MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, MAR.18/98 INDEX: MYSTERY RADIO; The PRC-88 MEMBERS WRITE; NEW MEMBER; J. Coote TOM NEEDS A PRC-47 PACK FRAME; MARK's SHORT WANT & TRADE LIST; ON THE COMMERCIAL FRONT; LITTILE ROCK AR. HAMFEST; HUMOR; *********************************************** MYSTERY RADIO; The PRC-88 As with the PRC-28, the first place that I ever saw reference to a PRC-88 was in The "Can Communicate With" section of a PRC-25 manual, near 20 years ago. Since that time I've been diligently searching for the truth about it's existence, or non-existence. Below are several conflicting descriptions of the set, as taken from Ref.#1, among others. PRC-88; Handheld VHF, FM transceiver. Developed for the US Marine Corps out of dissatisfaction with the recently adopted combination PRT-4 & PRR-9 radio set, which was intended(in part)to replace the PRC-6, circa 1964. Three conflicting physical descriptions exist from both official & non official but informed sources. #1,The PRC-88 is a repackaged PRT-4 & PRR-9 radio set into a single common handheld cabinet, Ref.#14, #26. #2,The PRC-88 is simply the possession of both the PRT-4 & PRR-9, (normally a PRR-9 would be issued to each member of a squad, while only the squad leader was issued both the PRR-9 & PRT-4). #3,The PRC-88 never existed in physical form, but only on paper. Ops 47-54mc, on one xtal control channel(2 chan on transmitter), with an RF power output of 450mw. Requires 5v(rec), 12-15v(trans). I/E the operational parameters are the same as for the PRT-4 & PRR-9. Ref.#14, #26, various PRC-25/77, PRT-4 & PRR-9 manuals. In defense of description #1, In Ref.#1(printed in 1976), the author describes the radio in some detail, it's PRT-4/PRR-9 lineage, and the Marine Corps connection. To fully understand the growing pains of the Squad Radio during this time period(1951-65), interested parties must read the reference material. But in short, though all prospective users of these new squad radios were consulted during most of the development of the PRT-4, and PRR-9. Their input as to what the optimal squad radio should be was largely ignored. And comments from the Marine Corps particularly so. With the adoption of the PRT-4, and PRR-9, the Marine Corps, now thoroughly pissed off, and having no further interest in any more joint services development, did two things. As the official account goes, they had the PRT-4 and PRR-9 re-packaged into a single unit as an expedient until their own version of the optimal squad radio could be developed. And at this same time, initiated the development of this new optimal squad radio that would later become the PRC-68. Of these two acts, at least the later is unrefutable historic fact. In defense of description #2, In Ref.#2, under "System Applications" the PRT-4, and PRR-9 are list separately with an addenda at the end of the chart that reads,"As a pair, these radios are identified as Radio Set AN/PRC-88". Over the years I've interviewed numerous Vietnam veterans, and questioned them on the radios they used. All named the PRC-25 and 77, and a few mentioned the PRC-88. When I asked them to describe the PRC-88, their description was that of the PRT-4 and PRR-9. But for the most part, these were mainly Army Vets, the Marine Corps Vets could remember neither the PRC-88 or the PRT-4/PRR-9. A couple years ago, I was offered a PRC-88 from a supposed collector in trade for a BC-312. I quizzed him repeatedly to insure that the set he was offering was indeed a PRC-88. He assured me that the radio was a single unit, with a data plate that read PRC-88. So I consented to a trade. He replied that he had sold the radio to a local law enforcement officer that collected communications equipment. Needless to say, I was pissed! Personally I think the PRC-88 did exist, though very possibly in a limited production, experimental, or simi-experimental form. Our lack of a physical example, or historical references is not an indication to the contrary, as this is typical of most equipment used by the Navy/Marine Corps dating back to WW-II, and this has been pointed out in numerous previous articles. Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com References: #1. MILITARY RADIO DATA, VOLUME I, PRC Designated Radio Equipment, by Dennis Starks (copies available from the author) #2. TM11-5820-398-12, Nov. 1965, Radio Set PRC-25, Operator and Orginizational Maint. #14. ECOM 4451, Nov. 1976, History of the Squad Radio. (reproductions available from W7FG Vintage Manuals) *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; Dennis, We all have seen a number of surplus dealers advertise new BB-490 gel cell battery kits (at quite attractive prices). These were/are used in the PRC-104, PRC-117, HST-4 to name but a few current sets. I have not seen any reference to them in any data on the sets - both printed and on military Web sites. Anyone know the reason for the disposal of these batteries? Did the military have a problem with them or is this just a result of downsizing? 73 Joseph W Pinner Lafayette, LA KC5IJD EMail: kc5ijd@sprintmail.com ed) Hell if know! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis, Got a question; is there a 6-meter frequency already adopted for military collectors to tune to at hamfests? If not, what frequency would be the most commonly assigned for rock-bound sets like PRC-6 and PRT-4? I seem to remember one of your articles stating that many sets were sent from the factory with 51Mhz crystal installed. What we need is a channel that hams with green gear can tune and expect to hear others at hamfests. The Group newsletter looks like a good way to promulgate a military ham-calling-frequency on 6 meters. Bob Simpson n0ntc@train.missouri.org ed) Bob, exactly right, I've asked for input from the group on suggested freqs for all bands and modes, but received no input. 51mc, like 3.885 of WW-II, is the freq most often found in xtal control equipment, and as such would be a good choice. 52.525 is the national FM calling freq, but it isn't compatible with most of our radios. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis -- I buy male and female MS connectors at the hamfests - the larger the better. Disassemble them, and use the pins to connect with. With a piece of heat shrink over them they make good long term connectors. I find most connectors have pins of 2 or 3 sizes, so a small collection of connector pins will fit a large number of connectors. Keep up the good work........ 73's Dave Great ideas for replacement connectors!! I had never thought about many of those. I have found that a Dremel works best if the speed control box is added to slow it down and not eat the wire brushes so fast. Dremel accessories have been available at discount prices from American Science and Surplus (can't find their address at the moment) I don't seem to get their catalog on a regular basis so I don't know if they currently have any now. A local surplus outlet had lot of the old large (b battery) snap connectors and I'll check to see if they still have them. GREAT JOB DENNIS Ken Sakamoto ED) A speed control is a must when useing a Dremel for buffing or polishing. If you use one at it's full 30,000 plus RPM with a wire wheel , most of the bristles will end up stuck in your hide. Don't bother to buy a tool that has a built in speed control, the cost is excessive, and they never last very long. Just use a standard tool with either a light dimmer control, or variac. *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; J. Coote I would like to see what this list is about, please sign me up. Personal Background: Jay Coote W6CJ Amateur Extra Licensed Private Investigator specializing in COMSEC-TSCM Communications tech - law enforcement Age 45, married Mil Radio Interests: I have an RT524 and a few PRC126s. Have made a few Amateur contacts on 52.525 using a PRC126. Hope to see a standard Amateur calling frequency established in North America for users of mil FM radios (150 Hz optional) Interested in FM and HF-SSB mil radios from the last 1-2 decades. Interested in in applications of ECCM (hopping) and other secure radios (as long as not classified) for use by law enforcement for SWAT, mil liason and special ops. Thanks, J. Coote jcoote@aol.com AX25: W6CJ@K6VE.#SOCA.CA.USA.NOAM *********************************************** TOM NEEDS A PRC-47 PACK FRAME; I am looking for a backpack and rucksack set for the PRC-47. Have any lying around? Fair Radio had them up untill the time I needed one:-) thanks Tom Norris badger@telalink.net *********************************************** MARK's SHORT WANT & TRADE LIST; Abridged Wanted/For Trade list, 3/13/1998 Mark J. Blair KE6MYK mblair@gruumsh.irv.ca.us This is my abridged list. If anything seems interesting, please write to request the full list with prices, descriptions, conditions, etc. Mil surplus electronics wanted: * Parts for TRC-68A transceiver (don't know which ones yet...) Mounting plate for AM-598 amp/power supply GRR-5 receiver PRC-119 transceiver (as if I could actually afford one! :-) VRC-12 series components such as RT-524, RT-246, R-446, etc. Parts for R-110 listed below in for-trade section M37B1, M38A1 or M151A2 Army technical manuals wanted: * Any manuals for TRC-68A transceiver * Any manuals detailing installation of GRC-7, VRC-7, VRC-10, GRC-19, GRC-46 or similar radio sets in M37-series or M38-series vehicles TM 9-1804B Power Train, Body & Frame, 1/4 Ton 4x4 M38 TM 9-1825A Ord. Maint., Electrical Equipment (Delco-Remy) TM 9-1825E Ord. Maint., Electrical Equipment (Bendix-Scintilla) TM 9-1827C Ord. Maint., Hydraulic Brakes (Wagner-Lockheed) TM 9-1828A Ord. Maint., Fuel Pumps TM 9-1829A Ord. Maint., Speedometer, Tachometer & Recorders TM 9-1834A Ord. Maint., Equipment, Valve Grinding, etc. TM 9-2320-211-20 Org. Maint., 3/4 Ton 4x4 M37, M37B1, etc. TM 9-2320-211-34 DS, GS & Depot Maint., 3/4 Ton 4x4 M37, M37B1, etc. TM 9-2851 Painting Instructions for Field Use TM 9-2853 Preparation for Deep-Water Fording TM 9-8014 Operational Maint., 1/4 Ton 4x4 M38A1 TM 11-5820-295-10 Operator's Manual, AN/GRC-19 TM 11-5820-295-20 Org. Maint., AN/GRC-19 TM 11-5820-295-34 Field & Depot