MILTARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, FEB. 12/98 INDEX: POGO STICK DEBATE; Bill Howard, & Dennis Starks SPY-TEK ON CABLE; HUMOR; *********************************** POGO STICK DEBATE; Bill Howard, & Dennis Starks Dennis, Have read each segment as it came along but just printed out all 10 pages and re-read them. I have some thoughts on your questions in last part. The radio is made of metal hence has stood up well despite hard useage. The chest unit however is made of bakelite/fibreboard(?) composition material with a rubber horn sticking out. I assume that with some hard useage, such as a belly flop during incoming artillery, the chest unit was damaged. If it survived the war, the rubber probably was in such bad shape that the entire unit was sent to the dump. For a HAM trying to make use of the set, the power supply was more practical than the chest set.. The chest unit, while it makes a nice publicity photo probably did not get as much use as the jeep mounted power supply. The radio is not a "neat little thing" as was the BC 611. I can visualize HAMs of the late 40s and 50 trying to make use of the BC 611 but not the the pogo stick set. It is just too cumbersome to dragging around. Even the BC 1000 was easier to take to a field day.. I can remember looking at a 1948 (?) ARRL Handbook which had the plans for building a Handi talkie that looked like the BC 611 but used 955 tubes (2 I think) I mention this to show the mentality of HAMs in 1948/50s. Your mystery manual sounds like it may have been a commo class text book for the Armor School or Possibly the Artillery School. Think all the radios that you mentioned were used by Armor or Cavalry units while the ones not mentioned were infantry radios and were probably covered in a similar book put out by Fort Benning. Are there any markings like ST on any of the pages? Stands for Special Text, generally associated with student hand out texts. I think there is a spare parts chest which housed the extra tuning units, spare tubes, manuals, etc. Have you ever seen one of these? I would like to find one, with or with out contents. I suspect there are others who want them in addition to me. THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 813 585-7756 --------------------------------------------------------------- Bill, Your thoughts on the T-39 chest unit do have some merit, and would account for the disappearance of some units. Not all of them! While it is true that the chest unit was made of some relatively mild materials, this did not hinder the survival of other sets that were made in even far fewer quantities. Like the MAB(Bakelite), DAV(plywood), RBZ(phenolic and plastic). It's also true that the rubber horn/mic piece did not weather time very well, about 2/3rds of the surviving examples do not have the horn, or it has deteriorated. Also, the U.S. Government does not send ANYTHING to the dump, they auction it off. Go to an auction some time, you'll find mountains of bold tires, bad batteries, spent ink cartridges, what do you think they do with all those crushed, torched, or ground up radios? They auction them off. Things have not changed in 50 years. Regard the chest unit being less desirable than the PE-157 power supply by the troops. NOT! ALL the official, and non-official documents stress the use of the chest set, and this only makes sense. Need I recap? "Other units declared that the SCR-511, though good only while it's BATTERIES lasted, provided a very successful link between ship and shore." (Ref.#6, Capt R.W. Green, Com Officer 18th Infantry Regiment) "a set of the portability, frequency range, and power of the 511 is definitely required" You think I make this shit up? I didn't write this stuff, those Army Officers did who had first hand experience with the radio set! Read the damn references for yourself, that's why I list them all. One of the primary advantages of the Pogo Stick was it's portability, in fact, this is what kept it in service. With the PE-157, this portability went to shit. Did the airborne trooper have one of these 21 pound dandies in his back pocket along with a supply of wet cell batteries to power it(5lbs each)? I think not. Where was the Jeep on the mountain top in Italy, where they couldn't even get mules to tread? While I have no doubt the PE-157 did see wide spread use, especially after Normandy as this was a more mechanized offensive, it was a luxury item, and not the primary method of operating this radio. The PE-157 is not a 6 or 12 volt power supply, it's a 2 volt power supply, and without the BA-54 wet cell, it will not operate the radio. The vehicular source is only used to charge the BA-54, which in turn has a limited life span. If you got no vehicle, you got no radio. The very same