Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfield
Jenner Radar Site B-76/J-76
 
 
Operational area of the Jenner Radar Station, July 1944.
 
 
US Army Corps of Engineers History
 
Between approximately 1941 and 1942, the U.S. Army acquired two use permits for 74 acres of land by donation. In addition, a leasehold interest was acquired for 175.88 acres of land, by lease, for a total of 249.88 acres.

The Radar Site B-76 was located 21 miles west of Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County, California. The site was acquired for use as an air defense radar site. There were no documented improvements to the site; however, the permission letter by the State Park Commission, for 71 acres, did authorize improvements by the U.S. Army. The permits allowed the Army to enter, maneuver upon, pass over, fire, and bivouac or camp upon the 74 State Park land acres. The site was equipped with the SCR-270 radar set and was later replaced with the SCR-271 radar set. Information on file at the Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers show that the site had three .50 caliber machine guns for air and perimeter defense. The operational area was camouflaged to look like a coastal farm. A surviving example this located at Trinidad Radar Site (B-74).
 
The site was manned by Detachment F, 653rd Signal Aircraft Warning Company, and later Detachment E, 656th Signal Aircraft Warning Company. Both reported to the San Francisco Control Group.

On 28 February 1946, the lease for 175.88 acres was terminated. On 28 December 1945 and 20 May 1947, the two use permits for 74 acres were terminated. Records do not indicate if there were any termination agreements in the lease. An attachment to the permit for three acres indicated that the permittee agreed to waive Notice of Cancellation and Restoration as required by the permit. The updated
 
Source: Los Angeles District, US Army Corps of Engineers
 
 
 
Radar Systems at the Jenner Radar Station:
 
 
SCR-270-D Mobile Long Wave Aircraft Warning Set
 
 
Description: Six-vehicle mobile, long wave early warning aircraft detector. Azimuth and range supplied. Set is equipped with "A" scope.
Uses: To establish a screen of warning which provides information of approaching aircraft as early as possible but with a sacrifice of accuracy in range, azimuth and elevation. IFF equipment RC-150 is used.
Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single bomber flying at indicated heights, when set is on a flat sea level site:
 
 Altitude, feet  1000   5000  20,000  25,000
 Range, miles  20  50  100  110
Set should be sited at a height between 100' and 1000' above an unobstructed reflecting surface.
Transportability: Complete set is carried in 6 vehicles, the largest of which measures 30'4" x 9'10" x 8'. Total weight of shipment is 101,790 lbs; total volume 11,485 cu. ft.
Installation: Operates from trucks in which mounted. Can be placed in operation about 6 hours after arrival at site.
Personnel: Seven men comprise operating crew. For 24 hour operation about 50 men are required to run radar, communication radio, and camp.
Power: 15.3 KW, supplied by PE-74, 25 KVA gasoline-driven generator, having fixed consumption of 4 gal. per hour, non-leaded gasoline.
 
 
SCR-271-D and SCR-271-E Fixed Long Wave Aircraft Warning Set
 
Description: Fixed long wave early warning aircraft detector. Azimuth and range supplied on "A" scopes. 271-D has a 100' tower; 271-E, a 50' tower.
Uses: To establish a screen of warning which gives data on aircraft as early as possible, but with a sacrifice of accuracy in range, azimuth and elevation. IFF equipment RC-151 is used.
Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single medium bomber flying at indicated altitudes, when set is on a flat sea level site:
 
 Altitude, feet  1000  5000  20,000  25,000
 SCR-271-E Range, miles  20  50  100  110
 SCR-271-D Range, miles  25  60  120  135
Sets should be sited so that the mean antenna height is between 100 and 1000 ft. above an unobstructed flat surface. The 100' tower should be used when it is desired to get additional low coverage, or to insure clearance above surrounding trees or other obstructions.
Transportability: Sets are packed in 106 units, weighing a total of 42,279 lbs. Largest unit is 176" x 25" x 20". Total volume is 4008 cu. fit.
Installation: Requires a weatherproof building approx. 20' x 40' for housing radar components and a building approx. 20' x 20' for housing the power units and switchboard. A 100 foot tower on concrete footings is required for an SCR-271-D and a 50-ft. tower for an SCR-271-3. Buildings and tower are built by engineers in about 3 weeks. Radar can be installed by five men in about two weeks.
Personnel: 7 men are operating crew. For 24 hour operations, about 50 men are required for radar, communication radio, and camp.
Power: 15.3 KW supplied by PE 74, 25 KVA gasoline-driven generator. Consumption is 4 gal. per hour, non-leaded standard commercial gas.
 
 
Additional Online History
 
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/4833968/jenner-radar-site-b-76-archives-search-report-corpsfudsorg
 
 
 
 
 
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Updated 8 February 2016