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.