From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#2 Fcc: Sent Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 08:39:41 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, June 16/99 Message-ID: <19990616.083832.12207.7.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, June 16/99 Index: PRC-25, FORGOTTEN LEGEND; Part I, By Dennis Starks SPECIAL EVENT REPORT; Dallas Hamcom, from Jim Hopper MEMBERS WRITE; RAO-1? NEW MEMBERS; Nick Anedda, Mike Hardie, Vince Sposato HUMOR; *********************************************** PRC-25, FORGOTTEN LEGEND; By Dennis Starks Forward, I've title this article "Forgotten Legend" because in the past few years the significance of the PRC-25 has been overshadowed by it's more famous successor, the PRC-77 which in fact is only a slightly updated version of the PRC-25. Fledgling collectors today when searching for their next acquisition often ask/advertize for a PRC-77, when offered a PRC-25 they either stick their nose's up, or admit that they don't know what a PRC-25 is. At best they will acknowledge the PRC-25 but will only accept one as a last resort in the event they are unable to locate a PRC-77. It is true that the PRC-77 would become the most prolific tactical military radio of it's type in history, but it was the PRC-25 that was the milestone which got the ball rolling. And while the PRC-77 had been long established in the field, thousands of PRC-25's remained in front line service for at least another 20 years after the PRC-77's introduction. Still today, many thousands of PRC-25's lay dormant in various military storage facilities the world over. In my mind, the histories of the PRC-25 and PRC-77 are synonymous, and should never be separated. In The Beginning, Our story starts not with the development of the PRC-25, but ten years earlier(yes, only ten years) with the introduction of the SCR-300(BC-1000). The very first VHF FM, front line tactical transceiver ever devised capable of operation while being carried by it's operator. Though it's VHF/FM mode would be received with great scepticism by the world, even in it's country of origin, it would instantly prove it's value under fire. It would set the stage for all such radios to come. Even today's most advanced hand held radios owe their existence to the success of the SCR-300 of 55 years ago. Even with the immense success of the SCR-300 which remained a standard issue item for another 10 years in the U.S., and it's allies for at least 15 years, the idea of a more advanced replacement began almost immediately after it's introduction. The rapid advance of technology during WW-II had produced subminiature tubes that could greatly reduce the size and weight of such a field radio. Along with this significant reduction in size and weight could be included greater reliability, simpler operation, greater frequency coverage and stability, reduction of the required FM bandwidth resulting in more channel capacity for a given frequency range, and a great increase in the ease of field servicing. By at least 1947 wood "concept" mock-ups of this new generation of radios had been constructed that would almost duplicate the final product. By at least 1950 functioning prototypes had been completed and possibly even an initial order for production radio sets. By 1951 production radios began to filter into the field, and by 1953, the PRC-10 family of radios(including the PRC-8 & PRC-9) had become familiar equipment. They would accomplish all those goals that had been established for the replacement of the SCR-300, and even include some additional "First" in the area of front line tactical communications equipment. These "first" included modular construction which allowed for almost instant repair-ability in the field by personnel with a minimum of training and support equipment. Secondly was the use of the now familiar short "Tape" antenna which has yet to see a viable substitute design after 50 years(prototype PRC-10's used a sectional antenna similar to the BC-1000 which was a British.design). The only thing to remain of the old SCR-300 was it's multi section, collapsible, long "whip" antenna, but now supplied with a rubber coated spring base to prevent damage while in use(another innovation left over from WW-II that is still in use today). But even before the PRC-10 had become established in the field, just as with the SCR-300 before it, plans had been initiated for it's replacement. 