From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#3 Fcc: Sent Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 04:45:17 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Apr.30/99 Message-ID: <19990430.044411.2087.2.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Apr.30/99 Index: MYSTERY RADIO; The RS-6, Part I, by Dennis Starks MEMBERS WRITE; Unimog, URC-101,-110? HUMOR; *********************************************** MYSTERY RADIO; The RS-6, Part I, by Dennis Starks I have for some time put off writing anything about the RS-6 due to the great deal of controversy that has been associated with it. There have been numerous heated debates going on about this radio set, it's origins, and actual users, for many years. I'm sure too, that this article will stir up a few more. But after years of intense research by myself and others, these are the facts! I didn't even beleive them all myself at first, but this evidence has been gained from many independant sourse, and when combined leaves us with very little room for further speculation. Here they are, be they as as they may. Fact #1, The RS-6 was originally designed by, and intended for, the CIA. With possible close support from SAC. Fact #2, Completed sets had been introduce at least by late 1950 and a finished product available by the end of 1951 at the latest. Fact #3, The CIA had very little use for the RS-6 after it's completion for various reasons. Though it would see service in their hands in a limited capacity. Fact #4, Shortly, immediately after, or at the same time, the RS-6 became available to agents of the CIA, it was adopted by the Strategic Air Command(SAC) for use in long range strategic bombers and their support craft, as a long range survival radio. Like it or not, it is they who would make the most extensive use of the RS-6. Not the CIA, and not any other group. Fact #5, Various Army Special Forces organizations would eventually have at least a passing interest in the set, and would have in their possession a fair sized quantity, that would later be sold via surplus channels. Fact #6, the RS-6 is not at all a "very rare" radio set, nor is it immensely valuable, nor should it ever be referred to simply as a "Spy Radio". The later does it, and history a grave injustice! A brief description of the RS-6 is in order: This is a four piece miniature HF/CW set composed of a receiver, transmitter, and two power supplies that would allow it's operation from a very wide variety of AC, or DC power sources to include AC mains, batteries, hand-crank, or even gas powered generators. The basic set operated over the frequency range of 3-16.5mc with an RF power output of 10-15 watts. Fact #1, The CIA Connection: After the advent of the RS-1, who's history has been covered via this forum in great detail, there came a need to fill a niche in CIA inventory to replace the antiquated radio sets of WW-II/OSS origin which were still in widespread use. This for a miniature, ultra light weight radio station that could be easily smuggled through the front door of an ever-on-guard host country. A role that the current, very robust RS-1 was sorrily unsuited to as it had been designed more with the insurgent, guerrilla, or para-military force in mind. With it, it was impossible to walk into a host county in the usual manner with it contained in a brief case, or diplomatic pouch. Inter the RS-6. This is the obvious reasoning for the development and production of the RS-6, but was there another, an even more sly reason? We will investigate this possibility shortly. In Documenting the origins of the RS-6, and dating it's first appearance, we've combined the physical evidence gained from surviving examples with the very limited information from printed materials, and eye witness accounts. Knowing the well documented history of the RS-1, the following comparison between it, and the RS-6 have been made by Pete McCollum, who'm even more so than myself, has expended a great deal of time(years) to every facet of their history. Though we have seldom agreed on his findings and hardly ever on his conclusions, these are facts none the less. Besides the obvious CIA designation of RS(Radio Station) here are some the design similarities between the RS-1 and RS-6: The AC power cords/plugs are an interesting design, and are identical on both sets. Obviously the same design specification was used, and probably the same contractor. Both power supplies feature a switch for selecting the AC input voltage, and a method for determining the correct setting (meter and neon lamp). There are several voltage selections, not just 115/230 volt settings. Both receivers use a constantly-running BFO oscillator, which is rectified by a diode to provide grid bias. When the BFO is "off", the oscillator is running at a higher frequency, to make the beat note inaudible. Both receivers control the gain via a pot and the negative bias from the BFO, to control the RF and IF gain - there is no gain control on the audio stage. Both transmitters have one oscillator