From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#1 Fcc: Sent Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 02:42:51 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Oct.21/98 Message-ID: <19981021.024151.14015.3.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Oct.21/98 Index: ANNOUNCEMENTS; PRC Addenda, Condensed PRC Data, ADDENDA, PRC DESIGNATED MILITARY RADIO EQUIPMENT; Part I, PRC-F1 > PRC-68B. by Dennis Starks MEMBERS WRITE; Japanese Web Site Help, HUMOR; *********************************************** ANNOUNCEMENTS; Today begins the promised PRC Data series. The first parts to be published will be all the data that has been compiled on PRC designated radio equipment sense the complete list was first posted, and the books were published. It should serve as an update for those who were members at the time and received the data via this post, and those who subsequently purchased the book. My thanks to Tom Bryan, Joe Pinner, and Alan Tasker for their help in compiling some of this data. The complete index, definitions, and list of reference sources have already been posted. The original PRC series was posted early last year, and shortly thereafter was printed. Because of it's extreme size, and the fact that versions were in print, I've declined to send it again to members who have requested it via our backmail files. Due to the frequent and repeated request to receive the original series, I have spent the last week condensing it to a size that can now be again included in this post. Keep in mind however that this material has been greatly condensed(from 80 pages down to 40). In most cases such information as system features and historical data have been left out leaving the reader with a very general overview of the radio's intended purpose and operational parameters. So if you want ALL the known data, you must still purchase the book. Thanks Dennis *********************************************** ADDENDA, PRC DESIGNATED MILITARY RADIO EQUIPMENT; Part I, PRC-F1 > PRC-68B. by Dennis Starks PRC-F1;Australian HF/AM/CW/SSB,backpack transceiver. Designed and built by in Australia,the PRC-F1(originally designated A-512) follows closely the design purpose of the US PRC-74. Lagging it's US counterpart by several years in design and fielding,it incorporates several design parameters that exceed that of the US set while also providing features & modes lacking in the PRC-74. Development of the PRC-F1 began in the mid 1960's with prototypes being field tested in approx 1969. The final version was equipped with the ability to use the GRA-71 code burst keyer & designated the PRC-F3. Additionally, any PRC-F1 could be modified for code burst operation when fitted with the Conversion Kit MK-F7. Features include 100% solid state design using all silicon type transistors. Fully synthesized frequency control with extreme stability. Four place rotary knob frequency selection,& fine tune ability. Completely water tight construction with the ability to float. Built in manual antenna tuner allows the use of 8,16,27,& 43ft whip antennas as well as end fed & dipole type wire type antennas. Variable selectivity provided by a 12 pole xtal filter. A full line of ancillary equipment that allow backpack,ground,& vehicular/watercraft operation. Extremely low power consumption. Ops 2-12mc in 1kc steps for a possible 10,000 channels. RF power out is rated at 10/1 watts PEP AM/USB,5/1 watts CW(high/low power settings). Requires 28vdc with a typical current consumption of 550ma(trans),35ma(rec). Size 32cmw x 12.7cmh x 29.4cmd,weight 14lbs/11oz(RT unit),approx 20 lbs(operational backpack). Accessories include; For Backpack operation,CU-F1 or CU-F1A side mounted antenna base/coupler,HF-2 handset(or any US standard type), MF-1 microphone & HF-1 earphone,KY-F1A1(No.1 Mk.2) miniature CW key,KY-116/U leg iron type CW Key,AS-F3 or F4 wire antenna & counterpoise,AS-F2 dipole antenna,AS-F1 8ft whip antenna,ST-F1 backpack harness,BB-F1 battery,MX-F! battery charger. Ground station operation(GRC-F2),MK-F7 conversion kit with among other things,CU-F2 antenna coupler, along with those accessories required for backpack operation. Vehicular/Watercraft installations (GRC-F2 with MK-F8),AB-652 antenna base,AB-243 antenna mount,5ea MS- 116 mast sections,2ea MS-117 mast sections,2ea MS-118 mast sections,mountings MT-F2,MT-F3,MT-F4. The PRC-F1 was designed & built exclusively by AWA specifically for the extremely rugged & or tropical/jungle conditions typical of Australia forces operational areas. At this time it remains a current issue item. Ref.