1949 saw the introduction of the transistor, and with that, a clamor by military planners to find practical applications for it's use. So in 1952, the criteria were set for our newest generation of solid state radios, and development contracts made. Included in these initial development contracts were the requirements for the PRC-25, PRC-35, and the new generation of solid state vehicular systems based on the VRC-12. Of these 1952 beginnings, the VRC-12, and the PRC-25(in the form of a PRC-77 and a multitude of clones) still survive today. The PRC-35, though a viable radio intended to replace the PRC-6, failed to find a niche in military applications that could not be filled by either the PRC-25, or the new squad radios (PRT-4 & PRR-9 which existed on separate developmental contracts). Thus it's great expense could not be justified. The PRC-25,(From Ref. #3) PRC-25/RT-505;First solid state FM,tactical backpack transceiver,also first to use the now standard 150cps tone squelch system. Intended to replace PRC-8's,9's & 10's inclusive.Development started 1958(XC-1)progressing through 1961(XC-3).Experimental versions(XC-1 & XC-2) had continuously tunable auxiliary receivers,this feature was omitted in the final variants adopted in 1961. Interring service 1962,very few were fielded till 1964.In 1965 the PRC-25 was officially replaced by the PRC-77 though it remained in first line service till the early 80's & many still remain in strategic reserves today. Ops 30-75.95mc,on any 2 preset synthesized channels of 920 spaced 50kc apart.RF power output is rated at 2 watts,actual measured output averages 4 watts.Radio can be used vehicular with the addition of the AM-2060 amplifier/power supply(several other types avail),see VRC-53 & GRC-125 for more info.Requires 3v & 12-15v normally supplied by BA-4386(many battery types exist).Size (RT-505 less battery box)4 x 11 x 11",13.5lbs. Numerous accessories were/are produced for the PRC-25/77 family to help it fulfil many roles,the major ones are AT-892(short tape antenna), AT-271 & AB-591(long antenna & rubber spring base), AT-912 or AS-1729(vehicular antennas), AT-984(longwire antenna, RC-292(fixed station antenna), AT-784(homing antenna), ST-138(backpack harness), CY- 2562(battery box), H-138 or H-189(handsets), CW-503(canvas antenna & accessories bag). Over 130,000 set's were manufactured by more than 15 different (domestic) suppliers before production ceased. Ref.#9,#10,#11,#18,#23,#30 PRC-25A;Identical the PRC-25 except for modifications to the A25 module increasing the audio band-width. This to allow operation with TTY & voice security equipment. Ref.#26 PRC-25B;Identical to previous versions of the PRC-25. Suspect that these are overhauled radios & some may have been painted CARC. Also a possibility of the substitution of silicone type solid state devices. Ref.#26 Dennis Starks; Collector/Historian Midwest Military Communications Museum email: military-radio-guy@juno.com References: #1, Sig 3, List of Current Issue Items, Oct. 1953. (Illustrations of the PRC-10 are of the experimental prototypes) #2, Communication Manual, Dec. 1950, published by the Communications Department, Ft Benning Georgia. (demonstrates the transition from WW-II type equipment to the new generation. Includes many pictures of then experimental equipment including the PRC-6, -10, RT-68, -70 etc) #3, Military Radio Data Vol. I, PRC Designated Radio Equipment, by Dennis Starks #9.FM24-24,20 May 1977,Radio & Radar Reference Data. A.FM24-24,Dec 1983. #10.Janes,1979/80,Military Communications. #11.Janes,1981,Military Communications. #18.Military Communications,A TEST FOR TECHNOLOGY,The US Army in Vietnam by John D.Bergen,CMH Pub 91-12. #23.Item contained in my personal collection of equipment. #30.Associated equipments technical manual. *********************************************** SPECIAL EVENT REPORT; Dallas Hamcom, from Jim Hopper I arrived at Dallas Hamcom at 7:00 AM, Saturday morning at the opening of the flea market. This year, they started on Friday at 1:00 PM, like they do at Dayton. The only difference is that at Dayton there are many more times hams to pick from. In Dallas there aren't enough hams to have a Friday flea market. I was told that the attendance was pretty poor on Friday. Saturday morning showed a lot of activity, but not much greeen merchandise. The only green radio I saw of any significance was a PRC-77 at Steve Haney's table. There were plenty of old Hallicrafters and National, and some Motorola as usual but nothing to do with green radios. The big thing this year was amateur TV. One of the guys here in Dallas has two TV transmitters on Amateur 2.5 ghz and he was showing its capabilities, including repeated video from some of the hams houses and special displays of weather radar, site cameras, and user touch tone control through ham 2 meter links. Jim Hopper ed) We want to know about the Special Events in your area. These include Hamfest, Re-Enactments, Surplus