MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Sept.7/98 Index: RUSSIAN MILITARY RADIOS PART I; By LTC William L. Howard MEMBERS WRITE; BC-611, -1000 Info Found, HUMOR; *********************************************** RUSSIAN MILITARY RADIOS By: LTC William L. Howard e-mail: wlhoward@gte.net The Russian Army was the first military force to make use of radio communcation in a military operation. At the Battle of Tannenburg (23-29 August 1914), the Russian military forces used radio communication to transmit orders to their forces. It was also the first time in history that radio intercept was employed in warfare as the Germans were monitoring the air waves and received the Russian orders almost as fast as the Russians did. Since then radio has become a vital part of every military force. I first came in contact with Russian radios in the late 1950’s while visiting the old Signal Corps Museum at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, near where I grew up. They were there under glass along with Japanese, German, Italian and American Radios. At that time I knew how a one tube set worked and knew what an AN/PRC 10 and an AN/PRC 6 was but beyond that, little else. Trips to “radio row” in New York showed a lot of WW II surplus American equipment but there was no such thing as surplus Russian radios. At that time I was on the gun show circuit but had no idea what a HAMFEST was or where they were. My next contact with Russian radios was in Vietnam, where as a technical intelligence officer, I was involved in the evacuation of captured radios. Mostly of Chinese origin, we did see one Russian radio and we had a classified book on Russian radios and equipment. It didn’t say very much. Shortly after Vietnam, as a result of Project MEXPO numerous Russian tactical radio were recovered. These became the subject of several Technical Intelligence Bulletins. During the decade of the 1970’s, samples of these radios were taken on tours of U.S. military installations by D Co. 519th M.I. Bn, which at that time was the technical intelligence unit. In the early 1990’s the mid east erupted in another war, called Desert Storm. As a result of Desert Storm, large amounts of Russian radios found their way home with capturing units and then out into collectors hands. In addition to Desert Storm, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ending of the cold war resulted in large amounts of Russian equipment of all types showing up in the west. As a result of this, Russian radios are available to collectors and there is some collector interest in them. There is little information on Soviet radio history available in the west so I decided that I would try to discuss these radios in some detail. With the help of Serge Matveyev, UA1OSM in Arkhangelsk, Russia and Vladimir Dvorkin in California, and several other people, I have been piecing together a collection of Russian radios and information. Serge has supplied a great deal of information and equipment and Vladimir has translated several Russian articles for me. There appear to be several distinct periods in the history of Russian radios. I have arbitrarily made these groupings. They are: WW II Radios from 1935 to 1950, Cold War Era radios from 1950 to 1973, and Radios from 1973 onward to the present. The main emphasis of this article will be those radios from 1973 onward. Within each time period, I have created several categories which are: General issue tactical radios, Special Purpose or Mission Radios, Armored vehicle radios and Agent radios. My general criteria for putting a radio in a category was what it was designed for or best suited for. Pre WW II radios are rare items no matter what the country of origin. Russian sets are no exception. The few that survive are in Russian museums. The only set that has been available to collectors was a set known as the 6 PK set. This was a tactical man-pack radio that came in two back packs. The radio operator carried the pack with the batteries and the assistant carried the radio pack. This was so the operator could stand behind the assistant and tune the radio. These sets were used in the early stages of WW II, were captured by the Finnish and taken to Sweden in hopes the Swedes could manufacture a similar type of set for the Finns. In addition to this, there were other sets on the drawing board such as the 10 PK, 12 PK etc. During WW II the Russians made use of large numbers of American lend lease radios and also manufactured several of their own. The lend lease sets were either made in the USA or were Russian copies. The most common lend lease, that can be found in the west was the Canadian Type 19 Wireless set. This set is two radios in one package, was standard in many combat vehicles and trucks. This set has markings in both English and Cyrillic. I have heard many people mistakenly call it a “Russian radio” which it is not. ed, [While it is true that the Mod 19 is the most common TYPE lend lease radio that can be found in the west, it was the totally British designed W.S 19 that actually saw service by the USSR, and