#30,31 PRC-F3; This radio set is an updated version of the Australian PRC-F1 & F2 models. There is some confusion as to whether or not this model is in fact the PRC-F2. For more information see those types. PRC-6/6;This West German produced radio is physically identical to the original U.S. version and uses a common case. The original case has been modified to allow for the radios different internal construction and extended six channel capacity. The external antenna connector has been replaced with a channel selector switch, and a window has been placed on the side of the back cover for a selected channel display. While this version also uses sub-miniature tubes in it's design, the circuits are completely different from the original U.S. types. Even different crystal types are used. The only internally compatable component is the radio's battery. A similar, if not the same radio is also reported to have been built in France as the TR-PP-8-A. Ref.#23 PRC-9A/RT-175A;Identical to PRC-9 except for those differences noted under PRC-8A. This series of radios is known to have been both used by, and domestically produced in a number of countries including Australia, Britain(as the A-42), France(similar to the ER-79A), and in Canada(as the CPRC-509). Ref.#42(BM#52) PRC-10A/RT-176A;identical to PRC-10 except for those deferences noted under PRC-8A. This series of radios is known to have been both used by, and domestically produced by a number of countries including Australia, Britain(as the A-41), France(as the ER-79A), and in Canada(as the CPRC-510). Ref.#23,#30,#42(BM#52) PRC-17;Handheld,VHF/UHF,AM transceiver intended for search & rescue service & used by the US Navy. Ops on 121.5 & 243mc AM/MCW,with an RF power output of 50mw.Requires 135v & 1.5v supplied by internal batteries.Size 14 3/4 x 2 5/8 x 2 7/8". In addition, examples have been incountered that indicated use by commercial airlines, in particular TWA. Original cost circa 1951-1953 $210.00. Ref.#3 PRC-22; The PRC-22 is described as a UHF "Handie Talkie" capable of operation over the frequency range of 225-399.9mc with a possible 1760 channels. RF output power is rated at 300mw, with AM voice operation. With a contract date of 1951, it is doubtful this radio was capable of operation on more than a couple preset channels at any one time. Only three components are noted as being part of the PRC-22 system: R.F Tuner, I.F. amplifier, Power Supply. The latter might indicated the use of a vibrator type power supply and wet cell batteries. No physical examples of this radio have ever been found so production might have been very limited. Built by Air Associates Inc, contract NObar-52660 June 1951. No further information. Ref.#38 PRC-25A;Identical the PRC-25 except for modifications to the A25 module increasing the audio band-width. This to allow operation with TTY & voice security equipment. Ref.#26 PRC-25B;Identical to previous versions of the PRC-25. Suspect that these are overhauled radios & some may have been painted CARC. Also a possibility of the substitution of silicone type solid state devices. Ref.#26 CPRC-26/CRT-1;Portable Canadian VHF/FM transceiver.Intended as a squad radio similar in purpose to the US PRC-6.Variant models of CPRC-26 exist I/E CPRC-26(A-F),the only deference in these being the frequencies of the 6 channels supplied. The CPRC-26 could be carried in a variety of different manors I/E it could be hand carried,worn on a standard pistol belt,shoulder carried with a canvas strap,or it's harness allowed it too be worn as a back- pack,under the arm,or on the chest offset to the right or left. In the mid 1950's the US acquired a quantity of CPRC-26's to be tested as possible replacements for the PRC-6.It was officially judged as "having no significant advantage ".In fact the set had many advan- tages including it's 6 channel capacity,ability to use a sorted array of antennas & batteries,replacement of the battery did not require de- assembly of the radio as it used a separate battery box,multiple carry options,smaller size & heavier construction,field serviceability with lesser logistic problems(the CPRC-26 uses plug in modules that are in large part interchangeable with those in the US & Canadian variants of the PRC-10). On the other hand,the US PRC-6 used discrete components few of which were interchangeable with anything else,It was a very ungainly radio to repair,aline(it's numerous tuning coils are rather fragile) & use. The CPRC-26 was also adopted by Holland,who later improved it by conversion to solid state.It is possible that this version too was tested by the US. Ops 47-54mc,on any of 6 independently tuned channels,using the same xtals as the US PRC-6.RF power output approx 300mw.Requires 1.5v/850ma,45v/8ma,90v/30ma(trans),1.5v/550ma,45v/12ma,90v/3ma, -3v/bias(rec),supplied by BA-289. Accessories include,H-5001 handset,H-5002 headphone,CTS-4 battery test set,CCX/CPRC-26 battery cable(for arctic use),Type 88 British antenna(in addition any of the common US short steal type antennas can be used),US type AT-339 homing antenna,CAT-3 long wire antenna,CCW-1 canvas bag,CTS-3 test set. Other known users include Australia and Britian (as the A-40) Ref.