From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#2 Fcc: Sent Date: Mon, 8 Mar 1999 14:42:54 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST,Mar.8/99 Message-ID: <19990308.144153.3391.5.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST,Mar.8/99 Index: WORDS TO THE WISE; MOTOROLA'S MX PROGRAMMABLES; Part III, by Dennis Starks MEMBERS WRITE; GRC-9 In Partisan Hands, HUMOR; *********************************************** WORDS TO THE WISE; Though I have outlined these same practices in the past, circumstances have arisen again that warrant that I repeat them. People with email abilities have an advantage over those without when it comes to negotiations trades, purchases etc. Even when conducting these activities with well known persons or friends, this advantage can be used to negate any possible misunderstandings that arise. These misunderstandings may be of the most innocent type, or on the other hand, carefully calculated attempts to screw you. Both have happened between members of this group, thankfully with the latter circumstance being far less frequent. This advantage resides in the nature of email itself. Each party involved in negotiations have a simi-permanent record supplied to them by the other. This is the email message itself. At least until such negotiations are over with to the satisfaction all those involved, SAVE ALL THESE MESSAGES! They may prove your case in the event there has been any misunderstanding or attempted fraud. If the person your negotiating with has email capabilities yet ask for your phone number to discuss details of a transaction, DO NOT ALLOW IT! There is no possible excuse for this other than it's lack of accountability which is sometimes depended on by the unscrupulous to later twist the facts. Always try to use some form of communications that will produce a record. If email is not an option, then FAX, or via hand written letters. I know the later is a pain in the ass, but it may save you in the long run, or at least leave you with some peace of mind. In any case, if you have experienced any misgivings about dealing with a member of this group, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT!(unless it was me) If you would like to know about a member before interring into negotiations, ASK ME! I'll let you know if there has been any reports, but probably no details. If someone has represented themselves as a member of this group, or used my name to gain advantage, let me know, it's a simple mater for me to confirm their story. Understand, though there has been a couple people removed from our number, this was only done after overwhelming evidence had been compiled from various sources over a lengthy period of time. No person has ever been unduly penalized, or even treated with less respect, until such time as it has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt that their actions are below our standards(or anybody else's). I thank you all for your support. Dennis *********************************************** MOTOROLA'S MX PROGRAMMABLES; Part III, by Dennis Starks Most Desired Features: Everybody can find a use for these radios other than just wasting space in a collection. Hams may use them on 2mtrs. Non-Hams on one or more of the itinerate frequencies, though you might get to listen to McDonalds order windows, or the local boy scout camp. These are the old 151.625, 154.570, 154.600mc, and the only recently added 151.82, 151.88, and 151.94mc. And of course they will also work very nicely on the VHF Marine band. There's something for everybody. As has been pointed out, enumerable options were available for these radios so we will only discuss those that were the most desirable and how to spot them. Keep in mind, these radios are now very common, and can be had dirt cheep. So don't pass up any you might find because most can either be used as-is, simply modified, or it's parts and accessories used with another radio. Sadly, ALL Motorola Products use some horse shit hieroglyphics for control markings that I've never been able to make heads or tails from, so looking at a radios controls will not often tell you what features it has. Channel Capacity, ALL 'S' series radios are inherently capable of operation on up to 48 channels(recently we've found that 65 channel eproms exist). However, radios affixed with the external controls to access this high channel capacity are rare. Most when found are limited to far less than the maximum 48 channels. But fear not, in almost every case, whatever your radio might be capable of, it can be improved without defacing the radio or disturbing it's normal function. Channel selection takes one of two forms. Radios with 12 channels or less will have a single channel selector switch. Those with more than 12 channels will have a second control for the selection of up to four banks(four bank rotary switch, or two bank toggle switch). This allows for multiplication of the channels selector switch's capacity, I/E 4 banks x 12 channels = 48 channels, or 2 banks x 10 channels = 20 channels etc. Do not be put off by a radio that only has say, a 4 or 6 channel selector switch. This because Motorola, again out of character, did a nice thing, these switches are all the same be they marked with 6, 8, 10 or 12 channels. Each has a mechanical stop that can be removed to allow it's full 12 position rotation. Frequency Split, Most the radios you'll find will be VHF on either a low-split(130-150mc), or a high-split(160-175mc). The low split radios are slightly more desirable, but don't pass up a high split one especially as these usually have a far greater factory channel capacity(because of the agency that used them). Anyway, these radios have been found to be operable over an almost 20mc spread without loss of performance(or very little). And not only that, but all the frequency sensitive modules are the same as a the standard crystal type MX, and they are even cheeper and more common. Unfortunately, there is no external indication of what split the radio of interest might be. But if the seller will allow you to take the back off the radio, there will always be a sticker placed on the inside back panel that list the frequencies that were originally programmed into it(unless it was removed in the de-mil process which is common). 'S' type radios come apart simply by loosening the rear panel screws(they are captive). 