GCMZD9 AN/SPS-48C (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by SnoWake -n- Dingo

This cache has been archived.

Nomex: Hi SnoWake
As there's been no cache to find for months, I'm temporarily archiving this to keep it from continually showing up in search lists. Just contact us when you have the cache repaired, [RED]and assuming it still meets the guidelines[/RED], we'll be happy to unarchive it.

You may email me at via the link to my profile on the log. [red]Please be sure to include the cache name and GCxxxx number, or better yet, the URL of the cache page.[/red]

Thanks for your cooperation!
Nomex
Northern California Volunteer Cache Reviewer

GCMZD9 ▼

A cache by SnoWake -n- Dingo Message this owner

Hidden : 3/1/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Related Web Page

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

I saw MartianRabbit's new puzzle cache, and was reminded of a past life when I actually was fluent in such things. This cache represents remnants of (several) bygone eras - both for me, personally, as well as the nation as a whole. Visit what used to be Mare Island Naval Shipyard (and Training Facility) - which also turns out to be a historic site - bonus!

As I drove onto the partially-transformed, partially deserted base, I did some mental math and realized that it's been exactly 20 years (give or take a month) since I first arrived here at Mare Island for my "C" school - where I added to my general electronics and radar knowledge with the detailed specifics of maintaining the AN/SPS-48C. A long range (220nm), three-dimensional (yep - not just range and bearing - but ELEVATION, too!) air search radar, with accuracy suitable for feeding into a Tomahawk missile guidance system.

When I arrived here I was an FTM3 - Fire Control Technician: Missile, 3rd class. After this final 6 month school, I hit the fleet and maintained the system aboard CVN-70, then the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. By the time I got out at the end of 6 years, I was an FC1 - Fire Control technician, first class. Not bad, for a six year stint.

Visiting the base decades late brought waves of memories, feelings, and faces to mind. There was the main gate, the commissary, the "hobby center" with auto shop and black and white darkroom, where I first learned to process film and print photos. But most of all - up this hill was the site of the Naval Training Center's "48 charlie" facilities, with two complete systems, and an actual functional antenna (though we almost exclusively transmitted into a dummy load). If you click through to the transmitter specs... yes, you read that correctly: 2.2MW - that's MEGAwatts - peak power output. Needless to say, we actually had to schedule and coordinate with regional airports, communications systems, etc - as it typically caused some sort of interference or disruption.

When I arrived tonight, I noticed the historical marker (less than 200' from the cache), which enlightened me to a fact I either didn't know or had long since forgotten. This very hill was the site of the FIRST Naval Wireless Station on the Pacific Coast, erected in 1904 - so says the plaque. This article describes the first ever transcontinental wireless communication between this station and Arlington, VA, in 1915. That sort of makes this a complimentary cache to HuntnLady's Signals From The Sky

The cache is hidden VERY near where that old antenna once rotated.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Hc; Sver Pbageby

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)