From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#3 Fcc: Sent Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1998 06:01:46 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Oct.27/98 Message-ID: <19981027.060042.13815.1.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Oct.27/98 Index: CONDENSED PRC RADIO DATA; Part III, PRC-78 > PRC-99. by Dennis Starks MEMBERS WRITE; ME-68/PRC-14? Free TTY Manuls, ADSID Antenna Desperately Needed, JIM'S HOUSE CLEANING; HUMOR; *********************************************** CONDENSED PRC RADIO DATA; Part II, PRC-78 > PRC-99. by Dennis Starks PRC-78(GY)/RT-7800;Non US,Backpack or vehicular,VHF,FM transceiver. Manufactured by Telemit in Germany.Introduced 1978,it is in use by the DDR & other armed forces. Ops 69.275-77.655mc(lowband) & 79.075-87.455mc(highband) providing a maximum of 820 channels(simplex) or 420(duplex) spaced 20kc apart, frequency readout is via a front panel LED display.RF power output is a selectable 3 or 10 watts. Ref.#10,#11 PRC-80S/RT-3088;Non-US.Back-pack or vehicular,VHF,FM transceiver.Built in Israel by Tadiran,the PRC-80S is part of the VHF-88S series of radio equipment. Ops 30-87.975mc in 25kc steps plus 5 or 10kc offsets above or below the channel frequency.RF power output is a selectable .25 or 4 watts.Requires 12vdc from internal dry or rechargeable batteries,or external 24vdc vehicular source with proper equipment.Size 260mmH x 250mmW x 80mmD,7.2kg(basic backpack version with nicad battery),260mmH x 320mmW x 80mmD,9.1kg(full complement manpack with nicad battery). Known accessories include common antenna & audio equipment with existing radios,AU-4088 audio unit/battery holder,AT-888 short tape antenna,AT-288 portable long range antenna,ASU-80 Comsec/ECCOM unit, SEC-8088 digital encryption device,KGL-8000 comsec key loader,AU-6088 vehicular audio unit,MT-7088 vehicular mount(for use when optional comsec units included),MT-7188 vehicular mount(for use with basic PRC- 80S,VRC-800S,or VRC-8000S),AM-5088 50 watt Vehicular amplifier(VRC- 8000S),C-8842 vehicular remote control/channel selector,AS-1288(long) or AS-1188(short) vehicular antennas. Ref.#12 PRC-81;Original US Navy cost $1150.00,NSN 5820-00-6157.No further information.Ref.#28 PRC-82;Combination of PRC-83,PRC-84,PRC-85,PRC-86.System provides communication 2-400mc in manpack portable or vehicular configuration. Units are mounted in a vehicular adapter that provides voltage switching,battery charging,& small item accessory storage(size 14"H x 9"W x 23"L) requires 12vdc. Ref.#29 PRC-83;See also PRC-82,Portable HF,SSB transceiver.Used as part of PRC-82 or possibly as stand alone radio.Ops 1-12mc in 1KC steps,with an output power of 12 watts.No further information. Ref.#29 PRC-84;See also PRC-82,Portable VHF,FM transceiver.Used as part of PRC-82 or possibly as stand alone radio.Ops 30-76mc,channel spacing 50kc apart providing a possible 2320 channels, frequency agile with code store. An output power of 6 watts(alternately 2.5 watts has been reported).No further information. Ref.#29 PRC-85;See also PRC-82,Portable VHF,AM transceiver.Used as part of the PRC-82,or as a stand alone radio.Ops 110-150mc,channel spacing 25kc apart,with an output power of 2 watts.Original US Airforce cost $5000,NSN 5820-00-008-6474,no further information. Ref.#28,#29 KAN/PRC-85K;Non US,handheld HF,FM transceiver.Built in the Korean Republic, by Oriental Precision Co.,there seems to be a second version(or the same radio)built by Gould Star Electric.This second version omits the KAN prefix,but has the same specifications. The radio is similar in concept to the US PRC-68,it provides 10 preset channels 25-30.5mc spaced 25 or 100kc apart,for a maximum 221 possible. Ops from 12vdc,uses either a tape or helical antenna,& has provision for the use of external audio accessories(speaker/mic).Size 600mm x 350mm x 140mm,600grm. Ref.#12 PRC-86;See also PRC-82,Portable UHF,AM transceiver.Used as part of PRC-82,or possibly as a stand alone radio.Ops 225-400mc,chan spacing 50kc,with an output power of 2 watts.No further information.Ref.#29 PRC-87; Para-Rescue radio, VOX operated. Helmet or vest, worn. Under development circa 1971. Ref. late 60's edition of "Electronics", (a McGraw-Hill publication). No further information. 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. PRC-88/GY/RF-880;Non US backpack VHF,FM transceiver.Built in Germany by Telemit, & is advertised as the successor to the PRC-77. The basic RT unit can be combined with various other equipment to provide fixed station & vehicular operation.The COM-88/GY is one of these combinations,intended for use in armored vehicles & personnel carriers.It includes the OA-88 vehicular amplifier/adapter & a AT-88 antenna.The AM-88 can also be include for a 40 watt RF output power. Ops 20-80mc with 2400 channels spaced 25 or 50kc apart.RF output is rated at 3 watts.Size 238mm X 296mm x 304mm,3.2kg.Introduced 1979, production began in mid 1980.Ref.