resistance-Capacitive Oscillators, Resistance-Capacitance Oscillators – Continues, Radiation and Antennas, Modulation, Transmitters, Demodulation, Receivers, Cathode-Ray Tube, Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope, Test Equipment. Note that this is all preparatory and does not actually talk about troubleshooting specific devices.

There were a number of Army manuals issued before the Electronic Fundamentals Series. Many were superseded, but some couldn’t be improved so they continued to be reprinted well after the war years.

TM 1-455 “Electrical Fundamentals” 150p, 1941. This was the seminal work that inspired the entire Electronic Fundamentals series. Set much earlier, and stuffed into a single, short volume, it goes over a lot of material very rapidly. Chapters include Electrical Energy, Batteries, Solution of Circuits, Magnetism, Alternating Current, Inductance, Capacitance, Power Equipment, Electrical Measuring Instruments.

TM 5-461 “Engineer Handtools” 140p, 1966. Chapters include Driving and Chopping Tools, Cutting and Smoothing Tools, Drilling Boring and Countersinking Tools, Measuring Leveling and Layout Tools, Gripping Prying and Twisting Tools, Holding Rasing and Grinding Tools, Timber Handling and Climbing Tools, Digging Tools, Portable Power Tools and Trailer”. Unfortunately the print quality of this manual is not high, so the original half-tone images are not as clear as I would like.

TM 5-680 “Electrical Facilities, General Engineering Data and Practices, Tools and Equipment, Safety Practices, Repairs and Utilities”, 160p, 1946. This is a wonderful manual. There are sections on using ladders, on knots (do you know how to tie a bowline on a bight? It is here), and much more. Probably most important of all is the complete list of symbols used by electricians when planning buildings. It is an excellent guide to reading of 40’s-50’s era construction plans, should you ever need to do so. Chapters include Tools and Equipment (Ladders, Ropes, Hot-Line Tools, Meters, Body belts and Safety Straps, more), Safety, Engineering Procedures and Data.

TM 5-760 “Electrical Wiring” 95p, 1957. This is about wiring up military fixed-position buildings. It represents the common practice for electricians in the 50’s, where cable was relatively new and involved metal-shielded cable (“Romex”). There is a chapter on knob and tube wiring as well. Chapters include Electrician’s Tools, Wiring Materials, General Principles, Open Wiring – Knobs and Tubes, Cable Wiring, Conduit Wiring, Foreign Wiring, Maintenance, Safety.

TM 11-314 “Antennas and Antenna Systems” 180p, 1943. This was one of the first texts on military antennas. It includes the “new” inventions, such as the Rhombic form. It is interesting that in the VHF section, the Yagi is not yet mentioned, as it was not yet in common use. Chapters include Wave Propagation, Antenna Fundamentals, Ground Effects, Feeder Systems, Half-Wave Antennas, Driven Arrays, Parasitic Arrays, Long Single Wires, “V” Antennas, Rhombic Antennas, Antennas for Medium and Low Frequencies – the Marconi, Very-High-Frequency Antennas, Orientation of Antennas, Phantom Antennas and Field Strength Meters, Selection of Frequency for a Given Range, Radio Direction-Finding Antennas.

TM 11-454 “The Radio Operator” 110p, 1943. This is a really odd book. For the most part, it describes the protocol for Sending and transcribing Morse Code, and the duties of the military radio operator. There is nothing particularly technical here, even though it is a “Technical Manual”. Chapters include Radiotelegraph Procedure, Recording and Duty Tours, Organization of Tactical Radio Nets, Messages, Component Parts of Messages, Message Handling, Individual Prosigns, Related Prosigns, Communication Security. Appendices include List of Prosigns, Radio Organization Chart, Plaindress – Normal and Abbreviated Form, and more.

TM 11-455 “Radio Fundamentals” 380p, 1944. This became the fundamental teaching text of radio electronics until it was replaced by several different manuals in the Electronics Fundamentals Series ten years later. Chapters include Introduction to Radio, Circuit Elements and Symbols, Tuned Circuits, Vacuum Tubes, Vacuum-Tube Detectors, Vacuum-Tube Amplifiers, Tuned Radio-Frequency Receiver, Superheterodyne Receiver, Power Supplies, Vacuum-Tube Oscillators, Continuous-Wave Transmitters, Modulated Transmitters, Frequency Modulation, Antennas Radiation and Wave Propagation, Very-High-Frequency Communication, Cathode-Ray Tube, Radio Direction Finding, Care and Maintenance of Radio Equipment. Appendices include DMA Radio Color Code, Kilocycle-Meter Conversion, and more.

TM 11-466 “Radar Electronic Fundamentals” 480p, 1944. This text introduces circuits for each of the various pieces of a radar system but without combining them explicitly into a full, practical system. This is more of a theoretical discussion. Chapters include Introduction to Radar, Review of Electrical Fundamentals, Nonsinusoidal Waves and Transients, Vacuum Tubes and Applications, Power-Supply Circuits,  Amplifiers and Oscillator Circuits, Special Circuits, Cathode-Ray Tube, Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope Circuits, Transmission Lines, Waveguides and Cavity Resonators, Ultra-High-Frequency Generators, Antennas.

TM 11-467 “Radar System Fundamentals” 400p, 1944. This text starts where the previous one left off and assembles the various components into full radar systems. This manual actually has circuit diagrams, often lifted directly from equipment maintenance manuals. Chapters include Elements of Radar, Functional Components of Radar System, Detailed Study of Self-Synchronized Long-Wave Radar Systems, Detailed Study of Externally Synchronized Microwave Radar System, Timers, Transmitters, Antenna Systems, Receivers, Indicators, Primary Power and Control Circuits, Data Transmission and Servo Systems.

