From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#1 Fcc: Sent Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 04:43:14 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, June 30/99 Message-ID: <19990630.044218.10623.5.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, June 30/99 Index: ANNOUNCEMENT; SPECIAL EVENT REPORT; National MVPA MEMBERS WRITE; PRC-25 Legacy, Manuals From the Navy, SCR-300 Strange Antenna? NEW MEMBER; Menno Putman NON-MEMBER STUFF; RBS-2 Power Supply Avail HUMOR; *********************************************** SPECIAL EVENT REPORT; National MVPA Dennis, I arrived at the National MVPA (Military Vehicle Preservation Association) Convention Wednesday afternoon at 1500 hrs. After checking in and getting the approval to sell as an "Occasional Vendor" by the CA Board of Equalization, I unloaded the truck and moved my goods to my table where I covered them up so I could go scrounging. As I started to scrounge, an announcement came over the P.A. stating the hall would close in 15 minutes so I didn't get a chance to do much in the way of scrounging. The next morning I hurriedly set up my table, handed my wife a handy scratchy and was on my way. Since I am going to restore a '41 Dodge 1/2 Ton command car, my main interest was to get a SCR-508/528 or enough parts to build one. Two tables down I hit pay dirt! I bought a fair BC-683BM and a good condition BC-684BM for $90.00. Next I spotted 2 good looking BC-1000's at $150.00 and $175.00 dependent on accessories. The BC-1000 looked to good. Further inspection revealed a new paint job. I made a mental note to return and take a closer look but when I returned they were gone. I was later approached by a casual member of our trail riding group who asked if I would help him get one of them working if need be. So I'll get a chance to see what one of them looks like inside. Mike's Motors (Mike Stopforth) was selling complete SCR-510's for something like $1595.00. ea. Some other spottings: PRC-6's in good condition $75.00 to $90.00, survival radios $50.00 to over $150.00. A stack of PP-112 power supplies in poor condition $40.00ea, two really ratty RT-66's $75.00ea, a good SCR-509 $1150.00. The only newer radio that I saw was a SINCGARS at $2500.00 My other purchases were: NIB SCR-528 spares chest for $25.00 and a fair BC-683 mtg. rack for $15.00. No luck on the FT-237 mounting rack and/or equipment box so I'll add that to my want list. Regards to all, Buzz ed) I always knew that vehical collectors lived in a different world, but a $1600 SCR-510, and $1150 for an SCR-509! This world sounds like Lala Land! There are a number of completely restored SCR-300(BC-1000's) out there. For the most part they have been done by Steve Bartkowski who was involved in repatriating over 1000 of them several years ago from surplus NATO stocks. This is the same source for those that Fair Radio has been selling. For the most part, Steve's restorations are masterful, and were conducted on radios that would have otherwise been a lost cause, or had foreign markings, or both. He uses reproduction data plates, and all panel markings are repo decals. The paint used is custom mixed, as close to WW-II OD as can be had, and applied by a professional(Steve doesn't spray them himself). Steve's overhauls however are completely cosmetic as he doesn't bother to check them for operation. This is not a business with him, he does a limited quantity of radios each year(including also BC-620, -659, and -611's) with the intent of using them as swapping material. I think he now offers kits for sale so's you can effect your own restoration which include reproduction data plates, front panel decals etc for all those radios listed above(I think the SCR-300 kit was $50 but I'm not sure). *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; PRC-25 Legacy, DENNIS: I AM ENJOING THE PRC-25 ARTICLES. OBVIOULY A LOT OF RESEARCH IN THERE. TWO COMMENTS: 1. I HAVE TESTED A BUNCH OF -25'S AND -77'S, AND THE DIFFERANCE IN THE POWER OUTPUT IS REAL. VERY FEW -25'S HAVE EVER BEEN OVER 2 OR 2.5 WATTS AT THE BEST PLACE IN THE BAND. MOST -77'S ARE BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WATTS, ONE I HAVE SEEN HAS BEEN OVER 5. HAVING SAID THAT, THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN 2 WATTS AND 4 WATTS INTO THE SHORT ANTENNA (FOLDING DUMMY LOAD?) IN TERM OF ACTUAL RANGE IS LIKELY TO BE A FEW HUNDRED YARDS. 2. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I BOUGHT A PILE OF PRC-77'S. THESE WERE TURN IN'S, MANY OF THEM FROM THE SAME UNIT ACCORDING TO MARKINGS ON THE RADIOS. MY GUESS IS THAT THIS UNIT HAD UPGRADED TO SINCGARS AND DID A WHOLESALE TURN IN OF ALL PRC-77'S. IN THE MIDST OF THIS BATCH, THERE WAS A PRC-25. THIS RADIO MUST HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE AS LATE AS 1995. THIS WAS NOT A SERVICE UNIT, OR SHOP OR DEPOT, BUT A COMBAT ARMS UNIT. SO LETS SEE, 1965 TO 1995 = 30 YEARS. NOT BAD. WILL YOU ADDRESS THE RT-505B/PRC-25? AND SINCE THERE IS A -B, WHAT WAS THE RT-505A? THANKS STEVE HANEY HANEY ELECTRONIC CO ed) the only known data on the PRC-25A & B models was included in Part I of the series. Hi, Dennis! The PRC-25 is the only tactical radio that I've had experience with. The USS Quapaw had four PRC-25's assigned, but we had a tough time getting fresh batteries. Since we were an Active Reserve ship, our supply priority was low. Sometimes months would go by before the supply depot coughed up what we wanted, it was faster and simpler to go to a boat store and buy what we needed out of our own pockets. This applied to small stuff like resistors, caps, stainless-steel hardware for antenna mounts. Once, I even found an IC chip we needed at a local swapmeet. Anyway, we couldn't get fresh batteries through Supply in time for our training voyage to Hawaii, so we raided the local military surplus store for out-of-date but usable batteries. This was 1985, and I had never seen lithium batteries before. We thought they were all dead, but they came to full life after a ten minute warm-up in receive. We used the radios between the ship and the fire-barge during fire-fighting training, and, when the Captain took the motorwhaleboat out for a "test" (fishing trip), we were able to communicate over twenty miles of water using the long antenna. I have no doubt that PRC-25's will still be in use by Reserve and National Guard units well into the next century. I notice that very few military radios get mentioned in history books, but this will be one of them. Bob Simpson The series on the PRC 25 has been very interesting. It is stuff like that can make the Group a real asset to the preservation of info on the Green Radios. The whole thing has prompted me to set up the RT 70 and PRC 10 stuff that I have. I wish I had info like you have shared with us to share also. I hope others have the info will write. The series was well written and presented. Thanks. Rich Wurtzinger ----------------------------------------------------------------- Manuals From the Navy, There is a Navy office where you can write for manuals if you know the proper number. However, anything recent, even though you may have the equipment, is still on the restricted list and they won't sell it to a civilian (even though "we" own the government!). What they will sell is priced so high you won't want to buy it. One of the manuals that I asked about was between $200 and $300. That's why I don't have their address anymore!!! Incidentally, the Army, which used to give you manuals if you asked, has started doing the same thing. Prices are not near as bad, though - $40 to $80 range. You MUST have the EXACT manual number in either case. I think that you can find the addresses on the Internet if you try. Lenox Carruth ed)Years ago I tried getting manuals from the military, and was even successful once(set of PRC-25 manuals was $38, a chunk of money back then). But so much arguing, and explaining was required to extremely inept people that I never tried again. ----------------------------------------------------------------- SCR-300 Strange Antenna? While looking through NavShips 900,116, I noticed on page Ar-13, Radio Set SCR-300 dated April 1946, that the antenna shown in the pictures is almost certainly that normally used with a BC-659. The BC-1000 has a mounting on the side for the antenna in the stowed position and the antenna insulator appears to be threaded for that antenna. It is also shown in the installed but not extended position. Have you ever seen this before? Wonder if any were issued with that antenna system? Lenox Carruth ed)The picture your looking at is one of the experimental radios that did use a modified BC-659 antenna. Note the square edges on the radio where it had been formed on a sheet metal break rather than stamped. I don't see the exact photo your speaking of, but it is a common one found in several early publications. Experimental BC-1335's also used a BC-659 antenna. *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; Menno Putman Dear Dennis; Many thanks for the invitation to the MCGP you mailed to me. It is perfectly clear to me that I accept the conditions as are mentioned in the invitation. In fact #2 of the conditions is the reason I came in contact with the MCGP. Let me explain : Being able to use Internet and e-mail for only three months till now I started with surfing to sites of my hobby interest which is, as you now know, military radio equipment. In this way I made contact with Mark Blair, one of your MCGP members. He was looking for info and schematics of the SEM-35 and SEM-25, both military TRX's originating from Germany. They were quite rare in the US but he managed to buy both of them. After some email vice-versa I posted the requested schematics which made him very happy because he was able to complete his knowledge about this set.I also made some translations for him of the manuals.You can find my efforts on Mark Blairs Green Pages, SEM-special with my name mentioned under special thanks.... . We still mail each other with questions about other military radio's and equipment. This nice contact brought me via the Internet to another one, who is also member of the MCGP: Wammes Witkop. He also helped Mark with the SEM-25 info and Mark brought