MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Aug. 21/98 Index: ANNOUNCEMENTS; SOLID STATE PRC-6's? AND SOLID STATING IN GENERAL; From Hue Miller & Dennis Starks MEMBERS WRITE; BC-620,-659 Overview, GRC-9 Tip, HUMOR; NEW MEMBER; Wammes Witkop *********************************************** ANNOUNCEMENTS; Ike and I will be off in the morning headed for the St. Charles Mo. hamfest. We should be back late Sunday. As always, a radio will be kept on 51mc, and another on 146.56. Should you also be attending, give us a holler. Bill S. has acquired the GRC-9's for our proposed group project. At this time we don't know exactly how many will be available as he's not had time to inspect them yet, and it will be a couple weeks before he can get to it. But their condition is better than originally reported. There will also be a couple of the transmitter sections alone, and I will opt for one of these to restore a junker I paid big bucks for years ago(it was not reported to be junk, but was), thus making an extra complete set available for those that have nothing. If you have spoken up for one of these radios and want one as a second unit, or to use as swapping material. Please remove yourself from the list. Due to the limited quantity available, our goal is to get an example of this radio into the hands of those who have nothing. Get your additions for the "Paper Trail" in by tonight for it's inclusion in tomorrow's post. The "Group Wants/Trades" will probably go out late Sunday, so you have until Sunday afternoon to get your data in to me. Every day I receive messages from group members with multiple message topics, I/E article comments, questions, combined Paper Trail & Want/Trade additions, request for equipment, back issues etc all combined in the same message. And almost none include an email address, or subject line that is related to the subject material. Each message as it is received is moved to a file related to the it's message content. I/E Paper Trail additions go to a Paper Trail file, want & trade list go to the group Want's/Trade's file, request for Backmail go to the backmail file, request for back issues go to a Back Issues file, jokes go to a Humor file, and so on. If you combine all these items in a single message I then am forced to transfer your message back and forth between a number of different files, and in the process may forget to address one or more of your topics. In future, please separate messages of completely different subject material. And as has always been required, include a subject line that is pertinent to the message content, and INCLUDE YOUR DAMN EMAIL ADDRESS AT THE END OF EACH MESSAGE WITH YOUR NAME! My thanks to all for a very productive week. Dennis *********************************************** SOLID STATE PRC-6's? AND SOLID STATING IN GENERAL; From Hue Miller & Dennis Starks Dennis, has this topic already come up, the transistorized PRC-6's that were seen offered in SGN some years back? Who did this work? have you ever seen one? Also, how about your comment on this, altho it's so far not been achieved: direct plug in replacements for tubes in sets such as BC-611, only difference set would operate off lower voltage. i have been thinking of the BC-222-322 in this way. uses too many different voltages for me to probably ever get it going. but if i ran it with 2 FETs, built on tube bases, then operate the whole thing off the one relay battery, it would have much less transmitter power, but the receiver would still superregenerate and could still be demonstrated as a portable. Hue --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hue, Actually solid stating the PRC-6 has been done (see below). At least two of these conversions were of US origins with a short lived Californian company being named. The first used a standard PRC-6 chassis, and had the solid state skunk works contained in two modules(potted in epoxy) and permanently affixed in the place of the tubes. It was not serviceable in any way. It had only a single resistor replaced on the bottom side of the chassis. A third module directly replaced the output tube. There is absolutely no outward indication on this radio that it is anything other than a standard PRC-6. Those inspected by me were housed in standard Raytheon produced cabinets, and had standard PRC-6 data plates. There are no markings inside, or out that would give a clue as to the abnormal origin of this radio. The second used removable modules that plugged directly into space left by the vacated tubes. Very little is known of this variant. It is possible that both these originated from the same source. As the story goes, a small company in California was founded by a Russian emigrant in the early-mid 70's. The radios produced are reported to have been purchased by the US government, then supplied to Quantra Rebel's in Central America. But you all know how to take such reports! The story concludes with this small company going bankrupt due to insufficient government purchases. At least three heavily modified versions of the PRC-6 are also known to have been produced in Germany. The first was the PRC-6/6, a six channel version of our own, it was not however solid state, and only the cabinet bares any resemblance to the original US design, not even the crystals are interchangeable. A second version produced was solid state, it was a single channel radio and used the same crystal as a standard PRC-6. As there is several conflicting accounts of this radio, and it's model number, I can't comment on how it was constructed, or what it's model number was. But two things do stand out, the model of PRC-6T(also connected to a radio of US origin), and the fact that retro-fit kits were available to convert existing standard PRC-6's. The third variant was the PRC-6/180. This was a solid state synthesized radio with a capacity of 180 channels. Like the earlier version, retro-fit kits were also offered to convert existing standard PRC-6's. It should be noted, that both these later German variants used standard PRC-6 cabinets. The PRC-6/6 used the standard PRC-6 