US Navy RTTY Equipment - Patch Panels

RTTY is also called RATT (Radio Teletype)

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thanks, Nick K4NYW
Go here for TELETYPE SIGNAL, FSK, and AFSK EQUIPMENT MANUALS

TTY PATCH PANELS

High-level signals are usually 60ma loops (120vdc).
Low level signals are +/-6vdc. Originally all circuits were high-level until low level signaling was introduced because of TEMPEST concerns.
See here for some more info on low-level signaling.

Red & Black - It is critical that plain text and encrypted text should never be associated with each other. RED refers to signals that represent classified plain text (which need to be hidden from public view). BLACK refers to unclassified plain text or encrypted text (which may be intercepted during transmission). RED and BLACK signals, equipment, and operating areas are kept as separate as possible to minimize the possibility of RED signals appearing in BLACK transmissions. Extensive guidelines for signal routing, grounding, etc. should be followed.

Shipboard Red/Black Installation - MIL-STD-1680C (March 1993)
Shipboard Red/Black Installation Guidance - IA PUB-5239-31 (July 2001)
Red/Black Engineering-Installation Guidelines - MIL-HDBK 232A (October 2000)

RED teletype signal patch panels are used on the plain text side of encryption equipment and BLACK/GRAY patch panels on the encrypted side. If a piece of teletype equipment can switched between the two, a locking switch and indicator lamp are used to avoid mistakes.

Teletype Circuits - Loop Connection Info

Each loop or circuit contains the following jacks:

LPG (looping jacks) normally closed circuit contact phone jacks. Any teletypewriter patched to LPG jack with patch cords is connected in series in that particular channel, two or more LPG jacks are provided in each channel;
SET (set jacks) the jacks labeled SET incorporate a double-throw-double-pole switch; by inserting a DUMMY PLUG into the SET jack, the teletypewriter originally in this channel is disconnected; by inserting a patch cord into the SET jack, the teletypewriter originally connected is removed from the circuit and can be patched to any other circuit by inserting the patch cord into the LPG jack of the desired circuit;
MISC (miscellaneous jack) these jacks are normally closed contact phone jacks identical to the LPG jacks; the MISC jacks are not wired to any particular circuit; teletypewriters not normally assigned to a converter or other terminal equipment are internally connected to the MISC jacks and are then available for patching to any circuit.

"NOTE: Anyone patching or unpatching circuits from a TTY panel must be sure to pull the plug from the looping jack (LPG) before removing the other plug from the SET (machine) jack. Pulling the SET jack first interrupts all TTY message traffic on that channel. IT ALSO PRODUCES A DANGEROUS DC VOLTAGE ON THE EXPOSED PLUG!"

COMMSTA Patch Panels

This info is from a USAF Relay Center training document, but Navy COMMSTA setups would have been similar

Typical Layout

Circuit details

More pages - download pdf
Thanks to James Tanton

US Army patch panel info
thanks to Sheldon

High-level (60mA) Patch Panels - Loop Connection Info
TT-23()/SG includes a switch for each channel to select external or internal loop supply Schematic Manual is NAVSHIPS 91480 (avail from www.wa5cab.com)	6 channels 2 LPG, 1 SET, 1 MISC photo thanks to WA5CAB
SB-6/GG (Western Electric 63C2) SB-6A/GG	SB-6A/GG (Signal Corps) thanks to Kevin	Download SB-6/GG manual 4 Channels 2 LPG, 1 SET, 1 MISC 63C1 wiring diagram thanks to Roy
Unstamped but a typical USN ID plate	and USN inspection stamp		--
SB-1203/UG SB-1203A/UG SB-1203B/UG SB-1203 aboard USS Midway	6 channels 3 LPG, 1 SET, 1 MISC		More info - schematics, connections, operation, etc. SB-1203/UG is for black (unclassified) circuits manual - NAVSHIPS 95718
SB-1210/UGQ SB-1210A/UGQ SB-1210B/UGQ	6 channels 2 LPG, 2 SET, 1 MISC		More info - schematics, connections, operation, etc. SB-1210/UGQ is for red (classified) circuits. manual - NAVSHIPS 95718 SB-1210 aboard USS Midway
SB-2244/UG for crypto equipment with step control of TTY tape reader. NAVSHIPS 91622 manual - thanks to Don N3RHT	3 dual channels 2 LPG, 2 SET, 1 MISC The special patch cords are dual cords with a pin that matches the hole between the jacks - this prevents getting TTY and STEP signals crossed. Channels 1,3,5 have TTY current control and metering - Channels 2,4,6 have associated "STEP LOOP" indicators. The STEP signal releases the next character from a TD under timing control of the crypto gear.		Note - as of 5/2016 Fair Radio has this one unused in the box for sale - with manual and patch cords.
SB-3576/UG 24 channels 2 LPG, 2 SET, 1 MISC		includes fuses and alarm bell to indicate blown fuse	==
SB-4034/UG 24 channels 2 LPG, 2 SET, 1 MISC	SB-4034 aboard USS Iowa	SB-4034/UG interior
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SB-4035/UGQ 24 channels 2 LPG, 2 SET, 1 MISC