#14,#23,#30,#42(BM#52) PRC-27; Backpack UHF/AM transceiver. Intended for use by ground troops for close air support purposes. Ops 225-400mc on any one of 4 xtal control channels. R.F. output power is rated at 2 watts. DC power derived from internal dry batteries. Size 3 x 12 x 19", 25 lbs. The PRC-27 is reported to be similar to, and a replacement for, the Navy MAY but smaller in size, and lighter in weight. Built by Designers for Industry, Cleveland Oh. Contract NObar-63367, March 1953. Ref.#38 PRC-42; Backpack HF/SSB transceiver. Intended for tactical use in support of amphibious operations. Ops 2-12mc with a possible 20,000 channels. R.F output power is rated at 20 watts. Operable from 110vac 60cps, or internal batteries(27.5vdc). System includes Receiver-Transmitter, battery pack, and carry harness, manual NAVSHIPS 93400. Built by AVCO Mtg.Corp, Lawrence, Mass. contract NObar-77507, November 1958. Ref.#38 A second description of this radio exist as printed in a late 60's edition of "Electronics, a McGraw-Hill publication". Here is noted as being a developmental radio by AVCO which turned into the PRC-70 program. Operating 2-76mc in 1kc steps with an R.F. output power of 40 watts. 32 lbs.Army, AD294-539L. PRC-44, Navy flight deck communication system. Ref.late 60's edition of "Electronics", a McGraw-Hill publication. No further information. PRC-47/RT-671;2 man,pack-portable HF,USB/CW transceiver.Collins designed and built for use by Special Forces.It was widely used by Marine FAC's for long range ground to air & ground to ground communications. Interring service approx 1963 it remained a first line radio at least until the late 1970's. Features mechanical digital frequency tuning with four rotary knobs,all solid state construction(except for tubes in RF stages). Optional VOX,& FSK operation.A built in antenna tuner allows use of the following antennas 15',or 20'whips,long wire,& any standard 50-75 ohm type.Extreme frequency stability. Ops 2-12mc on any one of 10,000 synthesized frequencies spaced every 1kc.RF output power is 100 watts(high) or 20 watts (low).Requires 110vac(400cps) or 24vdc supplied by vehicle storage battery,or BB-451 silver zinc rechargeable battery.Size (RT-671) 7 x 13.5 x 21.25,42lbs. Accessories include CY-3700 transit case,CW-647 pannel cover,H-33 handset,LS-166 loudspeaker,H-233 headphones,J-45 telegraph key,MX-4430 battery adapter terminal,CX-8393 AC power cable,CX-8394 DC power cable ,CX-8395 battery cable,AS-1320 whip antenna & canvas bag,AS-1321 long wire antenna,MT-2786 legs & ground plane & canvas bag,MK-1519 vehical instalation kit,CV-2455 TTY converter,2 ea pack frames,rucksack bag. A small 110vac/400cps gas generator is also known to have been built by Homelite based on a chain saw motor. The PRC-47 is also known to have seen service with the Australian Army circa 1966. Original equipment cost $6004.00. Ref.#9,#9A,#23,#28,#29,#30,#42(BM#52) PRC-49;Handheld UHF,AM/MCW transceiver.Designed for use by downed aircrew.Ops 225-400mc on any one xtal control channel with an RF power output of 100-250mw.Size 5.75 x 1.75 x 3.75". Solid State Design requires 6 and 14vdc supplied by an external battery.No further information.Original cost $1080.00.Ref.#15/1987,#28 PRC-49(various);Variants of the PRC-49 are known to exist,these include PRC-49A,B,& C.It is unknown the differences between these & previous versions,as all share the same basic features,& parameters.It is possible that the only difference may be in the original manufacturer/ supplier. (C) models are reported to include a volume control. Ref.#28 PRC-52; Portable HF/CW transmitter-receiver. Ops 3-16mc Rx, 3-32 MHz Tx , CW Tx only, crystal controlled, 5W with Amp AM-2855, 15 W with AM-2856, runs from 6-72 VDC or 110 VDC, 2 penlight cells(3vdc) for Rx. Built by Delco and Victory. Ref. late 60's edition of "Electronics", a McGraw-Hill publication. No further information. PRC-56;Built by Allied Signal with an original US Navy cost of $2610.00.NSN 5820-00-757-3011. Ref.