to a lessor extent, the Canadian built Mod 19 MK III. The U.S. built Mod 19 MK II was produced primarily by RCA and Zenith as a result of a British contract. This due to that countries inability to produce sufficient quantities for both the Russian war effort and their own. While the U.S variant is representative of those radio sets, it in fact never saw wartime combat service as the war ended before these contracts were completed. This accounts for the radios commonality in the U.S. today, and it's extreme rarity in Europe. It is true that these radios were primarily designed for use in armored, or crew served vehicles, but in reality, they were used in every conceivable application. It would be more accurate to state that these radios had panel markings that were a COMBINATION of English and Cyrillic. The subject of U.S. Lend Lease to Russia is a tricky one. But for the most part U.S. contributions delt mainly with heavy equipment. Very feu if any tactical radios of U.S. origins were supplied directly to Russia as lend lease. Those that were, were of the larger, more powerful types such as the BC-610's and a number of high power transmitting stations. Other communications equipment types were limited to small parts such as tubes(over 390,000 in the first six months of 1944), and large quantities of field wire. Such radios as the V-100 which will be described later, were not lend lease. These were acquired via small, direct, Russian government purchases priar to the Lend Lease Act. So to state that "the Russians made use of large numbers of American lend lease radios" is totally incorrect. The Supply corridors to Russia were extremely long, complicated and dangerous. For this reason, only equipment of the utmost importance to the war effort, that could not realistically be produced domestically were shipped. Ask yourself, if a Russian were given the choice between a boat load of tanks, or one of radios, which would he take? Or if the parts to produce 10,000 radios could be shipped in the same amount of space occupied by 100 completed radios, which would be sent? I believe that this lack of U.S. designed/produced tactical radio equipment resulted in the Russian post-war clones of British and captured German types, or at least that heavy influence that can be readily seen in Russian designs. For example, BC-348's produced in Russia have been encountered. These were the result of copying equipment confiscated from impounded B-24's ditched in Russian held territory during the aftermath of Dolittle's daring raids on the main island of Japan. Thus, if the Russians had had more access to U.S. technology and equipment, this technology would have most certainly been apparent in post-war Russian designs, as it was with the BC-348, and in every other Allied nation.] Russian radios were supplied to the North Koreans in the late 1940s along with Russian T 34/85 tanks. During the Korean war many of the tank radios were captured and brought back to the signal corps Labs at fort Monmouth for test and evaluation and were put on display in the Museum. Unlike WW II when many samples of captured Japanese and German sets were brought back almost no Russian radios came home. What little information the army had on Russian communications was contained in classified documents. US Army Europe had a small Green picture book of Russian Army Radio Equipment. This was classifed CONFIDENTIAL hence very few copies survived. During Vietnam some Russian communication equipment was captured but the vast bulk of captured radio equipment was Chinese. In 1967 the mid east erupted in the 6 Day war and again in 1973 the October War took place. Large amounts of Soviet military equipment was captured and became the subject of unclassifed Technical Intelligence Bulletins. Displays of captured Warsaw Pact material were transported all over the United States by D Company of the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion. Active and Reserve army units were becoming acquanted with Russian radios. In the early 1990’s the Iraquis invaded Kuwait and the U.S. responded in what is now called Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Despite improved technical intelligence capablities, the flood gates began to open. Many Russian radios came home with National Guard and Reserve Units and quickly entered the economy, and were snapped up by collectors. In addition, the collapse of East Germany and the collapse of the Soviet Union has resulted in large numbers of the more common Russian radios entering the collectors market. There have been numerous articles written on some of these radios, usually in a hit or miss fashion. Usually, “I have these three sets in my collection” type of articles. This is an effort to list all the known Russian radios from pre WW II to the present. It is recognized that there may be other sets not covered and that information on some of the sets is at best sketchy. This article will deal with Soviet Ground Force radios and does not cover any aircraft or naval radios. To aid the reader in understanding these