is true of the BC-728(which used the same power supply, and cabinet as the PE-157), and the Navy TBY. As for the "nice publicity photos" the T-39 supposedly provided. Virtually all the surviving WW-II vintage combat photos,( now read that very closely again,"VIRTUALLY ALL, COMBAT PHOTOS"), show the T-39 chest unit hanging either from the radio or the operator, no where is there a PE-157. I went out of my way to illustrate the difference between a propaganda photo, and one taken in combat! I/E if it had not been fact, and I had not the proof, I would not have said, or written it! The PE-157 was not more practical than the T-39 unless you had the dash of a Jeep to prop your feet up on. In short, your wrong! While the Navy traditionally has embraced the idea of wet cell batteries, and vibrator power supplies to operated there portables. The Army has on the other hand done everything to avoid them. To this degree they went from using three BA-54's in a CH-591 battery box for the portable operation of the BC-1335/SCR-619 latewar, to the use of a multi cell battery and a modified BC-1335 with a new battery box(CY-740/PRC) after the war. Was this reverse evolution? Typically, discrete dry cell batteries are more efficient than inverter power supplies. As for the Pogo Stick not being a "neat little radio" perhaps you'd prefer to get between 1 and 6 of your buddies to help you carry any but a couple of the radios that took it's place! Lets see, SCR-509 or 609(two man carry, at 50lbs), or the SCR-284(4-6 man carry at 180lbs), the SCR-694(4-5 man carry at 150lbs), SCR-300(one man carry, 24lbs), SCR-619(one man carry appox 40lbs). Or would you rather have that horrid 18 pound weight of the Pogo Stick including spares? Looks to me like it beats all the others hands down. As for Ham desirability, all the other portables were FM, a mode that had not as yet been accepted by them, and the SCR-300 would not even approach a ham band. Nor was it cheep(the primary factor in any ham's purchase) by the standard of the time, or in comparison to other surplus radios, the average cost at the time was $40.00. Neither was it available in quantities, remember, the BC-1000 was still a viable military radio for years after WW-II. Most were retained in military inventory, or shipped to allied countries up till at least 1960. The SCR-536/BC-611 is not even included in this competition because, as has been stated and proven, it neither replaced the Pogo Stick nor did it compete for available jobs, they had completely different intended purposes. As for ease of carry, I can think of no other easier way to carry anything than slung over the should, just as the soldiers rifle was. The back pack harness of the SCR-300 on the other hand was a bitch to get in and out of. In fact, it too was carried over the should whenever possible. All the failings of the BC-745 were dually noted in the article, it is not by mistake or omission that it didn't include your argument. I fail to see way you continually relate Ham desirability of the BC-745 to it's lack of availability today, as the radio disappeared from history before the Korean war. Which was also before the real surplus boom of the early 50's. As was stated also in the article: "Only very few could be found on the surplus market boom of the postwar years, and fewer still would make it into the hands of MARS members." This evidence is based on hundreds of vintage surplus radio catalogs in my library, and hundreds more adds from various vintage publications. Were the BC-745 can be found only once or twice. If the BC-745 wasn't available, then the Ham community could not possibly have influenced it's fate. To further argue the Ham desirability of any item of surplus, as it applies to todays surviving examples, this is just what that equipment did, SURVIVE! For the most part they are not the ones we have to thank for the existence of equipment today. To the contrary, if a radio was popular, or useful, it was indeed utilized, usually butchered to fit the Ham's need. Then after obsolescence either disposed of, or cannibalized for parts. Indeed many radios, and or their accessories were specifically purchased because of it's parts count and desirability. I know, I am a Ham! Those radios that did survive the hands of it's Ham owner, did so because the Ham couldn't figure out what to do with it, or lacked the time or expertise to make use of it. While it is no longer pertinent to our discussion, I'll comment on your reference to the 1948 QST construction article of an HT that resembles a BC-611. I have that article, as well as hundreds of others. In every case, the project in question is VHF, or UHF, and not HF. While it is most certainly true that the BC-611 had a most appealing design that captured