MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JUNE 17/98 Index: ANNOUNCEMENTS; Excuses, PRC-6 Project Update, DALLAS HAMCOM REPORT;(Like Pulling Teeth) THINGS A BUNCH OF US NEED; SIX METER DX FREQUENCY; MEMBERS WRITE; 6 Meter Input, PP-4679/Fair Radio, Sportsman's Guide/PRC-6, NEW MEMBER; Ian O'Toole HUMOR; *********************************************** ANNOUNCEMENTS; Excuses, Sorry I haven't been a round lately. Or actually I have, but not willing to spend another 3-5 hours producing another Group Post, only to have the power flicker, and loose it all. (happened three times). Judging by the amount of Back issues, and Backmail that I've been sending out the last couple days, it would appear that other members have been experiencing similar problems. Compounding the above is the fact that I acquired a 10 week old Coyote cup two days ago that has demanded the utmost in attention, he's currently running amuck under my feet. He's a fast little shit that climbs like a squirrel, ain't no way to keep him out of things. And my last excuse is the fact I've completely emptied out the Museum into the parking lot under a makeshift tent(as luck would have it, that's when all the thunderstorms started). It had gotten to the point that you couldn't get in here any more for all the clutter. And 2/3 of the collection had to be stored in outbuildings for lack of room. So I figured the best way to clean it up was to empty it out, then put things back one item at a time. Boy what a job! PRC-6 Project Update, All the PRC-6's are here, out of the lot of 53 there was about 9 unuseable radios, negotiations with the dealer yesterday have net an agreement to replace those, but I must first send them back. So those persons who ordered multiple radios may be in for a wait before receiving the last one. The only thing holding up shipping them now is the manuals, and inverter data that we wish to include with them. Ralph has all the manuals done, as well as copies of the text for the inverter info. But his program for cleaning up my hand drawn schematics doesn't want to cooperate with any of his Windows 95 computers. The last message from him indicated that this problem has been circumvented temporarily so they should be on their way shortly, both in hard copy to me, and email to those that have requested it. Ralph has also found a small quantity of 88mh toroid coils with the center tap(about 15). These are now offered to group members for $2.00ea with the following priorities, all first come/first serve. #1, You must put them to use, I/E do not squirrel them away with the intentions of someday doing something with them. #2, Members receiving PRC-6's via the group project will have first priority, with one coil going to each that ask for one(the first 15 people in this category I receive messages from, will get them) #3, If there are any left over, or Ralph is able to obtain more, we will then offer them up to the balance of our group members, still keeping #1 above in mind. I will shortly begin shipping all the PRC-6's that will not be accompanied by manuals, data, or coils. After this material is received from Ralph, I'll begin shipping the remander. Lee Orsborn has found a large quantity of xtals (about 300) that will work in the PRC-6, or CPRC-26, they are all on 52.2mc. He's offering them to group members for $2.50ea(postage paid), or will do some trading. Dennis *********************************************** DALLAS HAMCOM REPORT;(Like Pulling Teeth) > ed) Piss poor reporting! Couldn't ya have elaborated on the Boatanchors > Forum a little more? Who all showed up? How many? Who/What you gossiped > about? Actually, when I walked into the room, I thought I was in the wrong place. I had wondered if anyone would show up since I seldom find boatanchor people in Dallas. (they must be in the closet) There were about thirty people in the room. I had worked up an agenda for the meeting based on the assumption that the people who were there would be new to the boatanchor/military radio collection game. Tom Aschenbrenner and Terry Muncey (the guy who has the CDs with all of the R-390A manuals, Riders, some Sam's, old radio books, etc.) agreed to be on the panel. I didn't get a list of who was there. Chuck Penson the Heathkit guy was there but as to others, I don't know. We skipped a lot of the agenda because everyone there seemed to be fairly knowledgeable about the radios themselves. Dennis will probably get a request or two for new members as many there were not on the internet. We suggested the boatanchors list for general interest and this list for military radios. I figured that Dennis would like