Antenna:  Will freeze into one solid rod if you do not lubricate it and exercise its sections. When your boat is going into the A frame (drydock of a PT tender) the antenna is lowered.  On patrol, it is ordinarily best to use maximum height.  One radio operator is credited with a Jap plane for that reason.  The plane came in so low that he hit the whip antenna and before he could recover from the jolt he plopped into the sea.  Of course, it is best not to rely on your antenna to knock down planes, but it has happened.  Another thing—lookouts take notice—never touch the antenna, especially in damp weather.  During a transmission, it is a veritable powerhouse.  No transmissions or receptions can be carried out successfully while you are in contact with the antenna.  Brace yourself with the hand rails provided and not with the antenna.

 

Fantail:  Here is a section of the boat that is multi-purpose.  It is a place for work and play.  Swimming and fishing over the stern are great pastimes.  Just as the gunners use the forecastle for most of their work, the engineers stick to the fantail with theirs.  Also everybody has clothes to wash.  The fantail is the best place for this, but do not use the ammunition boxes as scrub boards.  Another thing, you will want to keep your boat’s sides clean of lye stain.  This stain can be prevented by tacking a six foot lathe along each gunwale.  This will form a little lip or gutter and will take all your wash water over the stern.