A transmit mast-clamp current probe for shipboard HF communications

The mast-clamp current probe (MCCP) concept uses the ship superstructure as an antenna and couples the signal from the superstructure to the communications system. This concept has been successfully implemented for the high frequency (HF) receive side of the communication system. The design process started on the DD-972 (USS Oldendorf) and culminated in the testing of a receive MCCP (MCCP Rx) on the DDG-74 (USS McFaul) in July 1998 and the DDG-80 (USS Roosevelt) in August 2000. The same technology that was used to develop the MCCP Rx is currently being applied to the development of an HF transmit MCCP (MCCP Tx).