tube driving a 2E26. The designs of the two transmitters are extremely similar. Both transmitters use two neon lamps for tuning, plus a #47 bulb as an antenna current indicator. Fact #2, The Earliest Possible Date of Introduction: The tubes used in the RS-6 were introduced 3/16/50 for the 5899 and, 8/16/48 for the 5718. We can easily assume that then, just as now, the CIA R & D teem working on the RS-6 would have used State-of-the-Art technology in the design of their brainchild. Given the trouble brewing in Korea at the time, we can also assume some felt ergency on their part. The only official, dated, printed material that has survived is an addenda for the radio's manual, printed by SAC, and dated May 1953(the RS-6's original manual is not dated, nor is there the slightest indication of it's origin). By this time apparently 2614 sets had been produced out of a possible 10,000 or more. Given the time it would take to produce and field 2614 sets, the additional time it would take for design flaws to surface, and the time it would again take to recognize these flaws and produce a manual addenda. We can easily push this May 1953 starting date back to a very possible date of late 1950 for at least the introduction of the first completed prototypes. I stress the words "at least". So we can easily settle on a safe date of late 1951 for introduction of the RS-6 as a standard type radio set. Fact #3, CIA/RS-6 Contempt: From the beginning, the RS-6 had been designed with one thing in mind, maximum miniaturization. In reducing the size and weight of this set to their absolute minimum, the designers had produced a radio that for all practical purpose was desposable. Even if in compitant hands, the RS-6 could not be serviced in the field. It's internal components were jamp-packed, and it's tubes, with their high likelyhood of failure, were soldered-in. This making replacement of any part, even under optimum conditions, difficult at best. Combine this with the fact that the tubes used in the RS-6 were state-of-the-art, very specialized with limited applications, and not generally available. Not even after twenty years would they be a common item easy to obtained by even the best connected service facility. For an agent to risk detection, and his life, smuggling a radio of such dubious, and limited life expectancy would not have been job to look forward to. So it can be readily seen, the RS-6 had a very specialized purpose. One of the most short term and dangerous type, with an item of equipment that might, or might not work, and if it didn't, nothing could be done about it. Not to say that the CIA did not use the set, as eye witness testimony from more than one ex-CIA source has been given that at least suggest a familiarity with it. But it had a very specialized purpose, one that mandated it's use in their hands in only the most dire of cases. Fact #4, The SAC Connection: For the reader to fully understand the combination CIA, and Strategic Air Command(SAC) connection, some history is in order. By late 1942 a fledgling OSS was struggling to prove it's worth to it's contemporaries, and gain a foothold in the various theaters of the war. In Europe, the British Secret Services who had nurtured the OSS in the beginning, now resented them sticking their noses into what had been their exclusive domain. Military Intelligence and the military hierarchy in general resented the presents of a basically civilian organization imposed on them by the president. The later to the point that the OSS would never gain even the slightest of a foothold in the Pacific theater where U.S. Naval Intelligence was the dominating agency. And only limited influence in China would be gained, and then only by the guise that will be outlined, and by the unwilling appointment of very hostile Naval Intelligence Captain to the post of OSS Theater Chief. The utmost tact was required between the OSS and all it's rivals to obtain even the slightest of consideration when attempting to set up shop in an environment hostile to them both by the enemy and allies alike. A common interest was needed to which they could not be denied a chance to help. One that was universal in concern, and importance to all those involved, and that would result in extreme embarrassment to any who would object. This excuse for their participation was found, and it was universally used to gain an initial OSS foothold in every theater of WW-II in which they were involved. That of downed airman, and their rescue. Under this guise, the OSS would insist on being allowed access to an area of influence and that their main purpose was to set up rescue, and escape routes with support from the indigenous people for downed Allied air-crewman. This they did to great effect, and much more! This same tradition that began in WW-II by the OSS would later be used by the CIA in Korea where General McCarther barely tolerated their existence. Attempts by the CIA to set up rescue teems, and escape routes for downed aircrew in North Korea were for the most part