TM Numbering Specification

Signal Corps Technical Manuals, TM-11 Series

Technical Manuals originated around 1940 as a consolidation of earlier Radio Pamphlets such as:

• Radio Communications Pamphlets, circa 1918
• Training Manuals, circa 1921
• Training Regulations, and Technical Regulations, circa 1930.

TM 11-201, the earliest known, is entitled "Aircraft Radio SCR-134" and was formerly documented TR-1201-5. Initially, the manuals were not always grouped by equipment category, as the need did not then exist. With the explosion of equipment in World War Two, groupings soon became necessary. Many of the earlier numbers were "recycled" when the equipment for which they were originally designated became obsolete. There was also an inclusion of early 1950s equipment among much older units. In some cases, an A or B prefix was added to an original number while updating. But in general, a new number would be issued, especially in the latter 1950s. In 1958, a new FSN (Federal Stock Number) procedure was instituted, which more accurately defined the item in question and linked its TM 11- number to its supply number.

In Mid-1958, the FSN Series appeared, consisting of a four-digit number, followed by a three (rarely four) digit model number of the apparatus in question, then a two-digit number defining the scope of the manual. A P-Suffix indicates that a Parts List is involved. The system commenced with a new category number, 5805 though a few instances of lower numbers are known.

Example: TM 11-5805-201-12P is for Telephone Set TA-312/PT. It contains Operating Instructions, local Maintenance Procedures, and a Parts List.

Another example:

TM 11-5815-283-35
TM	Technical Manual
11	Signal Equipment
5815	Teletype and Facsimile Equipment
283	AN/FGC-70X
35	Field and Depot Maintenance
P	Repair Parts and Special Tools

The Chart below Explains the Designators

Technical Manual Designations
SEC	DEF
TM	Manual Type TB - Technical Bulletin TM - Technical Manual TO - Technical Order
11	Equipment Designation 11 - Signal
5815	Class of Equipment 5805 - Telephone and Telegraph Equipment 5810 - Scrambler Equipment for above services 5815 - Teletype and Facsimile Equipment 5820 - Radio and Television Communications Equipment (except airborne) 5821 - Radio and Television Communications Equipment (Airborne) 5825 - Radio Navigation Equipment (except Airborne) 5826 - Radio Navigation Equipment (Airborne) 5830 - Intercommunications & Public Address Systems (except Airborne) 5831 - Intercommunications & Public Address Systems (Airborne) 5835 - Sound Recording and Reproducing Equipment 5840 - Radar Equipment (Except Airborne) 5841 - Radar Equipment (Airborne) 5845 - Underwater Sound Equipment 5895 - Miscellaneous Communications Equipment 6115 - Power Supplies 6605 - Compass Equipment 6615 - Helicopter Electronics 6625 - Test Equipment 6655 - Visual Radiation Equipment 6660 - Meteorological Equipment 6665 - Atomic Radiation (Radiac) Equipment 6695 - Criminology Equipment 6720 - Photographic Equipment 6730 - Projectors, Still & Movie 6740 - Film & Print Processing Equipment 6760 - Aircraft Cameras & Accessories 6780 - Photographic Equipment 6940 - Training Equipment 7440 - Data Processing Equipment 7450 - Special Audio Equipment
283	Specific Equipment Designator
35	Indicator of Coverage 10 - Operators Manual 12 - Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual 14 - Operator, Organizational Maintenance & Field Maintenance 15 - Operator, Organizational Direct Service, and General Service 20 - Organizational Maintenance (Second Echelon) 24 - Organizational, Direct Service, and General Service Maintenance 25 - Organizational, Field and Deport Maintenance 34 - Direct Service and General Service Maintenance Manual 35 - Field and Deport Maintenance 50 - Calibration Procedure P - Repair Parts & Special Tools

Signal TM General Categories

200

Mainly complete radio sets (SCR), including DF eqp.

300

Specialties, as indicated below:

300-350

Telegraph and Telephone Equipment

350-359

Teletypewriter Equipment

360-379

Line Construction and Miscellaneous Wire Equipment

380-389

Cryptographic Equipment

390-399

Visual Equipment

400

Mixed equipment, plus instructional texts

400-409

Photographic Equipment

410-419

Pigeon Equipment

420-429

Meteorological Equipment

430-499

Miscellaneous Equipment & Training Manuals

500-549

Radio Sets, Aircraft

550-599

Radio Sets, Aircraft (including DF)

600-650

Radio Sets, inc. Mobile

650-690

Texts

700-750

Interphone & Audio Equipment (Ground)

750-800

Training Manuals

800-849

Transmitters

850-899

Receivers

900-999

Power Supplies

1000 - 1099

Miscellaneous Air & Radar Equipment

1100 - 1199

Radar Sets

1200 - 1299

Miscellaneous Ground Radar Equipment

1300 - 1399

Technical Operation Manuals (Radar)

1400 - 1499

General Maintenance Manuals (Radar)

1500 - 1599

Service Manuals (Radar)

1600 - 1699

Field Service Procedures Manuals

1700 - 1799

NA

1800 - 1899

Higher Echelon Repair Manuals

1900 - 1999

NA

2000s

Telephone Equipment

2100s

Telephone Systems and Centrals

2200-2249

Teletypewriter Equipment

2250-2300

Line Construction and Miscellaneous Wire Equipment

2300s

Photography

2400s

Meterology

2500s

Test Equipment

2600s

Antennas and Test Equipment

2700s

Installation of Equipment (small selection)

2800s

Installation Manuals

3000s

NA

NOTE: The entire TM 11-4000 Series is devoted to Maintenance

4000s

Repairs of Radio Equipment

4100s

Repairs to Telephone Equipment

4200-4299

NA

4300s

Repairs to Telephone Systems

4400s

Repairs to Telephone and Telegraph Terminals

4500-4699

Repairs to Power Equipment

4700

Repairs to Miscellaneous Equipment

4800-4999

NA

5000 Series

Antennas and RF Test Equipment

5100

Misc. Electronic Equipment

5200

NA

5300

Photography-Audio Visual (small selection)

5400

NA

5500

Mostly Audio Equipment

5600

NA

5700

NA