MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, FEB.6/98 INDEX: MYSTERY RADIO; The BC-745/SCR-511, Part II by Dennis Starks LENOX's WANT's & TRADE's; HUMOR; ********************************* MYSTERY RADIO; The BC-745/SCR-511, Part II by Dennis Starks FORWARD, The BC-745, alternately known as the SCR-511, "Guidon Radio", "Pogo Stick", and "Horsie Talkie", is one of those radios like the BC-474/SCR-288 that I like to refer to as "historically neglected". Although it saw widespread use throughout most of WW-II, and in most of the theaters of battle, many of the experts will state,"it was only really used for training". I've found that these experts often use this line when they don't know the real story, in an attempt to hide their ignorance. In this chapter on the BC-745, I will attempt to dispell the above myth, document the known origins, and history of the set up to it's entrance into WW-II. The final chapter will document the set's contributions to history, explain it's demise, and present the questions that cause it to be a MYSTERY RADIO. For a technical description of the set, see part one of this series,(Ref.#1). IN THE BEGINNING, As the story goes, shortly before WW-II, Galvin(later to become Motorola) toured Europe. He came home with the distinct impression that war was brewing, and with this in mind set to developing radio equipment that might be used in such a conflict. Out of this far-sightedness came several designs that would indeed serve this nation, and it's allies extensively. These included the BC-611, BC-745, and in a later form, the BC-1000. But this is not the beginning of our story fore Galvin, in the case of the BC-745, was just expanding on an idea that had already been realized. The idea of a Horse Cavalry Guidon radio was first manifest in the early 1930's a likeness of which can be found in Ref.#2. Here, only the antenna is carried as a guidon, the radio proper, was carried much like a saddlebag. It is possible from descriptions in Ref.#5, that early variants of the BC-745 took a similar form. By late 1935 other Horsie Talkies had been either developed or existing equipment modified for this use. The SCR-203, was specifically designed for mounted use. While it was operable when in motion, this practice was limited do to it's long, rather fragile antenna. Also it's size, and output power better qualified it for use at higher echelons. The SCR-194/195 was modified for use by the mounted scout. The radio was slung from a canvas bag on one side of the saddle horn, the battery on the other. The first field testing reports on the BC-745 where submitted by the Cavalry Board, Ft Riley Kansas, on Nov. 25, 1941, almost one year after the Signal Corps and the Cavalry had agreed on a new short-range radio. February of this same year saw the initial order of 3500 BC-611's(Ref.#5). By mid 1942, production of the BC-745 had begun, while December 1941 saw the emergency diversion of the first 300 BC-611s to the Dutch East Indies.(Ref.#6) A popular misconception is held that the BC-611 was designed/adopted to replace the BC-745. As can be seen in the preceding paragraph, this was not so, and in fact the BC-611 was in production before the BC-745. Actually, the development of the BC-611, BC-745, BC-1000, and others began about the same time. Each borne out of Galvin's pre-war trip to Europe, each having a completely different intended role in life. The BC-611 for Airborne troops, the BC-745 for the Horse Cavalry, and the BC-1000 for Infantry, as history, and this article will show, this wasn't to be. The adoption dates of the BC-611, and BC-745 are about the same. Adoption of the BC-1000, it's prototypes being AM, was held back for a couple years pending a re-design at the Signal Corps insistence to use FM. As will be seen later, the demise of the BC-745 was mainly the result of the completion, adoption, fielding, and extreme battlefield success of this new FM radio set. WHO USED IT? WHERE? AND WHEN? As we all know, by the unset of WW-II, the Horse Cavalry was all but extinct. But here was a radio set that had just gotten into production, at a great expence in both time and money. Quantities were just starting to appear in the field. But now what to do with it? The emergency had begun, industry was tooled up for it's production, and the supply channels in place. It could take over a year to re-gear for production and suport of another type. So the Guidon Set had to find a use elsewhere, it did, to it's glory, and to that of all who used it. After it had become common knowledge that this would be a mechanized war, with few applications for horses, the text books were re-written. All the period manuals, and official historic documents would change their wording to conform to the Horsie Talkie's new purpose in life. They would all now include these basic lines taken from Ref.