fruitless, but they did try. It would again be used at least in small part as an excuse for some operations later in both North and South Vietnam. So it can be easily seen that out of necessity and mutual benefit a tradition of cooperation might form, and with that a system for operations developed, between the U.S.Secret Services and what would become the Strategic Air Command. With this cooperation in tactics would be needed a set of compatible tools. Again, inter the RS-6. Now that the purpose is understood, and how it came to be, the reason need be told. In the early years of the Cold War, long range strategic bombers lacked the range needed to fly to a distant country, hit it's target, then return home. This was known to both planers and aircrew alike. So a tactic was adopted that was first pioneered in WW-II by Dolittle in his early raids on the main Island of Japan. The B-24's used were fairied within range of Japan aboard Naval Aircraft Carriers. They would then in a very half-assed way, take off of these carriers and head for Japan knowing all along that they could neither return to, nor land on the carrier that had delivered them. Nor did they have enough fuel to fly their mission then return to an Allied base. So they would fly on to mainland China where they would ditch their planes and seek rescue by friendly partisans. Inter the OSS! What a plan, but it worked, several times! The postwar years and early strategic bombers were little different. Only minor increases in an aircraft's range were had after the advent of the B-29. But the distances both to a target country, and then on to a friendly one were greatly increased. And there was still no chance of hitting a target in say, Russia, with sufficient fuel to return home(given there was any home left to return to). So Dolittle's tactic of WW-II was only slightly modified. A bomber would be assigned two targets, a primary, and secondary. After dropping it's load on one or the other, it would head for the closest, hopefully friendly territory at the highest possible speed. As it's fuel ran out, the aircraft would be ditched whether or not it had reached a safe area. A long range HF radio set would then be set up, every crew member had been trained in it's use, and a call for help sent out. As the CIA would probably not have any escape personnel in place, this call would be directed towards SAC though most likely would be relayed through a listening post manned by either Military Intelligence or the CIA. A specially outfitted C-47 transport plane(C-47S) that was basically no more than a flying fuel tank would then be dispatched to rescue the downed aircrew. In later years these C-47's would be outfitted with JATO packs to allow them to take off from very short un-improved runways. As outlandish as this all sounds, it is absolute fact and is supported by numerous personal accounts from aircrewman, pilots, survival and radio instructors, and industry. The long range radio was the RS-6, there can be no doubt! It was strapped to the underside of ejection seats in some craft, or stored in a survival sled affixed to the roof of the bomb bay in others. There was only one flaw in this plan, one fully unknown to the aircrew in training. The C-47S had almost no room aboard them after the installation of their special fuel tanks. They could actually do little more than deliver supplies that would enable a crew to hold out, or effect further evasion of a hostile host. Among the other standard survival products issued to crewman before their departure was their "Blood Chits", a slip of paper that would introduce them to any native persons on the ground, and promised outlandish rewards for their safe return. They were issued gold coins for the purpose of barter, or bribery. The list of other ingenious devises is a lengthy one. Given the instantaneous adoption of the RS-6 by SAC, and the long standing tradition of cooperation between strategic bombers and the OSS/CIA We can even surmise that SAC might have been in on the development of the RS-6 from the very beginning, and that this might well have been a joint SAC/CIA venture from the start. This is of course speculation, but there is some circumstantial evidence to support it. Dennis Starks; Collector/Historian Midwest Military Communications Museum email: military-radio-guy@juno.com *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; Unimogs, Dennis, Please check out this website and pass on the url to members that are = interested in Unimogs. http://www.eurotruck-importers.com/frmogs.htm Kim WB4LZQ FOR SALE Unimog 404-S radio trucks and cargo trucks dropped shipped from Germany direct to you for only US$7,500 delivered. Fully serviced and with new Military Paint, US$8,500. Mention this listing and receive a free 14mm crowsfoot valve tool with your order!! Michael Carradine Tel/Fax +1 925-988-0900 PO Box 430, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 USA Of course by the time I could afford one of the damned things, it will be illegal to import