From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#3 Fcc: Sent Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 06:18:52 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Dec.24/98 Message-ID: <19981224.061734.10919.2.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Dec.24/98 Index: ANOTHER RS-1 TRANSMITTER VARIANT; by Pete McCollum MEMBERS WRITE; Bendix RT-221AE-28 Info Needed, HUMOR; *********************************************** ANOTHER RS-1 TRANSMITTER VARIANT; by Pete McCollum A few months ago I described the RT/A-3 variant of the RT-3 transmitter. Recently I learned about two more variations: RT/D-3 It seems to be a standard late-production RT-3, but with the burst-coder connector added. This makes it functionally the same as a T-784/GRC-109. On the ID label, a small foil sticker has been added, covering up the word "RT-3" - the sticker says "RT/D-3". The case has a 2"-wide yellow stripe painted on it, just like the "A" model. The lid does NOT have the stripe, but it is marked "RT-D-3" in yellow stenciled letters. Two "D" units have been seen so far. RT/E-3 This variant is another late-production RT-3 that has been modified to cover 3-30 MC in four bands, instead of the standard 3-22 MC. The original tuning chart has been covered with a new chart. The original "RT-3" marking has been painted over in black, and "RT/E-3" was painted over it. It is in like-new condition, and the 6AC7 has a 1962 date code. The "E" model does NOT have the burst-coder connector. Only one example of the "E" model has been seen. Any ideas about what would be the advantage of adding the 22-30 MC band?? One thought is that it would be used when only short-range communications was required - it would then be less likely that your signal would propagate to enemy listening posts. Many standard RT-3's, plus these two new variants, all have an "MWO 39" marking on the front panel. All of the known units were acquired through Army surplus channels, but I've never been able to identify any hardware change that would explain the MWO. Is it possible that re-painting or MFP treatment would be an "MWO" ? If anyone has further info, please contact me. Anyone seen a "B" or "C" model?? Pete McCollum saipan59@juno.com For more RS-1/GRC-109 info, see: MCGP Backmail #42; ODDBALL RS-1 TRANSMITTER; By Pete McCollum MCGP Backmail #43:(21 pages) GRC-109/RS-1; What, Why, When, Where Part I, An Interveiw With Bob Olsen, by Pete McCollum GRC-109/RS-1; What, Why, When, Where Part II, Descriptions, & Observations of the RS-1, GRC-109, & GRA-71 By Pete McCollum with Further Comments by Dennis Starks GRC-109/RS-1; What, Why, When, Where Part's III, VHistory ? by Pete McCollum Dispelling The Myths, Part I, by Dennis Starks GRC-109/RS-1; What, Why, When, Where Part IV; Dispelling The Myths, Part II, by Dennis Starks GRC-109/RS-1; What, Why, When, Where Part V; Dispelling The Myths, Part III, by Dennis Starks RS-1/RS-6/GRC-109; Serial Number Info, By Pete McCollum *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; Bendix RT-221AE-28 Info Needed, Need info on a Bendix RT-221AE-28 aircraft transmitter reciever. VHF. Solid state. Need info on the rear connector so I can get this thing working. Cheers ----------------------- Steve Hill VK4CZT visit my military radio page *********************************************** HUMOR; A Ham's Night Before Christmas (Yet another corruption of Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas tale, this time distorted by Gary Pearce KN4AQ, and the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh, NC, December 2, 1996.) 'Twas the night before Christmas, And all through two-meters, Not a signal was keying up Any repeaters. The antennas reached up >From the tower, quite high, To catch the weak signals That bounced from the sky. The children, Tech-Pluses, Took their HT's to bed, And dreamed of the day They'd be Extras, instead. Mom put on her headphones, I plugged in the key, And we tuned 40 meters For that rare ZK3. When the meter was pegged by a signal with power. It smoked a small diode, and, I swear, shook the tower. Mom yanked off her phones, And with all she could muster Logged a spot of the signal On the DX PacketCluster, While I ran to the window And peered up at the sky, To see what could generate RF that high. It was way in the distance, But the moon made it gleam - A flying sleigh, with an Eight element beam, And a little old driver who looked slightly mean. So I thought for a moment, That it might be Wayne Green. But no, it was Santa, The Santa of Hams. On a mission, this Christmas, To clean up the bands. He circled the tower, Then stopped in his track, And he slid down the coax Right into the shack. While Mom and I hid Behind stacks of CQ, This Santa of hamming Knew just what to do. He cleared off the shack desk Of paper and parts, And filled out all my late QSLs For a start. He ran