MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JAN.25/98 INDEX: MORE ON THE AUSTRALIAN A-510; from Steve Hill, & Dennis Starks ANOTHER CLUE TO THE TRC-77's USE; From Steve Hill NEW TV SERIES; HUMOR; **************************************** MORE ON THE AUSTRALIAN A-510; From Steve Hill, & Dennis Starks SH) I find it quite interesting that the radio that replaced it, the PRC-64 is inferior to the A510. The PRC-64 is a lot smaller and lighter but... The PRC-64 cannot be used on the move which I would think is a major disadvantage for a front line radio. The PRC-64 has more power, but not much, the receiver is limited to four crystal channels, the controls are user unfriendly, and internally the design leaves much room for improvement. ------------------------------------------------------------- DS) While I can also question the existence of the PRC-64 in front line tactical units, and also sight some failings. The basic truth is that the PRC-64, & the A-510 were designed with two completely different concepts in mind, with a corresponding 20 year difference in communications doctrine, and procedures. The A-510 was designed as a small unit, front line tactical set with the Old School practice of early WW-II mind. This being that HF freqs would penetrate jungle foliage better than VHF. While this is true, for patrol units, on the move, never being separated from other bodies by more than a couple miles, the difference is negligible. And when combined with the added bulk of the A-510, and the extreme frequency congestion and management problems of a modern army(especially with 4 or 5 armies in the field in relative close proximity), any advantage of the A-510 in this role could be quickly outweighed even by the lowly PRC-10. While the A-510 would indeed have some merit over the PRC-64 in use as a simi-fixed installation. It lacked the ability to be used with a code burst generator(GRA-71) which received every bit as widespread use in the Australian Army as it did with the U.S.'s. Further, the PRC-64's use of mechanical filters in it's receiver allowed for closer channel spacing thus less frequency congestion/conflict. Lastly, and probably most important, the PRC-64 was far cheeper to produce than the A-510, especially in quantities. As I've reported, the A-510 is a marvel of mechanical engineering, design, and quality construction. This all has a correspondingly high cost in materials, and specialized parts. The PRC-64 excepting for it's far cheeper stamped out aluminum case, was built entirely from "off the shelf" parts. We can surmise that at the time of Australia's entrance into the Vietnam conflict, there probably wasn't sufficient quantities of the A-510 on hand. If there was, battlefield casualties would have quickly reduced their numbers. Australia has a traditionally small peacetime army, with an even smaller military budget. This combined with the above would easily spell the demise of the A-510. SH) I built a power supply to allow my A510 to be operated. This is necessary as batteries are not available. My power supply consists of a 1.5Volt cell for heaters, a 9Volt cell for bias, and a home brew inverter powered by a 12Volt sealed lead acid battery to make the 90V HT. The power supply fits nicely into the battery compartments, allowing me to use the set on the move. I have had one QSO with the set. My set is serial number 1734. It is in good condition, despite looking used. None of the rubber has perished and all the accessories are in good condition. ----------------------------------------------------------- DS) You make me green with envy! Some time you might detail the supply you used. I believe you once said it utilizes a filament transformer turned around backwards. SH) The A510 is a beautiful little radio that I enjoy having, however due to lack of power output and being crystal controlled, it has limited value as a ham set. I believe there is a guy in Victoria who uses his A510 regularly. ------------------------------------------------------------ DS) While I might agree with the xtal control being a hindrance, definitely not it's power output. This makes it all the more fun! A very young man about 200 miles distant from me, built himself an AM transmitter entirely from junk solid state CB radios(finally a good use for them). It's output was less than 1 watt. To the great amazement of all he regularly participates in daytime round tables on 75 meters, covering a four state area. And many more hams will argue the virtues of 1 watt on CW. Steve Hill VK4CZT 39 Banbury St. Carina. 4152. Brisbane. Australia. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com **************************************** ANOTHER CLUE TO THE TRC-77's USE; From Steve Hill BTW, I spoke to the guy who said the TRC-77 was used by the Aus army. He didn't really have any more info, but said he saw them in USED condition in disposal stores. Thats all he knew. Steve Hill VK4CZT ----------------------------------------------------------- ed) The above stems from Steve's recently acquiring a TRC-77, with it being recognized by a friend. With my prodding, Steve enquired as to where the friend had seen the set, being used? Where? When? By whom? While the above isn't much, it is more than we had about the short courier of the TRC-77. Until this time, the only confirmed use of the set was by a fledgling South Vietnamese commando group. The appearance of the radio in the Australian surplus system in "USED" condition is significant, and gives us cause for further investigation. While the TRC-77 is not at all a uncommon radio in the U.S., our examples were nearly, if not all, acquired in NEW/UNUSED condition, often times in it's original box. This testifying to it's lack of use by U.S. forces. **************************************** NEW TV SERIES; For those of you who are interested, here is the information on the new TV series about espionage equipment. I got this from Keith Melton. You will see my name at the end in the credits William L. Howard THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 813 585-7756 ---------- From: Keith Melton To: 'wlhoward@gte.net' Subject: RE: Press Kits Bill: I just received a confirmation e-mail from Discovery about the tapes and kit. They either are, or will soon be, on their way to you. Yes, the name is SPY TEK. It premiers in the US on the evening of 23 February from 1900-2200 EST. Cheers, KEITH **************************************** HUMOR; Q: How does a high school boy propose marriage? A: "You're having a what?!?" Q: What's the difference between a dog and a fox? A: About five drinks! Q: What's the difference between an evening gown and a night gown? A: About 15 minutes if you are lucky! Q: What do you call a man who has lost 99% of his brain? A: A widower. Q: Did you hear about the cowboy who couldn't spell? A: He spent the night in a warehouse! Q: What has four legs and one arm? A: A happy pit-bull. Q: What does a divorce in Alabama have in common with a tornado? A: A trailer home is torn apart in either one. --------------------------------------------------------- There were two church-going women gossiping in front of the store when a cowboy rode up. He tied up in front of the saloon, walked around behind his horse, lifted its tail and kissed the horse full on its tush. One of the women asked, "That's disgusting, why did you do THAT?" To which the cowboy replied, "I've got chapped lips." Confused, the woman continued, "Does that make them feel better?" "No, but it stops me from licking them!" ----------------------------------------------------------- The Young Bride An old man of 70 married a young girl of 18. When they got into bed the night after the wedding, he held up three fingers. "Oh honey", said the young nymph, "Does that mean we're going to do it three times?" "No", said the old man, "It means you can take your pick." ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Vibrator Little old lady (who just looks like your grandmother) goes into a sex shop, She appears to have a case of palsy as she's shaking from head to toe. "Young Man?" she asks the clerk, "Do you sell vibrators?" "Yes Mam we do", he replies. "Big fluorescent orange ones?" "Yes Mam we do." "The type about 16 inches long?" "Yes mam we do." "The type that takes 8 D Cell batteries?" "Yes Mam we do." "Well how the hell do you turn it off?!!!" **************************************** EDITOR; Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com --------- End forwarded message ----------