From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#3 Fcc: Sent Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 08:02:43 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Sept.22/99 Message-ID: <19990922.080059.10143.2.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Sept.22/99 Index: PRC'S FROM ISRAEL; Part I, by Jan Bury MEMBERS WRITE; PRC-25 Legacy Article, PRC-127 Designer's Fate, BC-230, -430 Coil Sets Avail, HUMOR; *********************************************** PRC'S FROM ISRAEL; by Jan Bury Contents Foreword HF Radios VHF Tactical Handie Talkies VHF Tactical Manpacks VHF Tactical Frequency Hoppers (C3I) UHF Air Band Manpacks Survival Radios Sources of Information Note: All information found below are collected from freely available sources, therefore could not be perceived as classified. Foreword: Author's major intention was to give a general approach to the modern Israeli portable military radios. Such sets appeared in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or Tzahal (for Hebrew: Tzva ha-Ganah le-Yisrael, the name for the Israeli army) inventory starting with the beginning of the so-called 'American Period' in the country's military history. It started just after the Six-Day War of June 1967 and had peaks at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. The IDF was modernized with equipment from the US supplies and older ones, especially from French supplies, which were to be retired. At the samew time, .223(5.56mm NATO) ammunition was introduced to the IDF, as well as modern military jets and armor. I would like to note that before 1967 Israel was a user of WW-II and Korean vintage radios which originated from the US, but it is hard to say now whether they were imported legally or in any significant quantities. The only known set of the PRC family of that time was the PRC-6, which was probably renamed MQ-6 in the IDF. This set saw service for many years, and the last units were withdrawn in the early 1980s. Since Israel has been continually at war during its 51 years of existence, and at times supplies were embargoed, it created a huge and modern military industry, which currently consists of about 200 companies. The major military communications equipment's manufacturers are Tadiran and IAI-Elta. They first produced lots of PRC types for both domestic use and for export. The company, which is currently named Tadiran Com. Ltd., is located in Tel-Aviv's suburb, in Kholon. The second, which in fact is a part of the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), focused on air band radio production. All the radios listed below were made by Tadiran unless otherwise specified. Israel is also very good at making the clones of equipment originating in other countries'. As an example, the AMD Mirage fighter should be given, which resulted in many successful airplanes, such as IAI Barak, Nesher and Kfir. It seems that the similar lot happened to the PRC-6 and others, like the PRC-77. The article was divided into sections, which represent the radio's intented purpose and gives an insight into specified radios' development. A short history of each set with technical data can be found, as well as alleged users and equipment configuration's descriptions. The specification of already well known sets were omitted. HF Radios: The modern IDF HF radios' series started, when Israel acquired a license for the U.S. PRC-74 manpack from Huges. This radio appeared somewhere in the early 1970s as a Tadiran PRC-74T. This was more or less an exact copy of the original with all accessories*. The radio was intended for the command units in remote areas, where VHF tactical range was insufficient. This was also perfect for reconnaissance groups for their long-range patrols. The radio was usually operated by the soldiers when immobile. Note, during the 1970s Israel held the Sinai Peninsula, a mostly flat and desert region, where reliable long range HF equipment was needed. PRC-74T worked in 2-18 MHz band, all modes, with 1 kHz steps. It had an RF power output of 15 Watts. Later, Tadiran produced an upgraded version named PRC-740T, with unchanged capabilities of the PRC-74T. Reportedly, the circuitry was slightly modernized and the radio supported data communications. The culmination of the PRC-74T line was the PRC-174 transceiver. It operated 2-30 MHz all mode, with 100 Hz tuning steps. The new autotuning system was incorporated with 1.5-sec. antenna coupling time. The radio could transmit at 20 W RF and had 0.7 microvolts sensitivity. It was powered from 22-36 V dc from Ni-Cd batteries. The main unit was the RT-936/PRC, which measured 262x68x297 mm and weighted 5.9 kg. It was common to see the H-189 or H-250 handsets attached. This radio appeared in the late 1970s and I would classify it as the PRC-104 equivalent. The PRC-174 replaced the PRC-74T and PRC-740T in the IDF. The PRC-174 