#11,#12 PRC-89;Handheld VHF/FM transceiver. Built by Zenith Radio Corp. for use by the U.S. Coast Guard. Intended for operation on the International VHF Marine band. Ops 156-158mc on any of four crystal control channels with the following frequencies supplied Ch.16(156.8mc), Ch.21c(157.05mc), Ch.22c(157.10mc), Ch.23c(157.1mc). Rated RF output power is 4 watts derived from an internal 12.5 volt mercury battery. Audio output is rated at 500mw. Size 8.75"H x 3.5"W x 2"D, 3.9lbs. Color, grey enamel. System Components include: RT unit, Battery box, leather carry case and shoulder strap. Ref.#30 PRC-90;Handheld UHF,AM/MCW/Beacon transceiver.Developed as a replacement for The PRC-63(and others).For use by downed air crew members. Ops on 243mc AM/MCW/Beacon,or 282.8mc voice only,with an output power of 500mw.Requires 14v as supplied by BA-1568 battery.Size 6"H x 3 1/8"H x 1 1/2" T,22oz.(24oz.with battery). Numerous variations of the PRC-90 exist,these include PRC-90-1,PRC- 90-2,PRC-90-2C,PRC-90-2T,& PRC-90T.Other than the original manu- facturer,& federal stock numbers,it is unknown what the differences between these models are. Ref.#9,#9A,#10,#11,#12,#28 PRC-90-1;Built by ACR vice GTE,NSN 5820-01-158-6082.Ops from 9.5-14vdc,uses BA-1568 battery,1.6 lbs.Known US Navy,Army & Airforce use,original cost $600.00. Ref.#28 PRC-90-2;Same as PRC-90-1,NSN 5820-01-238-6603,original cost $383-$400. Ref.#28 PRC-90-2C;Noted as having variable frequency capacity.NSN 5820-01-338-3036. Original US Airforce cost $284.00.Ref.#28 PRC-90-2T;Same as PRC-90-2C.Ref.#28 PRC-90T;Supplied on one frequency between 251.9 & 236mc,& with a second alternate frequency.US Airforce cost $545.90,NSN 5820-00-469-5658. Ref.#28 PRC-91;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver.Resembles small narrow BC-611.Haze gray in color,& is constructed of high impact plastic.Known US Navy use.No further information. Ref.#27 PRC-91A/RT-291A;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver.Adoption of a commercial Repco model series 10-8(810-009-010) for general purpose non-tactical communications. Ops 132-150.8mc,on one(optionally four) xtal control frequency,with an RF power output of 2 watts(optionally 4 watts).Requires 12-15v provided by a variety of optional battery combinations that could be slid onto the bottom of the RT unit. As issued,the radio has a combination battery box/charger that uses a nicad battery similar to that of a Motorola HT-200.Size 5 1/2"H x 3 1/4"W x 1 3/4"T(less battery box),10 1/2"tall(with battery) Accessories include,telescoping 1/4 wave antenna,CY-6502 leather carry case. The PRC-91A as with other equipment of this type & vintage,were to be replaced by the PRC-94V1.Original US Navy cost $1060.00.NSN 5820- 922-2858,circa 1968. Ref.#23,#28 PRC-91/RT-918;Hand held VHF,FM transceiver.Adoption of the commercial Motorola model HT-200(Z23DEN1100A) Handie Talkie. Ops 132-150mc on one(optionally two) xtal control channels.RF power output is rated at 1.4 watts.Requires 14vdc as supplied by a special internal dry or nicad battery. Accessories include ZAD6060A,ZNK6009A,ZLN6116A,ZSN6002A.To be replaced by the PRC-94V1,the original US Navy cost was $2840.00.NSN 5820-00-889-7556.Circa 1965. Ref.#28 PRC-93;Handheld UHF,AM,transceiver.Intended for use by Air-Sea Rescue units in the location & extraction of downed air crew members.It is believed that this radio is a modification of the ACR RT-10(URC-10A) to provide two channel operation on 243 & ?mc,AM with an output power of 200mw.No further information. Ref.#26 PRC-94V;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver.Adoption of the commercial Comco model series 802(Repco 10-8).It has very similar cosmetics & electronics to the PRC-91A,with the added provision for an external speaker/mic. Ops 150-174mc,xtal control,with an optional capacity of up to 5 channels.RF power output is 2.2 watts(standard),4 watts(optional). Coast Guard Sets are 2.2 watt with provisions for low power operation (1 watt).Requires 12-15v normally supplied by a detachable nicad battery,a "AA"battery box can also be used. Accessories include telescoping 1/4 wave or 6" rubber antennas, speakermic,leather carry case,desk top or vehicular chargers.Circa 1975-1985. Ref.#11,#23,#28 PRC-94V1;The commercial equivalents for this PRC-94 variant are COMCO 810- 156-01,& RCA 8TNIH11R. Ops 132-150.8mc,with one Xtal control channel,& an output power of 2.2 watts.It was factory supplied with rechargeable nicad batteries. For other possible variants see PRC-94.Original US Navy & Marine Corps cost $1210.00.NSN 5820-01-012-2770. Ref.