Know How vs Know Why

[PRR]

Know How vs Know Why

This actually drifts off into comments on part shortages, remembering WWII and now (1950) the crisis in Korea (and today the supply chain disruptions). And it acknowledges that special uses may need special modifications. But Mac fixing the radio with a stick may be inspiring. Or "fix what's broke".

[shooter]

nice find, should be MANDITOY reading!
most of the folks I worked with had amazing skills, too many sometimes.  I got by because I didn't get lost in the information, I just kept poking and measuring while the smart kids ran every sub-set diagnostic, brain-stormed all the data, while i was ass deep in a transmitter asking "could you hand me...." 
I'd lay some charred mess on the table, pick up the phone, order the part and say; "I'll be in a 2:45 when the new part comes in."


The Navy Radar though;  You're at Sea for 6-8 months so Wayne and I hot-rodded one Radar, gutted lots of brother-in-law circuits, dialed in the TX and RX.  Fixed the ECM and ECCM unit that never worked on any system.  When we were done the Radar would lock on target and have a missile firing solution many many seconds faster than the other 3 "in spec" systems.  Being a short range, last hope system, many many seconds at Mach 1.2 is a looong time 

[72Blazer]

Thanks for your service.  Retired AF Air Defense Controller.  This would be OPs Specialist (OS) in Navy career field.  Kind of explains my lack of electronics knowledge doesn't it lol

[shooter]

we were just called radar techs, FTM, FTB, FTG.  the Gov might have steam-lined it after my day.


without the "scope jockey's" I would never get a target assignment, well unless I just went to search mode and hoped something reflective went by