them. http://www.umog.com/photos.htm This was the site I was talking about with commo trucks for sale. I found the answer on that funky not-really-a-UNIMOG we wuz talking about the other day. This vehicle is based on the Mercedes UNIMOG, built in the US, has a push blade on the front, backhoe on the rear. Has a variety of hydraulic operated tools, such as very large chainsaws etc usually. The thing is called a "Small Emplacement Excavator Tractor," and I don't think it has a traditional end-item number, meaning it's not a "M-anything." It always seems to be referred to as a "SEE." The things were built by Euclid/Freightliner under license from Mercedes-Benz, and the contract was evidently for a total of 2080 units. (I got 40+ hits by plugging "Small Emplacement Excavator" into LookSmart. ) FYI, the TM series for the thing is TM 5-2420-224-nnn. As I understand it they are designed for use by frontline engineer units: Combat Engineer Battalions, and Engineer Battalions (Combat), which are two different organizations with differing missions. The former provides direct support to a maneuver division, and operates directly at the front lines. The latter is normally a corps-level unit, and usually operates somewhat to the rear of the fighting, but normally well withing the range of enemy artillery. Tom Norris ----------------------------------------------------------------- URC-101/110? Unlike most of the group, I prefer to work with all solid state and digital modes. don't get me wrong, I have a ART-13/ BC-348 set up as a monument to the vacuum tube era, but have much more fun running packet, ritty and fax. for a long time now I have been looking for a green radio to use on two meter packet and APRS but theirs not a lot around. I have been content to re-work Motorola stuff and use some of the Yeasu and Kenwood junk.20 Then I found out about the URC- 101 and 110, have talked with a couple people about them and will try to find one for myself, but several questions have come up about the radio and I thought some of the group members can help enlighten me. ( 1 ) is this radio still in use today, when did it enter service, how long was it used for? the current FM 24-24 list it as a satellite radio but only in passing. ( 2 ) what's with the high price? working models that I have seen were in the two thousand dollar price range, is there a high demand for them in the commercial market ? or with foreign government? ( 3 ) are they repairable ? their is a big price difference between working and non working units and I have seen several at Hamfest in the four to seven hundred dollar range, but can they be repaired ? is it composed of relatively common parts or a bunch of epoxy case moduals that can not be repaired. ( 4 ) the set appears to be a Motorola aircraft radio mounted in a field case, what is the aircraft equivalent ( ARC-??? )? are they common ? I have never saw one in use. was told that it original design was as a rescue radio. looks a little big for that. Anyone who has one please let me know, don't have one yet but think its only a matter of time. you know what they say " A fool and his money ". Ray Fantini e-mail RAFANTINI@SSU.EDU ed) 1) yes. 2) theres a high demand for all green radios of simi-current type becuase very few are escaping the crusher. A fairly complete account of the URC-100 series was presented here and can still be found in MCGP Backmail #59 *********************************************** HUMOR; Top 21 Good Things About Hell * None of that annoying check-in procedure like with St. Peter. * Due to recent health code changes, vats of boiling brimstone now use low-fat canola oil. * Your "Do you smell something burning?" slays 'em, year after year. * Plenty of legal help available for filing "wrongful death" lawsuit. * Newly passed law: Three strikes and you're back in LA. * Satan's confused attempts to torture masochists can be highly entertaining. * No need to pack the parka over Bob Dole's election chances. * Well, sure, it's hot, but it's a *dry* heat. * Free prostate checks and PAP smears administered daily! * The surprisingly entertaining "Hitler and Kathie Lee Show." * Every Thursday is Karaoke Night, hosted by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. * Prizes awarded for best crank phone calls to God. * Everywhere you look, there's a smoking section! * Big step up from Bakersfield. * Your little "blue flame" trick now produces spectacular results. * Free Microsoft software for everyone (as per agreement made back in early 80's). * Now that you've followed her advice, you just might get that date with Cindy Crawford. * 52 smmmmmokin' channels of Jim Carrey! * Saturday night WWF tag-team bout between Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, and Hitler. * Everyone gets a length of pipe and a daily crack at Nancy Kerrigan's knee. * Fortune to be made on "Welcome, O.J." t-shirts. ----------------------------------------------------------------- An elderly man was at home, dying in bed. He smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies baking. He wanted one last cookie before he died. He fell out of bed, crawled to the landing, rolled down the stairs, and crawled into the kitchen where his wife was busily baking cookies. With waning strength he crawled to the table and was just barely able to lift his withered arm to the cookie sheet. As he grasped a warm, moist, chocolate chip cookie, his favorite kind, his wife suddenly whacked his hand with a spatula. "Why?" he whispered. "Why did you do that?" "They're for the funeral." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Joan, a rather well-proportioned though near-sighted secretary, spent almost all of her vacation sunbathing on the roof of her hotel. She wore a bathing suit the first few days, but always removed her glasses for an even facial tan. After several days she decided that no one could see her way up there, so she slipped out of her suit for an overall tan. She'd hardly begun when she heard someone running up the stairs; she was lying on her stomach, so she just pulled a towel over her bottom. "Excuse me, miss," said the flustered little assistant manager of the hotel, out of breath from running up the stairs. "The hotel doesn't mind your sunbathing on the roof, but we would very much appreciate your wearing a bathing suit as you have for the past week." "What difference does it make?" Joan asked rather calmly. "No one can see me up here, and besides, I'm covered with a towel." "Not exactly," said the embarrassed little man. "You're lying on the dining room skylight!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- A father, son, and grandfather go out to play a round of golf. On the way out to the first tee they are joking, boasting, and cussing. This is very much the men's day out. Just before the son is ready to tee off, a fine looking woman carrying her clubs approaches them. She explains that her partner didn't show and asks if she can join them. Naturally, the guys all agree. Soon afterwards, the son starts grumbling because now he can't cuss in her presence. The lady then turns to the three of them and says, "Listen, boys, I don't care what the three of you do or say out here. Go ahead, cuss, smoke, chew, spit or whatever, just don't try to coach me on my game." She then proceeds to tee off. All eyes are on her butt she bends over to place the ball on the tee. She then knocks the hell out of the ball, right up the middle of the fairway. She continues to amaze the three guys, shooting for at least par on every hole. When they get to the 18th green, she has a 12 foot putt for par. She turns around and says, "I want to thank you guys for not trying to coach my games. But, I have never shot par before and I want your opinions on this putt. If any of your opinions help me make par, then I'll give each of you a night of hot sex that you'll never forget." The son jumps at the thought. He strolls onto the green, eyes up the putt for a couple of minutes, and finally says, "Lady, aim that putt six inches to the right of the hole. The ball will break left 12 inches from the hole and will go into the cup." Then, the father says, "Don't listen to the youngster. Aim 12 inches to the right and the ball will break left 2 feet from the hole, and fall into the cup." The grandfather looks at the both of them in disgust. He walks over to her ball on the green, picks it up, and says, "To hell with the putt, that's a Gimme." ----------------------------------------------------------------- MEETING GOD There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, So he packed his suitcase withTwinkies and a six-pack Root Beer and he started his Journey. When he had gone about 3 blocks, He met an old Woman. She was sitting in the Park just staring at some Pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his Suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his Root Beer when he noticed that the old lady looked Hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and Smiled at him. Her Smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, So he offered her a Root Beer. Once again she Smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon Eating and Smiling, but they never say a Word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave, But before he had gone more than a few steps, He turned around, ran back to the old Woman and gave her a HUG. He gave her the biggest Smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, His mother was surprised by the look of JOY on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so Happy?" He replied, "I had Lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, He added,"You know what? She's got the most beautiful Smile I've ever seen!" Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with Joy, Returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of PEACE on her Face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the Park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, He is much Younger than I Expected." *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************