#28,#30 PRC-94V2;The commercial equivalent for this PRC-94 variant is the RCA 8TN2H44SMF or 8TN2H44SMZ. Ops 150.8-162mc,with four xtal control channels,& an output power of 2.2 watts.For other possible parameters see PRC-94. Original US Navy & Marine Corps cost $935-$1240.00. NSN 5820-00-110-5722. Ref.#28,#30 PRC-94V3;The commercial equivalents for this PRC-94 variant are COMCO 810-156-01,& RCA 8TN1H44S. Ops 132-150.6mc,with four xtal control channels,& an output power of 2.2 watts.For other possible parameters see PRC-94. Original US Navy & Dep.of Defence cost $1790.00. NSN 5820-01-012-2771. Ref.#28,#30 PRC-95; Hand held UHF/AM transceiver. Designed for use by downed aircrew as a possible replacement for the PRC-90. Features two channel operation on 243 and 282.8mc, from a lithium battery supplying 18 ours of battery life. Said to be the first use of this type battery. Ref. Electronic Design, August 2, 1966. Electronics, November, 1970,the Vietnam Report Part II. No further information. PRC-96;Shipboard or lifeboat emergency AM,Beacon transceiver.Designed for use by distressed Naval personnel to effect their rescue. Ops on 121.5 & 243mc,AM voice/MCW/Beacon,with an RF power output of 200mw,from internal lithium batteries(2ea 2.9v).Size 13.5 x 10 x 4", 7lbs 8oz(case), 6 x 4 x 2",3lbs 8oz(transceiver),7.75"(antenna). TS-3527 dual channel accessory test set,checks transmit,receive,& battery condition. Ref.#11,#12 PRC-97;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver.Adoption of the commercial Motorola model H21DCN1100ASPO2(SPS1B11648).Ops 30-42mc,1 channel,with an output power of 1.4 watts,from 14vdc internal battery.NSN 5820-00-179-8433. Original US Navy cost $819.90.No further information. Ref.#28 PRC-99;Backpack VHF,FM transceiver.Designed as a replacement for the PRC- 77. Features digital synthesis with four place bush-button tuning,25kc channel spacing,& common accessories with the PRC-25 & 77,but with smaller size & weight. Ops 30-80mc,with a possible 2000 channels.Rated output power is 2 watts.DC power is derived from 12ea "D" cell batteries or rechargeable nicad pack.Manufactured by Liberty Electronics NY.Ref.#11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Format: Courier #12 font. Margins, top .07", bottom .25", left .5", right .5", header .07", footer 0. *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; ME-68/PRC-14? Hello Dennis, Just picked up a 'new in box' Ammeter assy ME-68/PRC-14. Since my Mil-T handbook is not available at present, some help would be appreciated. This was mfr. 9/53 under Air Force Contr AF-33-038 19624 by Air Asso. Inc. Orange, NJ. Unit has a male conn. Amphenol 164-8 or better lnown as a U-77/U 10 pin plug. The same as found on many older units, i.e. T-368, R-392, PRC-47, GRA-6, etc. The ammeter is at the opposite end secured by an alluminum nut. The conn. plug is molded rubber and the meter can be removed by removing the nut. The meter has a scale: 0 to 20 ua X10 or 200 ua FS. What is the PRC-14? Was this meter part of the radio or an ancillary piece of test metering? I have an opportunity to purchase a case of these, est 100ea. Do you think the membership would have an interest in these? Thanks, Glen, KA7BOJ ed) Fair Radio sold those things for many years at $5.00ea. It is not part of the radio but is an ancillary component. It is used for quickly checking the radio in the field for operation. We'll see via member response whether there is any interest or not. The date on you units is interesting, it would indicate a use of the radio at an earlier time than thought. "What is the PRC-14" you ask! See Part I of the currently running series! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free TTY Manuals, Hi Dennis, There was a fellow at last Saturday's swap meet with a box of TTY manuals for free. He said he would pitch them at the end of the day if no one was interested. As this unfortunate outcome became closer to reality I decided to scarf them hoping someone on the mil list could benefit. I will offer them for free to anyone interested, the recipients must pay mailing costs, however. The manuals are: 1. TM 11-2225, Teletyperwriter set AN/GGC teletypewriter reporforator-transmitters TT-76/GGC and TT-76A/GGC. Army 1957, ca 300 pgs, like new condx 2. TM 11-5815-206-12, Teletypewriter Set AN/PGC-1 and Teletypewriters TT-4A/TG and TT-4b/TG, Army 1959, 48 pgs, like new condx 3. TM 11-2222, Receiving transmitter distributors TT-12/FGQ-1, TT-13/FGQ-1 and transmitter distributors TT-21, 25, 26, 52/FG, Army 1951, 177 pgs, good condx 4. TM 11-655, Fundamentals of Telegraphy, Army/Air Force 1954, 100 pgs, excellent condx 5. Teletype Corporation manual for model 19 (the classic!). This manual is a bound collection of smaller manuals and bulletins from 1942 to 1945. It is a good 4" thick. Cool leatherette cover embossed with "TELETYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPH EQUIPMENT", good condx. Randy Zelick