'R' series are a bitch and require messing with both the rear panel, and bottom screws(the bottom screws are located near the battery connections and are very fragile). Later on in this series Jim will supply us with a list, with part numbers, of all the modules in these radios along with a cross reference of what will work in what, with the resultant performance figures. But this list may not be so easy to carry along to a hamfest or surplus outlet, so read on. While your inside, look at the module side of the radio(front) and see if there is a three inch long, half inch wide, gold centipede looking thing about half way down the radio. If it dose, the promm has been removed(these are it's contacts). Directly below that location is a module of about the same size that looks much cruder than the rest, this is the DES module. Often times these are not removed during the de-mil process. Promms could have been removed using one of two methods. The first, and most common was to remove the prom from it's mount which would reveal the gold contacts. The second, usually done by those not knowing any better, was to remove the promm mount along with the promm. This leaving a rather large blank spot on the radio's chassis. The later was far more difficult, and usually done by technicians that didn't know any better, thus will only be found on about 10% of surplus radios. The promm(looks like the lid for a module, and has a slight bump in it's top to the right side) was screwed to the promm mount with three small screws. It is only visable from the front(module side) of the radio. The promm mount, in turn was screwed to the chassis, again with three small screws. These screws when viewed from the back side of the chassis, go through a large aluminum stress relief plate. This plate looks much like a flat heat sink. It is very simple to see from the back side of the radio whether or not the promm mount is still in it. If it's not, this is not good! A replacement can only be had from another radio. Rule of thumb, if it's cheep, buy it! If it has any accessories with it, buy it! If it has a battery with it that might be good, BUY IT! If you find a box full, BUY IT ALL! Any discrepancies there may be in the first set you've purchased can be easily compensated for with the next, at very little expense. Common Hamfest prices include $20 for a radio with an antenna and charger, or $10-$20 for the charger alone. If it's a box full, even less. But keep an eye out for the batteries, these are the highest expense you'll have especially when it comes to the high capacity or the 'R' series types. If you must buy a radio you don't want, just to get the battery, do it. A word of caution, if you come across some seller with a pile of used batteries, leave them alone unless your willing to tear them apart to rebuild them, and this requires some masochistic tendencies. DES(Digital Encryption System), The most exotic feature these radios might have, is the DES voice encryption option, often referred to as "Clear Voice". Most of the fancier 'S' types have this installed, and all the 'R' types at least have the ability to install it(all controls & wiring already in place). It is possible that this is the most effective encryption system so far developed, and only recently has there even been any competition. All so equipped Motorola products use the same system, be they the current Saber line of HT's, or the now ageing Syntor mobiles. They even use the same loader(more on it later). I cannot begin to explain how Motorola's encryption system works, but suffice to say, it's no simple scrambler! A person listening to the transmission of a so equipped radio with an ordinary type, will hear what sounds like loud white noise. Only the trained ear would even know that a transmission was in progress. While there has been at least one claim to the ability to de-code transmissions using this system. I find this very hard to believe. Even if it were true, this ability could be easily defeated by periodic changing of the encryption codes because of the time that would be required in decryption. This is standard military practice anyway. DES encryption codes are installed in the radio, usually through the mic connector, with an external device called a Loader. While the radios themselves are cheep, and common, the Loaders are not. This because the same loader is still used with all current equipment. Surplus prices range from $150-$200. We don't even want to discuss Motorola's price on a new one! Our dilemma is further complicated by the fact that loaded encryption codes are volatile. You cannot have a friend load codes in your radio unless he lives just down the street, and is willing to service you regularly. This is because if your radio's battery goes down you will loose the data code. While it is possible to change to a fresh battery, and not loose the codes, you're only allowed a couple seconds to accomplish the task. It has been rumored that some versions have an internal backup battery to maintain these encryption codes. I have never seen one, nor have we yet figured out where such a battery might be connected. But fear not! Because of the external appearance of these loaders, they can often be found very cheaply. Mainly because the vendor doesn't know what it is. Indeed, even those very familiar with communications equipment might mistake it for something else. Externally, these loaders look very much like a standard MX radio, they have the same case(except for dark plastic front & back panels), use the same battery, and a regular MX type speaker/mic connection is used for the data interface. What will instantly separate it from an MX radio, is it's front panel digital key pad(tactile film type), LED display, and no top panel controls. They are often mistaken for data/inventory equipment usualy seen in use by grocery store employees doing inventory. The PROMM, EPROMM, and Programming, I will only touch on this topic briefly because Jim will cover them in detail later. These of course are the devices used to tell the synthesizer what frequency you wish the radio to operate on. I/E they store, and load, codes required to access the radio's synthesizer. Many of these will have been pulled from surplus radios. Most of those that haven't been, used the early type PROMM that could be programmed(burned) only once. Thus, those frequencies that are in it, cannot be changed. Though this sounds bad, it's really not. The reason being, as