MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, MAR.21/98 INDEX: ANNOUNCEMENTS; CURRENT AUSSIE RADIO EQUIPMENT; Circa 1966, from Dave Prince MEMBERS WRITE; NEW MEMBER; Breck Smith HUMOR; *********************************************** ANNOUNCEMENTS; It's Saturday, get your additions or modifications ready for the Group Want's and Trade's to go out Sunday morning. Please, PLEASE, keep your entry current, use abbreviations whenever possible, due to it's size, the next edition will most likely need be sent in two parts. If we can find a volunteer who has the ability and time to make quality copies of manuals, I will make my library available to them to make copies for group members. I will post a list of these manuals for all to pick from, should there be two or more persons needing the same manual, I'll send it off to the prospective volunteer. I will not make available manuals that can be had via normal commercial vendors. Your input? I'd also like to hear from members that have their libraries cataloged, and are willing to perform the same service. Some months ago I ordered PRC-47, and PRC-64 manuals for group members. They just showed up yesterday, but no PRC-64 manuals. Seems their out of stock, if you ordered one theres $8.00 coming your way. If you ordered either PRC-47, or PRC-64 manuals, let me know, though I think I know who all has one coming, best to check and make sure. They were as follows: TM11-5820-552-15,Nov.70,Radio Set PRC-64A,$8.00 TM11-5820-509-12,Jul.74,Radio Set PRC-47,$6.00 BTW Yesterday's post(Friday) should have been dated Mar.20/98, whoops! So fire me. Dennis *********************************************** CURRENT AUSSIE RADIO EQUIPMENT; Circa 1966, from Dave Prince G'day again, Dennis. The following may be of interest to you and/or the group. This info is taken from the Royal Australian Corps of Signals book "Field Signal Equipment Data Summary - 1966". The equipment is listed as per the index of the book and the 'status' (in brackets) from the summary text. This book was apparently still being used in 1969 because it has handwritten notes and dates till that time. The 'status' is at 1966 but where equipment became obselete after that year up to 1969, I have added that info. C = Current Standard, D = In Development Stages, O = Obselete ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Radio set A510 (O) Radio Set A512 (PRC-A1 handwritten change to PRC-F1) (D) Radio Set AN/PRC-64 (C) Coder Burst Transmission Unit AN/GRA-71 Radio Set MTR-1 (C) Radio Set AN/PRC-47 (C) Radio Set AN/PRC-62 (D) Radio Set AN/GRC-106 (C) Radio Set C11/R210 (O) Partially Replaced by AN/PRC-47 Radio Set C13 (O) Replaced by AN/GRC-106 Radio Set 'Australphone' (O) Radio Set AN/TRC-75 (Duplex) (C) Radio Set AN/PRC-70 (D) Radio Transmitter AN/PRT-4 and Radio Receiver AN/PRR-9 (D) Radio Set CPRC-26 (O) Radio Set AN/PRC-9A and 10 (O) To be replaced by AN/PRC-25 Remote Ctrl Group AN/GRA-6 (C) Amplifier-Power Supply AM-598/U (O) Antenna AT-339/PRC and AT-340/PRC (O) Radio Set AN/PRC-25 Series (C) Radio Set Ctrl Group AN/GRA-39 (C) Antenna AT-784/PRC (To be introduced 1966) radio Set AN/VRC-12 Series (C) Radio Set C42 and C45 (O) To be replaced by AN/VRC-12 Series Radio Set B47 and B48 (O) To be replaced by AN/VRC-53 and AN/VRC-125 Radio Set AN/TRC-24 (C) Radio Set B70 (C) Radio Set AN/PRC-41 (C) Radio Set A43R (C) Radio Terminal AN/TRC-90A (C) Radio Terminal AN/TSC-38 (C) Radio Set 'Skyranger' HC-5D (O) To be replaced by Sunair SA-14 Radio Set 'Sunair' SA-14 (C) Replaced later by 14RA Radio Set AN/ARC-44 (C) (O 1969) Replaced by AN/ARC-54 Radio Set AN/ARC-54 (C) Radio Set 618F1A (C) Radio set PTR-170 (C) Radio Set A618/ACAS (C) (O 1969) Radio Set 696 (C) Reception Set R5223 (C) Reception Set R-391/URR (C) Reception Set R216 (C) Admiralty Type Receiver B40 (C) (O 1967) "Lifeguard' Automatic Alarm (C) Keyer Automatic Distress Signal (C) Antenna Equipment RC-292 (C) Mast Telescopic 27ft (C) Terminal Telegraph Telephone AN/TCC-14 (O) Terminal Telegraph Telephone AN/TCC-29 (C) Carrier Telephone Terminal TA-5006/U (F2200) (C) Telegraph Terminal AN/MSC-29 (C) TTY Central Office AN/MGC-17 (C) Central Office telephone Manual AN/MTC-3 (C) Central Office Telephone Manual AN/MTC-7 (C) Panel Patching Communication SB-611/MRC (C) Medium Radio Relay Terminal Set AN/MRC-69(T) (C) Medium Radio Relay Repeater Set AN/MRC-69(R) (C) TTY Set AN/PGC-1 (C) TTY Set AN/GGC-3 (C) Telephone Set TA-1/PT (C) Telephone Set K (C) Switchboard SB-993/GT (C) Switchboard SB-22/PT (C) Switchboard SB-86/P (C) Reel Unit CE-11 (C) Reel RL-159/U (C) Reeling Machine, Cable, Hand, RL-31-E (O) Reeling Machine, Cable, Hand, RL-288/(X) (D) Reeling Machine, Cable, Hand, Skid Mounted RL-289/(X) (D) Trailer, Cable Reel RL-35 (C) Reel DR-4 (O) Replaced by RL-159/U ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Getting away from that subject, did the U.S. use the Coder Burst Keyer AN/GRA-71 with the PRC-25 or 77 sets (or GRC-125/160)? The Aussies did with the help of an Adapter Set, Morse Transmission, MX-F2 which was an oscillator in a cast alloy case and which could be attached directly to the power connector on top of the radio. A small hand key or the GRA-71 could then be attached. My handbook on the Adapter is dated June '72. Cheers Dennis, -- Dave Prince VK4KDP Brisbane, Queensland, Australia davprin@gil.com.au http://www.gil.com.au/~davprin Collector and restorer of Military Radio, Signalling Equipment and WW2 Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) Vehicles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- Dave, To my knowledge, the PRC-25/77 family of equipment were never adapted by the U.S. for use with MCW. This was most likely because the only use for CW from the mid sixties on was to allow for the transmission of encrypted messages, and the GRA-71 kept on the air time to a minimum. This all on the HF bands only. On the other hand, voice encryption equipment had been developed for FM equipment so there was no need. By the late seventies technology was able to narrow up the required bandwidth needed for voice encryption thus making it suitable for the HF bands and SSB. This contributing to the demise of CW, and the GRA-71 in military applications. Interestingly, the OPS series of FM radios were adapted for the transmission of MCW with an external key, and tone oscillator. A few of these included the FM-1, and FM-2(hand held, highband, and lowband respective), and the FM-5, and FM-7(backpack, highband, and lowband respective). But these radios were acquired by the CIA for mass, "under the counter", distribution to underdeveloped contingents, at minimal expense. The lineup of radios in your list is most interesting, especially as it would tend to show some cooperation between the U.S. and Australia in the development and testing of equipment, and there are two obvious examples. The PRC-70 is listed as developmental in your 1966 list. Though development began in 1964, it would not be until 1971 that experimental AVCO versions were tested, and an entitial order of 21 test models were ordered, 1980 saw the first order of production units. Until it's appearance in your list the only historical evidence to the existence of the PRC-62 (Manpack HF, AM/SSB transceiver), is as follows: [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. Reported to operate 2-30mc, AM & SSB.] Hmmm? Could this have been an Aussie radio all along, acquired in limited quantities by the U.S.? Until I saw it in your list, I had my doubts as to whether it ever actually existed. Another interesting radio is the CPRC-26, Australia brings the known user count up to four for this fine little radio. The U.S. did acquire a small quantity for testing in the mid 50's, but concluded that it offered "no significant advantage", while the statement itself was bull shit, there was some logic in our not adopting it, but thats another story. The ARC-44, though it was grossly outdated by 1966, it remained in widespread use by the U.S. until the early 70's, as fitted in small observation/spotter aircraft like the OE-1 Cessna, and in UH-1 helicopters(where it failed regularly due to vibration). Can the above simulate the advantages to the study of seemingly foreign radio equipment to enhance our understand of the domestic? Thanks again Dave. Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; More PRC-88 Input: Hi Dennis, I have a book titled "Infantry Communications Data" "United States Army Infantry School" "Fort Benning, Georgia" "January 1968". According to this the Radio set AN/PRC-88 is (AN/PRT-4 and AN/PRR9) (TM 11-5820-549-12). It would be interesting to see the TM on this. It also says the radio is replacing the AN/PRC-6 on a one for one basis. This book lists several developmental sets including the RT-841/PRC-77. I would have thought it would have been past developmental by 1968. Tom ed) Indeed by 1968 the PRC-77, and PRT-4/ PRR-9 were all well established in the field. In fact, by this time the troops had already been sorrily disillusioned with the set(PRT-4/PRR-9), and had begun to stuff them away into 50 cal. ammo cans, never to see the light of day again until time for inventory, or surplusing. By 1969 sufficient quantities of the PRC-77 were in the field, so much so, that the replacement of the PRC-10, and PRC-25 in the hands of the South Vietnamese Army was well underway. I have the following PRT-4/PRR-9 manuals in my library, they are standard manuals for those radios, and none make any mention of the PRC-88. We would think that if indeed the simple possession of a pair of these radios constituted a PRC-88, that this would have been mentioned somewhere in their manuals?? I truly tend to believe that the pair/PRC-88 descriptions in Army manuals was a simple way for them to explain away an early foul up to the troops, for a radio that was either in the Marine Corps hands, or was expected to be, but not theirs. And that the PRC-88 did exist in some physical form. Time will tell, it did with the PRC-62, and 89 in just the last two days thanks to Dave Prince, and Bruce Haffner respective. TM11-5820-549-12, Oct.66, PRT-4, PRR-9, Radio Receiving Set PRR-9, Radio Transmitting Set PRT-4, oper & org maint, (C-4)TM11-5820-549-12, Sep.68, PRT-4A, PRR-9A, Radio Receiving Sets PRR-9, A, Radio Transmitting Sets PRT-4, A, oper & org maint. TM11-5820-548-35, April 68, Receiving Set, Radio AN/PRR-9, and Transmitting Sets, Radio AN/PRT-4, A, Di Sup, Gen Sup, and Depo Maint. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- BC-191: Hi Dennis, I have something for you and the group. At the Midland swap meet this past weekend, I picked up a very good condition BC-191. I am a novice when it comes to collecting military gear, so any information on this unit would be appreciated. I believe the 191 (identical to the BC-375) was an airborne unit. This one has the 7 MHz antenna tuner. What are VT4C tubes? The substitution guide says they are 221s. There are four of them in the unit and two are missing. Does anyone have a manual for this beast? I believe the manual to be TM11-800 since that is what is listed on the side "warning" sticker and stamped on the top. thanks and 73, Mike - WA5CMI Mike Cowart Technical Writer Convex Press HP-CXD cowart@rsn.hp.com ed) your BC-191 was part of many ground based radio systems, and received widespread use by all allied combatants before, during, and after WW-II. While it's primary mission was mainly for ground use. In the beginning, and continuing on throughout it's career, it was used in 12vdc powered aircraft, in the early day's by the U.S., in the later by our allies that still had aircraft with 12v systems. The BC-375 is the same radio, but for 24vdc. You do not have a 7mc antenna tuner. What that is, is actually all the radios frequency sensitive parts in a single cabinet, and the means by which bands were changed. The antenna tuner is a separate part of the system, used externally. The absence of the WE-211(which are your output, and modulator tubes) is common, as audio freaks like to remove them for their own deviate purposes. Even without these tubes, your BC-191 is a prize, as they are becoming very scarce. The collector will find 10 BC-375's before he'll find one BC-191. You'll now need to find a receiver to go with it, BC-312 or 342(for ground use) or BC-224(for aircraft), and a few more tuning units. Sorry, I don't have an extra manual for the thing, nor access to a copier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- Dennis, I assume that todays group post, dated 19 March should have