Sales/Auctions, Military Vehical Shows etc. We like to see what equipment was there, how much it sold for or it's asking price, who all was their, your communications, everything! *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; RAO-1? What can anyone tell me about this receiver. I have a chance to get one. When and where were they used. What are the major problems I can expect to find. Thanks and 73's Mikhael Brown ed) The RAO series are WW-II vintage Navy receivers built primarily by National(NC-120) with Wells Gardner as a second source. The RAO is a table top receiver very similar to the RBL(15-600kc) and might even be considered the HF counterpart to this radio. It is described as a superheterodyne general purpose receiver for Ship or Sore stations that will tune .54-30mc. Size is 10 11/16 x 17 3/16 x 17 1/4 at 75lbs. RAO versions through #9 existed which differ mainly in the contractor, and power supply options. Further details can be found in: TM11-487, 1958 Ships 275, 1944 Shortwave Receivers Past & Present, Communications Receivers 1942-1997, by Fred Osterman Communications Receivers 1932-1981, by Raymond S. Moore *********************************************** NEW MEMBERS; Nick Anedda, Good work Dennis, Tanks for your info notes, sorry for late, but meeting works, require some time out home. I think be important to made a integration over some branch. You have my personal collaboration and over the last boullettin of the ari surplus team, i publishing the invitation that you send my (on print in the last part of this year). My personal interest be on surplus radiocommunication military electronic surplus, not only for history but also for use, i am one of the founder of ARI Surplus Team, a interesting group of ARI. I am also ham to a log time my call be I4ymb, i have produced some articles over Radio Rivista as QST for US. Member of Armed Forces Electronic Association Chaper of Rome. And at the last my years be 50. My work activity are on the Marketing. I hope all be sufficent. Tanks for consideration and my best wishes Nick Anedda ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis: Name is Mike Hardie; located in North Vancouver, B.C.; interested mainly in the operation and restoration of HF receivers, transmitters, associated gear and test equipment; just getting started in the ex-military equipment area; was in the Canadian air force for a number of years, still in reserves; dislike unapproved/undocumented "home-made" modifications to equipment; do like bringing a piece of equipment "back to life" cosmetically and/or operationally. I hope that is sufficient, if not let me know and I'll change it. If you can include a "want" I'm looking for an AM/CW transmitter capable of around 500 watts. (BC-610?) Thanks Dennis and take care, Mike Hardie ----------------------------------------------------------------- Vince Sposato Dear Sir: Thanks very much for your reply. I appreciate the offer. I teach Junior High in New York City. I wish I could say I am dedicated, but the system necessitates "every man and woman for themself". Nonetheless, I try to reach those kids who try to show self-control and make a serious effort. So much for my occupation. I am a military historian by heart. Having been raised as the grandson of a World War I vet, and the nephew and son of three navy WWII vets I cannot be otherwise! My mother's brother served with Patton building bridges across the Rhine. My uncle Vincent was killed when his carrier the Wasp went down off the Solomons-September 1942. My father was aboard destroyers off Leyte in 1944. My father's oldest brother served aboard the U.S. Navy's most decorated battleship-the South Dakota right up until 1944. I was withe the First Marine Division at DaNang in 1968. Wounded at 18. Fully recovered. Interests: resurrecting old WWII radios and putting em back on the air. Currently interested in Arc-5 equipment. Have nothing of interest to you for swap, but would appreciate some of those xmtr and recvr racks, a dynamotor or two for the transmitters, and possibly a control box or antenna relay unit. It really is a shame that most of this gear sits waiting,while it should be operating and laying the framework for future radio operators-as it did for its fathers and granfathers! So much for my speech! In any event your conditions seem reasonable, and I would indeed like to be part of your organization. I will be away in England for the month of July chasing down my second favorite love-WWII re-inactment! So, up until 30 June you can reach me. After that, it will be around July 30 when I return. 