front cabinet half, but had a modified back half being supplied with a channel indicator window. The subject of solid-stating tube type equipment has come up several times over the last 15 years in various publications, and personal conversations. For the most part, most the printed mater on the subject deals with very simple equipment types. Such as the BC-221, T-195 VFO's etc. And includes only some very general(and sometimes vague) information. Some magazine articles dealt with the total destruction of a fine radio(Collins 75A4), leaving almost nothing of the original electronics. The later of course is totally unacceptable. I personally think that solid-stating a radio would allow us to play with them far more handily, preserve some sometimes very rare tubes, and as such a very worth while project provided one law be observed. Any such conversion should be a completely "Plug-N-Play" affair, allowing absolutely no physical modification to the subject radio. Producing solid state plug in tube replacements for simple radios such as the BC-222,-322,-611should present no problem to the Design Engineer with some time on his hands, or even a gifted tinkerer(I place myself in the latter category). Followed by slightly more complicated types like the PRC-6, GRC-9, GRR-5, GRC-109, etc. The PRC-10 family present a unique challenge as they are already a modular design. We have more than just a couple Electronic Design Engineers as members of our group, maybe some prodding is in order. The following has been extracted from Military Radio Data Vol. , PRC Designated Radio Equipment, by Dennis Starks: PRC-6(solid state variants);Though not adopted by the US government,it is known that small quantities of each have been acquired.Their use is subject to rumor & speculation.One possible source for these radios is a California company,owned by a Russian immigrant,that went out of business do to insufficient government sales.No further information. #1.Is a direct conversion of the normally tube type circuit to solid state.It uses the standard PRC-6 chassis with only very minor changes to the underside components.The tubes have been replaced with Potted solid state boards that cannot be removed.This radio must be considered disposable as servicing is impossible.There is no outward indication that the radio is anything other than a standard PRC-6. Ref.#26,#31 #2.This variant is similar to #1 except the tubes have been replaced with modules that can be removed & serviced.This radio may have a Data plate that indicates it's solid state nature.It is also rumored to have been CIA supplied to a Central American organization in the early 80's. Ref.#31 #3.A last variant,possibly of German origin similar to their PRC-6T &,/180.However this version is not synthesized,& it uses standard PRC-6 xtals. PRC-6T;This may be the same radio as the PRC-6/180.Built by Telemit of Germany,it interred service with DDR forces in 1978. Additionaly a PRC-6(T) is listed in Ref.#10,as a fully solid state replacement for the PRC-6.Built by AN/COMM Electronics North Hollywood Ca.Reported features were the use of standard PRC-6 xtals,11-15vdc (12vdc nominal) operation with a drain of 20ma(rec) & 120ma(trans).& an RF power output of 500mw. Ref.#10,#11,#28 PRC-6/180;This is a German produced(Telemit) version of the US PRC-6 that provides 180 synthesized channels & a 100% solid state circuit design. The external appearance is identical to a standard PRC-6,& retrofit kits are available to convert existing radios to PRC-6/180 configuration by replacing the original chassis. It is unknown whether any US Government organization has acquired these sets,but several have been encountered in this country. Ops 47-55.95mc with either 50 or 25kc channel spacing.RF output is rated 500mw.Requires 8ea standard BA-30 type,1.5v batteries. Ref.#10,#11 K-PRC-6;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver.The K-PRC-6 is domestically produced in South Korean & is in service with their Armed Forces.Though it bears no similarity with other versions of the PRC-6,it is intended to fulfil the same role.It is of solid state design,but fairly old technology considering it's late introduction into service(approx early 1980's).Cosmeticaly it resembles a space age,WW-II vintage BC- 611 & is very nearly as simple. Ops 45-57mc,with one(apparently) Xtal control channel.(A) models work 27.25-30mc with two channels.No further information. Ref.#12 Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; BC-620,-659 Overview, Dennis, the Ed Guzick article about Galvin, the war, and FM are priceless. This is what I like about our group: some of the postings are extremely intelligent and historically rewarding. At the risk of offending you with complements, "this is good shit". Jim Hopper ed) no chance of "offending" me, I'm immune. > BC-620, -659 OVERVIEW; Ed Guzick Good article! Mark Blair ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRC-9 Tip, Sean asked if he can use the GRC-109 power supply with the GRC-9. I agree with Dennis that the GRC-109 supply should not be used for the GRC-9 transmitter. There is a real easy way to use it when you just run the receiver, though. Here is what you do. 1. Get a CD-1119 cord (twelve bucks from Fair). 2. Plug one end into the "battery" connector on the GRC-9. 