Maint., AN/GRC-19 TM 11-5820-295-34P DS, GS & Depot Repair Parts, AN/GRC-19 TM 11-5820-335-10 Operator's Manual, Transmitters T-195B/GRC-19, etc. TM 11-5820-335-20 Org. Maint, Transmitters T-195B/GRC-19, etc. TM 11-5820-335-35 DS, GS & Depot Maint, Trans. T-195B/GRC-19, etc. Items possibly for sale/trade: MT-298 shockmount USM-117 oscilloscope Heath Apache transmitter PRC-10 transceiver with AM-598 power supply R-110 receiver (needs heroic restoration) Hickock model 760 flying-spot scanner Sun 3/60 UNIX workstation SunOS 4.0 printed manual set TV-7D tube tester (scrap) PRC-9 transceiver (scrap) Paradise "Convertible" CP/M computer Esprit model 6310 terminal CIT-500 terminal Panasonic WV-3700 color video camera with zoom lens and viewfinder Tektronix vector storage monitor Two dead car batteries *********************************************** ON THE COMMERCIAL FRONT; Haney Electronic Company: J-45, leg iron CW keys, Correct for BC-1306, GRC-9, GRC-109, and PRC-47. These are new old stock units most still in original packaging, several contract dates from 1968 to 1980's. They include cord CD-201A with PJ-055B connector. The member price is $20.00ea, plus shipping. AS-2975, PRC-70 dipole antenna kit. Unused Similar to that use with the PRC-74 differing mainly in the balun it uses. The member price is $25.00ea, plus shipping H-250 handsets, new, latest issue. $17.50 ea U-229 audio connectors, $1.00ea U-77 audio connectors, $2.00ea PRC-25 or 77 battery connectors, removed from battery, with white plastic spacer. $1.00ea A list of available manuals is available on request. Quoted prices are good to group members only. To place an order contact Steve Haney at , If you have trouble with this address, call 817-496-3346. *********************************************** LITTILE ROCK AR. HAMFEST; Little Rock Hamfest Friday April 24th 4:00pm-9:00pm Saturday April 25th 8:00am-5:00pm Little Rock Expo Center Exit 126 East & Exit 128 West ---Interstate 30 Southwest of Little Rock, AR Sponsored jointly by Degray ARC, Arkadelphia Malvern ARC, Malvern Metropolitan ARC, Little Rock Pine Bluff ARC, Pine Bluff Saline County ARC, Benton ARES, Little Rock Dunbar Magnet Jr High ARC, Little Rock Arkansas DX Association UALR ARC, Little Rock Arkansas Antique Radio Club Dealer and Flea Market Set-up times begin at 9:00 am on Friday Apr 24 (9:00am to 9:00pm). Building will be locked and secured at 9:00 pm Friday night. It will be opened for additional set-up time at 7:00am on Sat Apr 25. Planning for the hamfest is going great. We are hosting the ARRL Arkansas Section Convention this year. Our guest from ARRL headquarters will be Bill Kennemar, K5FUV. It will be great to have Bill with us this year. He will be participating in the ARRL Forum and will be doing a DX Forum for us also. ARRL reception after the hamfest Friday night at the Holiday Inn Express, Bryant, for ARRL members, guests, and prospective members. Arkansas Electric Cooperative will once again put on several electrical safety demonstrations. Dennis Starks, KB0SFP, of Cross Timbers Missouri is bringing to our hamfest his collection of Spy radios, downed airmens radios, hf packsets 1935-present . This exhibit contains radios that are near ones of a kind. The Arkansas Antique Radio Club plans to expand their exhibit and also plan to have an antique radio auction. We plan to have several stations on the air including a vintage station and the Dunbar Junior High Club plans to have K5ARK making some presheduled contacts with several stations (already scheduled W3USS--U S Senate station). Also Paul Graziani, W5ZK, will have a amateur satellite demo station on the air. Look Whats New !!!!!!! MFJ Inc, well known manufacturer of amateur accessories, has announced plans to attend the Little Rock Hamfest !!!!! Along with the familiar MFJ line of products, MFJ will be bringing other well-known MFJ lines with them. Other MFJ lines include Mirage, Ameritron, and Vectronics. Our dealer list is continuing to grow. It is still quite early and we expect our dealer list to be larger than ever. Dealers that were not with us last year that have committed for this year include-Texas Connectors---Texas Software--D&L Antenna Supply---Dakota Microcomputer---Radio Shack--PC Warehouse. If you combine these with some of last years participants--like Texas Radio Products, GLA Inc, S&S amateur, Ruse Computer Products, Memphis Amateur, Dan Cook Printing, Sign Man of Baton Rouge---you see we have a very impressive group of dealers already. Hamfest Motel sites. The preferred motel for the Little Rock Hamfest is the Holiday Inn Express, exit 123 I-40, Bryant, AR. There rate is $49 for a Single King or a Double Queen Room. Ask for Expo pricing to receive this rate. Phone is 501-847-0900. So, share this preliminary information with others. Lets make this a great activity for the hams of Arkansas. If I can answer any questions about our hamfest please let me know. Remember our hamfest committee meets 2nd Saturday of March and April at 9:00 am at the hamfest site. 73 Randy Young N5LE Additional info at