[Wire Dispenser MX-306/G]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL
non-circulating
WIRE DISPENSER
MX-306/G
WAR DEPARTMENT • J ANUARY 1947
NTSU LIBRARY
7
WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL TM 11-2240 9 ,
WIRE DISPENSER I I
MX-306/G
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WAR DEPARTMENT • JANUARY 1947
‘ United States Government Printing Office Washington: 1947
WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington 25, D.C., 27 January 1947
TM 11-2240, Wire Dispenser MX-306/G, is published for the information and guidance of all concerned.
[AG 300.7 (5 Dec 46)]
By order of the Secretary of War:
Official: DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
EDWARD F. WITSELL Chief or Staff
Major General
The Adjutant General
Distribution:
AAF (5); AGF (10); T (5); Dept (2); Base Comd (2); AAF Maj Comd (15); Arm 8s Sv Bd (1); AGF Bd (ea Sv Test Sec) (1); Tech Sv (2); FC (2); Class III Instls (3); PE (10); Dep 11 (5) except Holabird (21), Sacramento (17); 4th & 5th Ech Maint Shops 11 (2); A (5); CHQ (2); T/O E 11-7 (2); 11-15 (2); 11-95 (2); 11-107 (2); 11-127 (2); 11-587 (2); 11-597 (2).
For explanation of distribution formula, see FM 21-6.
CONTENTS
Paragraph Page PART ONE. INTRODUCTION.
Section I. Description of Wire Dispenser MX-306/G.
General ............................................ 1 1
Applications ....................................... 2 1
Description .......................................... 3 1
II. Installation of Wire Dispenser MX—306/G.
Unpacking ............................................ 4 3
Repacking ............................................ 5 3
PART TWO. OPERATING INSTRUCTONS.
Section III. Operation of Wire Dispenser MX-306/G.
Preparation for use................................... 6 4
Single-coil operation by foot or by vehicle........... 7 4
Tandem-coil operation for vehicles.................... 8 5
Laying wire from airplanes............................ 9 8
Tandem-coil operation for airplane use............... 10 8
Aerial wire-laying technique......................... 11 10
Operation under unusual conditions................... 12 12
PART THREE. MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS.
Section IV. Preventive maintenance. (Inapplicable.)......................... 16
V. Lubrication .................................................... 16
VI. Weatherproofing of equipment.................................... 16
PART FOUR. AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT. (Not used.)
PART FIVE. REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. (Inapplicable.)
APPENDIX I. REFERENCES.
II. MAINTENANCE PARTS. (Inapplicable.)
DESTRUCTION NOTICE
WHY— To prevent the enemy from using or salvaging this equipment for his benefit.
WHEN- When ordered by your commander.
HOW— 1. Smash—Use sledges, axes, handaxes, pickaxes, hammers, crowbars, heavy tools.
2. Cut—Use axes, handaxes, machetes, wire cutters.
3. Burn—Use gasoline, kerosene, oil, flame throwers, incendiary grenades.
4. Explosives—Use firearms, grenades, TNT.
5. Disposal—Bury in slit trenches, fox holes, other holes. Throw in streams. Scatter.
USE ANYTHING IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR DESTRUCTION OF THIS EQUIPMENT
WHAT- 1. Smash—Wire dispenser housing, name plate, and other identifying marks.
2. Cut—The coiled wire.
3. Burn—Housing, wire, Technical Manuals.
4. Bury or scatter—Any or all of the above pieces after smashing or cutting.
DESTROY EVERYTHING
Figure 1. Wire Dispenser MX-3061G lashed to infantry packboard.
PART ONE
INTRODUCTION
Section I. DESCRIPTION OF WIRE DISPENSER MX-306/G
1. General
Wire Dispenser MX-306/G (fig. 1) is an expendable drum-shaped container, housing a coil of all-purpose field wire which can be payed out smoothly at all speeds up to about 100 miles an hour. The dispenser is designed primarily to permit wire communications without the use of reels or reel equipment.
