Military Collector Group Post, Oct.24/97 Index: R-1051 VLF converter; Dave's got somethin Axis TB's; Glass Audio; Not for me!!! The Ultimate Universal Inverter Transformer? Late Model Military Radio Availablility; Jim Karlows Observations MEMBER PROFILE; Mike HUMOR; ***************************************************** I'll be off tomorrow heading for a Hamfest in KC, then will be riding with Ike V. up to another in Iowa Sunday, so won't be around Fri,Sat, & Sun. So if I don't answer your messages promptly, Don't panic, I'll be back. Dennis ***************************************************** R-1051 VLF converter; Dave's got somethin Dennis-- Ever heard of this one ? I've obtained a R-1051B with a matching 14 Kc.--2 Mcs. converter with a missing nameplate. The converter has the following front controls : HF-LF switch,0 or 40 Db switch, a 7 position frequency switch, on -off switch, fuse, tuning knob, and a slide rule dial marked in "Mc/s" and "mt'. The dial has the high frequency on the left end. A note on the front says:" In the LF Operation Tune R-1051/URR-- MM Receiver To Receive Frequency + 5 Mcs." The unit works and appears to have some European parts. Can anyone identify this unit by it's military name ? Anyone know where I can get manual ? Thanks for your help, 73's Dave Sundheimer W0NBZ w0nbz@juno.com ***************************************************** Axis TB's; Bill Howard has informed me that he & a friend have pooled their funds to get the copies of the WW-II TB's describing Axis radio equipment(anounsed in the Oct.23 post). Their plan is that they will pay the governments silly price for the copies, then have them reproduced at a more reasonable rate. It's unsure how many pages this material amounts to but the count is up to about 343. There should be some time to deside wheither or not your interested as dealing with the government is not an overnight endever. If your interested in getting on the list for copies you can contact Bill at wlhoward@gte.net Dennis --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave, Got no idea what this thing is, sure does sound neet though. Dennis ***************************************************** Glass Audio; Not for me!!! Dennis, I just got a mailing for a Free issue of GLASS AUDIO. All about vacuum tubes. This is a lead in to a $28.oo per year subscription to a magazine that will have six issues per year. If any body is interested, suggest they contact GLASS AUDIO, P.O. Box 176 Peterborough, N. H. 03458-0176 Bill Howard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $28.00! Six issues!! Shit!!! Thats worse than Electric Radio!!!! Would rather have Play Boy, it's cheaper & the pictures are better, plus the bedroom needs new wall paper. What you think I should charge for a subscription here? These are the guy's robbin the tubes out of the BC-191,375,230,GF's etc. What Dork's! Worse than Danny C. & Ralph H. put together. Dennis ***************************************************** The Ultimate Universal Inverter Transformer? Everbodies input is very much needed. My thoughts on what the ultimat universal inverter transformer would be. #1) minimum operational input voltage of 4 volts. #2) with the input voltage of the above, output voltages of; A) 90volts, 60ma B) 45volts, 20ma C) 1.5volts, 1amp, heaters* D) 4.5-6 volt, bias* *)granted these will not be needed in many applications, but we are talking a universal transformer here, & the availablity of these voltages may greatly simplify some power supply designs where the availability of a bias source or power on/off switching etc. without modifieing the radio may be defficault. Higher output voltages will be abtained by increesing the source voltage, via a LM-317 regulator, this will also supply some degree of output voltage regulation. All designs should enclude both input voltage, & heater voltage regulation. Some typical voltage/current requirments for radios of interest, save these because they have been arrived at by experimentation, & many do not exist in printed form elsewhere. The average current drain from the voltage sourse is about 1 amp, you'll need to know this when choosing your battery types & figureing the amount of operational time you'll get from a given battery type. CPRC-26; transmit receive 1.5v/850ma(heaters) 1.5v/550ma(heaters) 45v/8ma 45v/12ma 90v/30ma 90v/3ma -3(bias) -------------------------------------------------------------- PRC-6; transmit receive 1.5v/1amp(heaters) 1.5v/440ma(heaters) 45v/14ma 45v/13ma 90v/28ma -4.6v(bias) --------------------------------------------------------------- PRC-10; transmit receive 1.5v/900ma(heaters) 1.5v/500ma(heaters) 67.5v/15ma 67.5v/20ma 135v/55ma -6v/(bias & relay) Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com ******************************************************** Late Model Military Radio Availablility; Jim Karlows Observations Dennis - A few notes that might be interesting for the group members. I have been keeping my oar in the water with the military stuff through repairing alot of units for other people. This keeps me fairly well in tune with what is currently coming out as well as with common problems in later military radio sets. In general, I am seeing alot of good equipment coming out that has not been demilled, leading me to believe that the demil policy is not uniformly followed. Recently, I have seen a significant number (about 20 total) of PRC-70's that have been released as whole units. Jim Williams in Pensylvania apparently has 7 - 8 working ones for sale. Also PRC-117 equipment, URC-101, PRC-68 and others. Recent repairs: 2 FRR-59As. This is the National battleship/submarine receiver. I have serviced two of these in the last month. The tube synthesizers are a little tricky but once working, the performance of this radio is really spectacular. Lightyears ahead of the R-390A in many respects. Well worth while having in your collection, if you have the space. There appears to be a cult that collects these receivers, although I have not seen anyone mention them in your group. The owner sold the last one I fixed to a guy for $ 1500. A previous one I fixed, the owner got $ 2500 !!!! R-390 & 390 A (Repaired 5 R-390a and 1 390 since July). The government seems to be dumping a ton of these fine receivers. Interestingly, even ones that have been stored outside and look in perfectly terrible condition on the outside do seem to work with tube replacements and switch cleaner. A competion grade mod is