#28 Additional information found in a late 60's edition of "Electronics", a (McGraw-Hill publication): AD805-257, UHF, too bulky, tubes employed. No further information. PRC-58/RT-772;Body worn VHF,FM transceiver.Built by Repco for general purpose use.The PRC-58 is constructed in three major components,RT unit,battery box,& external handset.The handset houses a loudspeaker, mic,power on/off switch,PTT,volume & squelch controls.The battery box & RT unit are carried in a rubberized canvas bag with provisions for wearing in several ways about the users body. Ops 144-174mc on any one xtal control frequency.RF power output is 1 watt.Requires 12vdc.Original US Air Force cost $450.00. It is believe that this radio set is a re-packaged version of the commercial Repco model 10-4. Ref.#23,#28,#29 PRC-62;Manpack HF,AM/SSB transceiver.This radio was reported to be used in Vietnam by patrols to talk to unit headquarters in a magazine article "Vietnam,Electronics in War",Electronics magazine May 16,1966.It is unknown how accurate the statements are,as this set has never been encountered,& other errors exist in this article.Reported to operate 2-30mc,AM & SSB. Other reports indicate an operational range of 1-12mc with AM,CW,& MCW modes of operation. An Australian list of current issue equipment, circa 1966, includes this radio and describes it as being under development in the U.S. A further decription from this same country reads: "AN/PRC-62 is an HF SSB manpack or vehicular set. Frequency Range 2 to 30 mc/s in 28,000 x 1 kc/s steps. Emission SSB Voice and CW. Power Output 20 Watts. Size 13" x 17 1/4" x 4", Weight 29 pounds. Power Source 12 volt Nickel Cadmium battery for manpack use or 24 volt vehicle supply. Antennas: A. Manually tuned 9'3" portable whip B. Adjustable sloping wire with counterpoise. C. Doublet with transmission line D. Vehicular 15ft whip Status In development in U.S.A." Ref.#42(BM#52) PRC-64;Manpack HF,AM/CW transceiver.Adoption of the CIA's Delco 5300 for use by US Army Special Forces.Intended to replace the GRC-109(RS-1), RS-6,& to a lesser extent the GRC-9 radio sets,then in use by extreme forward patrols & fire bases. The PRC-64 is a miniature,all solid state portable station.It must be set up for operation & cannot be operated while in motion.Built in antenna adjustments allow the use of 1/4 wave,1/2 wave dipole,or longwire antennas.CW keying can be done by a miniature top mounted CW key,remote key,or code burst operation at 300wpm using GRA-71 code burst generator("A" models only). Ops 2.2-6mc on any of four xtal control frequencies.RF output power is 5 watts(CW) & 1.5 watts(AM).Requires 4v,12,& 24v normally supplied by BA-1509.Size 10 x 5 x 4.5",7.5lbs(with battery).Circa 1965. The PRC-64 is also known to have seen service with Australian SAS in South East Asia and was listed as a standard issue item circa 1966. Ref.#9,#9A,#16,#23,#30,#42(BM#52,26) PRC-66A; Same as the PRC-66 with added squelch function. PRC-66B; Same as the PRC-66A with an added Guard channel Rx option with installation of proper module, and added wide band audio, for used with speech security equipment. PRC-68A;This later variant of the PRC-68 has the ability to operate on ten preset channels with 25kc channel spacing, in any sequence within any one of four selectable sub-bands, 30-40, 40-54, 50-64, 60-80mc Channel presets are accomplished via internal programming. The radio has a slightly larger cabinet, but retains complete compatibility with previous model accessories. Ref.#28,#26,#30,#31 PRC-68B;Improvement of the PRC-68 that includes an external antenna load control, LCD frequency display, 2 watts RF output(adjustable), 2.5kc channel spacing with full band coverage, simplex or half duplex modes of operation, NBFM or WBFM options for each channel both on Tx and Rx. It's low band module is reported to be replaceable with another which will allow high band operation, but it is possible that reports are confused with that of the (V) variants. Announced in 1984,a production order of 9 million dollars was placed by the US Marine Corps.Original US Airforce cost $3084.50. Ref.