email: h2rz@odin.cc.pdx.edu web: http://odin.cc.pdx.edu/~h2rz/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADSID Antenna Desperately Needed, Dennis, I am desperate to get the antenna for the ADSID, beg, borrow steal, loan . It is about 2 foot long, has a square base about 1 inch and a round top about 2 inches into which screws the plant antenna. It must be here by 2 Nov 1998. Can you or any one in the group help on this? THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 727- 585-7756 ed) What the hell is a ADSID Antenna? *********************************************** JIM'S HOUSE CLEANING; Dennis - I have the following items for sale/trade that are surplus to my needs: 2 - AN/URC-68 downed airman's walkie talkies, operate on 4 channels in 40.5 Mhz range (FM) and 243 Mhz range, with repair manual (TM 11-5820-767-12). These radios operate off of 12 volts DC and have squelch, beacon and MCW operation. I tried one unit out and it seems to work. The units are in good used condition. $ 60 plus shipping for all. 1 - AC power supply replacement for the BB-490/U it was made for the AN/USM-481 and other similar applications. Output voltages are 2 X 12 volts DC at 480 ma. It wasThis unit is the size of the BB-490/U with the battery connector and fits in place of the battery, new condition. $ 15 1 - Portable Digital Computer (SHTU Simplified Handheld Terminal Unit) CP-1995/U. Desert Storm Era (1991) military laptop computer, ruggedized, water proof machine with canvas carry bag and strap. OD Green. With manuals. Uses MS DOS 3.1operating system. New condition, with manuals. $250. 1- Diplexer, VHF, CU-2194/URC, with manual, used for re-transmit operation with the RT-524 and other 30-70 MHz radios. With Manual. $ 20 1 - AM-6747/V Speaker/audio amplifier assembly, 28 volts DC input. Size of LS-166/U or LS-474/U units but includes audio amplifier. $ 15 2- PRC-70 LSB conversion kit with Mechanical Filter and instructions $ 50 each 3 - BB-542/U Rechargeable Battery for PRC-70, PSC-3 and similar radios 1980's date codes, electrically OK but storeage capacity may be reduced. $ 30 each. 1 - Racal 6217E receiver with remote antenna filter unit and modified WJ SDU, With manuals $ 350. 1- WJ 9518 AE-9S FDM Demodulator - actually 6 HF 2-18 MHZ receivers in 1 unit with independent tuning and frequency display and mode programming for each. USB/LSB modes. A neat unit when you want to monitor 6 channels at once. With manual $ 250 1- PM-15 Modem - Field modem for URC-101 and URC-110 Satcom radios, with battery box for BB-490 battery, $ 75 3 - RT1133/PRC-70 Radio Chassis with top and bottom covers and some parts (most parts gone). Includes A-1 module and misc parts. These units are demilled. With some body work and paint work, they could be used as displays. Incomplete, not working, some physical damage. $ 35 each. 5 - RT--1133/PRC-70 A1 frequency selector control panel with microprocessor. Good physical condition, complete units in AS IS condition. Suitable for repairs and parts recovery. $ 15 each. 2 - Chassis covers for PRD-11 units. $ 15 each. Paint in rough condition but mechanically ok. Want: GN 44 generator for BC-474, also want legs for the BC-474. I would also like to know which were the correct mike, key and headset part numbers for this radio. I am looking for parts for the PRC-117 radio. Jim Karlow KA8TUR 4907 Oakwood Court Commerce Township, MI 48382 248-685-3077 jkarlow@takatainc.com *********************************************** HUMOR; O'Reilly's law of the kitchen: Cleanliness is next to impossible. Lieberman's law: Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens. Denniston's law: Virtue is its own punishment. Gold's law: If the shoe fits, its ugly. Conway's law: In any organization, there will always be one person who knows what is going on. This person should be fired. Finster's law: A closed mouth gathers no feet. Lynch's law: When the going gets tough, everyone leaves. Muir's law: When we try to separate anything out by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. Glyme's formula for success: The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made. Mason's first law of synergism: The one day you'd sell your birthright for something, birthrights are a glut. Hanlon's razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Handy guide to modern science: If it's green or wriggles, it's biology. If it stinks, it's chemistry. If it doesn't work, it's physics. Green's law of debate: Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about. Stewart's law of retroaction: It is easier to get forgiveness than permission. First rule of history: History doesn't repeat itself, historians merely repeat each other. Oliver's law of location: No matter where you go, there you are. Harrison's postulate: For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What