copper braid, Took a steel rod and pounded It into the earth, till The station was grounded. He tightened loose fittings, Resoldered connections, Cranked down modulation, Installed lightning protection. He neutralized tubes In my linear amp... (Never worked right before -- Now it works like a champ). A new, low-pass filter Cleaned up the TV. He corrected the settings In my TNC. He repaired the computer That would not compute, And he backed up the hard drive And got it to boot. Then, he reached really deep In the bag that he brought, And he pulled out a big box. A new rig? I thought! A new Kenwood? An Icom? A Yaesu, for me?! (If he thought I'd been bad it might be QRP!) Yes! The Ultimate Station! How could I deserve this? Could it be all those hours that I worked Public Service? He hooked it all up And in record time, quickly Worked 100 countries, All down on 160. I should have been happy, It was my call he sent. But the cards and the postage Will cost two month's rent! He made final adjustments, And left a card by the key: "To Gary, from Santa Claus. Seventy-Three." Then he grabbed his HT, Looked me straight in the eye, Punched a code on the pad, And was gone - no good bye. I ran back to the station, And the pile-up was big, But a card from St. Nick Would be worth my new rig. Oh, too late, for his final came over the air. It was copied all over. It was heard everywhere. The Ham's Santa exclaimed What a ham might expect, "Merry Christmas to all, And to all, good DX." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redneck Nativity In a small Southern town there was a "Nativity Scene" that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One small feature bothered me though. The 3 wise men were wearing firemen's helmets. Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, I left. At a "Quik Stop" on the edge of town, I asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets. She exploded into a rage, yelling at me, "You Yankees never do read the Bible!" I assured her that I did, but simply couldn't recall anything about firemen in the Bible. She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled thru some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. Sticking it in my face she said "See, it says right here, 'The three wise man came from afar.'" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clintons Release Christmas Catalog White House Spokesman Joe Lockhart announced today that First Couple Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton will release a lavish holiday gift catalog. The unique presidential marketing campaign, which begins tomorrow, was widely seen as an effort to raise money for their seriously depleted legal defense fund. Lockhart reassured the public that the venture was "completely legal" and had received the blessing of "the Justice Department, the Commerce Department and Ted Turner." Lockhart vigorously defended the ethics of the presidential catalog, noting that many politicians had profited from their name recognition. "Look at the evidence - Bob Dole for American Express, Geraldine Ferraro for Pepsi, Ann Richards and Mario Cuomo for Doritos, Daniel Ortega for Ben and Jerry's. Public servants should be able to enjoy the fruits of private enterprise. To demand that they have to be out of office first seems a silly technicality." The forthcoming catalog was made available to members of the press after the conclusion of the press conference. The glossy, 247 page, 12-section catalog, entitled "The Slicker Image," contains hundreds of unique gift items ranging in price from $4.95 for a presidential pencil set to $89,999,999.95 for 'his-and-hers' nuclear technology trade waivers. Lockhart noted that the catalog "covers everybody on your list, from Great-Great-Grandpa to baby Sis," and added, "don't delay, act now! Supplies are running out!" For toddlers, there is the $69.95 "Fobby," the furry mechanical 'Friend Of Bill.' The uncanny electronic toy has a vocabulary of over 200 phrases, including "I do not recall," "I have no recollection of that," "You'll have to refresh my memory Senator," and "I respectfully decline to answer as is my constitutional right." According to the catalog, Fobby is an "intelligent toy," but will always utter the same phrases "no matter how much it has learned." For the preschool set, there are "Telebuddies" plush dolls ($24.95 each). The Telebuddies, a happy-go-lucky, nonsense-singing quartet of characters with television heads, have been a sensation this year among under-five-year-old Clinton fans. They include Peeta Jenny, Dan-Dan, Tomi-Brokaw, and the adorable Geraldo. Whenever the Telebuddies are feeling blue, they put their antennas together to receive happy signals from invisible Sid-Sid. Also available are Telebuddies lullaby videos ($19.95), guaranteed to "put your restless wee ones into a deep, deep sleep." For the school-age children, the catalog has a number of popular items. For boys, the catalog offers the $89.95 Presitron action figure set, including good guys Presitron, Algor, Blumenthor and Carvilla. They do battle against the evil "Extremazoids," including DarkStarr, Newtron and Rushbo. Also available for boys is the 'Terry Lenzner Junior Secret Spy Kit' ($49.95), complete with Junior Sleuth badge, magnifying glass, instructions on garbage sifting techniques and special hot line numbers for Salon and the New Yorker. For girls, the catalog offers the popular Malibu Hillary toy line. 