PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-579
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 579
FEBRUARY 2001
A
ir traffic controllers, if your AN/TPN-18A radar is having power problems,
check its weakest link–-the power and data cables.
These cables are at the mercy of the elements, vehicles and airfield mowers.
When you set up your radar, protect its cables from vehicle tracks and mower blades
and wheels. They can crush or cut delicate cable wires and knock out your radar.
A good rule of thumb to protect the
cables is to elevate them above ground
about 6 inches and mark ‘em with
white cloth or tape. Always separate the
power cable from the others to prevent
video interference. An easy way to get
cables off the ground is to lay ‘em on
crossed tent stakes that are nailed or
tied together. Then, tie the cables
securely to the stakes with cable ties or
engineer tape, remembering to tie the
power cable off by itself.
Next, make sure the cables are
greased with silicone compound, NSN
6850-00-295-7685. That’ll keep bad
weather from cracking, fraying and dry
rotting the insulation.
Of course, always follow the good
PM words in the AN/TPN-18’s TM 11-
5840- 281-12-1.
PS 579
FEB 01
37
Next,
open
the lower front door of
the radar set when you turn it
off.
The open door lets air in and equal-
izes the inside and outside tempera-
tures. That prevents condensation
inside the radar set, which means
circuits won’t short out when you
power up. The door must be closed
when the unit is powered up because
of the electrical hazard it poses when
the radar is on.
A
rmy aviators fly in good and bad weather. But when the weather turns bad, the
AN/TPN-18 tactical radar set is what the aviator depends on to guide him safely
home. So, make sure the radar is ready to do its part—even in winter’s grip.
First, check out the gear lubricating oil in the azimuth and elevation gear case
assemblies. It must be an all- weather gear lubricating oil, like NSN 9150-01-152-
1094, and it must be at the correct level. See the procedure in paragraph 5-9 in TM
11-5840-281-12. All-weather lube oil keeps gears moving when others thicken up
and cause gear failure.
Secure
cables to
stakes
Mark
cables
Protect
cables
from
cracking,
fraying
and dry
rotting
Keep power
cable apart
from other
cables
AN/TPN-18A Radar Set.
..
AN/TPN-18 Radar Sets . . .
PS 579
FEB 01
36
Check oil level
in both the
antenna and
azimuth drives
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