supported data send and could be used in a configuration with external secure voice modules. The current IDF's HF portable radio is the PRC-2200. This is an advanced version of the PRC-174. The radio has all the features the modern HF manpack must have: it works 2-30 MHz with 100 Hz tuning steps, all mode including data via built-in modem, has RF power range from 5 to 20 Watts. The radio's memory can store 16 or optionally 99 presets. The most important features in the modern battlefield are: built-in voice and data encryption and frequency hopping. Voice is scrambled in both the frequency and time domains. The radio has also an automatic link establishment function and active squelch to eliminate the noise over the HF channels. To overcome enemy SIGINT/ELINT's mapping, the radio supports burst transmissions, usually a 3-digit messages (Flash). A portable set consists of: RT-2001 main unit, CP-2003 antenna coupler, BT-5791 battery, H-250 or H-739 handset and LS-108 loudspeaker. The H-739 has volume control, preset channel and operating mode selectors. There is a variety of antennas available, including an AT-1742 and GRA-50 dipoles, AT-1716 long wire and AT-2045 NVIS. The PRC-2200 measures 240x80x385 mm and weights 9 kg including battery and antenna coupler. It is very usual to see this radio working with an external loud-speaker. This item is very common, when IDF soldiers attach the speakers (usually turned at maximum volume) to their radios. The PRC-2200 is used in the higher echelon of the IDF, especially in command posts or jeeps. Elite special forces units are supposed to use this set for their long-range communications. Tadiran also makes a para-military radio, which is slightly lighter than the PRC-2200. The PRC-6020 works 2-30 MHz, all mode including data and supports secure voice. The radio's memory can store 10 presets. Radio's weight is ca. 6 kg. It seems this radio has not been enrolled into IDF's inventory yet. VHF Tactical Handie Talkies: The first PRC handie talkie in the IDF was the PRC-6 discussed above. Such a set was too big and heavy and in the 1970s was to be replaced. This happened in 1976, when Tadiran started making the PRC-601 and PRC-602 portable transceivers, designed in co-operation with GTE-Sylvania. The PRC-601 was a solid-state, 6-channel crystal controlled FM transceiver, which could work in 47-57 MHz band at 25 kHz spacing. The radio has 1 Watt RF power output and 0.5 microvolt sensitivity. It is powered from a 12 V battery, measures 170x84x43 mm and weights 1.15 kg. The radio has an auxiliary handset socket, and it was not unusual to see its users with the H-189 plugged into the unit. This radio was intended for infantry's officers and NCOs. Since the radio was quite hard to keep in the palm of the hand, the IDF soldiers usually put it into their load bearing vests' rucksacks or their trousers' thigh pockets, while operating the radio with the handset. There was also a belt pouch for the radio for convenient carrying. The PRC-601 was also used by the elite commando units, including General Staff's special forces Sayeret Matkal (a.k.a. Palsar 269 Aleph). There are photos from 1970s, documenting such use, when the radio with a steel blade antenna and handset was being carried inside the belt pouch by a Sayeret Matkal operator. There was apparently a submersible version for the naval commando units*. The radio was however a little bit outdated in the 1990s and the last units to use them were from the riot police squads operating in the Occupied Territories by Israel, the West Bank and Ghazzah Strip. It was rumored that the last PRC-601s were sold in the late 1990s to Africa or South America. Since the PRC-601 offered operation at only 6 fixed channels, there was a need to have a small synthesized radio. Such need was fulfilled in 1979 with introducing the PRC-613. The radio worked in the 36-53 MHz band at 25 kHz spacing, FM, with 1 Watt RF power. The set had push-button frequency dialers. The radio measured 220x84x43 mm and weighted 1.6 kg. This set was also almost exclusively used with the handset and was usually carried in the soldier's small rucksacks. There was also a PRC-614 working 53-76 MHz. The current replacement of the PRC-601/602 and -613/614 is the PRC-624. This is a PLL synthesized FM radio that works between 30 and 88 MHz with 25 kHz spacing on 2320 possible channels. It has 10 presets and supports voice and 16 kbps data via TACTER-11/-21/-31 portable tactical computers by Tadiran. The radio has 0.5 up to 2 W RF power (adjustable). Main unit is the RT-624. The set's dimensions are: 180x80x40 mm, while the weight is about 0.7 kg. The set supports PRC-77 accessories, like handsets and antennas. The more interesting accessories are: HS-624 noise canceling headsets for special duty operators and ST-624 carrying harnesses, which allow the PRC-624 to be configured as a