73's de Vince Sposato N2AXV *********************************************** HUMOR; Subject: What time is it? On some air bases, the Air Force is on one side of the field and civilian aircraft use the other side of the field, with the control tower in the middle. One day on just such a field, the tower received a call from an aircraft asking, "What time is it?" The tower responded, "Who is calling?" The aircraft replied, "What difference does it make?" The tower replied "It makes a lot of difference. If you're an American Airlines Flight, it is 3 o'clock. If you're Air Force, it is 1500 hours. If you're a Navy aircraft, it is 6 bells. If you're an Army aircraft, the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 3. If you're a Marine Corps aircraft, it's Thursday afternoon. If you're National Guard, it's still a couple of hours until quitting time." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Three guys were sitting behind three nuns at a football game. The men decided to antagonize the nuns, to get them to move. So the first one says to the others (loud enough for the women ahead to hear), I think I want to move to California, there are only 100 Catholics living there... The second guy speaks up and says, I want to move to Washington, there are only 50 Catholics living there... The third guy speaks up and says, I want to move to Idaho, there are only 25 Catholics living there... One of the nuns turns around and looks the third guy in the eye and calmly says, "Why don't you go to hell, there aren't any Catholics there." ----------------------------------------------------------------- After a two year long study, the National Science Foundation announced the following results on corporate America's recreation preferences. 1. The sport of choice for unemployed or incarcerated people is:Basketball. 2. The sport of choice for maintenance level employees is: Bowling. 3. The sport of choice for front line workers is: Football. 4. The sport of choice for supervisors is: Baseball. 5. The sport of choice for middle management is: Tennis. 6. The sport of choice for corporate officers is: Golf. Conclusion: The higher you are in the corporate structure, the smaller your balls become. ----------------------------------------------------------------- An Italian, an Irishman and a Chinese fellow are hired at a construction site. The foreman points out a huge pile of sand and says to the Italian guy, "Your're in charge of sweeping," to the Irishman, "You're in charge of shoveling, and to the Chinese guy, "And you're in charge of supplies. "Now, I have to leave for a little while. I expect you guys to make a dent in that pile." So the foreman goes away for a couple hours, and when he returns, the pile of sand is untouched. He says to the Italian, "Why didn't you sweep any of it?" The Italian replies, "I didn't have a broom. You said the Chinese guy was in charge of supplies, but he disappeared and I couldn't find him." So then the foreman turn to the Irishman and asks why he didn't shovel. The Irishman replies, "I couldn't get myself a shovel. You left the Chinese guy in charge of supplies, but I couldn't find him." The foreman is really ticked off now, and storms off toward the pile of sand looking for the Chinese guy. Just then, the Chinese guy springs out from a closet and yells: "SUPPLIES!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- "He drove his German car made of Swedish steel and interior of Argentine leather to a gasoline station, where he filled up with Arab oil shipped in a Liberian tanker and bought two French tires, composed of rubber from Sri Lanka. "At home, he dropped his Moroccan briefcase, hung up his Scottish tweed coat, removed his Italian shoes and Egyptian cotton shirt, then donned a Hong Kong robe and matching slippers from Taiwan. "More comfortable now, he poured a cup of hot Brazilian coffee into an English coffee mug, set a Mexican placemat on an Irish linen tablecloth atop a Danish table varnished with linseed oil from India. Then he filled his Austrian pipe with Turkish tobacco, lit it, and picked up a Japanese ballpoint pen with which he wrote a letter to his congressman demanding to know why the United States has an unfavorable balance of trade." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kids say the darndest things... Some grade school teachers must agree with that, because they keep journals of amusing things their students have written in papers. Here are a few examples: - The future of "I give" is "I take." - The parts of speech are lungs and air. - The inhabitants of Moscow are called Mosquitoes. - A census taker is man who goes from house to house increasing the population. - Water is composed of two gins. Oxygin and hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is gin and water. - (Define H2O and CO2.) H2O is hot water and CO2 is cold water. - A virgin forest is a forest where the hand of man has never set foot. - The general direction of the Alps is straight up. - A city purifies its water supply by filtering the water then forcing it through an aviator. - Most of the houses in France are made of plaster of Paris. - The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 opossums. - The spinal column is a long bunch of bones. The head sits on the top and you sit on the bottom. - We do not raise silk worms in the United States, because we get our silk from rayon. He is a larger worm and gives more silk. - One of the main causes of dust is janitors. - A scout obeys all to whom obedience is due and respects all duly constipated authorities. - One by-product of raising cattle is calves. - To prevent head colds, use an agonizer to spray into the nose until it drips into the throat. - The four seasons are salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar. - The climate is hottest next to the Creator. - Oliver Cromwell had a large red nose, but under it were deeply religious feelings. - The word trousers is an uncommon noun because it is singular at the top and plural at the bottom. - Syntax is all the money collected at the church from sinners. - The blood circulates through the body by flowing down one leg and up the other. - In spring, the salmon swim upstream to spoon. - Iron was discovered because someone smelt it. - In the middle of the 18th century, all the morons moved to Utah. - A person should take a bath once in the summer, not so often in the winter. ----------------------------------------------------------------- An elderly priest invited a young priest over for dinner. During the meal, the young priest couldn't help noticing how attractive and shapely the housekeeper was. Over the course of the evening he started to wonder if there was more between the elderly priest and the housekeeper than met the eye. Reading the young priest's thoughts, the elderly priest volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, my relationship with my housekeeper is purely professional." About a week later, the housekeeper came to the elderly priest and said, "Father, ever since the young Father came to dinner I've been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose he took it do you?" The priest said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll write him a letter just to be sure." So he sat down and wrote: "Dear Father, I'm not saying that you 'did' take a gravy ladle from my house, and I'm not saying you 'did not' take a gravy ladle. But the fact remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner." Several days later, the elderly priest received a letter from the young priest which read: "Dear Father, I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with your housekeeper, and I'm not saying you 'do not' sleep with your housekeeper. But the fact remains that if you were sleeping in your own bed, you would have found the gravy ladle by now." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Top Nine Sexual Jokes: Number nine A man is in a hotel lobby. He wants to ask the clerk a question. As he turns to go to the front desk, he accidentally bumps into a woman beside him and as he does, his elbow goes into her breast. They are both quite startled. The man turns to her and says, "Ma'am, if your heart is as soft as your breast, I know you'll forgive me." She replies, "if your penis is as hard as your elbow, I'm in room 1221." Number eight A young man walks up and sits down at the bar. "What can I get you?" the bartender inquires. "I want 6 shots of Jagermeister," responded the young man. "6 shots! Are you celebrating something?" "Yeah, my first blowjob." "Well, in that case, let me give you a 7th on the house." "No offence, sir. But if 6 shots won't get rid of the taste, nothing will." Number seven A business man boards a flight and is lucky enough to be seated next to a gorgeous woman. They exchange brief hellos and he notices she is reading a manual about sexual statistics. He asks her about it and she replies, "This is a very interesting book about sexual statistics. It identifies that American Indians have the longest average penis and Polish men have the biggest average diameter. By the way, my name is Jill. What's yours?" He coolly replies, "Tonto Kawalski, nice to meet you." Number six One night, as a couple lays down for bed, the husband gently taps his wife on the shoulder and starts rubbing her arm. The wife turns over and says: "I'm sorry honey, I've got a gynecologist appointment tomorrow and I want to stay fresh." The