MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JAN.24/98 TOTALLY AUSTRALIAN, the A510; Praise From an Outlander, by Dennis Starks PETE W's WANT's & NEED's; MEMBER PROFILE; Jeff (AE4ZH) HUMOR; ***************************************** TOTALLY AUSTRALIAN, the A510; Praise From an Outlander, by Dennis Starks FOREWORD, I feel somewhat strange about writing this article, me being an American writing about an Australian set. Especially as I have never seen either it or it's manual in the flesh. I sincerely hope that with the material previously written, & that provided by Steve Hill, I can do this great little radio the justice it deserves. I further expect to correct my lack of material, both hardware, and printed mater with Steve's help, or any other volunteer, in the very near future, translation, I'm gonna get me wonna these neat little bastards. IN THE BEGINNING, The A510 is a miniature tactical HF transmitter/receiver man pack set built by Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) in the mid fifties. Though manuals are dated 1956, one of it's first public introductions was by way of a Cover Page Photo on the November 1954 issue of "Radio and Hobbies", which was followed by an article entitled "Radio for the Army" in the December issue of this same magazine of Australian origin. Though the text of this article indicates that other material had previously been written in newspapers etc, examples of these have not been found. As the set was completely designed, and built in Aussie Land, it instilled a great deal of well deserved national pride which it still enjoys today. Though the above article is very well done, it is greatly lacking in information as it applies to the technical aspects of the radio, I/E frequency range, use, power output, tube line up, power requirements, design, etc. In this respect it is very similar to WW-II vintage U.S. publications where the publishers and sources are over protective of the possibly sensitive nature of the information they might divulge. In fact, the paranoia in this case is so acute, that even the model number of the radio is not divulged even though the article contains numerous excellent pictures of the set, both inside and out. Even at that, the article is very good and gives us some valuable insight into the development and use of the set, Especially as it was written after some actual use in the field, with Korea named specifically. Hereafter when referring to this article we will simply call it (ref.#1). Dated prior to the above, January 3 1953, as featured in a issue of the AWA Journal(I suspect an In-House publication produced by the manufacturer), in an article entitled "Answer to Jungle War", the A510 is described, and it's production announced, with an initial order of 1400 sets having a cost of 340,000 pounds (pounds as in monetary system, not weight, who knows what that is in real money?). Here it is reported that the radio set's prototypes had been recently tested under fire(actual combat) in Malaya. Further, the A510 is compared to sets currently in use (I wish I knew what these were), and is said to be 1/2 the weight at 17lbs vice 34, it's batteries have 1/2 the weight yet twice the life, double the frequency range of the existing set, and contact times to the net stations cut from 10 minutes to 50 seconds. This last would lead us to think that the set it replaced was not operable without being set up. Possibly a British set of WW-II origin like the W.S.#48 or #68 either of which would match the information given. Hereafter this article will be referred to as Ref.#2. The text goes on to say "The new set has created considerable interest among Service Chiefs in Britain, and America. No set so light, compact, and powerful has yet been developed anywhere in the world. Experts believe the new Australian set may become widely used by other countries". As I am not expert on British equipment or development, I cannot speculate as to the impact this may have had on them, I do know that several British sets both before after the advent of the A510 share some very common characteristics. In the U.S. development was going on with equipment having similar operational parameters. It's also known that foreign equipment was routinely tested if for no other reasons than it's design concept, or packaging. This is indeed the case with the Canadian CPRC-26. During this same decade, the U.S. had progressed far beyond the use of miniature tubes(as used in the A510) in any of it's portable equipment. Instead, SUB-miniature types had been in widespread use sense post WW-II. American designers were then preoccupied with trying to develop practical applications for the then relatively new transistor, and had completed prototypes of such radios as the PRT-4/PRR-9, and PRC-25 among others. Only one radio emerged during this time period that might have been influenced by the A510, this was the PRC-7 