TM 11-483 “Radio Interference Suppression” 110p, 1956. With the rise of radio communications, radio interference became more and more of a problem. This was one of the first military manuals to deal with the issue. Chapters include Radio Interference, Basic Interference Suppression Components, Suppression of Radio Interference Produced by Electrical Equipment, Mutual Radio-Communication Service Interference.

TM 11-490 “Electrical Fundamentals” 170p, 1944. This was the follow-on to TM 1-455 listed above and was another step toward the Electronic Fundamentals Series. This one is much more detailed with deeper discussions of electricity and magnetism. Chapters include Resistance Voltage and Current, Ohm’s Law, Primary Cells, Storage Cells, Circuits, Battery Connections, Magnetism, Electromagnetism, Induced Electromotive Force, Meters, Resistance Measurement, Power and Work, Alternating Current, A-C Circuits with Inductance, A-C Circuits with Resistance and Capacitance, Resonant Circuits, Transformers, Generators, Rectifiers and Converters, Shunt Series and Compound Motors, Induction Synchronous and Repulsion Motors.

TM 11-498 “Fundamentals of Telephony and Manual Telegraphy” 150p, 1944. This manual describes both the theory and practice of telephones and telegraphs. Chapters include Sound, Voice Transmission, Circuit-Diagram Reading, Telephone Transmission Equipment, Signaling Equipment, Auxiliary Equipment, Local-Battery Switchboard Line Circuits, Local-Battery Switchboard Cord and Operator’s Circuits, Local-Battery Switchboard Miscellaneous Circuits, Common-Battery Telephones, Telephone Relays, Common-Battery Line Circuits, Retardation-Coils Cord Circuits, Repeating-Coil Cord Circuits, Trunk Circuits, Auxiliary Circuits – Common-Battery Switchboards, Transmission, Single-Line Telegraphy, Simplex Phantom and Simplexed-Phantom Circuits. It is worth reading this manual just to find out what those terms mean.

TM 11-655 “Fundamentals of Telegraphy (Teletypewriter)” 100p, 1954. Chapters include Teletypewriter Characteristics, Telegraph Transmission Principles, Other Types of Teletypewriter Equipment (perforators, repeaters, switchboards). This is largely a remake of a portion of the previous manual, updating the technology to account for ten years of “improvement” in teletypewriter systems.

These aren’t part of any series, but they are interesting, important and related, so they are included here.

MIL-HDBK-211 “Electron Tubes, Techniques for Application of [sic] in Military Equipment” 690p, 1958. Despite the mangled syntax of the title, this is a wonderful manual. The first section is “Tube Properties and Statistical Concepts” and teaches the electronics engineer how to read the manufacturer’s specifications and charts and how it applies to design. It covers the issues of production variation in statistical terms. The next section is “Tube Properties and Statistical Techniques in Relation to Circuit Design”. It shows how to actually use statistical theory to help design vacuum-tube circuits that will work given normal variation in performance with varying production lots and changes in characteristics over the lifetime of the device. By far the largest section is Application Information and Specification Assurance. After an introductory section on how to think about properties, it goes through a number of common MIL tubes and essentially rewrites the manufacturer’s tube manual pages for each of them. These are the most detailed design descriptions for these tubes I have ever seen. There is a LOT more information about each tube than the manufacturer ever gives – especially in regard to production variation of device parameters. The last section is “Property Behavior of the Receiving Tubes of MIL-STD-200”. For the specific set of tubes in this list, it shows the observed variation of important parameters over the lifetime of the tubes.

TM 11-2540 “Quartz Crystals: Theory, Fabrication and Performance Measurements” 130p, 1950. I included this because it is probably the best and most clear description of what a crystal is that I have ever seen. Chapters include Introduction, Fabrication, Maintenance of Lapping and Grinding Equipment, Theory of Quartz Crystal Oscillators, Performance Measurements, Crystal Failure.

TM 11-4000 “Troubleshooting and Repair of Radio Equipment” 200p, 1958 – I include this because it uses some well-known pieces of equipment as specific examples, complete with schematics. These include the R-390/392 receivers and others. Chapters include Test Equipment, General Troubleshooting, Troubleshooting Vehicular Installations, Troubleshooting Receivers, Troubleshooting AM Transmitters, Troubleshooting FM Transmitters, Receiver Alinement [sic], Repairs and Adjustments, Final Checkup, Radiac [!] Procedures, Troubleshooting Transistorized Equipment, Repairing Printed Wiring Assemblies.

T.O. 31-1-141, volumes 1, 2, and 3. “Technical Manual: Test Methods and Practices for Electrical and Electronic Equipment”, about 1200p total, 1961. This is a marvelous set of documents that go over all aspects of the Air Force radio repair and test shop. Chapters (across all volumes) include Test Equipment (power measuring, frequency measuring, waveform measuring, modulation measuring, standing-wave measuring, field intensity and noise measuring, signal generating, electron tube testers, semiconductor testers, accessory equipment, more), Test Equipment by Function, Fundamental Measurements (voltage, current, capacitance, reactance, power, frequency, more), Testing Techniques and Practices. This description doesn’t do justice to the amount of information in these volumes – the table of contents itself is over 20 pages.

TM 11-411, MIL-HDBK-25 “Glossary of Photographic Terms”  140p, 1961. Not really related, but interesting to the photography enthusiasts.

MISCELANEOUS MANUALS – There are a few more manuals I threw in just to fill up the last DVD-ROM. I hope you find them interesting. I will not detail them here, since the exact list of manuals may change from time to time.