#3,4: "Used by Signal Companies, Engineer Companies, Cavalry, Infantry: Parachute, Mountain, Amphibian, and Airborne." Indeed it would be used by all these contingents, and more. Yes even the Parachute, and Airborne! With this new lease on life came a new nick name, "Pogo Stick", derived jointly from it's physical appearance, and the method by which it was set up for operation (stuck in the ground). The later, much to the dismay of it's service, and support personnel. Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com References; #1) MYSTERY RADIO; BC-745/SCR-511, PART I, by Bill Howard MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JAN.14/98 #2) Military Intelligence, a Picture History, by John Patrick Finnegan. #3) TM 11-227, Apr.1944, Radio Communications Equipment; Signal Communications Directory. #4) TM 11-487, Oct.1944, Electrical Communications Systems Equipment #5) U.S. Army in WW-II, The Signal Corps: The Emergency, by Dulany Terrett #6) U.S. Army in WW-II, The Signal Corps: The Test, by Thompson, Harris, Oakes, and Terret #7) U.S. Army in WW-II, The Signal Corps: The Outcome, by G.R. Thompson, and Dixie Harris #8) TM 11-245, Radio Set SCR-511, 30 July, 1943. #9) QST, Sept. 1944, The U.S.Army Signal Corps. #10) Post WW-II mystery manual, date and history unknown, cover missing. #11) History of the Squad Radio, by Marvin W. Curtis ECOM-4451, Nov. 1976 #12) SCR-511 DISCUSSION; by Lenox Carruth, & Dennis Starks MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JAN.15/98 ********************************* LENOX's WANT's & TRADE's; Lenox Carruth carruth@swbell.net Wants: GY-11 Guy (for SCR-284) TBX Want complete TBX or parts to assemble a set CRH-26013A Key, Cord and Plug Assembly (for TBY) CLG-19029 Storage Battery (for TBY) CSS-10039A Canvas Carrying Case (for TBY) CNC-19018B Battery (for TBY) BD-71 Switchboard EE-65 Line Chief's Test Set I-176 Test Unit (Multimeter) TS-10 Sound-powered Handset Sextant Any WW-II era Sextant or Octant, Aircraft or Marine Siren Small, hand-operated siren made by Federal Electric Company, Inc., Chicago. Used for airfield perimeter patrol. Olive drab in color. Originally had carrying strap and canvas cover. Manuals [Originals Only] ? Sperry K-4 or K-3 Automatic Computing Gun Sight T.O. 11B41-2-2-1 Bombsight Type M-9 TM 11-2715 Installation of Radio Equipment in Truck, 1/4 Ton, 4x4 TM 11-5820-474-14 Radio Set AN/GRC-109 NavShips 900,284-IB Instruction Book Navy Type CLG-20206 Power Unit FOR SALE or TRADE: (plus shipping) PRC-47 Used, good. $150 CD V-700 Geiger Counter, NOS. $125 BC-348-Q AC supply, missing tubes, knob, small front cover. $75 BC-348-O Looks good, extra switch on panel, missing knob. $85 T-23/ARC-5 Missing covers, connectors. $35 RT-66/GRC Receiver/Transmitter. Appears NOS. $65 PP-112/GR Power Supply, Excellent. $25 PRC-6 Inside good but case needs refinishing. $45 PP-114B/VRC Rare vehicular supply for BC-1000. Appears NOS. $125 I-177-A Tube Tester, Late Mfg., Excellent, with charts. $55 S-120 Hallicrafters, works well. $35 Philco 51-934 Cabinet in good condition - not tested. $25 Dynamotor Carter 6 VDC, 250 VDC @ 100 ma output. $10 Dynamotor Carter 6 VDC, 400 VDC @ 200 ma output. $10 TCS Cable Transmitter cable. $25 TCS Plugs Several TCS plugs. $7.50 each A-10A WW-II Sextant, rare transitional instrument needs wk. $45 RCA Strato-World Model RZM198E, RCA's answer to SS TransOceanic. $125 T.O. 01-40NM-4 Parts Manual, Douglas C-54 (DC-4) 1945. $10 Old Radio and WW-II History books - e-mail for list Lenox Carruth, Jr. carruth@swbell.net Dallas, Texas Collector of WW-II Communications Equipment and Memorabilia Wanted: TCS-14 Transmitter, TBX, BD-71, Sextant ********************************* HUMOR; Subject: TOP 10 PERKS OF BEING A WHITE HOUSE INTERN 10. You get a great understanding of Domestic Affairs 9. White House Mess takes on whole new meaning 8. Pay is lousy, but hush money is generous 