MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JUNE 26/98 Index: I WAS THE RADIO OPERATOR; Part II, By Lt. Robert D. Gibson MEMBERS WRITE; AM-4306/GRC, Pictures Fisher Pilot? NEW MEMBER; Sean Kelly ON THE COMMERCIAL FRONT; Haney Electronic Co. Museum Down Sizing List, HUMOR; *********************************************** I WAS THE RADIO OPERATOR; Part II, By Lt. Robert D. Gibson The Japs did very little night bombing and their bombers seemed slow compared to our models. They invariably flew with a lot of pursuit protections. Their pursuit planes looked mighty potent from a distance--lined up and flying in smart style. But when you went in with our heavy bombers and started blasting away. it was "you take high road and I'll get to Tokyo before you." I don't want to sound as if we can wipe the Japs out of the skies with two 17s and a 24. Many Japs are hard, fearless fighters. But when we get anything near numerical equality down there, I'll bet a ten-day furlough that they'll be easy pickings. Does a radio operator need gunnery training? The answer is that in combat you are a gunner first and a radio operator afterwards. You can't fight this war with dots and dashes. On a tactical mission, you can't have a weak link because the Japs will find it soon enough. Gunnery means self-preservation. Next to being able to man a gun, the most important job the radioman has to do is to pay strict and constant attention to his assigned radio frequency. This can't be over-emphasized. You have to glue yourself to that frequency even if there is a complete silence. And you have to take it fast. When the sending stations shoot out the information, they don't take a long time to do it. In many cases, they don't have a chance to repeat their instructions, especially when they're telling you there's an air raid in progress. One day we were peacefully flying from Soerabaja to Bandoeng. The radio had been dead for a long time. Suddenly, and for no more than a second, the flash came in that they were having an air raid. We had to turn out to sea and wait for the all clear. If any radioman had let his attention wander from that frequency for just a split second, the plane would have come into Bandoeng under Jap bombing. Here in the States it's quite different. You can ride the beam and somebody gives you the weather reports. But in combat, you're on your own. And the more able you are to adapt yourself to all sorts of new conditions, the longer you are going to live. Every time you get in a new country, you get a new code to work with. And you have to know it cold. You can have the best damned fighting crew in the Air Forces but if you don't know your code and recognition signals, brother, you're through. And the business about adapting yourself to new conditions is mighty important. We left early one morning to go from the Gold Coast to El Fasher, Egypt, and we didn't realize we were losing time going east. Before we got to El Fasher it was dark. I took three first -class bearings and El Fasher was completely blacked out two miles away. They were taking bearings on us but our radio compass wasn't designed to pick up C.W. If he was shooting bearings on us, I figured, why couldn't that situation be reversed? So we turned the plane to the right and our indicator moved to the right. That showed we were going away from the station. We made a 180-degree swing back on coarse and came right in. Another time, going from Australia to Port Moresby, we were given just enough gas to make the 800-mile jump in a heavily loaded B-17. It was the radioman's job to bring the plane in. If we varied from the course to any extent, our gas would run out over the ocean. In cases like that the radioman has just got to be on his toes. Generally speaking, it's a smart idea to have your plane identification down pat. In the South pacific, some or our planes were scaring hell out of our own boys because they looked like Zeros. But it wasn't all work. You get your share of laughs. One day off in Darwin, for instance, when we decided to go to the movies. They showed us a James A. FitzPatrick travelogue about Bali. Filmed in peacetime, it ended with the usual--"and now with fond reluctance we take leave of the sunny isle of Bali." Fond reluctance, hell, we took leave of sunny Bali 10 minutes before an air raid. *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; AM-4306/GRC, G'day Dennis, I have scanned a photograph of the AM-4306/GRC RF amplifier attached to a PRC-25 (or 77) from the Op. and Maint. Manual and placed in on my home pages. For those who can, go to http://www.home.gil.com.au/~davprin/ and follow the link to "Military Radio" and then to my "Can you Help" page. -- Dave Prince VK4KDP Brisbane, Queensland, Australia davprin@gil.com.au http://www.home.gil.com.au/~davprin Collector and restorer of Military Radio, Signalling Equipment and WW2 Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) Vehicles. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fisher Pilot? Dennis, An individual has contacted me that he has the following item for sale: a Fisher research laboratory radio pilot for sale(model could be RP-47,There is a sticker on the back of the radio that displays this number.). It has a big circular aerial antenna on top. There is a compass on the top where the circular antennae goes in. Anyone on the list interested? I asked for follow up numbers, information, etc. I have no idea what this is. Thanks Hal ed) the thing sounds very familiar but I can't place it. Should get the freq range it'll operate. Surelly somebody here wants it, I do but presently got too damn many irons in the pot. *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; Sean Kelly Dennis: Thanks for the invite. I accept condition number one and the rules of the group. I'm Sean T. Kelly, a vet of the USAF and Army. I've thought military radios were neat since the first time I saw a PRC-6 that the national guard was showing. I'm intrigued mainly by the problems of how to communicate point to point with packable rigs. I've recently come across the equations that calculate the range of a radio on a given frequency and given antenna height (SSB CB works pretty good). I had two PRC-10's from Baytronics before, but I blew the RF preamp when I first got 'em. When I was at Ft. Stewart I used a "captured" Iraqi IRET-638 to listen to Range Control, and a PRC-9 to listen to 29.6. I had a pair of radios out of two Iraqi APCs, but we wern't allowed to bring them back. Now I have two ER79a's that were reconditioned by the French government. I like them because they're really sensitive. I'm a ham, and lately I've been interested in Near Vertical Incidence Skywave communication on HF frequencies. That's because there's so many hills here in Seattle, WA. It seems to me that you could pretty much handle all of your portable communications needs with and SG-2020 HF transceiver and wire antennas that could be quickly set up in the field, along with a long PRC-77 antenna for local communications. I spend a lot of time looking at the Fair Radio Sales Catalog, but right now the thing I'd most like to have is a copy of the charts from Army Field Manual 11-486 that tell about propagation of HF frequencies. I know that I'll be collecting more military radios in the future, too. But I'm most interested in the newsletter and a general discussion of various topics related to military radios and the military's use of them. I'm looking forward to being able to participate in the group. Sean Kelly ed) wonder why you weren't allowed to bring back the radios? Most other were, myself, and several of our members have many of them. I recommend the following books for your fetish: FM24-18, Tactical Single-Channel Radio Communications Techniques. Air Force Technical Report, 1 Aug 86, Compendium of High Frequency Radio Communications Articles, Prepared by DCS/Logistics. (There are several others) *********************************************** ON THE COMMERCIAL FRONT; Museum Down Sizing List, The Louisiana Museum of Military History, due to financial realities will be will be moving to smaller quarters. We have been asked to help liquidate some of the Commo gear. Below is the first list of equipment that's been made available. If you have an interest in any item contact Joe below via email and he'll pass along any needed info. AM-1780, untested but good condition, $ 25 AS-2851, 30-80 log periodic complete, $ 125 BB-451, NOS with electrolyte kit, $ 185 BB-451, used, $ 100 CU-2267/GR, Five unit multicoupler - with two spare F-1482, $125 DY-105, untested but looks good, $ 45 DY-105, no dynamotor, $ 25 GRC / VRC, lots of cables, ASK GRC-109, details later MD-522, with cables, $ 100 PPS-4, complete except for optical sight, $ 300 PRC-25, with accessories, $ 300 PRC-41, with antenna / PP-3700 AC supply - working, $ 175 PRC-68, with handset, antenna and battery - working but a little rough, $200 PRC-68, with handset, antenna and battery - working, good condition, $ 235 PRC-77, with accessories, $ 350 PRC-90, with battery - working, $ 100 PRC-90, with battery - no 282.8 transmit, $ 50 PRR-9/PRT-4A, $ 50 R-442, working, good condition, $ 225 RT-524A, unchecked, $ 300 RT-524A, working, $ 500 RT-858/PPS-6, RT only, Make offer Russian 62R1, VHF cargo pocket transceiver with mike and dipole wire antenna - Make offer Russian R-105M, no accessories, $ 100 Russian R-108, no accessories, $ 100 TS-323, good condition, $ 35 TT-722/TG, untested, $ 50 UGC-74 - Make offer Also finally have a list of manuals which are offered as a lot. EMail for list. Joseph W Pinner Lafayette, LA KC5IJD EMail: kc5ijd@sprintmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haney Electronic Co. 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. 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. 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 PP-7286/U. Nicad battery charger. Will charge 5ea 6, 12, 24, or 28 volt batteries. Includes copy of operations manual. These are very clean units, special group price, $40.00, plus appox 38lbs shipping. PRC-70 Selector assembly, unused, forest green. NSN 5820-01-092-5904, also called the A1 module. This is part of the front panel, with 6 frequency select knobs, and readouts, controls for power, mode, volume, and squelch. Includes printed circuit board with microprocessor. $60.00 STEVE HANEY ed) Steve has a list of manuals available on request via email. *********************************************** HUMOR; Who said men have all the fun The Top 16 Fatal Things to Say to Your Pregnant Wife 16. Not to imply anything, but I don't think the kid weighs forty pounds. 15. Y'know, looking at her, you'd never guess that Pamela Lee had a baby! 14. I sure hope your thighs aren't gonna stay that flabby forever! 13. Well, couldn't they induce labor? The 25th is the Super Bowl. 12. Damn if you ain't about five pounds away from a surprise visit from that Richard Simmons fella. 11. Fred at the office passed a stone the size of a pea. Boy, that's gotta hurt. 10. Whoa! For a minute there, I thought I woke up next to Willard Scott! 9. I'm jealous! Why can't men experience the joy of childbirth? 