Cavallini:
a family of submarines

by Cristiano D'Adamo

	Main Page
Design and Construction	Propulsion Plan	Air Systems
Crew Quarters	Navigational Systems	Communication and Radio
Periscope	Controls	Weapons

Communication and radio

On the “Mameli” the radio equipment consisted of a 3 kW short-wave radio set (utilizing tubes), a 3 kW converter made by Marelli, a received model R.M. 1926 for short waves (300 and 1,200 meters), and second short-waves received (30 and 90 meters). On the “Archimede” the radio had only 1.5 kW. The antenna consisted of a stay and cables running forward and , aft almost the full length of the boat. The radio room was installed in the officer quarters, near the hatch leading to the control room. The “Archimede” were equipped with a radio localizer apparatus mounted on the cunning tower and controlled from the radio room.

There was a hydrophone system connected to two transmitters mounted on the saddles and capable of emitting 150 watts. There were four receivers, mostly placed aft. On later classes (Brin), the number of receivers was substantially increased (16). On the “Mameli” the hydrophone station was placed in the aft torpedo room. On the “Archimede” Tosi installed a “Langevin-Florrison” echo sounder.

General announcing system

All “Cavallini” were equipped with an announcing system. Each compartment could communicate with a central station located in the control room via a speaker microphone system.

Alarm system

The “Cavallini” were equipped with a klaxon operated from the control room. Upon sounding the alarm, all hatches would be secured and the engineers would commence the diving procedures securing the diesel engines’ intake and exhaust valves.

Telephone call system

The “Cavallini” were equipped with two buoys situated on deck and attached to a retrieval system. If necessary, the buoys could be released and floated to the surface, giving surface units a telephone connection to the submarine.