Teletype Transfer and Power Supply Panels for SSN637 Class Submarines
10 input to 10 output Switch Panels - Secure (Red) and Unsecure (Black)		Dual Power Supply with Loop Current Adjust
Low Level (+/- 6v) Patch Panels & Switching Unit
SB-3145/UG	COMMUNICATIONS PATCH PANEL, SB-3145/UG - This communications patch panel is a low-level, send-and-receive teletype, special-purpose patch panel. It is capable of handling 20 half-duplex or 10 full-duplex circuits. Figure 4-21 illustrates the front panel. Jacks and controls are indexed and referenced to descriptions listed in table 4-9. The panel is normally configured for full-duplex, send-and-receive operation. The circuits are numbered 1 through 10, with circuit 1 located on the left side of the panel and circuit 10 on the right side of the panel. Each circuit requires two columns of jacks-one column for send and the other for receive. For Low-level signals (+/-6v) with 3-conductor patch cords (signals on ring & tip) Installation drawings
SB-3189/FGC SB-3189A/FGC SB-3189B/FGC	SB-3189B aboard USS Iowa Secure (Red) TTY Patch Panel		For Low-level signals (+/-6v) 3-conductor patch cords (signals on ring & tip)
SA-1794/UG Low-level Switching Unit	SA-1794/UG installed aboard FFG-54	SA-1794/UG Teletypewriter Switching Unit Incorporates 6 push-pull rotary switches with instantly removable wafers, low level gold plated contacts, wafers and receptacles, extension capabilities for system expansion, a completely shielded enclosure and minimum size; each unit contains six eight-position switches, mounted in two vertical rows; the positions are six active transfer positions, one extension position and an OFF position; switch position indicating device indicates both the rotary position and the IN position of the knob; when a switching matrix of more than six is desired, additional input or output (or both) devices can be added by using the extension position of the basic switch; systems of any size can be assembled with the multiple use of one basic module.


TH-83A/FGC low-level TTY hubbing repeater	TH-83A aboard USS Iowa		for +/- 6v signals More info in NAVSHIPS 0967-391-6010 download 38 MB pdf

CONTROL BOXES & INDICATORS

C-1004/SG C-1004A/SG C-1004B/SG C-1004C/SG			shipboard use located near TTY unit turns xmtr off/on selects AFSK (tone) or FSK (CFS) C-1004B wiring & operation info manual NAVSHIPS 92279
C-1004D/SG Installed on UGC-6 teletype aboard BB-61			similar to C-1004 no on-off pushbutton switches wiring diagram of C-1004D installed aboard BB-61 - thanks to Tyler KN6JEB
SA-734/SG Switch and ID-866/SG Indicator NOTE - These seem a bit confusing. RED normally means classified circuits and BLACK means unclassified circuits. However, the SA-734 UNCLASSIFIED switch position is RED and the ID-866 UNCLASSIFIED lamp is RED. Furthermore, I have seen some ID-866 red/green units where the CLASSIFIED indicator is RED and the CAUTION-UNCLASSIFIED indicator is GREEN This is incorrect - See below. The reasoning is because these are Teletype machine connections - if you are connected to the UNCLASSIFIED switchboard you need to be careful typing because you will transmit in the clear. If you are connected to the CLASSIFIED switchboard, anything you type will be encrypted anyway. Note that some of the USS Midway switches are labeled SECURE CIR OFF (RED) and SECURE CIR ON (BLACK), which is clearer. AHA - Here's the spec (MIL-STD-1680C) 5.3.4.4 Lock-out switch visual indicator. The ID-866/SG Indicator Light provides a visual indication of the setting of the SA-734/SG or SA 2371/SG Switch Box. Where the switch box is used for a sharing of processing equipment, the indicator light shall be co-located with the processing equipment for operator viewing. Where the switch box is used as a RED signal line disconnect, the indicator light shall be co-located with the switch box. Visual indicator lamps for Classified or Unclassified, or Classified or Disconnect shall have the following color jewels installed: Green jewel: Color to indicate a classified circuit, or a circuit of higher classification. Red jewel: Color to indicate an unclassified circuit, a circuit of lower classification, or disconnect position. I finally got a manual (NAVSHIPS 93757) - 5 MB pdf - and it confirms RED means you are connected to the UNCLASSIFIED switchboard.
ID-866/SG The ID-866/SG Indicator Light, when used to show the status of a shared RED/BLACK processing equipment, shall derive primary AC. power from the shared equipment to assure the ID-866/SG is energized when the shared equipment is energized.	UNCLASSIFIED/CLASSIFIED warning indicators with correct color scheme.	ID-866 and SA-734 aboard USS New Jersey with the WRONG ID-866 color scheme.	SA-734 & ID-866 aboard USS Iowa with the WRONG ID-866 color scheme

SA-734/SG		TTY switch - key lockout of plug and connections
ID-866 and SA-734 aboard USS Midway
TSEC/KWX-7	photos from ebay via Jerry Proc		sync control switch for KW-7 crypto unit