us together from California, exchanging our e-mail adresses. Wammes Witkop lives in Amsterdam and I in a village about 20 K to the North, not aware of each others existance and sharing the same interest , green radio. I met him in an eye-ball QSO two weeks ago and we both will keep contact in the future, knowing that we are searching for the same : completion and restauration of military sets. This way of helping eachother world-wide with knowledge without financial meanings is my idea of working on a hobby. I think that's where the MCGP also stands for. Some further info about me: I'm a male, 42 years old, married for 22 years, no children, two cats and working as a teacher in Amsterdam for 22 years with social retarded children aged between 13 to 18.After I graduated at highschool I did a study to become a teacher and started working. During my work I did several post-academic courses to update my knowledge. In fact I still follow courses when needed.I live in a village called Purmerend about 20 K North of Amsterdam. Electronics is a hobby of me since my childhood and after passing my technical class license I became a HAM with the call-sign PE1LDZ (you can find me in the Buckmeisters call book). Military equipment has my special interest for some reasons : the way it is build without compromises, its stability, use in harsh conditions and the special smell (hi!). I'm collecting for several years now and finding a missing part at a HAM radio rally or a flea market or at some surplus trader brings me a joy I cannot describe (or is this a collectors feeling?). Some things keep me busy for years to complete one piece of equipment. Making QSO's with the reconditioned or rebuild equipment is an other part of the Green Hobby. Because of my technical license (without CW) I usually work at 6 metres with these sets. I'm also member of the VERON (=Dutch ARRL) and the SRS which stands for Surplus Radio Society. This last mentioned Society stands for the same as the MCGP and is dedicated to military radio. There are about 300 members and you can see their goals on the URL I sent you in my first letter. Four times a year a full colour magazine is issued, partly in English.Apart from this there are meetings and swap meetings.As you can read through the lines: no commercial stuff!! Living in the Netherlands as one of the NATO-countries there is a lot of surplus to be found from all NATO-countries origin. This makes collecting sometimes easy but on the other hand difficult. Because the law over here forbid to trade with non-NATO countries who are at war (like Bosnia was) there has been trouble with commercial traders who offered NATO equipment on the black market.Therefore large stocks of good equipment have been shreddered to overcome the blackmarket problem.This results in non-availability for the small traders and private collectors like me and Wammes. Troublesome times for the hobby but I hope this will change. Dear Dennis, I could write the whole night about this subject but tomorrow the alarm-bell rings at the same time as ever I therefore will end this mail and hope you will give me a place among the other members of the MCGP. Some other interests, apart from green radio are: military aircraft, navy, fortifications and bunker complexes (plenty over here in Europe) and weapon systems (from fire arms to ICBM's and everything in between) , military history in general. I don't know if you are a HAM , but as a HAM I say Best 73's and I'm looking forward to your Re. Menno Putman The Netherlands e-mail : MennoPutman@hetnet.nl call-sign : PE1LDZ MCGP-references : Mark Blair and Wammes Witkop *********************************************** NON-MEMBER STUFF; RBS-2 Power Supply Avail i have came across a rectifier power-amplifier unit mfg.for the navy dept. bureau of ships by contr.stromberg-carlson co.unit of mdl rbs-2 radio equip.serial no. 1985 inside unit is clean outside case needs painting...inside unit has 3 transformers 2 rectifiers and 3 tubes no. 2 of a 6v6gt/g and 1 5u4/g.....$50.00 and i will ship...if interested contact Steve Elswick email address kf4qag@hotmail.com *********************************************** HUMOR; YOUR VICE PRESIDENT: "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." Al Gore "Democrats understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child."-- Vice President Al Gore "Welcome to President Clinton, Mrs. Clinton, and my fellow astronauts."-- Vice President Al Gore "Mars is essentially in the same orbit... Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, & water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe."-- Vice President Al Gore, 8/11/94 "The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century." -- Vice President Al Gore, 9/15/95 "I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change."-- Vice President Al Gore, 5/22/98 "One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, & that one word is 'to be prepared'."-- Vice President Al Gore, 12/6/93 "Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things." Vice President Al Gore, 11/30/96 "I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future."