#12,#28,#30,#31 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Format: Courier #12 font. Margins, top .07", bottum .25", left .5", right .5", header .07", footer 0. *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; Japanese Web Site Help, Regarding the Japanese Web-site that Tom Bryan indicated: I can help with translating *brief* passages from those pages (such as a picture caption, etc.), if folks are interested in some specific thing. Please don't ask for a translation of any quantity of stuff, though - translation is very time-consuming, and my wife will have to help me a lot... Pete ed) it would be nice to know what's being said about the SEM-52 on the site in question. *********************************************** HUMOR; Steven Wright T-shirt Slogans: - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm. - Drink 'til she's cute, but stop before the wedding. - Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines. - I'm not cheap, but I am on special this week. - I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met. - I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol. - I intend to live forever -- so far, so good. - If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? - Mind Like A Steel Trap - Rusty and Illegal In 37 States. - Quantum Mechanics: The dreams stuff is made of. - Support bacteria -- they're the only culture some people have. - Televangelists: The Pro Wrestlers of religion. - The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes. - When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. - Many people quit looking for work when they find a job. - Dancing is a perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire. - When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded. - Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don't have film. - If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? - Who is General Failure and why is he reading my hard disk? - What happens if you get scared half to death twice? - Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery. - I poured Spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone. - I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder. - Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark. - How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink? - Join the Army, meet interesting people, kill them. - Laughing stock: cattle with a sense of humor. - Why do psychics have to ask you for your name? - Black holes are where God divided by zero. - All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The richest man in the county threw a big party for all of the young bachelors in the area. After dinner he asked all of his quests to join him around the pool. All of the quests were gathered at one end and the rich man took his place behind a microphone at the other end. "Gentlemen," he stated, "I'm sure that you are all wondering why I've asked you here tonight. I'm sure that you are all aware that I'm the richest man in the county but I'm also blessed with the most beautiful, intelligent and caring daughter any man could ask for. It is time that I chose a husband for her. I have devised a test to determine who among you is deserving of my daughter. I'm sure that you have noticed that the pool we are gathered around is filled with alligators, and by the way they haven't been fed in over a week. The first man who successfully swims the length of this deadly pool will not only have my daughters hand in wedlock but will be given a choice of 10 million dollars or 100,000 acres of land." No sooner had the rich man finished his speak when a man hit water at the far end of the pool. He swam like an olympic champion, fought off the hungry alligators as only Tarzan himself could do. The young man dragged his bleeding body from the blood red pool and stood, silent and defiant, in front of the rich man. "Congratulations, young man. You have earned my daughters hand and your choice of the 10 million dollars of 100,000 acres of land." The young man shook his head and stated for all to hear, "I don't want to marry your daughter and you can keep your money and land." The rich man was utterly astonished, "What on earth do you want then." The young man turned back toward the crowd and said, "I want the son-of-a-bitch that pushed me in the pool!!!!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lottery Fever A Redneck buys a ticket and wins the lottery. He goes to Austin to claim it and the man verifies his ticket number. The Redneck says, "I want my $20 million." The man replied, "No, sir. It doesn't work that way. We give you a million today and then you'll get the rest spread out for the next 19 years." The Redneck said, "Oh, no. I want all my money right now! I won it and I want it." Again, the man explain that he would only get a million that day and the rest during the next 19 years. The Redneck, furious with the man, screams out, "Look, I want my money! If you're not going to give me my $20 million right now, then I want my dollar back!