sets, I have used the following category or classifications: GENERAL ISSUE TACTICAL RADIOS This general classification implies a radio set that was mass produced for issue to the entire military force. Patrol radio- A small, light weight radio, easily transportable by one person, low power and with limited range. Comparable to the Japanese Type 94-6, the British Type 38 or possibly the BC 611 and the German “Dorette” Company/Battalion Radio Usually a back pack type of radio, with greater power and range than a Patrol Radio and designed for use by the entire army at company and battalion size units Comparable the the SCR 300 sets of WW II-German Feldfu sets. Base / Fixed Station Radios These sets are larger, not easily man transportable and designed primarily for use in communication vans, vehicles and permanent installations. SPECIAL PURPOSE RADIOS This category implies a radio of limited production designed and developed for one special purpose. ARMORED VEHICLE RADIOS This category is for radios that were designed to be mounted in armord vehicles. They are usually a transceiver, a dynamotor, antenna matching units and associated cabling. AGENT RADIOS This category is used for a radio set designed to be used by an agent operating deep in the enemys homeland as a spy. Usually they are small, concealable, powerful with in limitations and capable of CW transmision only. Comparable to the British B 2 sets, the SSTR 1,5 and the RS 1 and 6 sets. In the preparation of this article, I am indebted to Serge Matveyev, UA1OSM and the 203rd M.I. Bn for the technical information on many the sets. Louis Meulstee of Holland was also very helpful in providng information via personal correspondence and articles in Radio Bygones. In addition, some of the more recent sets were discussed in a series titled “Desert Storm Trophies” published in the Military Collector Group Post in their daily postings. If anyone has more information or is aware of mistakes, they can contact me at my e-mail address or by telephone or letter. RADIO NOMENCLATURE PRIOR TO AND DURING WW II Prior to and during the war, the Russians used descriptive terms for their radio, very similar to out late war AN/PRC, AN/GRC, AN/VRC etc system. A radiotruck 11 AK means: 11th number of development, A- automobile carried (truck car) K- korotkovolnovaja (short wave radio) PK means: P- peredvizhnaja ( movable ) or perenosnaja ( backpacked ) K- short wave radio. Other terms are explained as encountered. The next part of this series will begin with WW II PERIOD RADIOS 1935 TO 1950 GENERAL ISSUE TACTICAL RADIOS THE WILLIAM L. HOWARD ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM e-mail wlhoward@gte.net Telephone AC 727- 585-7756 *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; BC-611, -1000 Info Found, Dennis, Here's some info that Ed requested that might be interesting to some of the other members . Number of BC-611 (SCR-536) procured by US Army Total produced 206,753, 1940=3D 0, 1941=3D385, 1942=3D14,588 1943=3D38,985, 1944=3D73,738, 1945=3D79,057 Number of BC-1000 (SCR-300) procured by US Army Total produced 88,040, 1940=3D0, 1941=3D0, 1942=3D0, 1943=3D11,598, 1944=3D40,071, 1945=3D36,371 This is information is from a WWII procurement document that is dated 9 April 1952. This book details EVERY item procured, from the number of cotton shorts (186,499) to tanks (88,4100). The book also has many charts and graphs relating to procurement. I'm planning to release this document on CDROM in the very near future. If any one is interested email me and I'll put you on the list. Buzz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis, Thanks for posting Bill Strangfeld's article, a good gateway to some very interesting info. I've been gone for a while, Japan, so have missed the list and any further info on the used/parts unit GRC-9s you were hunting. What has happened with those sets? Are the parts units available? Also along the "9" line, Pat Melly will be available to yak about using the GRC-9 during the Marines Lebanon deployment back in the '50s. We are trying to nail down a time for us to meet down in the desert where he is working. The crusty old bastid' is still plastering houses out there. Ed Zeranski This is a private opinion or statement. ed) get busy!!! You still owe us an NVIS article too. *********************************************** HUMOR; A farmer is sitting in the neighborhood bar getting soused. A man comes in and asks the farmer, "Hey, why are you sitting here on this beautiful day getting drunk?" Farmer: Some things you just can't explain. Man: So what happened that is so horrible? Farmer: Well if you must know, today I was sitting by my cow milking her. Just as I go the bucket about full, she took her left leg and kicked it over. Man: That's not so bad, what's the big deal? Farmer: Some things you just can't explain. Man: So then what happened. Farmer: I took her left leg and tied it to the post on the left with some rope. Then I sat down and continued to milk her. Just as I got the bucket about full she took her right leg and kicked it