STOWAGE  AND  HANDLING Before leaving this chapter, we need to discuss the important topic of test equipment stowage and handling. Electronic  test  equipments  are  delicate,  precision,  and calibrated items of equipment that are usually expensive and in high demand. Improper stowage, rough handling, heat, moisture, dust, and such, affect the availability and life of test equipment. Bumping or dropping an item may destroy the calibration of a meter, or short-circuit or break  electronic  elements  inside  the  case.  Bends, creases,  cuts,  or  dents  in  coaxial  test  cables  or  test attenuators can alter the attenuating effect, causing false meter readings or measurements. Some items of test equipment  use  forced-air  cooling,  dust  filters,  and heaters.  These  require  clean  air  filters  for  proper ventilation and a warm-up period to permit units in the test  equipment  to  hold  calibrated  standards. Board  of  inspection  and  survey  (INSURV) inspections have documented time and time again that the problem of inadequate stowage facilities for portable test equipment continues to exist on ships. Degradation of  equipment  often  results  from  both  the  unofficial rearrangement  of  test  equipment  stowage  facilities  by fleet personnel and inadequate provision for proper stowage  facilities  following  ship  alteration  installations. As a senior technician, your job is to ensure that “your” test equipment is stowed and used properly and that your ship  is  not  one  of  the  ships  with  documented  test equipment  stowage  problems. Proper stowage for test equipment is detailed in the Stowage Guide for Portable Test Equipment,  NAVSEA ST000-AB-GYD-0010/PEETE.   This   publication provides  guidance  on  the  use  and  availability  of tie-down  straps,  shelving,  shock-absorbent  materials, work benches, brackets, cabinets, and other such items required  for  the  construction  of  shipboard  stowage facilities. In addition, the Stowage Guide’s physical data and  design  guidance  for  portable  electrical  and electronic test equipment in use aboard ship can be helpful  to  ship  installation  and  design  activities  as  they determine  adequate  shipboard  stowage  facilities. Take  the  time  to  read  the  Stowage   Guide   for Portable Test Equipment if you are not already familiar with  its  content.  It  will  be  of  great  help  to  you  in determining how to stow your test equipment correctly. In this chapter we have discussed the importance of test equipment to your mission and the procedures for ensuring that such equipment will be available and in ready condition when you need to use it. Remember, your personnel are only as good as their tools. Teach them to treat test equipment carefully and with respect. This  will  contribute  much  to  the  success  of  your electronics  division. REFERENCES Afloat Supply Procedures, NAVSUP Publication 485, Naval  Supply  Systems  Command,  Washington, D.C., 1991. Department of The Navy Metrology and Calibration (METCAL)  Program,   NAVELEXINST  4355.2, Commander Naval Electronics Systems Command, Washington,  D.C.,  1984. Electrical/Electronic  Test  Equipment  Index,  NAVSEA ST000-AA-IDX-010/PEETE, Naval Sea Systems Command,  Washington,  D.C.,  1984. Electronic  Test  Equipment  Calibration  Program Indoctrination  Handbook,   NAVMAT   P-9491, Naval Material Command, Washington, D. C., 1979. Electronics   Installation   and   Maintenance   Book (EIMB),  Test  Equipment,  NAVSEA   SE000-00- EIM-040,   Naval   Sea   Systems   Command, Washington, D.C., 1981. Life Cycle Management of Portable Test Equipment, Measuring  and  Diagnostic  Equipment  (TMDE), NAVSEAINST  9082.1,  Naval  Sea  Systems Command,  Washington,  D.C.,  1981. Metrology   Requirements   List   (METRL),   NAVAIR 17-35  MTL-1,  Department  of  the  Navy  Metrology and   Calibration   Program,   Naval   Warfare Assessment Center, Corona, Cal., 1991. Metrology Automated System for Uniform Recall and Reporting  (MEASURE)  Users  Manual,  OPNAV 43P6A, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1981. Ships’ Maintenance and Material Management (3-M) Manual, OPNAVINST4790.4B,  Office  of  the  Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1990. Standard  General-Purpose  Electronic  Test  Equipment, MILSTD   1364-F,   Naval   Electronic   Systems Command, Washington, D. C., 1982. Stowage Guide for Portable Test Equipment,  NAVSEA ST000-AB-GYD-010/PEETE, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., 1982. 7-18