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go To School! Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son. "Wake up, son. It's time to go to school!" "But why, Mom? I don't want to go." "Give me two reasons why you don't want to go." "Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!" "Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready." "Give me two reasons why I should go to school." "Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Principal!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The greatest comeback line ever... Police arrested Malcolm Davidson, a 27 year old white male, resident of Wimbledon, in a pumpkin patch at 11:38pm Friday. Davidson will be charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, public indecency, and public intoxication at the County courthouse on Monday. The suspect allegedly stated that as he was passing a pumpkin patch, he decided to stop. "You know, a pumpkin is soft and squishy inside, and there was no one around here for miles. At least I thought there wasn't." he stated in a phone interview from the County courthouse jail. Davidson went on to state that he pulled over to the side of the road, picked out a pumpkin that he felt was appropriate to his purposes, cut a hole in it, and proceeded to satisfy his alleged "need". "I guess I was just really into it, you know?" he commented with evident embarrassment. In the process, Davidson apparently failed to notice the Wimbledon Municipal police car approaching and was unaware of his audience until Officer Brenda Taylor approached him. "It was an unusual situation, that's for sure." said officer Taylor. "I walked up to (Davidson) and he was ... just working away at this pumpkin. Taylor went on to describe what happened when she approached Davidson. "I just went up and said, 'Excuse me sir, but do you realize that you are screwing a pumpkin?' He got very surprised as you'd expect and then looked me straight in the face and said, 'A pumpkin? Damn... is it midnight already?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Heaven's Clocks" A guy dies and goes to heaven. It's a slow day for St. Peter, so, upon the guy's passing the entrance test, St. Peter says "I'm not very busy today, why don't you let me show you around?" The guy thinks this is a great idea and graciously accepts the offer. St. Peter shows him all the sights, the golf course, the reading room and library, the observation room, the cafeteria, and finally, they come to a huge room full of clocks. The guy asks, "What's up with these clocks?" St. Peter explains, "Everyone on earth has a clock that shows how much time he has left on earth. When a clock runs out of time, the person dies and comes to the Gates to be judged." The guy thinks this makes sense but notices that some of the clocks are going faster than others. He asks why is that? St. Peter explains, "Every time a living person tells a lie, it speeds his clock." This also makes sense, so the guy takes one last look around the room before leaving and notices one clock in the center of the ceiling. On this clock, both hands are spinning at an unbelievable rate. So he asks, "What is the story with that clock?" "Oh, that," St. Peter replies, "That's Bill Clinton's clock. We decided to use it as a ceiling fan." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Blue Collar workers get together, they talk about football... When Middle Management get together, they talk about tennis... When Top Management get together, they talk about golf... . Logical Conclusion: The higher up you are in management, the smaller your balls are. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REDMOND, WA--In what CEO Bill Gates called "an unfortunate but necessary step to protect our intellectual property from theft and exploitation by competitors," the Microsoft Corporation patented the numbers one and zero Monday. With the patent, Microsoft's rivals are prohibited from manufacturing or selling products containing zeroes and ones--the mathematical building blocks of all computer languages and programs--unless a royalty fee of 10 cents per digit used is paid to the software giant. "Microsoft has been using the binary system of ones and zeroes ever since its inception in 1975," Gates told reporters. "For years, in the interest of the overall health of the computer industry, we permitted the free and unfettered use of our proprietary numeric systems. However, changing marketplace conditions and the increasingly