MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, FEB. 11/98 INDEX: OFF THE SHELF PRICK's; PART I, PRC-21>33 by Dennis Starks POGO STICK DISCUSSION; Hue Miller, and Dennis Starks HUMOR; ******************************* OFF THE SHELF PRICKs; PART I, PRC-21>33 by Dennis Starks FORWARD, In this multi part series we will investigate the many items of PRC designated equipment that have been for the most part, adopted "off the shelf". These would be commercial type radios, already available on the open market, and adopted by the military either as-is, or with very superficial modifications. All without the normal extremely lengthy time and money consuming process of development and testing usually associated with any item of military equipment. Though this topic has been touched on before, never in the detail that will be presented here. We will describe, and document in detail both the commercial variant, and it's military equivalent, along with as much historical information as is currently available. Also we will describe many of the commercial sets that were used, which may, or may not have received a military designation, or have been officially adoption. While it is true that there are many examples of vehicular, ground based, and aircraft types that have also seen use in the same manner, beginning before, and extensively during WW-II, we will relegate their stories to another time. Readers should keep in mind that all those early commercial sets manufactured between 1948 and 1960 are every bit the desired collectors items that their military cousins are. And to a lesser extent, those made between 1960 and 1970, continuing on today. All the technical descriptions of the PRC designated equipment come from one source, (Ref.#1). This text was compiled over a period in excess of 20 years, from dozens of reference materials and sources. Thus regretfully the length of these references is too lengthy to include here, though they are included in the original text, and have been posted via this group several times. It may be again posted at the conclusion of this series. It is hoped that whenever possible, readers will contribute to the information given, or correct any errors that might exist. Thanks, Dennis ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRC-21/RT-209; Hand-carried portable VHF/FM transceiver. Noted as a tactical radio, it's most probable use was by Military Police & other security forces. Set can be either shoulder or backback carried using standard carry straps. All examples encountered have been built by Motorola. Ops on one xtal control frequency between 152-174mc with an RF power output of 150mw. Requires: 67.5v/11ma, 45v/10ma, 1.5v/420ma,-6v/10-125ma (rec). 135v/28ma, 67.5v/4ma, 45v/11ma, -6v/11ma(trans), supplied by BA-358. Accessories include H-33 handset & AT-486 antenna, 2ea standard carry straps. Size 12 x 8 1/8 x 5 3/4",13.5lbs. Original cost circa 1955 $484.00-$512. Ref.#3,#23,#28,#30 Peculiar to the PRC-21 is the fact that the radio itself is not marked PRC-21. Instead, it's data plate reads only RT-209/PRC, while the manual does include the complete radio number. This is normally true only of basic components that could be included as parts in various other system configurations. Like the RT-70 being part of the PRC-16, and the VRC-7. But we do not know if any other such variants ever existed. It did have companion equipment used as mobiles, bases, repeaters, and discrete receivers, etc. These included the VRC-19 series of equipment, which do not however share any family resemblance, other than they too were built by Motorola, and are of the same vintage. Basically the PRC-21 can be considered a re-packaged commercial Motorola FHTR-3B*. But there is a little more to it than that. The only real commonality with the PRC-21 and it's commercial cousin is in the receiver and transmitter strips it uses. Besides the obviously military cabinet, provisions for an internal loud speaker it's associated audio amplifier, and a squelch circuit have been added that do not exist in the commercial version. Ref.#3 list the PRC-21 as a Standard Item used by the U.S. Army, and is one of the few radios in this series that will be seen with this classification. The Motorola FHTR-3B* can be considered a 2nd generation Motorola portable, or "Dragie Talkie". It saw very wide spread use with the railroads, and most examples found today will show this distinction. The two basic parts of the radio set are the transceiver(upper half) and the battery box(lower half). They are held together by knurled knobs on either end of the set. These when rotated about a half turn, cam the two set halves together. The transceiver portion is only about 1.5" wide. The only control is for volume, there is no squelch, nor internal speaker. Instead the set uses a handset very much like a WW-II vintage military type. Recently one of our group has discovered a till now unknown variant that uses a speakermic. This set model number H13-4AL, serial number 7, has an internally stamped date of Aug 