2. Applications
Wire can be laid from Wire Dispenser MX-306/G by mountain, ski, or ground troops using a hand or shoulder sling or an infantry packboard. (See fig. 1.) Wire can be payed out from virtually any land vehicle, from an amphibious vehicle, or from a liaison type airplane. Dispensers can be used one at a time or connected in tandem. Under special conditions, wire can be payed out for relatively short distances by means of bazookas or rifles using dummy bazooka projectiles or dummy rifle grenades. (See par. 12.) Speed of vehicular wire dispensing is limited only by the capacity of the vehicle and the nature of the terrain. Speed of payout by liaison type airplane is about 100 miles an hour.
3. Description
a. Technical Characteristics. Wire Dispenser MX-306/G contains either Vz mile (plus or minus 5 percent) of Wire WD-l/TT. or ¥4 mile (plus or minus 5 percent) of Wire W-130-C. The nomenclature of the wire contained and its exact length is stenciled on the outside of each dispenser. (See fig. 3.)
b. Detailed Description. Wire Dispenser MX-306/G is a cylindrical container (figs. 2 and 3) in which wire is wound with a pretwist so that the wire returns to a nearly straight or flat-lying position after being payed out. A non-water-soluble adhesive is applied to the wire coils during the winding process to keep the pretwisted wire in its coiled form until ready for use and as an aid in proper payout of wire. Payout is from one end or head only, the end marked PAYOUT END.
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END MARKING
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Figure 2. Wire Dispenser MX-306/G, payout end.
The other end is marked STANDING END. The standing end of the wire is run from the outside of the coil to the inner opening of the head. A 24-inch standing end pigtail is available for communication during payout and to permit splicing between coils for tandem operation. Before use, the standing end and the payout end leads are fastened inside the metal disks which cover the circular openings in the heads. Three D-rings (figs. 2 and 3) are provided at even intervals around the outside center of the dispenser housing. The D-rings are for use in packboard mounting and in fastening to other types of payout fixtures.
c. Weights and Dimensions. Wire Dispenser MX-306/G is packed either with Wire W-130-C or Wire WD-l/TT. The outside diameter of the dispenser, including D-rings, is 141/a inches. The length of the dispenser (between standing end and payout end) is 6 inches. Volume of the dispenser is 0.57 cubic foot. When packed with Wire W-130-C, the dispenser weighs approximately 34^2 pounds. When packed with Wire WD-l/TT, the dispenser weighs approximately 33 pounds. Total weight varies somewhat because of minor variations in wire length.
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Section II. INSTALLATION OF WIRE DISPENSER MX-306/G
4. Unpacking
In unpacking the wire dispenser, follow these steps:
a. Place the packing case where it can be opened easily.
b. Cut steel straps.
c. Remove nails with a nail puller and remove the top of packing case. Prying off top may result in damage to equipment.
d. Lift the dispenser from packing case and remove the various wrappings from around dispenser. Save the packing materials. Store them in the packing case.
Caution: Do not remove the metal disks .covering the openings in the two heads of the dispenser until the dispenser is to be put into operation.
5. Repacking
Repack the dispenser as near as possible to the way in which it was originally packed.
Figure 3. Wire Dispenser MX-306/ G, standing end.
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3
PART TWO
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Section III. OPERATION OF WIRE DISPENSER MX-306/G
6. Preparation for Use
Remove the metal disks in the two heads of the dispenser. (See fig. 3.) Unfasten the 24-inch payout lead (uncoiled wire) and pull it out the opening in the payout end. Unfasten the 24-inch standing lead and pull it out the opening in the standing end. These two leads are normally fastened to the insides of the metal disks or end plates. Test the wire in the dispenser for continuity, using a voltohmmeter or other suitable low-potential testing device. Make the test as follows:
a. Short-circuit the pair of wires at one end of the coil.
b. Connect the voltohmmeter across the pair at the other end.
c. The meter shows little or no deflection if the circuit is open.
d. If the circuit is continuous, the meter records the resistance of the loop in ohms (approximately 122 ohms for Wire WD-l/TT and 550 ohms for Wire W-130-C).
e. Remove the short circuit, leaving that end open with the voltohmmeter across the other end.
f. If the needle shows no deflection, the wire is satisfactory. If the needle does show a deflection, a short circuit within the coil is indicated.
g. If the circuit is not continuous under d above, or shows a fault under f above, discard the dispenser and replace with a new one.
Caution: Wire Dispenser MX-306/G is expendable. Do not try to repair it.