predatory practices of certain competitors now leave us with no choice but to seek compensation for the use of our numerals." A number of major Silicon Valley players, including Apple Computer, Netscape and Sun Microsystems, said they will challenge the Microsoft patent as monopolistic and anti- competitive, claiming that the 10-cent-per-digit licensing fee would bankrupt them instantly. "While, technically, Java is a complex system of algorithms used to create a platform-independent programming environment, it is, at its core, just a string of trillions of ones and zeroes," said Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy, whose company created the Java programming environment used in many Internet applications. "The licensing fees we'd have to pay Microsoft every day would be approximately 327,000 times the total net worth of this company." "If this patent holds up in federal court, Apple will have no choice but to convert to analog," said Apple interim CEO Steve Jobs, "and I have serious doubts whether this company would be able to remain competitive selling pedal-operated computers running software off vinyl LPs." As a result of the Microsoft patent, many other companies have begun radically revising their product lines: Database manufacturer Oracle has embarked on a crash program to develop "an abacus for the next millennium." Novell, whose communications and networking systems are also subject to Microsoft licensing fees, is working with top animal trainers on a chimpanzee-based message- transmission system. Hewlett-Packard is developing a revolutionary new steam-powered printer. Despite the swarm of protest, Gates is standing his ground, maintaining that ones and zeroes are the undisputed property of Microsoft. "We will vigorously enforce our patents of these numbers, as they are legally ours," Gates said. "Among Microsoft's vast historical archives are Sanskrit cuneiform tablets from 1800 B.C. clearly showing ones and a symbol known as 'sunya,' or nothing. We also own: papyrus scrolls written by Pythagoras himself in which he explains the idea of singular notation, or 'one'; early tracts by Mohammed ibn Musa al Kwarizimi explaining the concept of al-sifr, or 'the cipher'; original mathematical manuscripts by Heisenberg, Einstein and Planck; and a signed first-edition copy of Jean-Paul Sartre's Being And Nothingness. Should the need arise, Microsoft will have no difficulty proving to the Justice Department or anyone else that we own the rights to these numbers." Added Gates: "My salary also has lots of zeroes. I'm the richest man in the world." According to experts, the full ramifications of Microsoft's patenting of one and zero have yet to be realized. "Because all integers and natural numbers derive from one and zero, Microsoft may, by extension, lay claim to ownership of all mathematics and logic systems, including Euclidean geometry, pulleys and levers, gravity, and the basic Newtonian principles of motion, as well as the concepts of existence and nonexistence," Yale University theoretical mathematics professor J. Edmund Lattimore said. "In other words, pretty much everything." Lattimore said that the only mathematical constructs of which Microsoft may not be able to claim ownership are infinity and transcendental numbers like pi. Microsoft lawyers are expected to file liens on infinity and pi this week. Microsoft has not yet announced whether it will charge a user fee to individuals who wish to engage in such mathematically rooted motions as walking, stretching and smiling. In an address beamed live to billions of people around the globe Monday, Gates expressed confidence that his company's latest move will, ultimately, benefit all humankind. "Think of this as a partnership," Gates said. "Like the ones and zeroes of the binary code itself, we must all work together to make the promise of the computer revolution a reality. As the world's richest, most powerful software company, Microsoft is number one. And you, the millions of consumers who use our products, are the zeroes." *********************************************** (The preceding was a product of the"Military Collector Group Post", an international email magazine dedicated to the preservation of history and the equipment that made it. Unlimited circulation of this material is authorized so long as the proper credits to the original authors, and publisher or this group are included. For more information conserning this group contact Dennis Starks at, military-radio-guy@juno.com) ***********************************************