8. Are your ankles supposed to look like that? 7. Get your *own* ice cream, Buddha! 6. Geez, you're awfully puffy looking today. 5. Got milk? 4. Maybe we should name the baby after my secretary, Tawney. 3. Man! That rose tattoo on your hip is the size of Madagascar! 2. Retaining water? Yeah, like the Hoover Dam retains water. and the Number 1 Fatal Thing to Say to Your Pregnant Wife... 1. You don't have the guts to pull the trigger,Lardass. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sermon One day Mr. Jones complained to his minister that his wife kept falling asleep during the minister's Sunday Sermon. "What can I do?" said Mr. Jones; "It's very embarrassing." "I have an idea," said the minister. "Take a pin to church with you. I'll keep an eye on your wife, and When I see her falling asleep, I'll nod my head at you, and then you can lightly poke her in the leg with the pin to wake her. In church the following Sunday, Mrs. Jones again dozed off, and noticing this, the preacher put his plan to work. "...And who made the ultimate sacrifice for you?" said the minister, nodding to Mr. Jones. "Jesus!" cried Mrs. Jones as her husband jabbed her in the leg with the pin. "Yes, you are right, Mrs. Jones," said the minister. Soon, Mrs. Jones nodded off again. Again, the minister noticed her dozing. "Who is your redeemer?" he asked the congregation, again nodding towards Mr. Jones. "God!" cried out Mrs. Jones as she was stuck with the pin once again. "Right again, Mrs. Jones," said the minister, smiling and continuing his sermon. Before long, Mrs. Jones dozed off again but this time the minister didn't notice. As he picked up the tempo of his sermon, he made a number of motions that Mr. Jones mistook as signals to wake his wife again. He was just sticking his wife with the pin again when the minister asked, "...And what did Eve say to Adam after she bore him his 99th son?" Mrs. Jones shrieked, "You stick that damned thing in me one more time and I'll break it off and shove it up your ass!? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARKANSAS RULES OF ETIQUETTE PERSONAL HYGIENE - While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys. - Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money. - Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the tastes of finger foods. DINING OUT - When decanting wine, make sure that you tilt the paper cup, and pour slowly so as not to "bruise" the fruit of the vine. - If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label. ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME - A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist. - Do not allow the dog to eat at the table...no matter how good his manners are. DATING (Outside the Family) - Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date. - Be aggressive. Let her know you are interested: "I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the men's bathroom wall two years ago." - Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say 10:00 PM; others might say "Monday." If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time. THEATER ETIQUETTE - Crying babies should be taken to the lobby and picked up immediately after the movie has ended. - Refrain from talking to characters on the screen. Tests have proven they can't hear you. WEDDINGS - Livestock, usually, is a poor choice for a wedding gift. - Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds may get you shot. - For the groom, at least, rent a tux. A leisure suit with a cumberbund and a clean bowling shirt can create a tacky appearance. - Though uncomfortable, say "yes" to socks and shoes for this special occasion. DRIVING ETIQUETTE - Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles; Even if the gun is loaded, and the deer is in sight. - When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way. - Never tow another car using pantyhose and duct tape. - When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer. - Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession. TIPS FOR ALL OCCASIONS - Never take a beer to a job interview. - Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them. - It's considered tacky to take a cooler to church. - If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets. - Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My father used to tell me, "When Abraham Lincoln was your age, Abraham Lincoln had a job. When Abraham Lincoln was your age, he walked twelve miles to get to school." I said, "Dad, when Abraham Lincoln was your age, he was President, okay?" -- Andy Andrews ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean, Freeze-dried Urine For Sale! This hi-grade, drug-free, urine has been freeze- dried in the laboratory. Guaranteed to pass ALL drug tests. Just add one level tablespoon of freeze-dried urine crystals to 4 ounces of distilled water. Specify Male or Female urine crystals. $15.00 for 1/2 pint container. To order, send email to: FeMaster2@webtv.net (FeMaster /PowerHouse) ----------------------------- There are three sides to all arguments, yours, mine, and the right one! -------------------------------- George Washington said to his father, "If I never tell a lie, how can I get to be President?" -- Red Buttons --------------------------------- It's not hard to tell we was poor--when you saw the toilet paper dryin' on the clothesline. -- George "Goober" Lindsey *********************************************** (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 conserning this group contact Dennis Starks at, military-radio-guy@juno.com) ***********************************************