to screen some potential new members since he doesn't seem to have much to do otherwise! I was a bit surprised when I asked how many were on the internet and only got about four hands raised. The greatest interest was in restoration techniques - both electrical and mechanical. We discussed things like DeOxit, wrinkle paint, where to get stuff, etc. There was a lot of interest and discussion about possibilities for casting replacement plastic knobs, etc. There wre a lot of suggestions but no real consensus on how to do it. Comments from the audience included making it two hours long next year and having people bring their prize boatanchor for display. We also had a picnic lunch under a tree outside the door to the flea market. We had done this last year. This year's was poorly attended compared to last year. That was a surprise. That was out BS forum last year and was a lot of fun. It was a real opportunity to get to know some of the guys. Only about six were there. We spent most of the time discussing what an irascible old fart Dennis is. Lenox Carruth, Jr. carruth@swbell.net Dallas, Texas Collector of WW-II Communications Equipment and Memorabilia *********************************************** THINGS A BUNCH OF US NEED; The following is a short list of items that I receive a lot of request for. I hope someone can help in our finding them. A sourse for good quality, reasonably priced crystals. Other than Jan, Crystek, Bomar, or International. For the Canadian/Dutch/Australian CPRC-26. Connector, 5 pin in-line audio(re-useable types), or handset cables, and or handsets. Battery connectors, or new/used batteries. Original manuals. Crystals(PRC-6 types will do). For the German SEM-52A. Audio connectors looks like a small 7 pin U-229. Mate to Cannon panel connector(). Handsets, manuals, xtal/channel boards, schematics, canvas bags. For Various Racal Sets. Audio connectors Cannon 6 or 7 pin. Amphenol GB right angle (862GB-5ST10-6P:044), or Amphenal straight (62GB-16J10-6P), or Cannon (MS8116F10-SP). Source for Racal manuals. For the PRC-10A, CPRC-510. Calibration crystals(2.15mc HC-6). Power connectors, or batteries. Toroid Coils, 88mh center taped, or dual 44mh. *********************************************** SIX METER DX FREQUENCY; You all know we've been debating a frequency suitable for use by all our old Military FM radios. Well we've finally decided on one that not only conforms to all known band plans, but is also universally compatible with all our old(and new) radios. It's 51.6mc! Before arriving at this freq, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, 50.6, 50.8 and some others were suggested. Using a PRC-68 as our reference as it's the least frequency agile radio in general use, only 50.4 or 50.6 would have been acceptable. But as 50.6 would fall on the edge of the All-Mode, and Digital segments of the band plan, possible conflict could have resulted. 50.4 would have been a perfect choice but for one fact, it has already been spoken for by operators of vintage AM equipment. And as I am one myself, I surely did not want to step on any toes here. Especially as maintaining frequencies for the operation of these old AM radios has become most difficult in recent years, not only on 6 or 2 meters, but on all bands. 50.5, could have been a viable choice, and it was compatible with the PRC-68. But because of the peculiar programming method the PRC-68 uses, it could not operate both 50.5, and 51mc without the very tedious task of re-programming, and alinement. And as a wish to maintain the ability of using 51mc for special events is of great importance, 50.5 had to be discounted. Another possibility for conflict was with 50.3mc. This one is used by SSB operators in some parts of the country. And again it would have presented the same programming problem of 50.5mc. Upon further inspection of the various band plans by Joe Pinner, and others. 51.500, 51.600, 52.525, 53.000 were found to be listed as FM simplex freqs. And while most of our old radios are operable on all these but 52.525(and some radios here too), 51.6 represented a freq that was not only operable by the PRC-68, but also presented no possible conflict with any known band plan, and provided the much desired ability to operate 51mc without reprogramming. In fact use of this freq not only allows un-hindered use of 51mc, but also portions of the "All Mode" segments of the band. So there you have it, 51.6 is our new boat anchor FM DX/Net freq, and we have an alternate if needed of 50.6mc. So spread the news by whatever method you have, to whatever publication you can either printed or email/internet. Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; 6 Meter Input, I hope to have a 28 v supply soon for the RT-524 sitting in my 2-way shop so I can park on whatever channel we decide on. I think some members liked the even-numbered 200 Khz channels since the older sets covered these (ex: 50.8, 51.0). This sounds good to me. Here is a part of the Calif bandplan. I've omitted the channels not 25, 50 or 100 Khz. I don't necessarily agree with all of the different 6 M bandplans, and it is not my wish to foist any off as the "correct" plan. It may help us choose an FM frequency to park on though. The channels marked R/C are remote control. I don't know if R/C hobbyists still use the six meter band. Probably better to focus on only the simplex channels? I like 50.4, 50.6, 51.6, 53.0, and 53.2 although I haven't checked them yet for TV grunge (Los Angeles has channel 2). 50.000-50.100 CW, beacons 50.100-50.300 SSB, CW 50.300-50.600 ALLMODE (includes FM) 50.600-50.800 NONVOICE, PACKET, DIGITAL, TTY 50.800-51.000 R/C 9 20 KHz channels 51.700-53.980 REPEATERS 51.500 SIMPLEX 51.600 SIMPLEX 52.525 SIMPLEX, North America 53.000 SIMPLEX 53.100 R/C 53.200 SIMPLEX 53.400 R/C 53.500 R/C 53.600 R/C 53.700 R/C 53.800 R/C 53.900 SIMPLEX Thanks, Jay Coote, W6CJ jcoote@aol.com Dennis, Thanks for spearheading an effotr to establish a 6 meter mil frequency. Perhaps when we are done, it can be advertised in places like ER, BA, and perhaps even QST. Joseph W Pinner Lafayette, LA KC5IJD EMail: kc5ijd@sprintmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PP-4679/Fair Radio, Dennis, Here is something you might want to let the other folks in the group know (or maybe they already know this). The latest Fair Radio Sales catalog lists a PP-4679/URC-35 power supply with the following info "24 volts DC at 35 amps" price $35.00. I ordered one and it appears to be a well made piece of equipment, however it does not appear to me to be capable of 35 amps of output. I haven't actually hooked it up yet but, the general construction of the peice and the wiring looks very light for a 35 amp capacity, more like a 10-15 amp supply. This is in no way anything derogatory towards Fair Radio Sales, as I have had good results with them over the years, I think it is just a mistake on the specs. However if anyone was planning to buy one of these supplies to use with anything larger than a PRC-70, PRC-47 etc. they might want to get a little more info on it first. Jeff ed) when I saw that add, I thought it to read funny, and the price to be awful low considering the Fair Radio norm. I'm glad to see it is a viable item at a good price. Had I not already a bunch of power supplies in that current range, I'd get myself one. Looks like it might also be a good choice for Jay's VRC-12. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sportsman's Guide/PRC-6, Dennis, My Sportsmman's Guide catalog just delivered. It shows a Israeli Mil. PRC-6 $29.97 or $26.97 club member. Looks like the market is in for a flood? The ad indicates in bold type, "good, non-working condition." Ed Guzick ed) Those radios came from the same source our's did. It would seem that we'll still be well under that price, even considering postage to and from. Also our's well be screened a little better. A by-product of this group project has also been my finally writing the Universal Power Supply series(I've received prodding for over a year now). Todd Huss also reports that "The Gun Parts" formerly "Numrich" also has them for $45.00 listed as parts or display only. *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; Ian O'Toole Hi Dennis, Please accept my application to join your group. I accept the stated condition of being a group member. My name is Ian O'Toole and I have held the amateur radio callsign VK2ZIO since 1967. I live in Sydney. My interest in military radio equipment goes back to the early '60's, when still at school, I used to "do" the disposal stores every school holidays with a couple of mates. My first rig was a 522 which I used on 2 metres - I worked cross band using a #19 set as a receiver. My interest grew and my collection widened considerably in scope. There are currently over 350 major pieces in my radio collection, which is in a 16' x 36' shed which is fully insulated, lined and carpeted. I operate as Castle Hill Military Radio Collection. I collect equipment from the 3 services from whichever country I can obtain them. I give frequent displays and have an active programmed restoration schedule which keeps me very much on my toes. Each item that I put on display has a set of notes, illustration and circuit diagram for interested