manpack radio. The PRC-624 is being manufactured in several versions, the PRC-624 basic model, PRC-624(S) secure voice version (compatible with the CNR-900 radio system encryption), PRC-624(N) underwater radio submersible up to 40 meters and the PRC-624(HP) 20W-high power model weighting less than 5 kgs. The basic PRC-624 is the IDF infantry standard portable radio, while the secure model is used among the Special Forces units, now mostly in Lebanon Theater, like Sayeret Egoz. The PRC-624(N) was designed for the naval commando units, including elite Shayetet 13. The PRC-624 radio is usually carried with the H-189/250 handsets and has a PRC-77's short antenna attached. The newest Tadiran's portable is the PRC-710, which appeared somewhere in 1998. The radio works in 30-88 MHz band with 25 kHz spacing supporting both voice and data. It has a built-in secure voice and frequency hoping. The set has maximum RF power at 5 Watts. The scanner allows monitoring of up to 4 groups. The extras are selective calling and whisper mode. The set is most likely to be a portable fulfillment for the newest CNR-900 C3I radio system. The set is slightly smaller than the PRC-624 and weights 0.69 kg. No information, whether this radio is in current IDF's inventory, is available. VHF Tactical Manpacks: The first (almost all) solid state PRC in the IDF's inventory was the PRC-25. It seems the set has been delivered starting from ca. 1970. Tadiran also made this unit during the 1970s. Shortly after its introduction, the newer PRC-77 appeared and became IDF's standard portable field radio. Tadiran has been producing the PRC-77 for about 20 years. The radio was used by infantry, paratroopers, border guard and riot police, in the lowest echelons of the IDF. Currently, it can be even found in the first line, in combat in Lebanon for inter-checkpoints and inter-bunkers communication. The set was usually carried in the canvas bag or on the Alice frame, with an extra battery. It is very common to see an external loudspeaker connected to either audio or x-mode socket, depending on model. Sometimes, even two H-189 or H-250 handsets connected at once can be seen, usually one for the radioman and the second for the officer. Since the PRC-77 works at 50 kHz spacing, and radio traffic in Israel over VHF tactical is very dense, there was a need for a new 25 kHz spacing radio which could double the number of channels from 920 to 1841. Note that Israel is a very small country, and it is surrounded by the other countries, which are also PRC-77 users, like Jordan, Lebanon and, from 1979, the South Lebanese Army in the Security Zone of South Lebanon*. Tadiran made a modification of the PRC-77, resulting a 25 kHz spacing radio named the PRC-277. First such units appeared in mid-1970s. The set was slightly lighter, could work with 25 or 50 kHz spacing. The main unit was the RT-2841. The radio could be used with external secure voice modules. Later, there was even a much deeper PRC-77 modification named the PRC-377, with the RT-3841 main unit. This set offered 25 kHz spacing exclusively and had up to 2.5 RF power output and ca. 0.5 microvolt sensitivity. Radio's dimensions are: 280x260x102 mm, the weight is about 9 kg. In my opinion, the Israeli PRC-77 clones are close to the Telemit's German ones. The newer components were used, as well as the 25 kHz spacing was implemented. The sets were easy to use and reliable during the field use. Currently, these sets are still in use and will probably remain in the IDF's service until 2010. As noted before, Israeli PRC-77s and clones were usually deployed with external loudspeaker. VHF Tactical Frequency Hoppers (C3I): Since the neighboring Arabs states' ELINTs became more and more professional in collecting data via surveillancing IDF's radio communications in 1970s, a growing need for secure C2I/C3I system has arisen. This was also to be an upgrade of the IDF's field communications gear and commanding capabilities. Such a system's radio was introduced in 1980. The PRC-80 could work between 30 and 88 MHz with 25 kHz spacing. It offered 11 fixed or 11 hopping presets and built-in voice encryption. The set could transmit at 0.25 up to 4 Watts and was operated from 12 V battery. The main unit measured 260x250x80mm and weighted 7.2 kg, however the radio in field configuration weighted ca. 10 kg and measured 260x380x80 mm. The set was compatible with the PRC-77 handsets and antennas. The PRC-80 saw use in the growing C3I network, built by Tadiran to cover Israel. It was used in the higher echelon during the war in Lebanon, starting in 1982 (Operation Peace for Galilee). In the mid-1980s, Tadiran upgraded the product resulting in the PRC-800. This set had better ECCM capabilities (faster hopping rate and more complex secure voice). It is documented that the PRC-80 and PRC-800 were also used at the Northern borders of Israel