'Pretty-in-Pink' Hillary ($12.95) and her friends Dyn-o-mite Donna ($6.95) and leggy, six-pound Miami Janet ($18.95) have a full line of accessories and action play sets. Girls will have hours of fun with Hillary, Donna and Janet as they romp in the Women's Pro Tennis Locker Room action set ($39.95), follow the action at the NOW Protest Sit-In ($49.95) and cavort in the LPGA Nineteenth Hole Singles Bar ($54.95). For education and family togetherness, the Slicker Image catalog offers a number of fun board games. In 'Beat the Rap!' ($19.95) contestants test their skill at outfoxing the seemingly iron-clad rules. In 'Perjury Trap' ($19.95), contestants rack up points by cleverly evading opponent questions. A new parlor game, 'Suzy McDougall's Chuckle-rades,' is also available for $29.95. Here, contestants try to signal each other with hilariously contrived facial expressions. A number of eyebrows will likely be raised by "Hillary's Secret," the section of the catalog devoted to lingerie. According to Lockhart, Mrs. Clinton was encouraged by the positive response generated by her recent appearance in Vogue and decided to model the intimate apparel herself. Mrs. Clinton poses provocatively in sheer teddies ($38 - $68), 'peek-a-boo' negligees ($32 - $40), and glimmering satin bra-and- thong gift sets ($24 - $36) for that 'special someone.' The elegant photos were taken by renowned fashion photographer Francisco Scavullo, and the sessions reportedly cost over $2 million owing to the thousands of yards of lens gauze and the three-month retouching process conducted by the special effects wizards at Industrial Light and Magic. The catalog also offers an array of mouth-watering treats. The "Al Gore Alar-Free Hydroponic Organic Fruit Basket" ($29.95) comes complete with flyswatter and strawberry tweezers. For those with a sweet tooth, there is "Hillary's Tammy Wynette Stand-By-Your-Macaroons" ($20/dozen) and "Bill's Exotic Erotic Anatomically Correct White Chocolate Bar" ($12.95) weighing in at 4 ounces and measuring a full three inches unbent. The Slicker Image catalog is hardly lacking in gifts for the well-heeled. In addition to the pricey nuclear technology waiver, a number of items fall into the 'if you have to ask' category. For the tobacco enthusiast in the family, there are humidors of "specially pre-moistened" high-quality cigars. Over 60 flavors are available, including 'Monicana' ($479), 'Katarina' ($1799), and the bargain label 'Rodhama' ($1.98). For the executive who has everything, the Slicker Image offers TurboShred 9000 ($12,995). With 200 tungsten blades rotating at a rate of 50,000 RPM, The TurboShred 9000 can reduce the Manhattan phone book to confetti in less than 0.2 seconds. The Slicker Image offers a number of attractive travel packages for the affluent vagabond. Like last year, overnight stays in the White House Lincoln Bedroom are offered for $100,000. For the more budget minded, overnight packages are offered for the Chester Alan Arthur Bedroom ($25,000), the Franklin Pierce Bedroom ($12,500) and the James Earl Carter Bedroom ($39.95). The White House is also offering youth hostel rates ($3 per night) for "needy co-eds," but applicants must submit a photo and recent blood sample. For those inclined toward foreign travel, the Slicker Image offers the entry-level "Trade Mission Getaway Weekend" ($50,000) where tour members are promised access to "foreign dignitaries, top-level government trade officials, and wardens of the finest factories in central Asia." For the aspiring diplomat with a healthy checking account, there is the "Ambassadorship Fantasy Tour." Prices range from $2.75 million for Ireland to $199.95 for Gabon. According to the catalog, "spaces are limited, and new countries will be formed by special appointment only." For the ultimate in luxurious seclusion, the Slicker Image offers "Charlie Trie's Exotic Cantonese Escape" ($2 million), described as "an indefinite stay at an undisclosed location in romantic south China for those who need to get away from it all - for a long, long, long, long time." Some in the business community greeted the catalog announcement with skepticism. Bruce Cohen, an industry analyst with Goldman Sachs in New York, thinks the catalog will have a hard time "getting through the clutter." "Hundreds