7. Single-Coil Operation by Foot or by Vehicle
Wire may be payed out by anchoring the payout end of the wire and transporting the dispenser toward the destination. Payout is from the center of the coil outward. Always operate the dispenser so that payout is from the end marked PAYOUT END. For the dispensing of a single coil of wire, the dispenser may be transported by any feasible means. Communication may be maintained during payout. To accomplish this, a field Telephone EE-8-(*) may be installed at the payout
Note. For information on destroying this equipment to prevent enemy use, see the destruction notice at the front of this manual.
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Figure 5. Wire Dispensers MX-306/ G connected in tandem and lashed to improvised jig.
of some sort. (For aerial wire-laying techniques using up to six coils in tandem, see pars. 9, 10, and 11.)
b. Improvised Jig. Construct a jig long enough to hold the desired number of dispensers. Design the jig so that the dispensers can be supported and aligned one behind the other. (See fig. 5.)
c. Installing Dispensers in Jig and Splicing Wires. Set the payout end of the first wire dispenser at the payout end of the jig. Place the payout end of the second dispenser about 6 inches away from the standing end of the first dispenser. Remove about 8 inches of wire from the second dispenser. Be careful not to loosen the wire turns in the second dispenser. Splice the wire leads of the payout end of the second dispenser to the standing end leads of the first dispenser so that the joints are staggered. Keep the over-all diameter of the wire splice as small as possible and try to keep equal tension on both conductors. The finished splice should look like the one shown in figure 4 except for the thread. (The thread is used only for splice in preparation for aerial dispensing.) Slide the second dispenser flush against the first, and at the same time pull all the slack in the wire resulting from the splicing process back into the second dispenser. This is to prevent snagging the spliced section during payout. Splice the same way between the second and third dispensers, and so on. After all desired dispensers are installed on the jig, lash them in position. Figure 5 shows dispensers in an improvised jig.
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d. Testing Circuit. Each dispenser, should have been tested for continuity (par. 6) before being connected td the other dispensers. After complete installation of the dispensers in the jig, make a test for continuity of circuit from the payout end of the first dispenser to the standing end of the last dispenser. If continuity does not exist, unlash the dispensers and check the splices. If necessary, recheck the individual dispensers for continuity until the trouble is located. Correct lack of continuity by remaking splices or by installing different dispensers or both. Lash the dispensers back in the jig.
e. Installing Loaded Jig in Vehicle. The complete assembly of jig with dispensers lashed in is portable and may be moved to the vehicle to be used for payout. Figure 6 shows a jig in a typical vehicular installation with the payout end of the assembly toward the rear of the vehicle. The standing end lead of the assembly is connected to a Telephone EE-8-(*) for communication during payout. Two or
Figure 6. Wire Dispensers MX-306/ G connected in tandem in typical vehicular installation.
WIRE DISPENSERS MX-306/G CONNECTED IN TANDEM
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Figure 7. Front view of liaison type airplane showing position of wire dispenser containers.
more jigs loaded with dispensers connected in tandem may be used at the same time in the same vehicle to lay two or more circuits.
9. Laying Wire from Airplanes
Wire Dispensers MX-306/G can be connected in tandem and payed out from special containers attached to liaison type airplanes flying at a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour. The Army Air Forces has designed an aerial wire delivery container for use with Wire Dispensers MX-306/G. Use of this container permits the laying of a continuous circuit by airplane at 100 miles an hour. Capacity of the container is six Wire Dispensers MX-306/G. When Wire Dispenser MX—306/G is loaded with Wire WD-l/TT, a 3-mile circuit can be laid. When the dispenser is loaded with Wire W-130-C, a 41/2-mile circuit can be laid. Two containers are mounted on each airplane, one under each wing, both to balance the aircraft and to lay two circuits at the same time. (See fig. 7.) The aerial container is designed especially for use with L5 and L13 liaison type airplanes.