by elite Sayeret Golany, the reconnaissance/LRRP unit of the Golany Brigade. Givati Brigade recon units are also supposed to use this set. The current Israeli C3I system is the CNR-900. It allows collection of information from remote parts of the country by the army staff. The network works mainly in the 30-88 MHz band and supports secure voice and data transmissions over hopping frequencies. There is a growing number of relaying stations and repeaters, installed mostly on the tops of the hills or high masts when in plateau. The main field terminal for the CNR-900 is the PRC-730. It is in fact an upgraded version of its predecessors: the PRC-80 and -800. The PRC-730 works at 25 kHz spacing FM voice or data via Tacter-11/-21 or -31 tactical computers. Its memory can store 10 fixed frequency or hopping presets. The set is capable of 0.25 up to 4 Watts RF power transmission, measures 240x310x85 mm and weights 7.5 kg. Each set has built in secure voice module. It seems that the portable PRC-624 and PRC-710 can also be used within the CNR-900 structure. Israeli C3I hoppers are very expensive radios and small quantities were fielded. Jan Bury Warsaw, Poland e-mail: yahya@orient.uw.edu.pl *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; PRC-25 Legacy Article, Hi Dennis, I was just going through the PRC-25 legacy article and noticed that the PRC-25's mentioned are all PRC-25 A or B models. Mine is a straight PRC-25 RT-505 made by RCA s/n 2838, order number H-6-00053(E). Is anyone keeping track of the various manufactures and contract numbers for the PRC-25. What if any are the differences between the original PRC-25 and the A and B models? Thanks, John WD5ENU John Watkins ed) The focus of that series of articles was on the unlettered PRC-25, and the information on the A & B models was speculative as varied, and differing accounts have been received as to what their differences were. I once tried to keep an accounting of the contractors and subcontractors that built the PRC-25, but found the effort futile as there were so many. Then when the PRC-77 entered the picture, it became impossible to track the numbers built, and by whom. A limited(tip of the ice burg) sampling of contractors/numbers where presented just in an attempt to give the reader some idea as to how prolific these radios were/are. The PRC-25 Legacy series can now be seen in it's entirety on Tom Norris' web site at: HTTP://www.telalink.net/~badger/millist/mi.html It has also been condensed into a single article and added to our Backmail files (#76) so as to me easier to send to interested persons. ----------------------------------------------------------------- PRC-127 Designer's Fate, The PRC-127 design engineers were all hired by Garmin while they still were employeed by BK Radio (Relm). They were all hired at once, in a group of about 10 guys, including the mechanical engineer that designed the PRC-127 case compenents, who has been sitting in the office next to me for several years now. Bendix/King (Allied Signal) solicited a suitor for the purchase of the land mobile division in an effort to "focus" their operations. I suspect that Relm was able to purchase the division for a song (1992). The engineers I referred to above all worked for Relm for about 1.5 years before accepting the offer to come to Garmin. Once at Garmin, they worked on a combined GPS/land mobile HT unit that was eventually dropped. My opinion is that it was dropped because it was not compatible with trunked radio systems, which were rapidly taking over the land mobile communications market. If anyone has any questions for the original design engineers, I can probably forward them, but can't guarantee any level of response. None of them seem too interested in posterity. They are mostly all working on combined GPS/cellular phone products now. Sheldon ----------------------------------------------------------------- BC-230, -430 Coil Sets Avail, If you have a BC-230 or BC-430 transmitter that needs coil sets, please contact me. I am seeking BC-230/430 coil sets: C-271 by Western Electric. Any C-1xx, C-2xx or C-3xx sets made by Aircraft Radio Corp. Also seeking BC-229/429 receiver coil sets made by Aircraft Radio Corp. I have many coil sets to trade and other trades as well. 73 DE Dave Stinson AB5S *********************************************** HUMOR; Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company (responsible for the accident) to court. In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. Lawyer: "Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine'?" Farmer Joe: "Well I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule Bessie into the . . ." Lawyer: "I didn't ask for any details. Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine'?" Farmer Joe: "Well I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road . . ." Lawyer: "Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question." Judge: "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule Bessie." Farmer Joe: "Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want to move. However, I could hear old Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans. Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, 'Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?'" ----------------------------------------------------------------- An wealthy old lady walks into a bank. She goes up to the teller and she says, "I would like to open up an account." To which the teller responds, "Certainly ma'am, how much would you like to deposit into your new account?" The lady replies, "$500,000". The teller is a little shocked, since you just don't see that every day, especially from a little old lady. But she agrees and begins to process her request. Then the old lady says, "But before I give you my money, I want to meet with your bank president." The teller complies and escorts granny over to the bank president's office. The president offers her a seat and comments, "I understand you want to open an account with $500,000 - is this true?" To which the old lady tells him that it's true. At this, Granny lays her big 'ol carpetbag on his desk and starts taking out stacks of cash. The banker's eyes get big and he exclaims, "I have to admit - I rarely get to see this must cash in one deposit! If you don't mind me asking, how did you come upon this much money?" She says, "Sure - I got it making bets!" "Bets?", asked the president, somewhat confused. "That's right - I make bets for a living." "As a mater of fact, I'll make a bet with you right now. I'll bet you $25,000 that you've got square balls." "That's outrageous!", said the banker, "I don't have square balls!" "I've got $25,000 that says you do - want to take my bet?", says the old lady. "Okay, says the bank president - I'll take the bet." "But first," says Granny, "allow me to come back with a witness. Since we are dealing with a large amount of money, I want to make sure that there is a witness and that the conditions of the bet are fully understood." "Okay," says the banker, "I don't have a problem with that, since I know my balls aren't square." So the wealthy old lady goes off and comes back the next day to see the banker. She has returned with her witness. "For the record," says the old lady, "I am betting you got have square balls. The bet is for $25,000. If I win, you pay me. If you win, I pay you. Do you agree to this business arrangement?" The banker agrees, so Granny says, "Okay, drop your drawers and let's see 'em!". So, the bank president drops his pants and bares his goods. Granny takes a look, but her eyes ain't so good anymore. So she asks the bank president, "Do you mind if I double-check their shape by giving them a little feel?" The banker agrees and while she's got her hands around his balls, the banker notices the attorney on the other side of the room, banging his head on the wall, over and over again. The banker is curious. "What's the matter with him?" Granny says, "Oh, that's my attorney. He's probably upset cause I just bet him $200,000 that I could walk in here and inside of two minutes have the bank president's balls in my hands!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Do you know why the UT football team should change their name to the Opossums? Because they play dead at home and get killed on the road. Why doesn't UT have ice on the sidelines? Because the guy with the recipe finally graduated. Why shouldn't you ride through the UT campus with your car windows rolled down? A diploma may fly into your car. How many UT freshmen does it take to screw in a light bulb? None. It is a second year course. How do you get an UT graduate off your porch? Pay him for the pizza. What do you call an UT football player in a three piece suit? The defendant. Why doesn't the UT football team have a website? Because they can't string three Ws together. What does the average UT football player get on his SATs? Drool. What do you get when you cross a groundhog and an UT football player? Six more weeks of losing football. Why do UT graduates hang their diplomas for the rear view mirror To park in a handicap parking space. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Scientists Decode the First Message From an Alien Civilization... Simply send 6 x 10^50 atoms of hydrogen to the star system at the top of the list, cross off that star system, then put your star system at the bottom of the list and send it to 100 other star systems. Within one-tenth of a galactic rotation you will receive enough hydrogen to power your civilization until entropy reaches its maximum! IT REALLY WORKS! *********************************************** 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 ***********************************************