MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, July 15/98 Index: US MILITARY PORTABLE RADIOS; PART III, By Alan D. Tasker WA1NYR MEMBERS WRITE; Obit, General Peter C. Hains III, Functional Web Sites, PRC-14 Picture, Dave's a Dumb Shit! NON-MEMBER STUFF; Free BC-640, Pogo Stick Manual Needed, HUMOR; *********************************************** US MILITARY PORTABLE RADIOS; PART III, By Alan D. Tasker WA1NYR Multi Band Portables There has been a trend to develop, for some applications, tactical portable radios that cover more than one tactical band. The list is as follows. 1. The first was the AN/PRC-70, chart 4. It covers the HF spectrum as well as the Tactical VHF frequencies. Harris' PRC-138, chart 4 also, is a more modern type covering these same two bands. It is in use by U.N. Land Force Elements. 2. The already mentioned AN/PRC-113, chart 3, covers both the VHF and UHF aircraft bands. 3. The Scope Shield Program developed PRC-128 and PRC-139, chart 6. 4. Harris developed the PRC-117D, which covers the Tactical VHF (low) band, VHF high band (aircraft and mobile) as well as Tactical UHF (including SATCOM), chart 2. Note: SATCOM is effected using FM within the 225-400 MHz military aircraft (generally AM) band. The Marines and the Seals are apparently using some number of these radios. 5. The Motorola developed AN/URC-1xx series, chart 7. These are two band radios, all of which include the tactical UHF (AM) frequencies, including SATCOM (FM) as the first band. The second band can be tactical VHF, or high VHF, or ??? The Army is apparently using some number of the URC-100 for voice and the URC-110 for data. The Navy Seals apparently have some number of URC-110 sets also. Unknowns There are a lot of AN/PRC-XYZ numbers unaccounted for. Some of these were concepts that never made it further, while other programs may have made it to the prototype stage. Still others may have been limited fielding trials of a particular device to test it out. The following numbers have appeared on real hardware, but the story behind why remains a mystery to me. Surely, somebody out there knows the story. Although the PRC-117 and URC-1xx units are described above, this is only the "what". The "why'" remains elusive. PRC-116, the Racal Jaguar V, 30-88 MHz ECCM unit, Racal #BC-66H PRC-124, a Collins MP-83 TRC-77 HF rig Battery Technology Where there's a portable, there's a battery. They come in two classes, Primary (use it once and throw it away)(nomenclatured BA-xxx), and Secondary (rechargeable)(nomenclatured BB-xxx). The bottom line is that primary batteries offer longer life per use, but of course, they can't be recharged. During WWII, there were only three types of batteries used in portables, Lead Acid rechargeable (for units with vibrator power supplies), Carbon Zinc for most of the rest, or Mercury (rescue radios only). Today, there are a bewildering number of chemistries out there, including but not limited to the following. Primary Alkaline, certainly low cost. Magnesium, on the scene until Lithium came along. Lithium/Sulfur Dioxide, the king of the hill for now. Secondary Lead Acid, liquid, gel, or starved electrolyte types, old venerable but heavy and has a tendency to sulfate. Silver, stayed for a short time. Nickel-Cadmium, lighter weight but has memory effect, usage is fading. Nickel Metal Hydride, twice the energy density of the NiCad, and with no memory effect, but expensive. Lithium Ion may be coming soon. The goal is to obtain the highest energy density (watt-hours per unit volume (cubic inches)) at the lowest possible cost. Unfortunately, some of the highest performers are also the most expensive. However, some work over the past few years in Lead Acid technology has shown that proper charging techniques (pulse) can forestall sulfation, the chief cause of failure in this cell chemistry. Apparently, the increase in life can be up to 10 times. For a cash starved Military, this could be a Godsend. One of the unfortunate characteristics of secondary batteries, however, is that most if not all of them have a self discharge rate of 1-3% per day at 25 degrees C, worse as it gets hotter. References and Other Sources of Information (in no particular order) 1. The Technical Manuals of the Individual Radios Listed, and other general Military documents. 2. "History of the Squad Radio", Marvin W. Curtis, US Army Electronics Command, Report # ECOM-4451. 3. "The Army in World War II", "The Signal Corps", a three volume set. 4. Various news articles published by the Armed Services over the years. 5. Richard Lacroix (PRC-25, 77, 66, 68,126, 70,104, and Canadian types PRC-515, 521) (http://web.globalserve.net/~rlacroix/radspec/radspec.htm ) 6. Tom Norris (The Mil Commo Equip List) (http://www.telalink.net/~badger/millist/mi.html ) 7. David Ross (TBY, PRC-14, 38) ( http://www.hypertools.com ) 8. MRCG (SCR-536/BC-611) (http://www.calpoly.edu/~doragsda/mrcg.htm ) 9. Joseph W. Pinner, KC5IJD 10. Dan Foglton 11. Kurt Lesser 12. The U.S. Army Signal Corps Museum (SCR/BC info) (http://www.gordon.army.mil/museum/) 13. Information on "The Web", such as battery data, Signal Corps info on the AN/PRC-104, 126, 127 (drawings), AN/URC-100, 110, and SINCGARS, Marine Corps info on the AN/PRC-113 and 136, Navy Seal info on the AN/PRC-117, AN/URC-110, Air Force info on the Hook-112 and CSEL SAR programs and the Scope Shield Program, UN info on the AN/PRC-138, the COPAS-SARSAT satellite tracking SAR system, the web sites for Motorola, Harris, Racal, Fair Radio Sales, Toronto Surplus, and Mike Murphy Surplus listings. 