-- Vice President Al Gore "The future will be better tomorrow."-- Vice President Al Gore "We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world."-- Vice President Al Gore, 9/21/97 "People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history."-- Vice President Al Gore "I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."-- Vice President Al Gore to Sam Donaldson, 8/17/93 "We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a *part* of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a *part* of Europe." -- Vice President Al Gore "Public speaking is very easy." Vice President Al Gore to reporters in 10/95 "I am not part of the problem. I am a Democrat." Vice President Al Gore "A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls." -- Vice President Al Gore "When I have been asked who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct & simple: Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame. --Al Gore "Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it."-- Vice President Al Gore, 5/20/96 "We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."-- Vice President Al Gore, 9/22/97 "For NASA, space is still a high priority." Vice President Al Gore, 9/5/93 "Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."-- Vice President Al Gore, 9/18/95 "The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that Al Gore may or may not make."-- Vice President Al Gore "We're all capable of mistakes, but I do not care to enlighten you on the mistakes we may or may not have made." --Vice President Al Gore "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." -- Vice President Al Gore "[It's] time for the human race to enter the solar system." -- Vice President Al Gore AND, OF COURSE, (TO ALL USERS OF THE INTERNET), THE ALL TIME FAVORITE QUOTATION OF MR. AL GORE: "As many of you know, I was very instrumental in the founding of the Internet" AL Gore to Katie Couric 3/99 ------------------------------------------------------------------ A man and a woman walk into a very posh Rodeo Drive furrier. "Show the lady your finest mink!" the fellow exclaims. So the owner of the shop goes in back and comes out with an absolutely gorgeous full-length coat. As the lady tries it on, the furrier discreetly whispers to the man, "Ah, sir, that particular fur goes for $65,000." "No problem. I'll write you a check!" "Very good, sir." says the shop owner. "Today is Saturday. You may come by on Monday to pick it up, after the check has cleared." So the man and the woman leave. On Monday, the fellow returns. The store owner is outraged, "How dare you show your face in here?! There wasn't a single penny in your checking account!!" "I just had to come by," grinned the guy, "to thank you for the most wonderful weekend of my life!" ------------------------------------------------------------------ The LAPD, the FBI, and the CIA are all trying to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. The President decides to give them a test. He releases a rabbit into a forest and has each of them try to catch it. The CIA goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist. Then the FBI goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing everything in it including the rabbit, and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming. Then the LAPD goes in. They come out two hours later with a badly beaten raccoon. The raccoon is yelling, "Okay! I'm a rabbit! I'm a rabbit." ------------------------------------------------------------------ Two blondes decided to rob a bank together. The first blonde, Judy, plans the robbery and goes over the plan with the second blonde, Buffie, in great detail. The robbery begins. Judy drives up in front of the bank, stops the car and says to Buffie, "I want to make absolutely sure you understand the plan. You are supposed to be in and out of the bank in no more than three minutes with the cash. Do you understand the plan?" "Perfectly," said Buffie. Buffie goes in the bank while Judy waits in the getaway car. One minute passes...three minutes pass...seven minutes pass...and Judy is really stressing out. Finally, the bank doors burst open! And here comes Buffie. She's got a safe wrapped up in rope and is dragging it to the car. About the time she gets the safe in the trunk of the car, the bank doors burst open again with the security guard coming out. The guard's pants and underwear are down around his ankles while he is firing his weapon. As the gals are getting away, Judy says, "You are such a blonde! I thought you understood the plan!" Buffie said, "I did. I did exactly what you said!" "No, you idiot," said Judy. "You got it all mixed up. I said tie up the GUARD and blow the SAFE!" ------------------------------------------------------------------ What's the difference between a northern fairytale and a southern fairytale? A northern fairytale begins "Once upon a time..." A southern fairytale begins "'Y'all ain't gonna believe this shit..." *********************************************** 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 ***********************************************