Peter Broughton Tells the Story of Maralinga (continued)

Just before the trials commenced we received delivery of our AA3 Mk VII radar together with an AVO meter and BWD oscilloscope. These two pieces of test equipment were welcome indeed for up 'til then our only piece of test equipment was an old WWII Paton multimeter. Being a radar designed for the army and built to withstand rough treatment there were few mechanical faults but one in particular caused considerable trepidation. It happened after the unit had been in operation about a month. I was doing the usual pre-flight checks when I found a note pinned by the previous operator to the radar console saying the azimuth auto/manual switch controlling movement of the antenna had broken. The switch was located in the centre of the operating console and linked underneath with other switches in a rats nest of cableforms which at first glance looked almost impossible to penetrate. Our soldering irons in those days were manufactured by Scope, and were not temperature controlled. Since they were useful for lighting cigarettes I could see that it I wasn't careful, I could finish up doing an awful lot of damage. After checking the radar store I found there was no replacement, but I didn't have to worry as it was a PMG switch and the PMG was close at hand. The main trouble was it was after dinner when I made my discovery, and everyone had gravitated to the Sergeants' Mess. I had little trouble locating my benefactors and, of course, they had the very switch I needed. The trouble was they refused to give it to me until I had a drink with them, and another, and another, and another. Finally, an hour later, I emerged with my switch, but I was now as far gone as they were, however, I had lost all fear of the task and I sang as I worked, something I had never done before and will never do again. Using my Scope soldering iron I forced a passage through the mass of cableforms, removed and labelled each wire, withdrew the damaged switch, fitted the new one and returned each wire to its former place. When I switched the radar on again it worked first time and on reflection doubt if I could have done a better job under any other circumstances. I vaguely remember the startled face of a pedestrian who leaped out from in front of the bonnet of the Land Rover as I drove back to the radar van with my prize. I cannot recall what songs I sang or where I quietly buried the Scope soldering iron afterward. I did get a replacement but remember that it was a low wattage iron and how frustrated I was when it wouldn't heat up in an 8 km/hr wind.

Bureau of Meteorology