Salt Ponds WWII Radar Site

 (194?-1946) - A World War II U.S. Army Radar Site established in 194?. Used to provide fire control information to large caliber (6" and above) coastal gun batteries in the Harbor Defense of Key West against enemy warships. Located on Salt Ponds Military Reservation near Key West, Monroe County, Florida. Closed in 1946.

History


Constructed and transferred for use at Salt Ponds. The physical plant consisted of a transmitter building, two powerhouses each with a 1000 gallon fuel tank, a 100' steel tower and an antenna housing disguised as a Water tank atop the tower. The three buildings and the tower were prefabricated steel units furnished by the Signal Corps. The buildings and the tower were placed on concrete pads and footings installed by the Corps of Engineers who erected all of the structures. Access to the antenna on top of the tower was by a small hoist operated by an electric motor.

The radar equipment was installed by the Signal Corps. It required 16.3kW of 120/240 AC, 1 phase, 60 cycle power furnished by commercial power backed up by the two on-site generators. The two 25 kW generators were furnished and installed by the Signal Corps.

Site Operation
The Radar track data was provided by telephone to support Battery 232 as the primary battery and to secondary battery Battery 231. Battery 232 was a 6" gun battery located on Salt Ponds Military Reservation.

Closure
Closed in 1946. The SCR-296-A Radar equipment was declared obsolete by AG letter on 17 Jan 1946. The Tower and radar equipment were to be disposed of while the buildings were to be retained.

Current Status
No visible remains.

See Also:
 * Fort Taylor (2)
 * Battery 232
 * US Radar Sets
 * SCR-296-A Radar Set
 * Gulf Coast WWII Radar Sites

Sources:
 * HDKW-AN-45 - Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Key West, Change 1, 4 Jun 1946

Links: