From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#1 Fcc: Sent Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 07:12:44 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Jan.8/99 Message-ID: <19990108.071148.12063.4.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, Jan.8/99 Index: PARA-MILITARY RADIOS; Part VI, by Dennis Starks HT-8, HT-11, HT-12(BC-441), HT-14(BC-669) MEMBERS WRITE; Reminder, January Scout Troop 6mtr QSO, Schematics Web Site, HUMOR; *********************************************** PARA-MILITARY RADIOS; Part VI, by Dennis Starks HT-8, HT-11, HT-12(BC-441), HT-14(BC-669) Marine Radios: By 1939 the Hallicrafters company had begun to inter new fields of the communications equipment market place. No longer were they concerned only with low cost table top AC-DC BC receivers, nor low to high end Ham radio equipment. They had branched out to include some token government/military sales and began to infringe on an area of communications previously dominated by only a couple of other companies like Jefferson, Mackay, & Radio Marine(RCA). This was the Marine radio market. Low powered(typically around 20 watt) HF/AM transmitter-receivers intended for bridge-to-bridge communications between ocean going vessels, inland commercial, and harbor craft, etc. These radios then operated typically between 2-8mc and were only intended for short range communications up to about 20 miles. You might scoff at this limited range application when combined with the frequencies used and the capable output power levels. But systems operated as such suffered from mandatory antenna restrictions which resulted in an extreme lack of efficiency, and with that, limited operational range. The typical length/antenna was limit to a 20ft/whips for a systems who's resonant frequency would have normally demanded an antenna of about 90ft. Only under infrequent atmospheric conditions would this intentionally limited operational range be extended beyond the horizon. Several of these type radios, built by several different manufactures including Hallicrafters, were slightly modified, adopted by the military, assigned appropriate nomenclature, then used in various roles including some for which they were originally intended. Others continued to be built relatively unchanged throughout the war years, but without official adoption. The late 60's, or early 70's, saw the movement of this short range marine band into the currently used VHF/FM band, and with that, the elimination of those sporadic longer range infringements. We might also note, that Police radio systems before, and during WW-II operated within a similar frequency range, with similar restrictions on antenna lengths and operational range. However postwar movement of these allocations into the VHF spectrum was almost immediate. All the above points might shed light on the applications of some of these "Para-Military" type radios dating from the earliest times to the present. As indeed they shall. HT-8, "The Cruising": Entering production in 1939, this was a 5 channel(6 for the receiver) crystal control transmitter/receiver capable of a reported 25 watts output. It operated between 2.1 and 6.6mc, and could be either table top or bulkhead mounted. Power supply options allowed operation from either 110vac, or 12vdc. The later utilizing a dynomotor for transmitter voltages, and a vibrapak for the receiver. The radio used a handset typical of these type sets, had a built in loud speaker, and a front panel meter apparently used for antenna tuning. Though a low budget initial entry into this field, the HT-8 still boasted a price tag of $290. Ref.#1 HT-11,"The Ensign": Much smaller than the HT-8 was the HT-11. Designed for table top mounting, it was built in it's various forms(HT-11,A>E) between 1939 and 1945. It's operational frequency range however was drastically reduced to a 1.6 and 2.9mc from that of the HT-8's 2-8mc. While boasting the same transmitter tube line up as the HT-8, the HT-11's output power was rated at a reduced 15 watts, vice the 25 of the HT-8. This all might possibly have been due to some war time reduction in this band's allocation and a corresponding increase of restrictions. The HT-11's transmitter, as with all radios in this class, was limited to crystal control. With operation on one of three channels anywhere in it's tuning range. While it's receiver covered the same range in two continuously tunable bands(1.6-2.1 & 2.1-2.9mc). A choice of external power supplies allowed operation from 110vac, 6vdc, or 12vdc. It's original cost varied from $159 in 1939, to $267.50 in 1945. Ref.#1 HT-12: Built between 1940 and 1942, the HT-12 was very similar to the HT-8 in size, and appearance. But it's operational parameters were greatly changed. It too was crystal control on both transmit and receive, but boasted the increased capacity of 10 channels. The HT-12's output power was raised to 50 watts by doubling the same tube complement used in the HT-8 and HT-11, but it's operable frequency range was reduced to a standard 2-3mc, or 3-6.7mc could be added on special order. Power supply options included the standard 110vac power supply, and optional additional supplies for operation on 12, 32, or 110vdc. Dependant on the power supply options included, the HT-12 price varied between $475 and $605(not cheep even by todays standards)! Modifications to the HT-12 for full blown military use resulted in the BC-441. These included a choice of crystal control or continuous tuning of the receiver, and a reduction of the transmitter's channel capacity to four. The frequency range was also altered to 1.7-2.8mc. The BC-441(SCR-281) can be found listed in a number of military publications Army, Navy, and Air Force. In each, the description of it's use is the same: [A medium power, crystal controlled AM(voice) transmitting and receiving equipment used for ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore station communications in coastwise and harbor-control applications.] As of 1950, the SCR-281 was still listed as a Standard in use by the Army and Air Force, but by 1958-1964 this status had been reduced to Limited Standard. While we can imagine some use of a radio of this type by the Army, this obvious question will arise with the Air Force, What use would they have for a Marine radio? Ref. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 HT-14,"The Commodore": Reportedly built in 1945 and 46, these dates are in some question as will be seen later. But with a cost of $1061 the HT-14 was clearly Hallicrafters top of the line in equipment of this type. As Hallicrafters seems to have abandoned the Marine market at the end of WW-II, it may have also been their last. Designed for bulkhead mounting, the HT-14 was a 20 tube transceiver capable of a 45 watts output and AM voice or CW operation. It's receiver and transmitter could simultaneously tune any of six preset channels between 1.68 and 4.45mc. The transmitter was of the typical crystal control type, with the receiver offering a choice of crystal, or MO(master oscillator) control. Power could be derived from 110vac, or a choice of 12, 32, and 110vdc dependant on the power supply options ordered. Perhaps for the first time in an HF radio of any kind, the HT-14 also included a squelch control to subdue annoying background noise during standby periods. With very little modification, the HT-14 became the military's legendary BC-669(SCR-543). In late production units, these modifications basically included the addition of a blast shield for the speaker, and controls for the remote starting of the systems gas powered generator. Known to have been in production early in WW-II, the BC-669 is the only set of this type that we can document it's evolution from a water born marine radio, to a full blown ground transportable station. While it is entirely possible, and probable, that other radios in this chapter found applications inland, in numerous suitable capacities, the BC-669 is the only one that we know, did! In fact, it is not known to have ever been used in the marine role for which it was originally conceived. The SCR-543(BC-669)was originally adopted as a ground set for use by Field Artillery. Though it was officially described as a vehicular radio system, and indeed it was installed in various vehicles to include 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton Command & Reconnaissance cars, and the most notable and frequent, Half Tracks. It was not a vehicular radio system at all, but would more accurately be described as a Field Transportable station. This because the military never used any other power supply for this radio other than the 110vac version, and with that, it's companion gas powered generator (PE-108). Thus it was necessary to stop any vehicular motion, and then set up the system on the ground for operation as a simi-fixed station. Ref. #1, #2, #3,#6, #7 The above selection of radios dose not at all reflect the extent of those manufacturers's production of this type equipment. Only those that are commercial in nature but are known to have been used in some military application. Many similar radio sets existed, however these already have a documented military history and associated nomenclature. These include: Navy/Coast Guard (Hallicrafters) MQ, MQ-1(Coast Guard TRC-120), and MQ-2, (Radio Marine) TCO, TCO-1, and TCO-2(Coast Guard TRC-121) TCP, TCP-1, TCP-2, TCP-3 Army/Air Corps (Hallicrafters) R-96/SR & T-83/SR (Ray Jefferson Mod.914) RT-306/SRC-8 Addenda: In part five of this series comparison was made of the Hallicrafters HT-6, HT-9(T-173/FR), and Collins T-159/FRT with speculation into the military's use. A very similar transmitter was built by Collins for the Navy as the TCA-1. It's official description follows: "designed primarily for installation in air station control towers, for communication to aircraft, but may also be used for shore installations" Ref. #3, #4 Dennis Starks; Collector/Historian Midwest Military Communications Museum email: military-radio-guy@juno.com References: #1, Radios by Hallicrafters, by Chuck Dachis. #2, TM11-487A, Directory of Signal Corps Equipments, Radio Communications Equipment, Aug.1950 #3, MIL-HDBK-161, Military Handbook, Electronic Communications Equipment, 1958. #4, Ships 275, Catalog of Naval Radio Equipment, Aug. 1944 #5, Mil-HDBK-161A, Military Standardization Handbook, Electronic Communication Equipment. Mar.1964, #6, The associated equipment's manual. #7, The author's personal collection. *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; Reminder, January Scout Troop 6mtr QSO, I will be at Battery Alexandar, just north of San Francisco on January 16 and 17, 1999 with my son's scout troop. Will anyone be available that weekend so I can demo my RT-68? If you are close to SF and would like to get on the air, e-mail me direct. Thanks & 73's Mikhael Brown email: mikhael_brown@hp.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Schematics Web Site, Dennis, I found this foreign web site that has a large collection of scanned military radio schematics for the oldies such as ART, BC, CBY, PRC, R, RT, PP & T prefixes. Although the site is not in English, this URL points at the schematics download page.Thought the group would like to peruse the site. http://www.radionostalgia.net/surplus-schemi.html Ralph ralph.hogan@vmic.com *********************************************** HUMOR; BEWARE THE WRATH OF ABIBARSHIM Recently excavated clay tablets shed new light on the most famous engineering failure in antiquity. Although some of the words are conjectural, this translation contains a clear message for modern engineers. Do you know someone who might benefit from this voice from the past? I, Abibarshim, Great King, King of Kings, Ruler of Kish, Babil, Agade and Sankhar, and of the regions across the Hilla, conqueror of Ninevah, destroyer of Sepharia, having striven mightily and met with grief, lay down this Code that ye may not also strive mightily and meet with grief, nor fall flat on thy ass. For I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, and all that, did buy many Aethyopeans and hire many artisans and scribes and masons and Makers of Engines and Designers of Buildings. And great was their craft and great their number, which was one hundred and forty four thousand, give or take a few job shoppers. Yea, they did strive mightily, too, for they knew what would happen if they strove not mightily. And the name of my capital improvement project was the Tower of Babil. Yea, great was their craft and wonderful to behold what the Designers of Buildings wrought on papyrus. All who looked thereon did marvel at their genius. I, Abibarshim, did also look thereon and did declare their designs to have much nift. But many days did pass, and many times did the moon wax and wane, and the tower was not yet builded. So I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, did hike me to the palace by the Arakhtu where dwelt the Designers of Buildings and Makers of Engines. And there I found not Designers of Buildings and Makers of Engines, but Drinkers of Coffee and Tellers of Tales (whom men call hurlers of bull dung). So I vented my royal spleen, which did perturb them mightily. "Look here, O King, etc.," saith the Chief of the Makers of Engines. "Some things can't be rushed. If thou wantest us to get thy bloody tower builded on time, then thou hadst better givest us a little respect. For canst thou build thy tower without us?" "But I have given thee this palace in which thy work may be done, and I pay thee many talents of gold and silver, plus all the usual fringies. What more wouldst thou have me do to get this project moving?" "Well, thou canst start with alabaster lamps for the draughtsmen," saith the Chief of the Makers of Engines, refilling his cup. "And maybe draughting instruments of silver and electrum..." "Thou shalt have them. Just get my tower builded." And I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, did depart the palace of the Makers of Engines with my tail betwixt my legs. And many days did pass, and many times did the moon wax and wane, and the tower was still not yet builded. So I, Abibarshim, did corner the Chief Scribe and ask him, "What goeth on here?" The Chief Scribe fell to his knees and said: "O Great and Merciful King, the Makers of Engines give us scrolls of material for to purchase. But, verily, no man knoweth what the scrolls signify, save the Makers of Engines themselves. For they call not a spade a spade, but call it here a delver and there a digger and another place an entrenching tool and yet another a geovolvometer, so that the scroll of material agreeth not with the design papyrus. And strange to behold is their numerology." So I, Abibarshim, gave certain orders to try to keep the Makers of Engines from creating their own language, saying, "How did it come to pass that those who have such swiftness of mind, even as the gazelle, lack the sense of geese?" And many days did pass, and many times did the moon wax and wane, and the estimate did wax and never waned, and the tower was not yet builded. So then I did ask the Chief Mason, "What giveth?" and he, throwing himself prostrate before me, spake thus: "O King, every day we toil from dawn until the dusk! Every week the Makers of Engines say they have wrought new and niftier designs, of which we knew not, and what we have builded hath been fashioned unto obsolete papyri. Then my team tearth down and starteth over, O Great King, Merciful King, King of Kings,..." So I, Abibarshim, gave certain orders that did fix those designs thenceforth. But many days did pass, and the tower did rise slower than sap rolleth down the bark of a tree. So I, Abibarshim, did seek out the Chief Aethyopean, who seemed to know where it's at, and asked, "How come no tower?" And he did answer, "O Great and Merciful King, I be running short of bolt tighteners." "Well, buy some more!" "I have, O King, but each one either getteth used up or runneth off as soon as he learneth his trade." "Which is?" "The Makers of Engines have designed the granite facing panels such that no man hath arms long nor thin enough to reach the bolts. Thus each panel requireth that a bolt tightener crawl behind and affix the bolts." "So?" "So then he cannot get back out, O King, but is entombed there forever." I, Abibarshim, did then call for a redesign which cost us three months and one thousand gold talents. But the days did pass and the tower had attained only four tiers in height. So I did go to the Chief Scribe to inquire why. "O King, we have been awaiting, lo, these many months, the columns of Corinthian marble for the fifth tier." "Is marble from Corinth so hard to find, then?" "Nay, Sire, but the Corinthian stone cutters make columns only in heights which be whole numbers of cubits. And the Makers of Engines have specified columns which be twelve cubits plus eleven-seventeenths part of a cubit. Such columns are not to be found