6 1957. We do not know whether this was a regular production set, or one specially modified by Motorola for a customers particular application. All these early Motorola sets were dark gray in color having a crinkle finish, with the early "Motorola" in silver script on the side of the radio. Unlike later radios in the Motorola line which would have series names like "Research Line", "Dispatcher", "Motrac", etc. This line of portables was simply called "Handie-Talkie" as this was a Motorola registered trademark beginning shortly after WW-II. Other radio types are also known to have been built that utilized the same basic internal receiver, and transmitter strips. The later can be found in a belt worn transmitter that uses a conventional external mic with PTT, and a telescoping antenna. Though it is reported to have had a companion receiver, none have ever been encountered. It is not known wheither this Motorola Handie was ever adopted and granted a military designation or not, we do know that it did see service in it's commercial configuration, perhaps as a cheeper alternate to the PRC-21. It also had a couple twin brothers that were adopted as the PRC-23, and PRC-24, the only difference between them being that the PRC-23/24 are both lowband(see below). Today, while the PRC-21 is fairly common, it's commercial counterpart ranks among the rarest of early commercial gear. It is sad that we know relatively nothing of the service either of these sets performed for their country. But as will be seen in the following pages, this is true of most of these type radios. (Ref.#3,23,30) ---------------------------------------------------------- PRC-23/RT-235, and PRC-24/RT-236; Hand-carried portable VHF/FM transceiver. Adoption of the commercial Motorola FHTR-1BLL, and FHTR-1BH respective. Ops on one xtal control frequency between 25-30mc(PRC-23), or 40-50mc(PRC-24) with an RF output power of 500mw. Requires 6ea BA-30 1.5v batteries, 3ea BA-51 67.5v batteries, & AT-348 antenna. Size 12 5/8 x 3 1/8 x 12 1/2", 14.9lbs. Circa approx 1953 Ref.#3 In this case the commercial equivalent is virtually identical to it's military counterpart. For a physical disruptions of these radios, see PRC-21's commercial equivalent. Ref.#3 indicates that the PRC's-23 and 24 where both used by the U.S. Army, and were classified as Limited Standards. At the time, the U.S. Army classification for Limited Standard was used to designate an item of equipment that was "Less Satisfactory than the Standard, or Substitute Standard type but is acceptable." Would the comparable Standard type have been a PRC-6, 9, or 10? At the same time, the SCR-300/BC-1000 also had a classification of Limited Standard, but the definition goes on to read, "can be substituted until existing supplies are exhausted". It's interesting to note, that this classification is the only one where cannibalization of equipment is authorized. Ya right! (Ref.#3,23) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRC-29; Hand carried VHF,FM portable transceiver.Adoption of the commercial Motorola model X-11-1A. Intended for use by guards,& security police for internal security or industrial control operations. Could also be used for various tactical situations. Can be hand carried with its top mounted handle, or worn on either the shoulder or back using standard canvas straps. Ops 30-42mc on one xtal control channel with an RF output power of 750mw.Requires three 45v(Burgess M-30) B batteries,& two 1.5v standard 4F batteries. Accessories include P-8653-A(antenna),P-9096(battery power supply), K-9098(carry case),TA-124(carry strap kit),& P-9094A(microphone).Size 5 x 12 1/8 x 15 1/8" 23.7lbs. US Navy order date 20 Sept.1954. Ref.#3 Again we find that the commercial equivalent is virtually identical to it's military counterpart. We sometimes refer to this set as Motorola's 1st generation Dragie, because it was the first ever built by either Motorola or any other company we know of. It was introduced in 1949 along with it's highband twin the P13-1AL. It's quite distinctive in it's appearance, being a little shorter than a BC-1000, and having a long chrome plated handle that spans the top of the radio. It's speaker is contained in a square box mounted external to the radio, and under the carry handle. Though it is hinged to allow access to it's connecting wires, it is not detachable. It uses a hand held mic which is of the familiar round, heavy metal type, that would be seen on many Motorola Dragie Talkies for years to come. The battery box is located at the bottom of the radio in the conventional manner, but it's method of attachment is unique. A large knurled, and slotted screw goes in the top of the radio on either end. These go completely through the radio to screw into ears on the inside lip of the battery box. The model series designation, as with the PRC-23, and 24 is again simply "Handie Talkie". Like the PRC-21, 23, and 24. The PRC-29 used common transmitter, and receiver strips. Each contained a series of plug-in module/boards for each stage in the