over. Man: Again? Farmer: Something's ya just can't explain. Man: So, what did you do then? Farmer: I took her right leg and tied it to the post on the right. Man: So then what did you do? Farmer: I sat back down and continued to milk her, and just as I got the bucket just about full, the stupid cow knocks over the bucket with her tail. Man: Wow you must have been pretty upset! Farmer: Some things you just can't explain. Man: So then what did you do. Farmer: Well I didn't have any more rope, so I took off my belt and tied her tail to the rafter. In that moment, my pants fell down and my wife walked in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Story For Mature Citizen An 80 year old couple were having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to their doctor to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them. When they arrived at the doctor's, they explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor tells them that they were physically okay but might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left. Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair and his wife asks, "Where are you going?" He replies, "To the kitchen." She asks, "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" He replies, "Sure." She then asks him, "Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" He says, "No, I can remember that." She then says, "Well I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down cause I know you'll forget that." He says, "I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries." She replies, "Well I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down." With irritation in his voice, he says, "I don't need to write that down I can remember that." He then fumes into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes he returns from the kitchen and hands her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, "You forgot my toast!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton, and Bill Gates were invited to have dinner with God. During dinner, God told them, "I invited you to dinner, because I needed three important people to send my message out to all people -Tomorrow I will destroy the Earth!" Yeltsin immediately called together his cabinet and told them, "I have two really bad announcements to make. First, God really does exist, and second, tomorrow He will destroy the Earth." Clinton called an emergency session of Congress and told them, " I have good news and bad news. The good news is that God does exist, and the bad news is that he will destroy the Earth tomorrow." Bill Gates went back to Microsoft headquarters and told his people, "I have two fantastic announcements! First, I am one of the three most important people on Earth, and second, the Year 2000 problem has been solved!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOU HAVE JUST BEEN HUGGED ,` \`-----'.. ,\ .~ ` - . ,' o |__ _| (#) _\ '`~-. ,' ,\ ,.-~-.' -., .'--~` / / } ` -..,/ / ,'___ :/ \ /'`-.| `'-..'........ \ ; \ )-....| | ' ---...........-' ,' ', ,...... ,' ' ,/ `, ,' \ ,.- ' ', ',-~'` ; ,======, | ; /__ ,' Honey / /__ ) \ / '-. )----~' \______/ ' - .......-` There's something in a simple hug That always warms the heart; It welcomes us back home And makes it easier to part. A hug's a way to share the joy And sad times we go through, Or just a way for friends to say They like you 'cause you're you. Hugs are meant for anyone For whom we really care, >From your grandma to your neighbor, Or a cuddly teddy bear. A hug is an amazing thing - It's just the perfect way To show the love we're feeling But can't find the words to say. It's funny how a little hug Makes everyone feel good; In every place and language, It's always understood. And hugs don't need new equipment, Special batteries or parts - Just open up your arms And open up your hearts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Once a task is begun, never you leave it until it is done Be it great or be it small, do it well or not at all." - Nigerian Proverb --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- READ THIS, don't just scan it, It says a lot about life! Around the corner I have a friend In this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone And I never see my old friend's face, For life is a swift and terrible race, He knows I like him just as well, As in the days when I rang his bell, And he rang mine. If, we were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men. Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name. "Tomorrow" I say "I will call on Jim" "Just to show that I'm thinking of him." But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner!- yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir-" "Jim died today." And that's what we get and deserve in the end. Around the corner, a vanished friend. Pass this along to your friends. Let it make a difference in your day and theirs. The difference between. Expressing love and having regrets is that the regrets may stay around forever. *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************