ASA Page

I was in the U. S. Army from 29 August, 1967 until 2 November, 1973, spending most of that time as a Morse Intercept Operator ("ditty bopper") in the Army Security Agency. From 9 June, 1968 until 30 July, 1970, I was at the 175th Radio Research Company at Bien Hoa, Republic of Viet Nam.

When I arrived at the 175th, operations worked out of five semi trailers backed up to a corrugated metal building. Each trailer had five positions. 4 trailers were manned 16 hours a day, and one trailer was manned 24 hours a day. Day and afternoon tricks rotated, and there were 5 ops on permanent mids who listened to "Radio Station Peace and Progress, the Voice of Soviet Public Opinion" most of the night. Charlie didn't like sending dits in the early morning hours.

Above is an R-390 receiver. It covered everything from 500KHz to 30 MHz. Charlie hung out between 4 and 7 MHZ. This receiver even has its own  web page. (And still another!)

Senior NCO's when I arrived were "Charlie" Weaver and MSG "Poncho" Gonzalez. Arriving the same time as I was SFC O'Mara who had been my instructor at Fort Devens. First Sergeant was a guy named Pike. The operator who showed me the ropes and got me through my "new guy" period was Sp/5 Mobly. CO when I left was Major Joe Frerking. If any of you guys are out there, give me a holler.

During my second or third extension, operations moved to an air-conditioned concrete building. next to the antenna field.

One of my Temporary Duty assignments while in Viet Nam was at the 547th Australian Signal Troop at Nui Dat.

Bob Hughes with new ops building and antenna farm in background.	Chip Pyle (sans customary mustache and sunglasses) and Mark Isbel.	Maj. Joe Frerking & yours truly. getting either a medal or an Article 15, can't remember which.

Here are some links to other ASA pages..

175th Radio Research Company Links	Army Security Agency Links
Paisano's 175th page City Desk 175 Vern Greunke's ASA Locator Site	Fort Devens Photo Page ASA Vets ASA Link Directory