3. Plug the other end into the GRC-109 power supply. That's it. No mods. No fuss. Works great and looks like it came from the depot. Cord CD-1119 originally is meant to connect the GRC-9 receiver to a BA-48 battery. But it plugs right into the GRC-109 supply with no changes. The GRC-109 supply has all the right voltages for the GRC-9 receiver. It's just plug and play with no mods at all and it makes a neat and tidy setup. One thing to watch is that the receiver B+ voltage shows up on the pins of the "power" connector of the GRC-9, just like it would if you used the BA-48 battery. So don't touch the GRC-9 power connector when you are running it like this. I've done this with a bunch of GRC-9 sets and it works great on all of them. Regards, Bill Strangfeld ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please help identify a WW-II shell recovered from the south pacific. Information/photos at this link: http://pw1.netcom.com/~arc5/shell.htm Thanks very much! Regards, Dave Stinson arc5@ix.netcom.com *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; Wammes Witkop Dear Dennis, I've read your conditions and do accept them. As to myself, professionally I am a publisher of magazines, computer magazines, ownong one of the last smaller independant publishing houses on this subject in The Netherlands. Busy as a bee - so my hobby in military communications had been dormant for some twenty years, untill last fall I blundered into a VRC-13 I could not resist. Since then I've been getting odd bits and pieces togheter, in order to restore this set to it's full glory. Actually using it hardly interests me, by the way. Just getting all the parts working en restored, so that the set could be used if it was needed. Next to the VRC - by now not a 13 anymore, I've found most of the pieces to turn it into the more complex members of the family, though bi-lingual (English and German) - I'm trying to complete a SEM set, German Army. Bit of a job, as cables seem to be more then rare... Also, UK WWII has my interest. F.i. the 19-set. As well as field-phones, where I seem to be rather alone. Got one or two exchanges and a number of phones, waiting for restauration when I get more time free. I hope this gives you an idea of my interests and I am looking forward to participating in the group - if you'll have me of course... Cheers, Wammes Witkop *********************************************** HUMOR; One day in the Garden of Eden, Adam asked Eve to join him for a swim. After splashing around for a few minutes a voice boomed from the heavens, "Adam what did I tell you about keeping Eve out of the water? I'll never get that smell out of those fish!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Rites A man is struck by a bus on a busy street in New York City. He lies dying on the sidewalk as a crowd of spectators gathers around. "A priest. Somebody get me a priest!" the man gasps. A policeman checks the crowd - no priest, no minister, no man of God of any kind. "A PRIEST, PLEASE!" the dying man says again. Then out of the crowd steps a little old Jewish man of at least eighty years of age. "Mr. Policeman," says the old man, "I'm not a priest. I'm not even a Catholic. But for fifty years now I'm living behind St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church on First Avenue, and every night I'm listening to the Catholic litany. Maybe I can be of some comfort to this man." The policeman agrees and brings the octogenarian over to where the dying man lies. The old man kneels down, leans over the injured man, and says in a solemn voice: "B-4. I-19. N-38. G-54. O-72." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top Ten Signs Your Amish Teen is in Trouble 10. Sometimes stays in bed till after 6am. 9. In his sock drawer, you find pictures of women without bonnets. 8. Shows up at barn raisings in full "Kiss" makeup. 7. When you criticize him, he yells, "Thou sucketh!" 6. His name is Jebediah, but he goes by "Jeb Daddy." 5. Defiantly says, "If I had a radio, I'd listen to rap." 4. You come upon his secret stash of colorful socks. 3. Uses slang expression: "Talk to the hand, cause the beard ain't listening." 2. Was recently pulled over for "driving under the influence of cottage cheese." 1. He's wearing his big black hat backwards. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethel is a bit of a demon in her wheelchair and loves to charge around the nursing home, taking corners on one wheel and getting up to maximum speed on the long corridors. Because the poor woman is one sandwich short of a picnic,the other residents tolerate her, and some actually join in. One day, Ethel was speeding up one corridor when a door opened and a man stepped out with his arm outstretched. "STOP!" he said in a firm voice. "Have you got a license for that thing?" Ethel fished around in her handbag on her lap and pulled out a Kit-Kat wrapper which she held up to him. "OK" he said and she went on her way. Taking the corner near the TV lounge on one wheel, another man stepped out in front of her and shouted "STOP! Have you got a valid tax disc for your vehicle madam?" Ethel dug into her handbag again and pulled out a beer-mat which she held up to him and he allowed her to carry on. Going down the final corridor before the front door, a third man stepped out in front of her. This one was stark naked and was holding a sizable erection in his hand. "Oh no", said Ethel, "Not the breathalyzer again!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was the first day of Grade Three in a new town for Ralph. As a test, his teacher went around the room and asked each of the students to count to 50. Some did very well, counting as high as 30 or 40 with just a few mistakes. Others couldn't get past 20. Ralphie, however, did extremely well; he counted past 50, right up to 100 without any mistakes. He was so excited that he ran home and told his Dad how well he had done. His Dad nodded and told him, "That's because you are from Kentucky, son." The next day, in language class, the teacher asked the students to recite the alphabet. It's Grade Three, so most could make it half way through without much trouble. Some made it to S or T, but Ralphie rattled off the alphabet perfectly right to the end. That evening, Ralphie once again bragged to his Dad about his prowess in his new school. His Dad, knowingly, explained to him, "That's because you are from Kentucky, son." The next day, after Physical Education, the boys were taking showers. Ralphie noted that, compared to the other boys in his grade, he seemed overly "well endowed." This confused him. That night he told his dad, "Dad, they all have little tiny ones, but mine is ten times bigger than theirs. Is that because I'm from Kentucky?" he asked. "No, son," explained his Dad, "That's because you're 18." *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************