should you give a man who has everything? A woman to show him how to work it. Why do black widow spiders kill their mates after mating? To stop the snoring before it starts. How does a man show that he is planning for the future? He buys 2 cases of beer instead of one. How is Colonel Sanders like the typical male? All he's concerned with is legs, breasts and thighs. How is being at a singles bar different than being at the circus? At the circus the clowns don't talk. What do you do with a bachelor who thinks he's God's gift to women? Exchange him. Why do men like smart women? Opposites attract. How are husbands like lawn mowers? They're hard to get started, they emit noxious odors, and half the time they don't work. What is the difference between men and government bonds? The bonds mature. How do you save a man from drowning? Take your foot off of his neck. Why are blonde jokes so short? So men can remember them. What do men and beer bottles have in common? They're both empty from the neck up. How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper? We don't know, it has never happened. Why is it difficult to find men who are sensitive, caring and good looking? They all already have boyfriends. What do you call a man with half a brain? Gifted. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is an interesting story, however I think it was streched a little, Leola Starling of Ribrock, Tenn., had a serious telephone problem. But unlike most people she did something about it. The brand-new $10 million Ribrock Plaza Motel opened nearby and had acquired almost the same telephone number as Leola. From the moment the motel opened, Leola was besieged by calls not for her. Since she had the same phone number for years, she felt that she had a case to persuade the motel management to change its number. Naturally, the management refused claiming that it could not change its stationery. The phone company was not helpful, either. A number was a number, and just because a customer was getting someone else's calls 24 hours a day didn't make it responsible. After her pleas fell on deaf ears, Leola decided to take matters into her own hands. At 9 o'clock the phone rang. Someone from Memphis was calling the motel and asked for a room for the following Tuesday. Leoloa said, "No problem. How many nights?" A few hours later Dallas checked in. A secretary wanted a suite with two bedrooms for a week. Emboldened, Leola said the Presidential Suite on the 10th floor was available for $600 a night. The secretary said that she would take it and asked if the hotel wanted a deposit. "No, that won't be necessary," Leola said. "We trust you." The next day was a busy one for Leola. In the morning, she booked an electric appliance manufacturers' convention for Memorial Day weekend, a college prom and a reunion of the 82nd Airborne veterans from World War II. She turned on her answering machine during lunchtime so that she could watch the O.J. Simpson trial, but her biggest challenge came in the afternoon when a mother called to book the ballroom for her daughter's wedding in June. Leola assured the woman that it would be no problem and asked if she would be providing the flowers or did she want the hotel to take care of it. The mother said that she would prefer the hotel to handle the floral arrangements. Then the question of valet parking came up. Once again Leola was helpful. "There's no charge for valet parking, but we always recomend that the client tips the drivers." Within a few months, the Ribrock Plaza Motel was a disaster area. People kept showing up for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and Sweet Sixteen parties and were all told there were no such events. Leola had her final revenge when she read in the local paper that the motel bankrupt. Her phone rang, and an executive from Marriott said, "We're prepared to offer you $200,000 for the motel." Leola replied. "We'll take it, but only if you change the telephone number!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Four men went out to play golf. While one went into the clubhouse to make payment, the other 3 started bragging about their sons... 1st dad: "My son's doing great! So well that he bought a house for a friend of his!" 2nd dad: "Well my son's doing so well he bought a friend TWO brand-new Cadillacs!" 3rd dad: "Well, MY son's so well-off he bought a friend of his a blue-chip stock portfolio!" The 4th man rejoined the group, and they asked how HIS son was doing. "Well, umm...to be honest," the man said, "My son is gay. But I guess he's doing okay. His last 3 boyfriends gave him a house, 2 cars and a stock portfolio!