in all of Corinth as an off-the-shelf-item." "Well, let's just change the drawings and round them off to thirteen cubits even." "Nay, Sire, for they must match unto the interior columns, which are bought pre-cut from Ionia and which we have aplenty." "Okay, we'll cut the Ionian columns down and go unto twelve cubit columns all around." "Nay, for the Ionian columns be all one piece with their capitals. To shorten them would mean cutting off their capitals." "What in the name of Marduk is wrong with that? We can just fit new capitals on top of the shortened columns!" "Nay again, Sire. The entire structure unto the very top is designed around monobloc columns. To add new capitals would weaken the fifth and higher tiers and require a complete redesign!!" I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, avouch that Makers of Engines, for all their craft, know not how to fly. For surely the Chief of the Makers of Engines and all his men would have flown down, had they known how, from the fourth level of my tower, from which parapet I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, had them flung. Therefor have I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, created this Code and ordered it displayed at the Coffee Machine and all other places where hangeth out the Designers of Buildings and Makers of Engines. The Code Of Abibarshim I Once thou decidest what name to call a thing, that shall be its name forever after, until eternity passeth. Nor shalt thou call any other thing by that name, for each thing shall have a name unto itself. II And in like manner shall be the enumeration of each thing. III Continue not to design a thing unto perfection, for, verily, an ounce of timeliness is more valuable than a pound of perfection. Once thou hast approved a design, go not back and improve it, unless of necessity most dire. IV Cover not thy tracks but make thy calculations plain, that those who follow thee may trace any error to its beginning and thus set it and all its brethren upon the path of righteousness. V And mock not the necessary papyrus work, for it is the handmaiden of what thou createst in stone and iron. Completest all thy papyri as thou goest and hoardest them not as a suprise for manufacturing. VI Attendest first to that which hath the most importance. Waste not time fixing thy wind to heavy papyrus with wire. VII He who designeth without a plan is like he who rusheth forth into darkness without a torch. Rush not ere thou knowest whither, for there are many snares and pitfalls in the dark, and wild beasts to reach up and bite thine ass or camel on the path named Critical. VIII Specify not odd-ball sizes and kinds of things, but design unto standards, that the scribes may buy stuff off-the-shelf and dabble not with specials. IX Designest not assemblies which require four arms to put together or operate. Verily, the guy we hire in these days hath not four arms but ten thumbs. X Remember well that all which thou designest shall be a balance of time and cost and quality and function. If thou attendest not to all four, then miserable shall be thy lot and brief thy employment (unless thou knowest how to fly). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An ordinary man is shipped wrecked on a desert island with Pamela Anderson. After about a week the man tells Pamela that it looks like they're going to be on the island a long time and that maybe they should consider each others needs. To his surprise Pam agrees. For the next couple of weeks they "do it" everyday in all sorts of ways. One day the man goes up to Pamela and says, "Pam, I know this is going to sound weird but I want you to do something for me. I want you to take this charred piece of wood and rub the tip above your lip. Then I want you to take this hat and tuck your hair under it. Then I want you to walk around the island and walk up to me and say, "Hello, my name is Joe. Confused, Pamela agrees. She rubbed the charred wood above her lip; she tucked her hair under the hat; and then she walked around the island and walked up to the man and said, "Hello, my name is Joe." The man replied, "Hello Joe, you'll never guess who I've been fucking!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean Living An 80 year old man went for his annual check up and the doctor said, "Friend, for your age you're in the best shape I've seen." The old feller replied, "Yep. It comes from clean living. Why I know I live a good, clean, spiritual life." The doctor asked, "What makes you say that?" The old man replied, "If I didn't live a good, clean life the Lord wouldn't turn the bathroom light on for me every time I get up in the middle of the night." The doc was concerned. "You mean when you get up in the night to go to the bathroom, the Lord Himself turns on the light for you?" "Yep," the old man said, "Whenever I get up to go to the bathroom, the Lord turns the light on for me." Well, the doctor didn't say anything else, but when the old man's wife came in for her check up, he felt he had to let her know what her husband said. "I just want you to know," the doctor said. "Your husband is in fine physical shape, but I'm worried about his mental condition He told me that every night when he gets up to go to the bathroom, the Lord turns the light on for him." "He what?" she cried. "He said every night when he gets up to go to the bathroom, the Lord turns the light on for him," the doctor repeated. "Aha!!!" shations of some of these "Para-Military" type radios dating from the earliest times to the present. As indeed they shall. HT-8, "The Cruising": Entering production in 1939, this was a 5 channel(6 for the receiver) crystal control transmitter/receiver capable of a reported 25 watts output. It operated between 2.1 and 6.6mc, and could be either table top or bulkhead mounted. Power supply options allowed operation from either 110vac, or 12vdc. The later utilizing a dynomotor for transmitter voltages, and a vibrapak for the receiver. The radio used a handset typical of these type sets, had a built in loud speaker, and a front panel meter apparently used for antenna tuning. Though a low budget initial entry into this field, the HT-8 still boasted a price tag of $290. Ref.#1 HT-11,"The Ensign": Much smaller than the HT-8 was the HT-11. Designed for table top mounting, it was built in it's various forms(HT-11,A>E) between 1939 and 1945. It's operational frequency range however was drastically reduced to a 1.6 and 2.9mc from that of the HT-8's 2-8mc. While boasting the same transmitter tube line up as the HT-8, the HT-11's output power was rated at a reduced 15 watts, vice the 25 of the HT-8. This all might possibly have been due to some war time reduction in this band's allocation and a corresponding increase of restrictions. The HT-11's transmitter, as with all radios in this class, was limited to crystal control. With operation on one of three channels anywhere in it's tuning range. While it's receiver covered the same range in two continuously tunable bands(1.6-2.1 & 2.1-2.9mc). A choice of external power supplies allowed operation from 110vac, 6vdc, or 12vdc. It's original cost varied from $159 in 1939, to $267.50 in 1945. Ref.#1 HT-12: Built between 1940 and 1942, the HT-12 was very similar to the HT-8 in size, and appearance. But it's operational parameters were greatly changed. It too was crystal control on both transmit and receive, but boasted the increased capacity of 10 channels. The HT-12's output power was raised to 50 watts by doubling the same tube complement used in the HT-8 and HT-11, but it's operable frequency range was reduced to a standard 2-3mc, or 3-6.7mc could be added on special order. Power supply options included the standard 110vac power supply, and optional additional supplies for operation on 12, 32, or 110vdc. Dependant on the power supply options included, the HT-12 price varied between $475 and $605(not cheep even by todays standards)! Modifications to the HT-12 for full blown military use resulted in the BC-441. These included a choice of crystal control or continuous tuning of the receiver, and a reduction of the transmitter's channel capacity to four. The frequency range was also altered to 1.7-2.8mc. The BC-441(SCR-281) can be found listed in a number of military publications Army, Navy, and Air Force. In each, the description of it's use is the same: [A medium power, crystal controlled AM(voice) transmitting and receiving equipment used for ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore station communications in coastwise and harbor-control applications.] As of 1950, the SCR-281 was still listed as a Standard in use by the Army and Air Force, but by 1958-1964 this status had been reduced to Limited Standard. While we can imagine some use of a radio of this type by the Army, this obvious question will arise with the Air Force, What use would they have for a Marine radio? Ref. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 HT-14,"The Commodore": Reportedly built in 1945 and 46, these dates are in some question as will be seen later. But with a cost of $1061 the HT-14 was clearly Hallicrafters top of the line in equipment of this type. As Hallicrafters seems to have abandoned the Marine market at the end of WW-II, it may have also been their last. Designed for bulkhead mounting, the HT-14 was a 20 tube transceiver capable of a 45 watts output and AM voice or CW operation. It's receiver and transmitter could simultaneously tune any of six preset channels between 1.68 and 4.45mc. The transmitter was of the typical crystal control type, with the receiver offering a choice of crystal, or MO(master oscillator) control. Power could be derived from 110vac, or a choice of 12, 32, and 110vdc dependant on the power supply options ordered. Perhaps for the first time in an HF radio of any kind, the HT-14 also included a squelch control to subdue annoying background noise during standby periods. With very little modification, the HT-14 became the military's legendary BC-669(SCR-543). In late production units, these modifications basically included the addition of a blast shield for the speaker, and controls for the remote starting of the systems gas powered generator. Known to have been in production early in WW-II, the BC-669 is the only set of this type that we can document it's evolution from a water born marine radio, to a full blown ground transportable station. While it is entirely possible, and probable, that other radios in this chapter found applications inland, in numerous suitable capacities, the BC-669 is the only one that we know, did! In fact, it is not known to have ever been used in the marine role for which it was originally conceived. The SCR-543(BC-669)was originally adopted as a ground set for use by Field Artillery. Though it was officially described as a vehicular radio system, and indeed it was installed in various vehicles to include 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton Command & Reconnaissance cars, and the most notable and frequent, Half Tracks. It was not a vehicular radio system at all, but would more accurately be described as a Field Transportable station. This because the military never used any other power supply for this radio other than the 110vac version, and with that, it's companion gas powered generator (PE-108). Thus it was necessary to stop any vehicular motion, and then set up the system on the ground for operation as a simi-fixed station. Ref. #1, #2, #3,#6, #7 The above selection of radios dose not at all reflect the extent of those manufacturers's production of this type equipment. Only those that are commercial in nature but are known to have been used in some military application. Many similar radio sets existed, however these already have a documented military history and associated nomenclature. These include: Navy/Coast Guard (Hallicrafters) MQ, MQ-1(Coast Guard TRC-120), and MQ-2, (Radio Marine) TCO, TCO-1, and TCO-2(Coast Guard TRC-121) TCP, TCP-1, TCP-2, TCP-3 Army/Air Corps (Hallicrafters) R-96/SR & T-83/SR (Ray Jefferson Mod.914) RT-306/SRC-8 Addenda: In part five of this series comparison was made of the Hallicrafters HT-6, HT-9(T-173/FR), and Collins T-159/FRT with speculation into the military's use. A very similar transmitter was built by Collins for the Navy as the TCA-1. It's official description follows: "designed primarily for installation in air station control towers, for communication to aircraft, but may also be used for shore installations" Ref. #3, #4 Dennis Starks; Collector/Historian Midwest Military Communications Museum email: military-radio-guy@juno.com References: #1, Radios by Hallicrafters, by Chuck Dachis. #2, TM11-487A, Directory of Signal Corps Equipments, Radio Communications Equipment, Aug.1950 #3, MIL-HDBK-161, Military Handbook, Electronic Communications Equipment, 1958. #4, Ships 275, Catalog of Naval Radio Equipment, Aug. 1944 #5, Mil-HDBK-161A, Military Standardization Handbook, Electronic Communication Equipment. Mar.1964, #6, The associated equipment's manual. #7, The author's personal collection. *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; Reminder, January Scout Troop 6mtr QSO, I will be at Battery Alexandar, just north of San Francisco on January 16 and 17, 1999 with my son's scout troop. Will anyone be available that weekend so I can demo my RT-68? If you are close to SF and would like to get on the air, e-mail me direct. Thanks & 73's Mikhael Brown email: mikhael_brown@hp.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Schematics Web Site, Dennis, I found this foreign web site that has a large collection of scanned military radio schematics for the oldies such as ART, BC, CBY, PRC, R, RT, PP & T prefixes. Although the site is not in English, this URL points at the schematics download page.Thought the group would like to peruse the site. http://www.radionostalgia.net/surplus-schemi.html Ralph ralph.hogan@vmic.com *********************************************** HUMOR; BEWARE THE WRATH OF ABIBARSHIM Recently excavated clay tablets shed new light on the most famous engineering failure in antiquity. Although some of the words are conjectural, this translation contains a clear message for modern engineers. Do you know someone who might benefit from this voice from the past? I, Abibarshim, Great King, King of Kings, Ruler of Kish, Babil, Agade and Sankhar, and of the regions across the Hilla, conqueror of Ninevah, destroyer of Sepharia, having striven mightily and met with grief, lay down this Code that ye may not also strive mightily and meet with grief, nor fall flat on thy ass. For I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, and all that, did buy many Aethyopeans and hire many artisans and scribes and masons and Makers of Engines and Designers of Buildings. And great was their craft and great their number, which was one hundred and forty four thousand, give or take a few job shoppers. Yea, they did strive mightily, too, for they knew what would happen if they strove not mightily. And the name of my capital improvement project was the Tower of Babil. Yea, great was their craft and wonderful to behold what the Designers of Buildings wrought on papyrus. All who looked thereon did marvel at their genius. I, Abibarshim, did also look thereon and did declare their designs to have much nift. But many days did pass, and many times did the moon wax and wane, and the tower was not yet builded. So I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, did hike me to the palace by the Arakhtu where dwelt the Designers of Buildings and Makers of Engines. And there I found not Designers of Buildings and Makers of Engines, but Drinkers of Coffee and Tellers of Tales (whom men call hurlers of bull dung). So I vented my royal spleen, which did perturb them mightily. "Look here, O King, etc.," saith the Chief of the Makers of Engines. "Some things can't be rushed. If thou wantest us to get thy bloody tower builded on time, then thou hadst better givest us a little respect. For canst thou build thy tower without us?" "But I have given thee this palace in which thy work may be done, and I pay thee many talents of gold and silver, plus all the usual fringies. What more wouldst thou have me do to get this project moving?" "Well, thou canst start with alabaster lamps for the draughtsmen," saith the Chief of the Makers of Engines, refilling his cup. "And maybe draughting instruments of silver and electrum..." "Thou shalt have them. Just get my tower builded." And I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, did depart the palace of the Makers of Engines with my tail betwixt my legs. And many days did pass, and many times did the moon wax and wane, and the tower was still not yet builded. So I, Abibarshim, did corner the Chief Scribe and ask him, "What goeth on here?" The Chief Scribe fell to his knees and said: "O Great and Merciful King, the Makers of Engines give us scrolls of material for to purchase. But, verily, no man knoweth what the scrolls signify, save the Makers of Engines themselves. For they call not a spade a spade, but call it here a delver and there a digger and another place an entrenching tool and yet another a geovolvometer, so that the scroll of material agreeth not with the design papyrus. And strange to behold is their numerology." Soag! The next instalment on, "Desert Storm Trophies,& JCMEC" will include some more equipment of British origin before we move on to some other countries, & then, our conclusion. Again, if you have any input at all, we'd like to hear from you. Dennis Starks Bill Howard miliary-radio-guy@juno.com wlhoward@gte.net Referanses; #1) the Authors personal collection #2) Janes Military Communications #3) Associated equipments manuals #4) Military Radio Data;Vol.1,PRC Designated Equipment, By Dennis Starks #5) From the Collection of Pat Lumbarti #6) From the Collection of Mark Gluch #7) a source that prefers to remain anonymous **************************************************************** PRC-47 Germanium Versus Silicone; Nick Broline I put silicon replacements in for Q1 and Q2(replaced with MJ4502s), but they don't osillate properly. Assume that they aren't biased properly but don't know how to fix this. Steve H. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Steve, What you are suffering from, and correctly concluded, is the difference in leakage current and bias turn-on threshold between the germanium and silicon power devices. Fortunately, the means to determine the correct bias is most probably done using experimental means rather than analytical. What I would suggest doing is the following: 1) Apply power to the inverter and measure the collector currents (like, for the center-tap of the power transformer). (Mind you, I do not have a schematic of the '47, so I'm making a lot of assumptions.) 2) Let us assume that the current drain is very low....say less than 0.1 A....I suspect that it will be zero. 3) Locate the resistor that connects the base winding with the same voltage as the collector supply (minus). Slowly decrease this value by inserting larger values in parallel with it. Note that if you place a resistor that is about 10 times the resistor's value, that will decrease the total resistance by about 10%. At some point the inverter will start, and will continue to run, probably no matter what you do to the resistor. You can use a resistor that is much lower wattage than the one in the circuit, as it will be supplying a small portion of the load. 4) The resistor that you are looking for is the one that will allow the inverter to start reliably f6-ˆù time, but not a lot less resistance than that. 5) Things to look out for................ Should the transistor pair draw collector current but not oscillate, then you have either a short on the inverter (it is self-protecting in that regard) or you have a bad transistor in the pair. The supply draws an inordinate amount of current in the "no-load" state. T > > "Hello, Yankel! Did the KGB come?" > > "Yes." > > "Did they chop your firewood?" > > "Yes, they did." > > "Okay, now it's your turn to call. I need my vegetable patch plowed." > > ========================================================= > ======================================================= > > Assorted Trivia > > What occurs more often in December than any other month? > Conception. > > A survey of 1000 American women and men revealed this as their least > favorite > household chore. What is it? > Vacuuming the stairs. > > It is estimated that 9 out of 10 American women do this with their > feet. > Wear shoes at least 2 sizes too narrow. > > In a recent survey, Americans were asked what one modern convenience > they could not live without. > The most common answer... Scotch tape. > > Only 14% of Americans say they've done this with the opposite sex. > What is it? > Skinny dipping. > > What separates "60 Minutes," on CBS from every other TV show? > No theme song. > > Half of all Americans live within 50 miles ay we toil from dawn until the dusk! Every week the Makers of Engines say they have wrought new and niftier designs, of which we knew not, and what we have builded hath been fashioned unto obsolete papyri. Then my team tearth down and starteth over, O Great King, Merciful King, King of Kings,..." So I, Abibarshim, gave certain orders that did fix those designs thenceforth. But many days did pass, and the tower did rise slower than sap rolleth down the bark of a tree. So I, Abibarshim, did seek out the Chief Aethyopean, who seemed to know where it's at, and asked, "How come no tower?" And he did answer, "O Great and Merciful King, I be running short of bolt tighteners." "Well, buy some more!" "I have, O King, but each one either getteth used up or runneth off as soon as he learneth his trade." "Which is?" "The Makers of Engines have designed the granite facing panels such that no man hath arms long nor thin enough to reach the bolts. Thus each panel requireth that a bolt tightener crawl behind and affix the bolts." "So?" "So then he cannot get back out, O King, but is entombed there forever." I, Abibarshim, did then call for a redesign which cost us three months and one thousand gold talents. But the days did pass and the tower had attained only four tiers in height. So I did go to the Chief Scribe to inquire why. "O King, we have been awaiting, lo, these many months, the columns of Corinthian marble for the fifth tier." "Is marble from Corinth so hard to find, then?" "Nay, Sire, but the Corinthian stone cutters make columns only in heights which be whole numbers of cubits. And the Makers of Engines have specified columns