developed for the Navy. We do not know if the PRC-7 ever entered production. Regardless, it's internal & external design were completely different than the A510. I for one, would have been most delighted if the U.S. had acquired at least a small quantity of these little sets.. THE RADIO SET, While I generally describe sets of this type as Man-Pack, or Back-Pack, the A-510 really fits neither. The former usually being a set that while transportable by one or more men, is not operable while in motion, and must be set up for operation in a stationary manner. The later, as a set that is worn on the operators back, and is operable from this location while in motion. The A-510, while it could indeed be setup for simi-fixed operation, thus extended range, it could also be operated while in motion, being worn by the operator. Though not on his back, and in a manner distinctive to Commonwealth equipment! The set was worn in two canvas bags around the waist of the operator, usually across his stomach. The transmitter in one, the receiver in the other, connected by an umbilical cable. The photos available would make it appear that this was a rather cumbersome arrangement, especially with an 8ft whip sticking out the top of this tiny transmitter, but it must have worked. Another peculiarity found usually only on Commonwealth equipment, is the internal desiccating material contained inside the cases to remove humidity including also an indicator to show if humidity has leaked into the unit. This along with the extremely rugged construction of this set clearly show the radios intended purpose in life, and the environment that it and it's users would be expectedly operating in. To include an extensive use of the vast experience the Australian Army has gained in many years of operations under these conditions. Indeed Ref.#1 states; "World War II taught many lessons about man-carried radio sets, and these lessons have been well learned, and absorbed." Both the transmitter, & receiver are housed in cast aluminum, water tight cabinets each measuring 3.5 x 6.5 x 8.5 inches. These dimensions are inclusive of the batteries which are contained inside each unit(further details on battery placement later). The set has a combined weight of 20lbs which includes all the ancillary equipment when being worn by the operator. These ancillary equipments are carried in two each separate canvas bags "Satchels Signals", one containing the handset, whip tuner and whip aerials(Aussie for antennas), while the other carries other miscellaneous accessories. The built in ATU allows a large variety of antennas to be used including several different wire types or an 8ft whip. The antenna connector is designed such that the whip antenna tuner(basically a tunable base load coil) clips onto the connector. This whip antenna also includes a ball and socket joint to allow whip movement. A couple of the usable wire type antennas are, a dipole with a balanced feeder, or a short wire antenna with a counterpoise, both are in turn provided with marks indicating wire length, for the purposes of tuning the antenna.. The counterpoise may also be used to improve whip antenna performance. Two weighted guy ropes are used for suspending these wire antennas from trees. A typical accessory package includes an 8ft whip antenna with spare, headset with a built in boom microphone, a miniature key that can be clipped onto the operator's body or the transmitter for CW operation, a telephone style handset that can also be used in parallel with the headset, the rod tuner for use with the 8ft whip, a hand crank generator, spare batteries, and three each wire looms for the associated antennas. THE RECEIVER, The receiver is a high quality five valve (thats Aussie for "Tubes") superheterodyne type with performance rated as excellent by all accounts both past and present. It features 2-12mc operation with two bands, VFO control, AM and CW modes. Front panel controls include a lockable frequency tune control, volume, band switch, and a pushbutton that controls the frequency dial light, lastly, two headset jacks similar to those inline types found on the CPRC-26. A very novel approach to mode switching saves the set from wasting precious space on it's tiny front panels. Plugging in the CW key automatically switches the set from AM to CW operation. This action simultaneously turns on the receivers BFO, and switches the transmitter to CW. There is no separate BFO pitch control, which to my mind is a waist of panel space on any receiver regardless of it's size. The basic power required for the receiver is 1.5vdc for the heaters/panel light, and 90vdc B+,(or HT "High Tension" as the Aussies like to call it). This normally provided by the set's internal batteries (A & B respective) which would allow ten hours of continuous operation. The heater battery is contained in the receiver, while the B+, and bias (-7.5vdc) batteries are housed