http://www.aristotle.net/~n5xay/lrh98.html e-mail to lrhamfest@usa.net *********************************************** HUMOR; A woman was trying to do her laundry one day, when her washing machine suddenly broke down. Distraught, she called her husband at the office and said, "Honey, can you please come home and fix the washing machine? It doesn't work." The angry husband replied, "What do I look like? The freakin’ Maytag man?" and hung up. The woman decided to go to the Laundromat to complete her washing. She got in the car, but when she turned the key in the ignition, it wouldn't start. She again called her husband at work and said, "Honey, I tried to go to the Laundromat with the car, but it wouldn't start. Can you come home and take a look at it?" Again, the angry husband snaps, "What do I look like? Freakin’ Mr. Goodwrench?" and hung up. She decided that the best thing to do is call the Maytag man. The Maytag man arrived and fixed the washing machine. She then asked him if he knows anything about fixing cars. He replied that he knows a little and goes outside and takes a look under the hood. Ten minutes later, he returned and said, "Your car is running fine now. The only thing wrong was your fuel filter was a little dirty." The lady said, "Wow, you're a pretty handy guy! How much will this all cost?" The Maytag man says, "I’ll tell ya what, lady. You can bake me a cake or have sex with me - your choice." Later that evening, the husband returned home from work. The lady explained to her husband that the Maytag man fixed the washing machine and the car. The husband asked how much all of this will cost. She replied that he wanted me to bake a cake for him or have sex. The husband then said "Well, what kind of cake did you bake for him?" The lady said, "What do I look like? Freakin’ Betty Crocker?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This robber goes up to this little old lady and says," Give me your money, give me your purse." She did, and he searches through it and says, "There is no money in your purse, where do you keep your money?" She told him she kept it in her girdle for safekeeping. He reaches down in her girdle, feels all around and says, "Lady I can't find any money down there" and she said, "Just keep searching around, and if you don't find any, I can write you a check." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HORSE Betting The other day, a woman came out of the kitchen and when her husband approached, she slapped him up side the head, WHACK! He was a little dazed and asked, "What was that for?" She said, "I was cleaning out your pants to put them in the laundry and found a piece of paper with the name 'Foxy Roxy' on it." He said, "Honey, you know that I went out the other day with the boys to the race track. I bet on a horse named 'Foxy Roxy' and we won a lot of money on it. She felt so bad that she fixed him his favorite dinner and really treated him good since she had made this mistake and not trusted him. A few days went by and the husband came through the door and "WHACK," she smacked him up side the head again. He said, "Ouch! What was that for???" She replied, "Your horse called today......." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fifteen Unforeseen consequences of the Millennium Bug: 15. IRS demands a hundred years of interest from stunned taxpayers. 14. "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" song gets stuck in infinite loop. 13. At the stroke of midnight, Windows 99 turns back into DOS 1.0, the Pentium V turns back into an 8088, and the Handsome User is left holding a beautiful glass mouse. 12. Internet Movie Database now lists "1901: A Space Odyssey" 11. Residents of Indiana have to figure out if they're off by 999 years, 364 days and 23 hours, or 1000 years and one hour. 10. Bob Dole's age erroneously listed with only 2 digits. 9. Mel Brooks's "2000 year old man" skit stops being funny.... Oops, too late. 8. Sales of Coca Cola jumps drastically after original cocaine-laden formula becomes legal again. 7. Software engineers point out that since computers think it's almost 1900, we technically have to "party like it's 1899," which, frankly, doesn't seem like much fun. 6. Microsoft declares the year 1900 to be the new standard of the "Gatesian" calendar. 5. Jesus shows up late for His second coming, blames it on COBOL programmers. 4. Computers temporarily fooled into thinking Strom Thurmond is only 103. 3. First Top 5 List of the year? "Reasons No One Would Ever Assassinate President McKinley" 2. Using a computerized adoption service, Michael Jackson mistakenly takes home some octogenarians. and the Number 1 Unforeseen Consequence of the "Millennium Bug"... 1. Unexpected demand for COBOL programmers results in severe understaffing of fast-food restaurants. *********************************************** (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 are included. For more information conserning this group contact Dennis Starks at, military-radio-guy@juno.com) *********************************************** --------- End forwarded message ----------