RADAR SYSTEMS  (1952-1963)
 
AN/SPS-6C AIR SEARCH RADAR
radsys_sps6C_ant.jpg
The AN/SPS6-C radar system was used for the detection of aircraft up  to a range of 200 miles. Power output was 500 to 750 kilowatts and it operated in the band 1250 to 1350 MHz. The antenna in the photo is not the actual  SPS-6C example but it's very similar to SPS-6C. The control electronics for  SPS-6C was housed in the Radar  Compartment above the galley. This radar was installed on HAIDA prior to her second tour of duty In Korea. 

The actual antenna that we see today is an SPS-12 antenna  which came from HMCS Yukon. It was salvaged by the British Columbia Reef Society as the ship was being prepared for her sinking as a marine reef. The SPS-6C and SPS-12 are virtually identical. 

radsys_vk5 display.jpg
Airborne targets detected by SPS-6C were displayed on the VK-5  PPI display located  in the Operations Room . One of the features of this PPI display was its ability to change the  position of the centre of the screen by the operator. The VK-5 employed 101 vacuum tubes in its design.
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SPERRY Mk 2 NAVIGATION RADAR
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The Sperry Mk 2 was used for navigation, collision avoidance  and the detection of surface  targets . Its maximum range  was 30 miles. 
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Sperry Mk2 transmitter/receiver electronics. It was housed in the radar compartment. 
/radsys_sperry_mk2_display.jpg
The Sperry Mk 2 is a Plan Position Indicator (PPI) display which was fitted in the Operations Room.
ppi_example.jpg
This is how a sample display would look on the Sperry PPI except the returns from the target were yellow in colour. (Graphic courtesy Radar World). 
sperry_mesh_parabola_1954.jpg
When HAIDA had the Sperry MK II radar installed just prior to her second tour of duty to Korea, the parabolic reflector was of the mesh screen variety. Today, the Sperry radar consists of a solid metal parabola. This was not an upgrade. The Sperry gear that is seen today came from HMCS CHAUDIERE when she paid off. Here she is seen off the island of Oahu in January 1954. Click on image to enlarge. (Photo 60-G-6336-30)

 
ppi_display.jpg
This mockup of a PPI screen serves to explain the principle parts of the display.  (Graphic by David Golding)
AN/SPG-34 GUNNERY RADAR
The AN/SPG-34 gunnery radar antenna was fitted to the 4 inch  'B' gun and the 3 inch 50 gun. The antenna is actuallyan integral part of the ship's Mark 63 Fire Control System. A more detailed description of the Mk 63 system can be found here.
 
AN/SPA-4 RADAR REPEATER 
radsys_spa4_bridge.jpg
The AN/SPA-4 could be switched to act as a repeater (remote display)  between the SPS-6C and the Sperry  Mk 2 radars. Switching between the two radars was accomplished by rotating a switch just to the lower left of the SPA-4 display.
radsys_spa4_display.jpg
AN/SPA-4 display controls. In the radar equipment room, there was a SPA-4 display that was the primary display unit for the SPS-6C radar system. (Image courtesy RCN) 
TYPE 293 RADAR 
radsys_293_antenna.jpg
Situated on the topmost teardrop on the foremast is the 293 radar antenna which spanned the period 1944 to the late 1950s. 

This is  an S-band target indicator radar  sometimes referred to as "Warning Combined"  . "Combined" means that it could detect both air and surface targets. 

The RCN decommissioned the 293 radar system in the late 1950s. Because HAIDA was lucky to have an example of this antenna, it was re-mounted in its original spot  on the foremast strictly as a historical display. The control electronics for the 283  used to be housed in what is now the Electronics Maintenance Room.


 
 
Unless otherwise noted, all photos in this document were taken by Jerry Proc


Credits:

1) B/W PPI display https://www.radarworld.org/germany3.html
 
 

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  Nov 30/20