system. This bigger brother of the series, do to it's larger size, had far more versatility, options, and controls. At least the commercial versions could be had with two channel capacity, varied power supply, and audio options. The method of obtaining multiple channel capacity was most strange. Rather than the normal, and simple method of switching between a pair of crystals, these radios, if they had dual channel capabilities, switched between two completely separate transmitter, and receiver strips. So Basically, if you had a two channel radio, it contained two complete transceivers in the same box. Of the early portables, this radio, and it's highband twin are the rarest of all. You might search a lifetime and only find one, in the case of the Military model, maybe never. As noted above, Ref.#3 states,"However, it may be employed in various tactical situations", it is very doubtful though, that this was ever done. But who knows? (Ref.#3,23) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRC-33/RT-339; Hand carried VHF,FM portable transceiver.Adoption of a militarized commercial radio set Type PS-40 Model HC by Industrial Radio. System designed as a complete portable station. It can be used as a hand carried or pack set, & as a semi fixed ground station. Provided with a weatherproof canvas bag for protection under extreme weather conditions. It was widely sold for Civil Defense use and even military examples may display the CD emblem. Ops on any one xtal control channel between 30-42mc, with an RF output power of 750mw.Requires 1.5v(Burgess 8F), 45v, & 135v(both B voltages supplied by multiple Burgess M-39 batteries), a 110vac and various DC vibrator supplies are also known to have been made. Accessories include AT-673(antenna), CY-1916(case), & microphone.Size 4.5 x 10 x 11.5", 15lbs. US Navy order date 14 Sept.1955. Ref.#3 Unlike many of the radios that will be described in this series, the PRC-33 does have some wartime history. Where in the early-mid 1960's it was used aboard Navy rescue boats, and small search aircraft. (See: Military Collector Group Post, Backmail #42; TONKIN HEATHKIT? PRC-33! from Ed Zeranski, & Dennis Starks, and MORE TONKIN HEATHKIT? from Ed Zeranski) Like most radios of this type, the PRC-33 and it's commercial equivalents are often referred to as "Lunch Box Radios". Derived mainly from their primary method of carry and to a lesser extent, their physical appearance. Of all the radios available at the time, this one to my mind, would have been the least desirable for the applications it is known to have served in. Though Ref.#3 states that "It's normally resistant to dust and rain", it's very hard to see how this was possible. This because the cabinet is fabricated from at least four separated panels which are screwed together. And unlike most radios of this type, the controls are all arranged on the side of the radio, even the antenna connector, rather than on the top, which is the more conventional manner. Like the PRC-29, the PRC-33 has a very distinctive appearance, and similar size. The PRC-33 had a large carry handle atop the radio that would remind you of those found on any refrigerator door of the time. My heart goes out to those poor soles taxed with it's use in the field, and later repair. Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com References: #1) MILITARY RADIO DATA, VOLUME I, PRC Designated Radio Equipment, by Dennis Starks #3) TM11-487A,1958,MIL-HDBK-161,Military Handbook Electronic Communication Equipment. #23) The authors personal collection #30) Associated equipments technical manual. ******************************* POGO STICK DISCUSSION; Hue Miller, and Dennis Starks dennis, i just mention this: years ago, maybe 20, i was talking to some guy who told me about different equipment going overseas to foreign militaries. i don't know if he was full of horseshit or not, may well have been, most likely so, but i mention this just in case..... we were discussing G & G's SCR-583, and he said they went to the Mexican army. told me a lot of gear went to Yugoslavia ( and i last year heard from a Bosnian refugee who said he owned a BC-348 and R-390 both from a surplus store in ( former ) Yugoslavia. ( gear now in bombed out house in Sarajevo ). this same person also told me that the Pogo sticks had been sent to Africa and i think he said the Congo, this in the 60s, or even 70s, definitely not earlier than the 60s. does this sound too much like horseshit? hue ----------------------------------------------------------- Hue No it don't sound like it to me horse shit to me, especially as a similar story has been found to be true too many times in the past. I do not discount rumors until I can either prove them wrong or find out another reason. But then I don't use them as source material ether. The distinct possibility of the Pogo Sticks being shipped overseas, is exactly that, possible, and this is why it was included in the parting comments of the article. I can tell of numerous similar stories, here's a couple. Though the BC-1000's