available (Electric Radio 1991) that improves noise figure and sensitivity for the 390 A with some newer IF tubes. PRC-74 (Rebuilt 9 units since August). This 2 - 12 MHz pack radio also still seems to be coming out in quantity. When it works it is a great performer. Most semiconductors are still available with the exception of the Final transistors. I have been playing around with some substitutes. Anybody else had any luck with final transistor replacement ? Let me know what you use and we can compare notes. By the way, a number of PRC-74s I have received have been dropped (probably in service) and had the ceramic mountings for the RF tuning capacitor rotor broken resulting in the capacitor shorting out. EF Johnson capacitors seem to break more frequently than the Hammarlund ones. PRC-70 (3 units repaired since July). This is a great radio when it works. Still the widest frequency coverage of any mil issued radio (2-76 MHz). Mark Glutch built me a slick 12 to 24 volt convertor for it so I use mine in the car as well as on the boat as a Ham radio, CB or Marine radio. A power convertor built for the Racal Syncal 30 will also work with the PRC-70 if used with the BB-542/U Also works well with 6 meter military radios at MV swap meets. I have found that there are some prototypes of this radio that were also released. The outside looks like production but inside the boards are quite different. The prototype is a pain in the neck to keep running because the internal wiring is quite different than the production unit. URC-101. (4 Units repaired since March) This is a VHF/UHF transceiver being surplused in great quantities currently. It covers the VHF Aero and ham bands as well as 225-400 MHZ. Split frequency and FM operation too. While this unit is a good unit when it works, it is a pain in the neck to service. Near as I can tell no two series of this radio were built the same way and none of the versions exactly correspond to the service manual. When you open up one of the internal modules, they look very prototype. Lots of skywires glued down with silicone glue. Very unprofessional and unmilitary. This sloppy construction causes many of the problems. Motorola government systems must have rushed this one to production and bandaided the heck out of it to meet production orders. PRC-117. This is an interesting later Harris unit. I have seen a significant number show up at hamfests and gun shows. I have repaired two but I have one that I still haven't completely fixed. Tantallum capacitors seem to cause most of the problems. I have fixed the switching power supply (bad 2N6666 transitors, a common problem) but receive sensitivity is not great and I still have transmitter problems. Lots of PRC-68s are also coming out. These little 6 M synthesized radios make great walkie talkies. Far lighter in weight that the PRC 25/77 they replaced. Final transistors and broken flex cables seem to be the dominant problems. I have one restoration project I could use some help with. I have most of an SCR-254 vehicle radio (uses BC-223 AX transmitter, BC-312 receiver) in brand new condition except for the receiver. What I am looking for is a BC-312 or 342 with the original front panel power/control connector. The receiver need not work, but the power connector must be present to interface with the rest of the system. If someone could find me a BC-312 with shock mount and dynamotors in excellent condition I would be willing to pay $ 250 for it plus shipping to complete the system. Less of course for a beater. I collect parts/non working units for the PRC-70, 74, URC-101, HST-4, PRC-68, PRC-126, KY879 and other modern military radios to help others with their newer units. I also service military radios as a hobby in exchange for parts or money to cover costs. I also may be able to help other group members out with service/technical information. Jim Karlow jkarlow@takatainc.com ******************************************************** MEMBER PROFILE; Mike Dear Dennis, Thank you for sending your extensive lists; clearly a significant investment of your time. I can only guess at the extent of your comm. equipment collection, and can appreciate your labor of love. My own background is with "special" comm. systems, and I am director of special programs with the Mitre Corporation. My own collecting interests are directed to radar from the WWII period. I have a good collection of books, manuals, and vacuum tubes used specifically for radar. My collection is international; including a good British valve collection as well as a poor German collection. I have held some pieces of radar equipment since my youth in the '50's, obtained at the then famous lower Manhattan surplus joints around Canal St. and Courtland St. I am now able to expand my collection, and I am looking for good examples of radar, IFF, and ECM equipment (as well as continuing the hunt for tubes.) Thank you for your time, Mike mblom@mail04.mitre.org ******************************************************** HUMOR; Top ten things that sound dirty at the office, but aren't... 10. I need to whip it out by 5:00.. 9. Mind if I use your laptop? 8. Just stick it in my box 7. If I have to lick one more, I'll gag ! 6. I want it on my desk, NOW !! 5. HMMMMMM.....I think it's out of fluid ! 4. My equipment is so old, it takes forever to finish. 3. It's an entry level position. 2. When do you think you'll be getting off today? 1. It's not fair. I do all the work while he just sits there Top ten things that sound dirty in golf, but aren't.....: 10. nuts........my shaft is bent. 9. After 18 holes I can barely walk. 8. You really whacked the hell out of that sucker. 7. LOOK at the size of his putter !!! 6. Keep your head down and spread your legs a bit more. 5. Mind if I join your threesome? 4. Stand with your back turned and drop it. 3. My hands are so sweaty I can't get a good grip. 2. Nice stroke, but your follow through has a lot to be desired. 1. Hold up......I need to wash my balls first. Ten things that sound dirty in law, but aren't 10. Have you looked through her briefs? 9. He is one hard judge! 8. Counselor, let's do it in chambers. 7. Her attorney withdrew at the last minute. 6. Is it a penal offense? 5. Better leave the handcuffs on 4. For $200 an hour, she better be good ! 3. Can you get him to drop his suit? 2. The judge gave her the stiffest one he could. 1. Think you can get me off? When finished reading use browser back button or go to http://www.prc68.com/MCGP/MCGP.html