husband, rejected, turns over and tries to sleep. A few minutes later, he rolls back over and taps his wife again. This time he whispers in her ear: "Do you have a dentist appointment tomorrow too?" Number five Bill worked in a pickle factory. He had been employed there for a number of years when he came home one day to confess to his wife that he had a terrible compulsion. He had an urge to stick his penis into the pickle slicer. His wife suggested that he should see a sex therapist to talk about it, but Bill indicated that he would be too embarrassed. He vowed to overcome the compulsion on his own. One day a few weeks later, Bill came home ashen. His wife could see at once that something was seriously wrong. "What's wrong, Bill?" she asked. "Do you remember that I told you how I had this tremendous urge to put my penis into the pickle slicer?" "Oh, Bill, you didn't." "Yes, I did." "My God, Bill, what happened?" "I got fired." "No, Bill. I mean, what happened with the pickle slicer?" "Oh...she got fired too." Number four A man was visiting his wife in hospital where she has been in a coma for several years. On this visit, he decides to rub her left breast instead of just talking to her. On doing this, she lets out a sigh. The man runs out and tells the doctor who says this is a good sign and suggests he should try rubbing her right breast to see if there is any reaction. The man goes in and rubs her right breast and this brings a moan from his suggests the man should go in and try oral sex, saying he will wait outside as it is a personal act and he doesn't want the man to be embarrassed. The man goes in then comes out about five minutes later, white as a sheet and tells the doctor his wife is dead. The doctor asks what happen to which the man replies: "She choked." Number three A guy walks into a bar with a pet alligator by his side. He puts the alligator up on the bar. He turns to the astonished patrons. "I'll make you a deal. I will open this alligator's mouth and place my genitals inside. Then the gator will close his mouth for one minute. He will then open his mouth and I will remove my unit unscathed. In return for witnessing this spectacle, each of you will buy me a drink." The crowd murmured their approval. The man stood up on the bar, dropped his trousers, and placed his privates in the alligator's open mouth. The gator closed his mouth as the crowd gasped. After a minute, the man grabbed a beer bottle and rapped the alligator hard on the top of its head. The gator opened his mouth and the man removed his genitals unscathed as promised. The crowd cheered and the first of his free drinks was delivered. The man stood up again and made another offer. "I'll pay anyone $100 who's willing to give it a try". A hush fell over the crowd. After a while, a hand went up in the back of the bar. A woman timidly spoke up. "I'll try, but you have to promise not to hit me on the head with the beer bottle". Number two A small guy goes into an elevator. When he gets in he notices a huge dude standing next to him. The big dude looks down upon the small guy and says: "7 foot tall, 350 pounds, 20 inch dick, 3 pound left ball, 3 pound right ball, Turner Brown" The small white guy faints! The big dude picks up the small guy, brings him to, slapping his face and shaking him, and asks the small guy. "What's wrong?" The small white guy says, "Excuse me but what did you say?" The big dude looks down and says "7 foot tall, 350 pounds, 20 inch dick, 3 pound left ball, 3 pound right ball, my name is Turner Brown." The small guy says, "Thank god, I thought you said 'Turn around.'" Number one A couple had been married for 50 years. They were sitting at the breakfast table one morning when the old gentleman said to his wife, "Just think, honey, we've been married for 50 years." "Yeah," she replied, "Just think, fifty years ago we were sitting here at this breakfast table together." "I know," the old man said, "We were probably sitting here naked as jaybirds fifty years ago." "Well," Granny snickered, "What do you say...should we get naked?" Whereupon the two stripped to the buff and sat down at the table. "You know, honey," the little old lady breathlessly replied, "My nipples are as hot for you today as they were fifty years ago." "I wouldn't be surprised," replied Gramps. "One's in your coffee and the other is in your oatmeal! *********************************************** 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 concerning this group or membership contact Dennis Starks at, . A list of selected articles of interest to members can be seen at: http://www.softcom.net/users/buzz/backmail.html ***********************************************