been dated 20 March as there is already a 19 March group posting. Enjoyed the article on the coastwatchers. Nothing really new but at east it is consolidated in a short space and we have some nomenclature and back ground on AWA. The corrosion that sometimes forms on aluminum parts(I think they are aluminum) is there a recommended way to clean it off and also any way to prevent it from coming back? I just got a rare WW II Japanese hand cranked generator for the Type 94-3 C radio. Had a very unusual electrical system. There is a four contact switch that removes the generator output from the filtering circuits and power connection. Two of the contacts are sticking and I assume crocus cloth should free/clean the contacts. This switch can be pressed by one of the guys cranking so I assume this is to prevent a "drain of power" on the transmitter while the generator stops and comes to a halt.. Any beter ideas or suggestions on its use, gratefully accepted. Bill Howard THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 813 585-7756 ed) Personally, I thought Dave's article on the Coast Watcher's provided considerable info that we didn't earlier have. It also cleared up the confusion we were in via previous (seemingly conflicting) input on the subject. We now know that the early material we received from John Mackesy and John Kid were not conflicting, they just covered different time periods, or angles of the same story. Next we need to find out what our U.S. counterparts used? The TBX has been named, but by persons on the selling end, in the same light as BC-611 "Spy Radios". Other possible radios come to mind like the TCH, or MBM, but there just isn't enough data to speculate. I recon I screwed up the date again on yesterday's post, at least you don't hafta wait 11 months ta read that one, so ges I'm gettin bedder. Er ya cud luk at it tha other way, ya got yesterday's news the day before, er taday's news yesterday. Whatever! *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; Breck Smith Received your "daily news" this AM. How do you find the time to do this "daily posting" ed) I don't sleep much. Profile: Breck Smith Earn my part of my living with a Mom and Pop radio business in Dover, Delaware. Amateur radio call sign K4CHE. Maintain 3 repeaters for amateurs here in the Technical Black Hole Of The East Coast. Write articles for amateur magazines and other magazines.The March issue of "73" had a product review that I wrote on a timer/ID board for fox hunting and repeaters. Do extensive 9600 baud experiments with the satellites, with converted Motorola and General Electric equipment. Am a fox hunting fanatic with several articles written about that subject. Started collecting military stuff again when I acquired a M-151 jeep several years ago. Was doing some work at one of the local AM radio stations, heard the manager screaming that the jeep had to be gone by the end of the day, walked in his office and walked out 10 minutes later with papers to a jeep that had Country and Western stuff painted all over it. It has been downhill ever since. My wife says I am going through a post Viet Nam syndrome. Am interested in the group to find missing tech data and to trade equipment etc. First Military radio that I used was in the 1950's, when I used to run a SCR-522 on two meter AM, couldnt afford the money for the selenium rectifiers for a 24 volt power supply so closed the antenna relay with a two by four board with a nail in it, drop the nail on top of the relay armature to transmitt. Now ART-13's, T-195's on AM in the shop, collect mobile and portable stuff for the jeep. Do "static displays" at airshows etc, with hands on radio equipment set up for everyone to play with. Started another ARC-5 collection. Work on equipment for other people with military vehicles, recently converted a BC-1306 mobile power supply to a switching power supply, the owner wanted the radio to work all the time not just when the vibrator power supply felt like working. I play with the new stuff and the old stuff, as long as it is green. 73 from the technical black hole, Dover Delaware Breck Smith, aka: AB1, zorro ***********************************************