of millions of catalogs full of crap go out every December, and most just go in the waste basket. There's not much to distinguish the Clintons' catalog from, say, Niemann Marcus or Pottery Barn. Except maybe the missile waivers," added Cohen. Citing the Clintons' lack of experience, Alicia Farmer of the trade publication Catalog Week was also dubious. "This is the Clintons' first open venture into private enterprise since 1981. Remember that? A little real estate deal? What was its name? Hmmmmmmmm. Oh yeah. I remember. WHITEWATER. Duh. Case closed." In contrast, Direct Marketing News editor Bill Shearing said the Clinton's may have a winner. "This catalog has arrived just in time, and is targeted at the right demographic. Our research has shown incredible growth in the consumer segments they are targeting - the fat, the complacent, the vain, the short-attentioned. I see a big season for the Slicker Image." "I don't buy the 'inexperience' argument," added Shearing. "These guys are old pros at direct marketing. The name of the game is target, shake the customer down, and sell-sell-sell." "It's just a different line of merchandise." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X File X-Mas: 57 ELM STREET BETHLEHEM, PA. 11:51 P.M., DECEMBER 24TH We're too late! It's already been here. Mulder, I hope you know what you're doing. Look, Scully, just like the other homes: Douglas fir, truncated, mounted, transformed into a shrine; halls decked with boughs of holly; stockings hung by the chimney, with care. You really think someone's been here? Someone, or something. Mulder, over here--it's a fruitcake. Don't touch it! Those things can be lethal. It's O.K. There's a note attached: "Gonna find out who's naughty and nice." It's judging them, Scully. It's making a list. Who? What are you talking about? Ancient mythology tells of an obese humanoid entity who could travel at great speed in a craft powered by antlered servants. Once each year, near the winter solstice, this creature is said to descend from the heavens to reward its followers and punish disbeliever's with jagged chunks of antracite. But that's legend, Mulder--a story told by parents to frighten children. Surely you don't believe it? Something was here tonight, Scully. Check out the bite marks on this gingerbread man. Whatever tore through this plate of cookies was massive --and in a hurry. It left crumbs everywhere. And look, Mulder, this milk glass has been completely drained. It gorged itself, Scully. It fed without remorse. But why would they leave it milk and cookies? Appeasement. Tonight is the Eve, and nothing can stop its wilding. But if this thing does exist, how did it get in? The doors and windows were locked. There's no sign of forced entry. Unless I miss my guess, it came through the fireplace. Wait a minute, Mulder. If you're saying some huge creature landed on the roof and came down this chimney, you're crazy. The flue is barely six inches wide. Nothing could get down there. But what if it could alter its shape, move in all directions at once? You mean, like a bowl full of jelly? Exactly. Scully, I've never told anyone this, but when I was a child my home was visited. I saw the creature. It had long white shanks of fur surrounding its ruddy, misshapen head. Its bloated torso was red and white. I'll never forget the horror. I turned away, and when I looked back it had somehow taken on the facial features of my father. Impossible. I know what I saw. And that night it read my mind. It brought me a Mr. Potato Head, Scully. It knew that I wanted a Mr. Potato Head! I'm sorry, Mulder, but you're asking me to disregard the laws of physics. You want me to believe in some supernatural being who soars across the skies and brings gifts to good little girls and boys. Listen to what you're saying. Do you understand the repercussions? If this gets out, they'll close the X-files. Scully, listen to me: It know when you're sleeping. It knows when you're awake. But we have no proof. Last year, on this exact date, SETI radio telescopes detected bogeys in the airspace over twenty-seven states. The White House ordered a Condition Red. But that was a meteor shower. Officially. Two days ago, eight prized Scandinavian reindeer vanished from the National Zoo, in Washington, D.C. Nobody--not even the zookeeper--was told about it. The government doesn't want people to know about Project Kringle. They fear that if this thing is proved to exist the public will stop spending half its annual income in a Christmas shopping frenzy. Retail markets will collapse. Scully, they cannot let the world believe this creature lives. There's too much at stake. They'll do whatever it takes to insure another silent night. Mulder, I-- Sh-h-h. Do you hear what I hear? On the roof. It sounds like...a clatter. The truth is up there. Let's see what's the matter... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Christmas morning a cop on horseback is sitting at a traffic light, and next to him is a kid on his shiny new bike. The cop says to the kid, "Nice bike you got there. Did Santa bring that to you?" The kid says, "Yeah." The cop says, "Well, next year tell Santa to put a tail-light on that bike." The cop then proceeds to issue the kid a $20.00 bicycle safety violation ticket. The kid takes the ticket and before he rides off says, "By the way, that's a nice horse you got there. Did Santa bring that to you?" Humoring the kid, the cop says, "Yeah, he sure did." The kid says, "Well, next year tell Santa to put the dick underneath the horse, instead of on top." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barbie's Letter To Santa: Dear Santa, Listen you fat little troll, I've been helping you out every year, playing at being the perfect Christmas Present, wearing skimpy bathing suits in frigid weather, and drowning in fake tea from one too many tea parties, and I hate to break it to ya Santa, but IT'S DEFINITELY PAY BACK TIME! There had better be some changes around here this Christmas, or I'm gonna call for a nationwide meltdown (and trust me, you won't wanna be around to smell it). So, here's my holiday wish list for 1998, Santa. 1. A nice, comfy pair of sweat pants and a frumpy, oversized sweatshirt. I'm sick of looking like a hooker. How much smaller are these bathing suits gonna get? Do you have any idea what it feels like to have nylon and velcro up your butt? 2. Real underwear that can be pulled on and off. Preferably white. What bonehead at Mattel decided to cheap out and MOLD imitation underwear to my skin?!? It looks like cellulite! 3. A REAL man... maybe GI JOE. Hell, I'd take Tickle-Me-Elmo over that wimped-out excuse for a boytoy Ken. And what's with that earring anyway? If I'm gonna have to suffer with him, at least make him (and me) anatomically correct. 4. Arms that actually bend so I can push the aforementioned Ken-wimp away once he is anatomically correct. 5. Breast reduction surgery. I don't care whose arm you have to twist, just get it done. 6. A jog-bra. To wear until I get the surgery. 7. A new career. Pet doctor and school teacher just don't cut it. How about a systems analyst? Or better yet, a public relations senior account exec! 8. A new, more 90's persona. Maybe "PMS Barbie" complete with a miniature container of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and a bag of chips; "Animal Rights Barbie", with my very own paint gun, fitted with a fake fur coat, bottle of spray on blood and handcuffs; or "Stop Smoking Barbie, "sporting a Nicotrol patch and equipped with several packs of gum. 9. No more McDonald's endorsements. The grease is wrecking my vinyl. 10. Mattel stock options. It's been 37 years-I think I deserve it. Okay Santa, that's it. Considering my valuable contribution to society, I don't think these requests are out of line. If you disagree, then you can find yourself a new bitch for next Christmas. It's that simple. Yours Truly, Barbie Ken's Letter To Santa: Dear Santa, I understand that one of my colleagues has petitioned you for changes in her contract, specifically asking for anatomical and career changes. In addition, it is my understanding that disparaging remarks were made about me, my ability to please, and some of my fashion choices. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some of the issues concerning Ms. Barbie, and some of my own needs and desires. First of all, I along with several other colleagues feel Barbie DOES NOT deserve preferential treatment - the bitch has everything. I, along with Joe, Jem, Raggedy Ann & Andy, DO NOT have a dream house, corvette, evening gowns, and in some cases the ability to change our hair style. I personally have only 3 outfits which I am forced to mix and match at great length. My decision to accessorize my outfits with an earring was my decision and reflects my lifestyle choice. I too would like a change in my career. Have you ever considered "Decorator Ken", "Beauty Salon Ken", or "Out Of Work Actor Ken"? In addition, there are several other avenues which could be considered such as: "S&M Ken", "Green Lantern Ken", "Circuit Ken", "Bear Ken", "Master Ken". These would more accurately reflect my desires and perhaps open up new markets. And as for Barbie needing bendable arms so she can "push me away," I need bendable knees so I can kick the bitch to the curb. Bendable knees would also be helpful for me in other situations - we've talked about this issue before. In closing, I would like to point out that any further concessions to the blond bimbo from hell will result in action be taken by myself and others. And Barbie can forget about having Joe - he's mine, at least that's what he said last night. Sincerely, Ken *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************