observers to take. The notes also include a statement of what I am about and a contact number. This has resulted in hundreds of phone calls and a LOT of equipment whch usually arrives gratis! The collection also contains thousands of manuals/copies which form the basis of a great reference collection which is available to interested collectors. Regards, Ian O'Toole *********************************************** HUMOR; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solving A Problem... It's the French Revolution and they're doing the usual beheadings. Today they're leading a priest, a drunkard and an engineer up to the guillotine. They ask the priest if he wants to face up or down when he meets his fate. The priest says that he would like to face up so he will be looking toward heaven when he dies. They raise the blade of the guillotine, release it, it comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. They take this as divine intervention and release the priest. Next the drunkard comes to the guillotine. He also decides to die face up hoping that he will be as fortunate as the priest. They raise the blade of the guillotine, release it, it comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. So they release the drunkard as well. The engineer is next. He too decides to die facing up. They raise the blade of the guillotine and suddenly the engineer says, "Hey, I see what your problem is..." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- An 85 year old man marries a lovely 25 year old woman. Because her new husband is so old the woman decides that on their wedding night they should have separate suites. She is concerned that the old fellow could overexert himself. After the festivities she prepares herself for bed and for the knock on the door she is expecting. Sure enough the knock comes and there is her groom ready for action. They unite in conjugal union and all goes well whereupon he takes his leave of her and she prepares to go to sleep for the night. After a few minutes there's a knock on the door and there the old guy is again ready for more action. Somewhat surprised she consents to further coupling which is again successful after which the octogenarian bids her a fond good night and leaves. She is certainly ready for slumber at this point and is close to sleep for the second time when there is another knock at the door and there he is again fresh as a 25 year old and ready for more. Once again they do the horizontal boogie. As they're laying in afterglow the young bride says to him, "I am really impressed that a guy your age has enough juice to go for it three times. I've been with guys less than half your age who were only good for one." The old guy looks puzzled and turns to her and says, "Was I already here?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Scottish old timer in Scotland, in a bar, talking to a young man. Old Man: "Lad, look out there to the field. Do ya see that fence? Look how well it's built. I built that fence stone by stone with me own two hands. Piled it for months. But do they call me McGregor-the-Fence-Builder? Nooo.." Then the old man gestured at the bar. "Look here at the bar. Do ya see how smooth and just it is? I planed that surface down by me own achin' back. I carved that wood with me own hard labour, for eight days. But do they call me McGregor-the-Bar-builder? Nooo..." Then the old man points out the window. "Eh, Laddy, look out to sea. Do ya see that pier that stretches out as far as the eye can see? I built that pier with the sweat off me back. I nailed it board by board. But do they call me McGregor-the-Pier-Builder? Nooo..." Then the old man looks around nervously, trying to make sure no one is paying attention. "But ya f*ck one goat . . . " ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Hollywood Boulevard, not far from where we are, we have the stars' names lying on the sidewalk. In the old days the stars themselves were lying on the sidewalk. -- Steve Allen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hollywood is a place where people from Iowa mistake each other for movie stars. -- Fred Allen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deodorants are dangerous, man. Ever read on deodorant cans: "Caution, Contents Highly Inflammable. May Explode." I don't know about you people, but I don't want nothin' under my arm that's gonna explode! -- Richard Pryor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My bathroom has a digital sink. When I want to stop the water running, I put my finger in the faucet. -- Ron Smith *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************