JimmyV

27th Feb 2016

Tears of the Sun (2003)

Factual error: The SEAL team communicates with the commander on the ship with a man pack VHF/UHF radio. Not only does the radio man not erect the antenna but it would not be possible to communicate with the ship using this type of radio because it is a "line of sight" radio designed for ground to air communication. The commander on the ship uses a satellite phone to respond, it is not possible to use this type of radio to communicate with a satellite phone. Also, the Lieutenant doesn't use the push to talk button on the side of the microphone and uses the radio more like a telephone, the equipment simply doesn't work that way. The time is from the director's extended cut. (00:58:35)

JimmyV

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: I took a look again after reading this. The radioman isn't carrying a LOS (line of sight) radio such as a SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground Air radio System) based on the antenna it looked like a possible sitcom or (more likely) a HARRIS radio. I double-checked and it's most likely a HARRIS AN/PRC 117. That's a radio that uses the ionosphere to bounce transmissions giving really long range. Also, the HARRIS has a capability to operate more like a phone so the user wouldn't have to use the PTT.

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.