the eye of all those that have ever seen it. The fact remains that it was an HF handheld with extremely limited range, even less than that speculated to by it's designers. From all the personal accounts of those who used it, it was pretty much worthless. The most favorable response I have ever received from a veteran that used it was, "it was good for talking from the bottom of the hill to the top", and believe me, I have talked to thousands of veterans on the subject of their radios. I could elaborate on the wheres and whys of the origins of the radios in our collections today, but it is not within the subject mater of discussion, and already I've strayed too far. I agree with your assessment of my mystery manual being produced as a text for training. But not necessarily for an Armor or Artillery school. I only listed the radios included in the manual that would illustrate it's postwar origin and the presence of the SCR-511. The list is as follows: SCR-506 SCR-499 SCR-510 VRC-3 GRC-9 SCR-211 SCR-609 SCR-619 SCR-536 SCR-508 SCR-610 SCR-511 SCR-528 SCR-628 SCR-399 SCR-509 SCR-300 and a host of wire line equipment, training films, film strips, Parts Lists, Field Manuals, and Technical Manuals. As can be seen, it does not discriminate between Infantry, Armor, or Artillery sets. It list all the front line tactical radios of it's day, of those listed three are either postwar, or extreme late war. Also there is no ST or anything like that remaining on any of part of it. I ask you, does this, or does this not indicate the existance of the SCR-511 in army inventory, and use, after WW-II? If it does, that was my point. Sorry you didn't get it. While I'd love to have this manual reproduced for general distribution, it's of an oddbal size, 9 x 13 inches which has defied attempts to copy it. Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com *********************************** SPY-TEK ON CABLE; I just got the view the pre release video tapes of the Discovery Channel's SPY-TEK program scheduled to begin airing on 23 Feb 1998. The series is well done, has excerpts from the James Bond films, is narrated by Roger Moore and Keith Melton. Shows a lot of Soviet espionage equipment with a heavy dose of photography using micro dot cameras, early hand held photocopy machines . My AN/GRA 71 code burst transmitter is shown and demonstrated. Discusses the Walker spy ring, aldrich Ames as well as other spies. Shown are views inside the KGB Museum which is the first time these will be shown in the west. I think it is worth watching but I'm prejudiced, I am mentioned in the Credits!!! Bill Howard THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 813 585-7756 *********************************** HUMOR; The little raskals were in class and the teacher said they were going to spell words and then use them in a sentence. The first word she gave to Alfalfa. LOVE Alfalfa spelled L-O-V-E (love), the teacher said very good now can you use it in a sentence. Alfalfa said yes, "I love Darla" The next word she gave to Spanky. EMBRACE Spanky spelled E-M-B-R-A-C-E The teacher asked him to use in a sentence . Spanky said, "I embrace Darla!" Very good Spanky the teacher said. The next word was for Buckwheat. "Okay Buckwheat I want you to spell the word DICTATE and use it in a sentence" Buckwheat said, "D-I-C-T-A-T-E" The teacher ok now for the sentence. Buckwheat said "Darla says my dictate good! ----------------------------------------- Gender SEMINARS FOR FEMALES (prepared and presented by males) 1. Elementary Map Reading 2. Crying and Law Enforcement 3. Advanced Math Seminar: Programming Your VCR 4. You CAN Go Shopping for Less than 4 Hours 5. Gaining Five Pounds vs. The End of the World: A Study in Contrast 6. The Seven-Outfit Week 7. PMS:It's YOUR Problem, Not Mine ("It's Happened Monthly Since Puberty:Deal With It") 8. Driving I: Getting Past Automatic Transmissions 9. Driving II: The Meaning of Blinking Orange Lights 10. Driving III: Approximating a Constant Speed 11. Driving IV: Makeup and Driving: It's As Simple As Oil and Water 12. Football: Not a Game: A Sacrament 13. Telephone Translations (formerly titled "Me Too Equals I LoveYou") 14. How to Earn Your Own Money 15. Gift-giving Fundamentals (formerly titled "Fabric Bad,Electronics Good") 16. Putting the Seat Down By Yourself: Potential Energy is on Your Side 17. Beyond "Clean and Dirty": The Nuances of Wearable Laundry 18. Yes, You Can Fill Up At A Self Serve Station 19. Joys of the Remote Control: Reaping the Benefits of 50+ Channels 20. What Goes Around Comes Around: Why His Credit Card is Not a Toy 21. His Best Friend Can Be Yours Too 22. His Poker Games: Deal Yourself Out 23. Commitment Schmittment (formerly titled "Wedlock Schmedlock") 24. To Honor and Obey: Remembering the Small Print Above "I Do" 25. Why Your Mother Is Unwelcome In The House 26. Your Mate: Selfish Bastard, or Victimized Sensitive Man? Gender SEMINARS FOR MALES (prepared and presented by females) 1. Combatting Stupidity 2. You, Too Can Do Housework 3. PMS: Learn When to Keep Your Mouth Shut 4. How to Fill an Ice Tray 5. We Do Not Want Sleazy Underthings for Christmas: Give us Money 6. Understanding the Female Response to Your Coming in Drunk at 4:00am 7. Wonderful Laundry Techniques (formerly titled "Don't Wash my Silks") 8. Parenting: No, It Doesn't End With Conception 9. Get a Life: Learn to Cook 10. How Not to Act Like a Jackass When You're Obviously Wrong 11. Spelling: Even You Can Get it Right 12. Understanding Your Financial Incompetence 13. You: The Weaker Sex 14. Reasons to Give Flowers 15. How to Stay Awake in Public 16. Why it is Unacceptable to Relieve Yourself Anywhere but the bathroom 17. Garbage: Getting it to the Curb 18. You Can Fall Asleep Without IT if You Really Try 19. The Morning Dilemma if IT's awake: Take a Shower 20. I'll Wear it if I Damn Well Please 21. How to Put the Toilet Lid Down (formerly titled "No, It's Not a Bidet") 22. "The Weekend" and "Sports" are Not Synonyms 23. Give Me a Break: Why We Know Your Excuses are Bull 24. How to Go Shopping with Your Mate and Not Get Lost 25. The Remote Control: Overcoming Your Dependency 26. Romanticism: Ideas Other Than Sex 27. Helpful Postural Hints for Couch Potatoes 28. Mothers-in-Law: They are People Too 29. Male Bonding: Leaving Your Friends at Home 30. You, Too, Can Be a Designated Driver 31. Seeing the True You (formerly titled "No, You Don't Look Like Mel Gibson When Naked") 32. Changing Your Underwear: It Really Works 33. The Attainable Goal: Omitting "tits" From Your Vocabulary 34. Fluffing the Blankets After Flatulating is Not Necessary 35. Techniques for calling home ------------------------------------------------------------- APPLICATION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER *NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a certified financial statement, job history, and current medical report form your doctor. Please be prepared to submit additional information, such as psychological profile and polygraph test, as requested. Name ________________ DOB _____________ Soc. Sec. #_____________ Driver's license #___________ I.Q. ____________ GPA ___________ Home Address __________________________________________________ Do you have a cell phone and/or pager? ________ If yes what is the # _________ Do you own a van? _______ A truck with oversize tires? ___ A waterbed? ______ Do you have an earring, nose ring, belly button ring? _____ A tatoo? _____ (If you answered YES to any of the last 5 questions, discontinue application and leave at ONCE!) In 50 words or less, what does "LATE" mean to you?_______________________ ___________________________________________________________________ In 50 words or less, what does "DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER" mean to you? ___________________________________________________________________ In 50 words or less, what does "Abstinence" mean to you?___________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What is your Church affiliation?_________ How often do you attend?___________ Best time to interview your parents? _______ Your Preacher?______ Your Employer? ________ Have you ever been finger printed? _______________ Had a DNA sample taken & recorded? _______________ Answer the following under oath: The one thing I hope this application does not ask my is:____________________ ___________________________________________________________________ A Woman's place is in the:_____________________________________________ My greatest fear is: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ When I meet a girl, the first thing I notice about her is:_______________________ *Note: If your answer begins with a T or A, discontinue and LEAVE AT ONCE, keeping your head low and running in a serpentine fashion, for your own safety! CERTIFICATION OF ACCURACY BY APPLICANT: I swear all information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, under penalty of death, dismemberment, chinese water torture, and red hot pokers. _________________________________ SIGNATURE (if you have to ask what this means, you are a MORON, so tear up this application and leave immediately!) Thank you for your interest. Please allow four to six years for processing. You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write. If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentlemen wearing black and carrying violin cases. (You might watch your back!) *********************************** EDITOR; Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com