inside the base of the transmitter. For those interested in such things, the tube lineup is as follows; 1T4, 1R5, 2ea 1T5, 1S5 in order from the antenna to the headphones. THE TRANSMITTER, Contained in a near identical case as the receiver, is it's companion transmitter. It also operates over 2-12mc, both AM, and CW, with an RF power output of about one watt(500mw AM). Using crystal control, it has provisions for operation on up to four preset channels. Front panel controls include an antenna tank tune, a dual control that is ganged for both channel selection and antenna load, a function switch that selects between OFF/AM/CW/R, 'R' being receiver only. An extra tiny panel meter provides antenna tuning indications, and test the set's batteries, it is aided by a switch with possitions A/B/NET, where A & B are used for the best indication while tuning the antenna, and of course NET fof 'spotting' the receiver. As with the receiver's frequency dial, the panel meter is also illuminated with control via a momentary switch. Also present are the antenna jack/mount, and the CW key connector. The transmitter uses four tubes to accomplish it's task, these include a pair of 3A4's in the output, another as a crystal oscillator, and a 1T4 as a grid modulator. Power requirements are the same as the receiver, excepting for the additional -7vdc bias. While it is impossible to adequately here describe the internal skunk works of either units of this set, suffice to say, they are a marvel of mechanical engineering, and quality construction. As can be expected in a radio of this size, and capabilities, the internal parts are very densely packed, amazingly so!! A FINE HERITAGE, Besides the theaters of conflict already mentioned, Ref.#2 refers to testing and lessons learned in jungle warfare in "[the islands], and more recently in Malaysia", we don't know exactly what was meant by "the islands", but the text go's on to say; "The saving of time in establishing communications may make the difference in capturing bandits or letting them slip through the net". The A-510 is definitely known to have served with distinction along side Australian forces in South Vietnam, AT LEAST until it's probable replacement by the U.S. PRC-64 beginning in late 1965. I do not believe it was completely replaced in all avenues of military service until the advent and widespread fielding of the PRC-1F series in the early seventies. The later follows closely the design/use concept of the US PRC-74, having the same frequency range, but provided with far greater mode and operational versatility. After this, the A-510 continued to serve with popularity in Army Cadet units until it was relegated to government disposal stores (The Australian surplus system) in fairly recent years. As too has recently been the fate of the PRC-64 and only preceding this radio by a very narrow measure of time. THE A-510 TODAY, Today the A-510 enjoys great popularity with collectors and user's alike, both in Australia, and abroad. Several are known to still be on the air, and used on a regular basses. One set in particular is running around the South Pacific in a Yacht, and is used daily for CW contacts. Another set out of New South Wales is on the air nightly on 80 meters CW. Steve Hill's set is on the air, useing a home brewed inverter power supply, and contacts have been made. In it's country of origin, the A-510 is most highly regarded by radio affectionates and is considered a national treasure, rightly so! It was completely designed and built domesticaly, with an extensive knowledge of Jungle Warfare that few if any Army in the world can boast. This combined with the radio's significant contribution to history. I can find no better way to conclude this story than the ending used in the article printed in 1954(Ref.#1), "From our observation we can record that not only has the army received a remarkably efficient and robust radio set, but the Australian engineers who produced it have rendered a great service to their country". Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com Acknowledgements; Much of the material presented here was extracted either from the articles listed in the text, or information provided by Steve Hill with my sincere thanks. Copies of the articles mensioned were provided by Steve Darveniza, also along with some personal observations. ***************************************** PETE W's Want's Pete Williams P.O Box 212 METUNG.VICTORIA 3904 AUSTRALIA jupeter@net-tech.com.au Wanted: Plugs to fit ARC-60 #16763 and #16744 these are 12 pin. Plugs #14320 and 14050. #16115 these are 19 pin, Alternatively, someone give me an address to make enquiries about avionic surplus. : Control unit C- 52 and tuning shafts. J 13A junction box. Dennis . Did you ask if someone could /would do a piece on receivers used with the ART-13. I have a bit of info /background and could do a few inches.? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes I think I did, but no takers. While I know of most all the receivers that were used with the ART-13, and their approximate dates. I know almost nothing of their installations etc. I/E I do not consider myself qualified to write such an article. But then, that's never stopped me before! An article of this type would best be done in a series, beginning with a shorty on the illustrious courier, and description of the transmitter itself, with each of the successive chapter's main subject being one of the receivers, in order of their appearance (BC-348, ARR-15, ARR-41 etc) then going on to include the various AN/ARC designations that were eventually used with the various combinations, and in what aircraft/application. While most of the above wouldn't be that difficult with the info on hand, without specific dates, applications, installations etc. the overall effect would not at all improve even a novice's common knowledge of this equipments historical significance or impact. Dennis ********************************************* MEMBER PROFILE; Jeff (AE4ZH) Dennis, Got your invitation to join the group. I have no problem with any of the conditions of membership. Here is a little about me and some of my interests. I am 36 years old and have been interested in radio since I was about 10. I have been a ham since 1993, my call is AE4ZH. I am not a radio dealer nor do I have any financial interests in buying, selling or trading radio equipment. I am mostly interested in U.S. equipment from the 1950's thru the end of the cold war. My main area of interest really centers around HF, particularly man-pack models. I have had the opportunity to use several models of U.S. equipment over the years, including the following; PRC-25, PRC-77, PRC-126, PRC-90, PRC-119, PRC-74B, PRC-70, PRC-104A & B models, GRC-106, GRC-109, PSC-3, ARC-199 and VRC-12 series. Of these I have a couple of favorites, the PRC-70 and the GRC-109, both of these are real neat little rigs with a lot of potential. I currently use a GRC-109 on the 30 & 40 meter ham bands along with a couple of other good ol' glow in the dark radios (Drake & Hallicrafters). Well that's about it, looking forward to talking with ya'll. Jeff email: jefesjoy@juno.com ********************************************* HUMOR; The Wizard of Oz visits Washington DC. He sees Al Gore and asks if there is anything he wants. "Well, sure!" says Al. "I'd like to have a brain." "Done!" says the Wizard, and he gives the veep a brain. Next he sees Al D'Amato, the Senator from New York, and asks if there is anything he wants. D'Amato thinks for a second and says he would like to have a heart. "Done!" says the Wizard, and he gives the Senator a heart. Finally the Wizard sees Bill Clinton and asks if there is anything the President wants. Bill pauses, looks around for a minute and quietly asks, "Where's Dorothy?" ------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 50 OXYMORONS: 50. Act naturally 49. Found missing 48. Resident alien 47. Advanced BASIC 46. Genuine imitation 45. Airline Food 44. Good grief 43. Same difference 42. Almost exactly 41. Government organization 40. Sanitary landfill 39. Alone together 38. Legally drunk 37. Silent scream 36. American history 35. Living dead 34. Small crowd 33. Business ethics 32. Soft rock 31. Butt Head 30. Military Intelligence 29. Software documentation 28. New York culture 27. New classic 26. Sweet sorrow 25. Childproof 24. "Now, then ..." 23. Synthetic natural gas 22. Christian Scientists 21. Passive aggression 20. Taped live 19. Clearly misunderstood 18. Peace force 17. Extinct Life 16. Temporary tax increase 15. Computer jock 14. Plastic glasses 13. Terribly pleased 12. Computer security 11. Political science 10. Tight slacks 9. Definite maybe 8. Pretty ugly 7. Twelve-ounce pound cake 6. Diet ice cream 5. Rap music 4. Working vacation 3. Exact estimate 2. Religious tolerance And the Number one top OXY-Moron 1. Microsoft Works ------------------------------------------------------------------- A woman goes to the doctor and complains that her husband is losing interest in sex. The doctor gives her a pill, but warns her it is still experimental and tells her to slip it into his mashed potatoes at dinner. That night at dinner, she does. About a week later she's back at the doctor. She says, "Doc, the pill worked great!! I put it in the potatoes like you said! It wasn't five minutes and he jumps up, rakes all the food and dishes on the floor, grabs me, rips all my clothes off and ravages me right there on the table!" The doctor says, "I'm sorry, we didn't realize the pill was that strong. The foundation will be glad to pay for any damages". "Naah... ", she says, "that's okay. We aren't going back to Denny's anyway." ********************************************* EDITOR; Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com --------- End forwarded message ----------