14. "U.S. Military Combat Aircrew Individual Survival Equipment, WWII to present, a reference guide for the collector", Michael S. Breuninger 15. ECOM reports #0319-1 and 0319-4, first and fourth quarterly reports on the development of Radio Set AN/PRC-70. 17. Steve's Green Pages (PRC-64A) ( http://www.users.bigpond.com/SHILL/ 18. SIP (SINCGARS Improvement Program) Portable information; see the following URLs and some of their links. (http://jointventure.monroe.army.mil/dbpages/INIBATT335.htm#topics ), (http://www.gordon.army.mil/dcd/tfxxi/htmlgta/gta-toc.htm ), (http://www.monmouth.army.mil/cecom/lrc/forcexxi/comm/sigsipgd.html ). 19. Pete McCollum (See the link to his write-up on the GRC-109, etc in reference 6.). 20. http://www.discworld.net/surplus/radio/PRC47.htm Charts listed in the text are available from the author via email. *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; To Post Everlasting: Peter C. Hains III, General EXCERPT: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- Peter C. Hains III, an Army major general who later was deputy director in the office of the defense secretary, died July 3. He was 97. A 1924 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Hains competed in the Olympics in 1932 as part of the equestrian team. During World War II, Hains served as a commander of the First Armored Regiment in North Africa. He was also an armored adviser for the European invasion and helped plan the invasion of Japan. He returned to Washington following the war. After serving as deputy director of the office of the secretary of defense, he was later deputy commanding general of the Second Army, and later served as chief of military advisory groups in Yugoslavia and Thailand. He retired in 1961 as deputy chief of staff for plans and operations in the Pacific..." This copyrighted report cannot be reproduced in its entirety=7F here. However, you can read it in full today at the following URL. (Combine the following lines into your web browser), Here is the web site that works as someone said it was not working. World Wars Resource Guide http://members.aol.com/veterans/warlib6d.htm http://members.aol.com/veterans/warlib6d.htm" World Wars Resource Guide THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 727- 585-7756 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's a picture of the PRC-14 radio that Alan talks about in his article. If ever the military had a piece of equipment that looks just like "The Jetson's", this is it. Let us observe a moment of silence for those who sacrificed their pride and dignity in for the defense of our country at http://www.hypertools.com/homepage.html Sean T. Kelly sean_k@hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave's a Dumb Shit! Dumbness on my part. I got a somewhat confused email ( 2, actually ) from , I believe, a Dave with the text in CAPITALS with comments about my need for a xtal and parts for the BC 312. Somehow (?) I dumped his 2 messages before I really read them. He said he was looking for RT 70 And was into PRC 8/9/10's. Believe he had a 312 or 342 for parts or restoration ( case needed paint ?) in your sunday list. All my Juno memory got zapped 2 wks ago, so I can't look back. Got any clues for me ? Dave Sundheimer W0NBZ w0nbz@juno.com Burnsville (near Minneapolis) Minnesota *********************************************** NON-MEMBER STUFF; Free BC-640, Saw ur ad in Am Rad Trader. I have a BC 640 in 'GOOD' shape... Was working when put in storage about 20 yr ago... Rig is rack mounted, VHF, AM.. stands ~6ft. high and weighs ~ 500 #... I've been trying to find a home for it... FREE if you pick up in West Palm Beach area.... 73 de Bob, W4KOG It's all there with manual... Reply Email. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pogo Stick Manual Needed, Wonder if you have or know where I could get a copy of TM 11-245 for the BC-745. Thanks, Buzz *********************************************** HUMOR; German scientists dug 50 meters underground and discovered small pieces of copper. After studying these pieces for a long time, Germany announced that the ancient Germans 25,000 years ago had a nationwide telephone network. Naturally, the British government was not that easily impressed. They ordered their own scientists to dig even deeper. 100 meters down, they found small pieces of glass, and they soon announced that the ancient Brits 35,000 years ago already had a nationwide fibre net. Israeli scientists were outraged. They dug 50, 100 and 200 meters underground, but found absolutely nothing... They concluded that the ancient Hebrews 55,000 years ago had cellular telephones. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the world-famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, was not above telling tales about himself in which he was the laughing-stock. Here is one of those stories. As he tells it, he was waiting at a taxi- stand outside the railway station in Paris. When a taxi pulled up,he put his suitcase in it and got in himself. As he was about to tell the taxi-driver where he wanted to go, the driver asked him: "Where can I take you, Mr. Doyle?'' Doyle was flabbergasted. He asked the driver whether he knew him by sight. The driver said: "No Sir, I have never seen you before.'' The puzzled Doyle asked him what made him think that he was Conan Doyle. The driver replied: "This morning's paper had a story about you being on vacation in Marseilles. This is the taxi-stand where people who return from Marseilles always come to. Your skin colour tells me you have been on vacation. The ink-spot on your right index finger suggests to me that you are a writer. Your clothing is very English, and not French. Adding up all those pieces of information, I deduce that you are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." Doyle said: "This is truly amazing. You are a real-life counter-part to my fictional creation, Sherlock Holmes." "There is one other thing,'' the driver said. "What is that?'' "Your name is on the front of your suitcase.'' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul got off the elevator on the 40th floor and nervously knocked on his blind date's door. She opened it and was as beautiful and charming as everyone had said. "I'll be ready in a few minutes," she said. "Why don't you play with Rollo while you're waiting?" He does wonderful tricks. He rolls over, shakes hands, sits up and if you make a hoop with your arms, he'll jump through." The dog followed Paul onto the balcony and started rolling over. Paul made a hoop with his arms and Rollo jumped through -- and over the balcony railing. Just then Paul's date walked out. "Isn't Rollo the cutest, happiest dog you've ever seen?" "To tell the thee truth, " he replied, "he seemed a little depressed to me." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MELVIN DURAI'S HUMOR COLUMN "ARRANGED MARRIAGES TEND TO LAST" Ever since I turned 30, my mom's vocabulary seems to have gradually shrunk. It now consists of only about five words, usually arranged to form this question: "When are you getting married?" If I had a nickel for every time I've heard the question, I'd be able to afford a mail-order bride. Maybe even one who can speak English. My mom and others ask the marriage question so often, I'm tempted to tattoo the answer on my forehead: "I'm a journalist, not a psychic." But if I did that, my mom and I would never talk. She'd just look at my forehead and shake her head. And her expression would say: "Where did I go wrong with this child?" Sometimes, just for fun, I feel like scaring my mom by saying I won't get married until one of these things happen: ---Ken Starr completes his investigation. ---Ross Perot produces a chart-topping rap song. "My name is Ross, just call me boss. When I become your president, the interns will be more hesitant." ---Ellen Degeneres and Elton John fall madly in love -- with each other. ---A pair of Amish men are arrested for selling drugs. (OK, this already happened. But I still don't believe it.) It's not that I don't believe in marriage. I just believe it should involve two people who love each other so much, they're willing to risk living together. It's certainly a big risk. If the marriage goes sour, you can lose some of your most prized possessions. Just ask John Bobbitt. But I could be wrong about the importance of love. After all, millions of people in my native country, India, believe in arranged marriages, even though such marriages sometimes produce children like me. The families of the bride and groom usually do the arranging, uniting two people who hardly know each other. The honeymoon is like a first date, except you're certain to get past first base. To many Americans, an arranged marriage may seem more like a deranged marriage. But such marriages tend to last. Divorces in India are as rare as hamburger joints. Like me, most Americans believe in falling in love before marriage. Many even believe in falling in bed before marriage. The only mystery left for the honeymoon is whether the hotel accepts American Express. Considering the soaring divorce rate, such marriages are more suspect than O.J. Simpson. So maybe David Weinlick has the right idea. About four years ago, the Minnesota man got tired of people asking when he was going to get married. So he just gave them a stock answer: June 13, 1998. He even planned the entire wedding, the first man ever to do so. But an essential part of the wedding was missing. No, not the wine -- the bride. Weinlick, 28, decided to let his friends pick his bride, after they interviewed a couple of dozen women in several states, including the state of desperation. He married the bride-elect, Elizabeth Runze, before 2,000 shoppers at the Mall of America. And he was all smiles afterward. That could mean the wedding was a big success. Or perhaps Weinlick had been licking too much wine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you wake up in the morning feeling sleepy and grumpy? Then you must be Snow White! -- David Frost *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************