and BC-728's were available after the war, never in significant quantity. By the early-mid 50's all had dried up on the surplus market completely, and by the late 60's they became collectable, between 1970 to about 1990 they highly sought after collectors items. Then over a thousand BC-1000's were re-imported into the country via surplus NATO stocks, then most if the collector crave was satisfied. The BC-728's came back from Italy in the late 70's. GRC-9's from Europe in the early-mid 80's. The same is true of BC-620's, and 659's in the mid 70's. By far the largest supplier of quantities of surplus radios in the last 20 years has been Europe. While quantities have from time to time surfaced through U.S. Government channels, it's not been with any regularity. The last large batch's of radio's to come home where 1500 BC-611's mostly Greek, and an unknown, but large quantity of PRC-6's from Israel. Other rumors of equipment going to the places you mention, and at about those times, have been circulating for some time, concerning other types as well. Though I do not think your dates, and places would fit for the Pogo Stick because it disappear either just before, or immediately after Korea. I believe this because it drops from history about this time. Also the end of Korea marked the beginning of massive lendgives to France and Southeast Asia, but the Pogo Stick did not show up here. I/E if the Pogo Stick could have possibly held out to the 60's or 70's some of them would should have previously found their way to France, Vietnam, Cambodia, Teiland, Laos etc. But they didn't. Unless a large previously unknown stock of them turned up in some depo, which has of course happened with other equipment so is not totally out of the question. BTW, the BC-348 was being cloned by Russia in the post WW-II years. Dennis ******************************* HUMOR; Welcome to the Church Three couples, an elderly couple, a middle-aged couple and a young newlywed couple wanted to join a church. The pastor said, "We have special requirements for new parishioners. You must abstain from having sex for two weeks." The couples agreed and came back at the end of two weeks. The pastor went to the elderly couple and asked, "Were you able to abstain from sex for the two weeks?" The old man replied, "No problem at all, Pastor." "Congratulations! Welcome to the church!" said the pastor. The pastor went to the middle-aged couple and asked, "Well, were you able to abstain from sex for the two weeks?" The man replied, "The first week was not too bad. The second week I had to sleep on the couch for a couple of nights but, yes we made it." "Congratulations! Welcome to the church!" said the pastor. The pastor then went to the newlywed couple and asked, "Well, were you able to abstain from sex for two weeks?" "No Pastor, we were not able to go without sex for the two weeks," the young man replied sadly. "What Happened?" inquired the pastor. "My wife was reaching for a can of corn on the top shelf and dropped it. When she bent over to pick it up, I was overcome with lust and took advantage of her right there." "You understand, of course, this means you will not be welcome in our church," stated the pastor. "We know." said the young man, "We're not welcome at the Safeway Market either anymore." ------------------------------------------------------- A boy and his father visiting from a third world country were at an American shopping mall. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and back together again. The boy asked his father, "What is this father?". The father responded, "Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life. I don`t know what it is!". While the boy and his Father were watching wide-eyed, an old lady in a wheelchair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched small circles of lights with numbers above the walls light up. They continued to watch the circles light up in the reverse direction. The walls opened up again and a voluptuous 24 year old woman stepped out. The Father said to his son, "Go get your Mother". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Pope died, went to heaven, and was met by St.Peter. "What can we do for you here?", St.Peter asked the Pope. The Pope replied, "All my life I've longed to see the documents of the early church and councils - when the faith was forged and formulated - and to read that material for myself." "Well," St.Peter said, "we have the best archives in all of eternity. I'll show you where to look and you can read to your heart's content." A week went by - St.Peter hadn't seen the Pope at all, but when he did, he saw the Pope muttering to himself and looking exceedingly dejected. All the Pope could say was, "We left out the R - we left out the R." "What's the problem," asked St.Peter - "why do you look so sad?" The Pope replied, "Now that I have read the original documents, I realize we left out the R - the original word was "celebrate." ******************************* EDITOR; Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com