7. Fabulous on the job training 6. First hand knowledge of President's commitment to youth 5. More exciting than those boring Americorps sessions 4. Gives new meaning to Gen-X slogan "Rock the Vote" 3. With Chelsea's extra wardrobe, you always have something clean to wear home 2. Learn what it feels like to hold the free world in the palm of your hand 1. Free supply of Bill's special condoms: "Ridged to the 21st Century" ------------------------------------------------- One fine day in Ireland, a guy is out golfing and gets up to the 16th hole. He tees up and cracks one. Unfortunately, it goes into the woods on the side of the fairway. He goes looking for his ball and comes across this little guy with this huge bump on his head and the golfball lying right beside him. "Goodness," says the golfer then proceeds to revive the poor little guy. Upon awakening, the little guy says, "Well, you caught me fair and square. I am a leprechaun. I will grant you three wishes." The man says "I can't take anything from you, I'm just glad I didn't hurt you too badly," and walks away. Watching the golfer depart, the leprechaun says "Well, he was a nice enough guy, and he did catch me, so I have to do something for him. I'll give him the three things that I would want. I'll give him unlimited money,a great golf game, and a great sex life." Well, a year goes past (as they often do in jokes like this) and the same golfer is out golfing on the same course at the 16th hole. He gets up and hits one into the same woods and goes off looking for his ball. When he finds the ball he sees the same little guy and asks how he is doing. The leprechaun says, "I'm fine, and might I ask how your golf game is?" The golfer says, "It's great! I hit under par every time." "I did that for you," responds the leprechaun, "And might I ask how your money is holding out?" "Well, now that you mention it, every time I put my hand in my pocket, I pull out a fifty pound note" he replied. The leprechaun smiles and says, "I did that for you. And might I ask how your sex life is?" Now the golfer looks at him a little shyly and says, "Well, maybe once or twice a week." Floored the leprechaun stammers, "Once or twice a week?" The golfer looks at him sheepishly and says, "Well, that's not too bad for a Catholic priest in a small parish." ------------------------------------------------- Clinton, distraught and contemplating his latest scandal was walking through Washington looking for any kind of guidance. He walks up to the Washington Monument, looks up and says, -George, you were always wise, what should I do?- Low and behold, a voice comes down from above and says, -ABOLISH THE I.R.S. AND START OVER.- Clinton, amazed that he is talking to the past President thinks he'll try it again. He walks over to the Jefferson Memorial and utters the same request. -Thomas, you never had these kind of problems, what can I do to rally people behind me?- Again a voice from above answers, -WELFARE, ITS NOT WORKING, ABOLISH IT, START OVER.- After hearing this Clinton is so excited he is planning to go to all the historic sites for guidance. Next he goes to the Lincoln Memorial. -Abe, I need your help, people are losing confidence in me and they no longer trust me what should I do?- After a substantial pause Abe responds, -TAKE THE DAY OFF. GO TO THE THEATER.- ------------------------------------------------- A man who is driving a car is stopped by a police officer. The followingexchange takes place.... The man says: What's the problem officer? Officer: You were going at least 75 in a 55 zone. Man: No sir, I was going 65. Wife: Oh, Harry. You were going 80. [Man gives his wife a dirty look.] Officer: I'm also going to give you a ticket for your broken tail light. Man: Broken tail light? I didn't know about a broken tail light! Wife: Oh Harry, you've known about that tail light for weeks. [Man gives his wife a dirty look.] Officer: I'm also going to give you a citation for not wearing your seat belt. Man: Oh, I just took it off when you were walking up to the car. Wife: Oh, Harry, you never wear your seat belt. Man turns to his wife and yells: "Shut your damn mouth!" Officer turns to the woman and asks, "Ma'am, does your husband talk to you this way all the time?" Wife says: "No, only when he's drunk." ********************************* EDITOR; Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com