10. Tandem-Coil Operation for Airplane Use
a. Characteristics of Aerial Container. Each aerial wire deliver container is equipped with a semi-cylindrical trough which can be taken out of the container after removal of the cone-shaped container head. The trough is used as a jig in which to support and line up the six wire dispensers.
b. Installing Wire Dispensers in Trough. Make a splice between the first and second wire dispensers as explained in paragraph 8c. Fasten a 15-inch thread or other material, that will break at a tension of not more than 3 pounds, to the middle of the spliced section. (See fig. 4.) Pass the thread through the second dispenser. Slide the second dispenser against the first, keeping enough tension on the thread
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to pull the slack of the splice completely into the second dispenser. Tack or tape the thread to the standing end of the second dispenser. Look down between the two dispensers to be sure that no part of the spliced wire is caught between the two dispensers.
Caution: Be extremely careful in splicing, threading, and pulling the slack into the second dispenser, because if any slack is left between dispensers, the splice may snag at the standing end opening of the first dispenser, and break the wire during payout. Following exactly the same procedure for all the rest of the dispensers added in tandem. After all the splicing has been done and all the dispensers are in the trough, be very careful not to let any dispenser shift. Sidewise movement of a dispenser may break the thread holding the spliced section taut. The breaking of a single thread may prevent successful payout of unbroken wire.
c. Making Dispenser Secure in Trough. To prevent shifting of dispensers during flight, which might break a splice thread, wedge the dispensers in position before installing the loaded trough in the aerial container.
d. Procedure When Trough Is Not Completely Filled with Dispensers. When fewer than the six wire dispensers are installed in the trough, wedge the dispensers against the payout end of the trough. This must be done to prevent shifting of dispensers in flight.
e. Testing Circuit. Each dispenser should have been tested for continuity (par. 6) before being connected to the other dispensers. After complete installation of dispensers in the trough, test for continuity of circuit from the payout end of the first dispenser to the standing end of the last dispenser. If continuity does not exist, remove the wedging from the trough and check the splices. If necessary, recheck the individual dispensers for continuity until the trouble is found. Correct lack of continuity by remaking splices or by installing different dispensers, or both. Wedge the dispensers back in the trough.
f. Inserting Trough in Container. After continuity has been established in the loaded trough, put the trough in the aerial container with the payout end of the wire dispensers toward the tail of the airplane. (See fig. 8.) Insert the trough at the end of the aerial container nearest the nose of the airplane. Latch the conical cover in place on the front or standing end of the aerial container.
g. Completing Installation of Wire Dispensers in Container.
(1) Before fastening the payout end of wire to the container release plate, make a check test from the pilot’s compartment to be sure that the release plate will disengage from its support when the pilot operates the release control. Then fasten the payout end of the wire securely to the metal eye on the inside of the container release plate. (See fig. 9.)
(2) The container release plate normally has a weight attached to the outside of it. If the weight is not in place, attach it. (See fig. 10.)
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Figure 8. Trough loaded with wire dispensers hall-way in aerial container.
With the payout end of wire tied to the inside metal eye and the weight attached to the outside, put the release plate in position on the guide rods. (See fig. 10.)
(3) With the release plate in position, insert the two release wires in the small holes in the plate guide rods and allow the springs on the guide rods and the external weight to drag the release plate flanges against the ends of the release wires. These wires, acting like cotter pins, hold the release plate in position until payout is desired during flight.
(4) The wire in the dispensers can now be payed out during aerial operation.
h. Loading Second Aerial Wire Dispenser Container. Prepare the second container exactly the same way.
11. Aerial Wire-Laying Technique
a. Over Mountainous Country. To minimize the amount of damage that might be sustained by the wire when it is payed out over mountainous terrain, the pilot should fly as slowly and as near the ground as practicable. If the altitude is too great, excessive slack is formed in the wire, shortening the communication distance in straight-hne miles and increasing the possibility of circuit failure.
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Figure 9. Close-up of payout end of aerial container showing wire tied to metal eye of release plate.
b. Over Nonmountainous Country. In general, wire laid over nonmountainous terrain (jungle, plains, forests, desert, water, etc.) is less subject to damage than when laid over mountains. Here again the airplane should be flown as slowly and as low as possible to prevent the formation of the long aerial spans of wire.
c. Starting Payout of Wire. Payout from the airplane can be started at the moment of take-off by first anchoring the payout end of the wire. Or payout can be started at any point after flight has begun; to do this the pilot must fly over a prescribed target and operate the release plate control.