which be twelve cubits plus eleven-seventeenths part of a cubit. Such columns are not to be found in all of Corinth as an off-the-shelf-item." "Well, let's just change the drawings and round them off to thirteen cubits even." "Nay, Sire, for they must match unto the interior columns, which are bought pre-cut from Ionia and which we have aplenty." "Okay, we'll cut the Ionian columns down and go unto twelve cubit columns all around." "Nay, for the Ionian columns be all one piece with their capitals. To shorten them would mean cutting off their capitals." "What in the name of Marduk is wrong with that? We can just fit new capitals on top of the shortened columns!" "Nay again, Sire. The entire structure unto the very top is designed around monobloc columns. To add new capitals would weaken the fifth and higher tiers and require a complete redesign!!" I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, avouch that Makers of Engines, for all their craft, know not how to fly. For surely the Chief of the Makers of Engines and all his men would have flown down, had they known how, from the fourth level of my tower, from which parapet I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, had them flung. Therefor have I, Abibarshim, King of Kings, created this Code and ordered it displayed at the Coffee Machine and all other places where hangeth out the Designers of Buildings and Makers of Engines. The Code Of Abibarshim I Once thou decidest what name to call a thing, that shall be its name forever after, until eternity passeth. Nor shalt thou call any other thing by that name, for each thing shall have a name unto itself. II And in like manner shall be the enumeration of each thing. III Continue not to design a thing unto perfection, for, verily, an ounce of timeliness is more valuable than a pound of perfection. Once thou hast approved a design, go not back and improve it, unless of necessity most dire. IV Cover not thy tracks but make thy calculations plain, that those who follow thee may trace any error to its beginning and thus set it and all its brethren upon the path of righteousness. V And mock not the necessary papyrus work, for it is the handmaiden of what thou createst in stone and iron. Completest all thy papyri as thou goest and hoardest them not as a suprise for manufacturing. VI Attendest first to that which hath the most importance. Waste not time fixing thy wind to heavy papyrus with wire. VII He who designeth without a plan is like he who rusheth forth into darkness without a torch. Rush not ere thou knowest whither, for there are many snares and pitfalls in the dark, and wild beasts to reach up and bite thine ass or camel on the path named Critical. VIII Specify not odd-ball sizes and kinds of things, but design unto standards, that the scribes may buy stuff off-the-shelf and dabble not with specials. IX Designest not assemblies which require four arms to put together or operate. Verily, the guy we hire in these days hath not four arms but ten thumbs. X Remember well that all which thou designest shall be a balance of time and cost and quality and function. If thou attendest not to all four, then miserable shall be thy lot and brief thy employment (unless thou knowest how to fly). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An ordinary man is shipped wrecked on a desert island with Pamela Anderson. After about a week the man tells Pamela that it looks like they're going to be on the island a long time and that maybe they should consider each others needs. To his surprise Pam agrees. For the next couple of weeks they "do it" everyday in all sorts of ways. One day the man goes up to Pamela and says, "Pam, I know this is going to sound weird but I want you to do something for me. I want you to take this charred piece of wood and rub the tip above your lip. Then I want you to take this hat and tuck your hair under it. Then I want you to walk around the island and walk up to me and say, "Hello, my name is Joe. Confused, Pamela agrees. She rubbed the charred wood above her lip; she tucked her hair under the hat; and then she walked around the island and walked up to the man and said, "Hello, my name is Joe." The man replied, "Hello Joe, you'll never guess who I've been fucking!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean Living An 80 year old man went for his annual check up and the doctor said, "Friend, for your age you're in the best shape I've seen." The old feller replied, "Yep. It comes from clean living. Why I know I live a good, clean, spiritual life." The doctor asked, "What makes you say that?" The old man replied, "If I didn't live a good, clean life the Lord wouldn't turn the bathroom light on for me every time I get up in the middle of the night." The doc was concerned. "You mean when you get up in the night to go to the bathroom, the Lord Himself turns on the light for you?" "Yep," the old man said, "Whenever I get up to go to the bathroom, the Lord turns the light on for me." Well, the doctor didn't say anything else, but when the old man's wife came in for her check up, he felt he had to let her know what her husband said. "I just want you to know," the doctor said. "Your husband is in fine physical shape, but I'm worried about his mental condition He told me that every night when he gets up to go to the bathroom, the Lord turns the light on for him." "He what?" she cried. "He said every night when he gets up to go to the bathroom, the Lord turns the light on for him," the doctor repeated. "Aha!!!" she exclaimed. "So he's the one who's been peeing in the refrigerator!" *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************