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." uses every letter in the alphabet. (developed by Western union to Test telex/twx communications) In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere. Average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches. A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why. In the 1940s, the FCC assigned television's Channel 1 to mobile Services (two-way radios in taxicabs, for instance) but did not re-number the other channel assignments. That is why your TV set has channels 2 and up, but no channel 1. The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments. The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable. Hang On Sloopy is the official rock song of Ohio. Did you know that there are coffee flavored PEZ? The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days of yore when the engines were pulled by horses. The horses were stabled on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight staircases. The airplane Buddy Holly died in was the "American Pie." (Thus the name of the Don McLean song.) When opossums are playing 'possum, they are not "playing." They actually pass out from sheer terror. The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: -- Spades - King David -- Clubs - Alexander the Great -- Hearts - Charlemagne -- Diamonds - Julius Caesar. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired." Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but The last signature wasn't added until 5 years later. "I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. (I think it would be, "No." --Janice) The term "the whole 9 yards" came from WWII fighter pilots in the Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got "the whole 9 yards." Hershey's Kisses are called that because the machine that makes them looks like it's kissing the conveyor belt. The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb. An ostrich's eye is bigger that it's brain. The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds. The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies. David Prowse was the guy in the Darth Vader suit in Star Wars. He spoke all of Vader's lines, and didn't know that he was going to be dubbed over by James Earl Jones until he saw the screening of the movie. The name Jeep came from the abbreviation used in the army for the "General Purpose" vehicle, G.P. The Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia, has twice as many bathrooms as is necessary. When it was built in the 1940s, the state of Virginia still had segregation laws requiring separate toilet facilities for blacks and whites. The cruise liner, Queen Elizabeth II, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns. Cat's urine glows under a blacklight. The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado. Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intraveinously. (Okay, all you mystery writers, start typing...) If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar. No NFL team which plays its home games in a domed stadium has ever won a Superbowl. (Tell that to Houston!) The first toilet ever seen on television was on "Leave It To Beaver". The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL) are the day before and the day after the Major League All-Star Game. Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older. The name Wendy was made up for the book "Peter Pan." In Cleveland, Ohio, it's illegal to catch mice without a hunting license. It takes 3,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year's supply of footballs. Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married. There are an average of 178 sesame seeds on a McDonald's Big Mac bun. The world's termites outweigh the world's humans 10 to 1. Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than new cars. The 3 most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca-Cola, and Budweiser, in that order. When Heinz ketchup leaves the bottle, it travels at a rate of 25 miles per year. It's possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs. The Bible has been translated into Klingon. Humans are the only primates that don't have pigment in the palms of their hands. Ten percent of the Russian government's income comes from the sale of vodka. Ninety percent of New York City cabbies are recently arrived immigrants. On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year. In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all the world's nuclear weapons combined. Average age of top GM executives in 1994: 49.8 years. Average age of the Rolling Stones: 50.6. Elephants can't jump. Every other mammal can. The cigarette lighter was invented before the match. Five Jell-O flavors that flopped: celery, coffee, cola, apple, and chocolate. According to one study, 24% of lawns have some sort of lawn ornament in their yard. Internationally, Baywatch is the most popular TV show in history. *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************