d. Establishing Communication. Since two circuits are laid at the same time, the chances are good that at least one talking circuit will be established. To reduce contact time after wire has been laid, advance arrangements can be made between the two points of communication regarding the technique to be followed for establishing communication over the two pairs of wires. The following is a suggested procedure:
(1) Use each pair of wires as the metallic portion of a ground return circuit. This provides two ground return telephone circuits for checking the circuit the first time. Two telephones and two ground rods are
11
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Figure 10. Release plate of aerial container in position on guide rods.
required at each end of the line. Using each pair of wires as the metallic part of a ground return circuit makes it possible to establish a talking circuit when one conductor of a twisted pair of wires is broken or short-circuited. If a talking circuit cannot be established by the use of ground return circuits, it must be assumed that the lines have broken during the payout process.
(2) After initial contact is made, each circuit can be tested to see if a metallic circuit can be established over each twisted pair. Or each twisted pair may be used as one side or leg of a metallic circuit.
12. Operation Under Unusual Conditions
Under some conditions, communication between points 70 to 100 yards apart may be desirable. Wire can be payed out from Wire Dispensers MX-306/G using either a bazooka or a rifle and rifle grenade. The
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bazooka technique is reliable for no more than about 100 yards, and the rifle grenade technique, for no more than about 70 yards.
Caution: Use only dummy bazooka projectiles and dummy rifle grenades.
a. Laying Wire with Bazooka. Wire can be payed out by attaching the payout end to the muzzle of a bazooka and firing the bazooka, using dummy ammunition.
(1) Prepare a pick-up loop, in the payout end of the wire. To do this tie a loop 1 ¥2 inches in diameter, using a square knot or any knot that will not slip. (See fig. 11.) ,
(2) About 7 inches from the 1 ¥2-inch pick-up loop, tie a slip loop about 3 inches in diameter. (See fig. 11.)
(3) Attach the loops over the muzzle of the bazooka with two strips of friction tape. Tape the loops to the muzzle so that the small pick-up loop is in the center of the 3-inch loop and also in the center of the bazooka muzzle. (See fig. 12.)
(4) Before firing the bazooka, pull 10 to 20 feet of slack wire out of the wire dispenser. This slack is to prevent damage to the insulation of the wire from the blast of the bazooka projectile during the first part of its flight.
(5) Be sure to face the payout end of the dispenser exactly in the direction of fire. Figure 13 shows the two loops on a bazooka projectile after firing and recovery.
Caution: Keep clear of the wire to be payed out.
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Figure 11. Pick-up and slip loops in wire for use with bazooka.
13
b. Laying Wire with Rifle Grenade. Wire in Wire Dispenser MX-306/G can be payed out up to about 70 yards by attaching the payout end of the wire to a dummy rifle grenade and firing the rifle. Tie the wire to the base of the grenade. Place the wire dispenser close to the firing position with the payout end of the dispenser facing exactly ' in the direction of fire. (See fig. 14.)
Caution: Keep clear of the wire to be payed out.
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Figure 12. Pick-up and slip loops taped in position on bazooka muzzle.
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Figure 13. Appearance of pick-up and slip loops on dummy bazooka projectile after firing and recovery.
Figure 14. Using dummy rifle grenade to lay wire.
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PART THREE
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Section IV. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE (Inapplicable)
Section V. LUBRICATION
Note. Lubrication of this equipment is not required because there are no moving parts.
Section VI. WEATHERPROOFING OF EQUIPMENT
Note. The wire dispenser is manufactured moistureproof and fungiproof. Do not, under any circumstances, use moistureproofing and fungiproofing treatment on this equipment. Such treatment may make the dispenser totally useless.
PART FOUR
AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
(Not Used)
PART FIVE
REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
(Inapplicable)
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APPENDIX I
REFERENCES
1. Technical Manuals on Auxiliary and Test Equipment TM 11-2017 Test Set TS-26/TSM.
TM 11-333 Telephones EE-8, EE-8-A, and EE-8-B.
2. Other Publications
FM 21-6
FM 21-7
FM 21-8
TM 11-487
List and Index War Department Publications.
List of War Department Films, Film Strips, and Recognition Film Slides.
Military Training Aids.
Electrical Communication Systems Equipment.
APPENDIX II
MAINTENANCE PARTS
(Inapplicable)
17
UNT LIBRARIES DENTON TX 76203
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