noted before, all these radios are capable of 48 channel operation, but few have the controls needed to access all these possible channels. Even those that did, the full capacity of the promm was very seldom used. Most military 'R' version radios for instance, have a twelve channel selector switch, yet only have frequencies programmed into the first two channels of the first bank. There will still be three banks left for a possible 36 channels. These early promms are no longer available. EPROMM's are the later versions which are still available. These can be programmed, and re-programmed at will. The contraption used to program these devices was often referred to as a suitcase programmer(again, more later). These were very expensive and until recently, we had no access to one. This same programmer was used for a long list if different Motorola radios dependant on the software installed in it. But ownership, or access to a programmer does not constitute the ability to program a particular radio(our MX's in particular). Confusion is further provided by the fact that one set of software will only work on one given device. Thus, if you have the software for the late model epromm, it will not work on the earlier promm and vice versa. A couple years ago, I found that a friend, and fellow member of this group, had the much sought after programmer, and software for the early promms. At my prodding, and due to his renewed interest in these radios, he drug it out to play with it. At his, and my, great dismay, it was found that his software was bad for the early promms. After a little more prodding, he ordered new software at great personal expense(well over $300). Sorrily though, this software will only work with the new epromm, and the old software is no longer available. But we are fortunate that the expense of a new epromm is minimal. So if your radio has neither, it's no big deal, and maybe even to your current advantage. But maybe not for long! However, I'd rather not give up on using up the remaining capacity left in many of the surviving early promms. So if you have access to the old software, or are willing to part with same. We'd like to hear from you. Likewise, if you have the ability to program these radios, we'd also like to hear from you. Least Jim should be overburdened when we finish this series. Dennis Starks; Collector/Historian Midwest Military Communications Museum email: military-radio-guy@juno.com *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; GRC-9 In Partisan Hands, Dennis, the book quotes on KW(MCGP Feb.15/99) employment of GRC-9 were extremely interesting. I was also not aware of such guerilla operations - on our part anyway. I heard some reports that NK often infiltrated with refugees - in at least one case i heard of, a tank column machine gunned all the refugees on the road, not being able to sort out the NK. Not apparently the only incident of this kind, but i don't have any interest in investigating that further. It's interesting the NK never bombed / attacked the island. Wonder how large that island is, since the radio control operations seemed to be quite a big deal. Also interesting the use of voice. Also very interesting the use of GRC-9 as comms receiver for monitoring. Reminds me of a USMC official Navy photo from Okinawa, showing TBXs being used as monitor receivers in a comm station, next to bigger gear with comm receivers and tty. hue ed) Island strong holds were bombed by the North Koreans, more than once. The Gun/bunker than the author received the silver star for destroying was within range of one island of these islands. They were also assaulted with infantry, but mines, and well place heavy machine guns made these attempts in vain. Island size depended on units stationed there and their purpose. One Island had a Marine guard and Airfoce contingent(for radar site), several SCR-299 commo sheds, and one CIA guy, all still 125 mi behind lines. Many other smaller islands had only native partisans. All these islands under normal circumstances were uninhabitable. These islands were used to stage raids on the mainland from. Use of voice makes sence in the hands of primitive agents who otherwise may have never had any contact with radio, and had only a few days of training. In this light we better understand why the voice mode was included in other known clandestine radios. The use of a number of GRC-9's in their commo shed makes a lot of sence, as they were also used for normal comms. Also a means of netting the receivers to preset freqs would have been a nice feature using the trans to spot them(receivers weren't calibrated for shit). *********************************************** HUMOR; CANADIANS On the sixth day, God turned to the angel Gabriel and said, "Today I am going to create a land called Canada. It will be a land of outstanding natural beauty, it shall have tall majestic mountains full of mountain goats and eagles, beautifully sparkling lakes bountiful with carp and trout, forests full of elk and moose, high cliffs overlooking sandy beaches with an abundance of sea life, and rivers stocked with salmon." God continued, "I shall make the land rich in oil so to make the inhabitants prosper, I shall call these inhabitants Canadians, they shall be known as the friendliest people on the Earth." "But, Lord," asked Gabriel, "don't you think you are being too generous to these Canadians?" "Not really," replied God, "just wait and see the neighbours I am going to give them!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An American, a German and a Japanese guy are golfing one day and, at 3rd hole, they hear a phone ring. The American excuses himself,puts his left thumb to his ear, his left baby finger to his mouth and proceeds to have a telephone conversation. When he is done, he looks at the other two and says"Oh, that's the latest American technology in cell phones. I have a chip in my thumb and one in my baby finger and the antenna is in my hat.Great stuff,eh? They continue golfing until the 9th hole when, again, they hear a phone ring. The German tilts his head to one side and proceeds to have a conversation with someone in German. When he finishes, he explains to the other two that he has he latest in German technology cell phones. "A chip in my tooth, a chip n my ear and the antenna inserted in my spine.The wonders of German know-how! At the 13th hole, a phone rings again and upon hearing it, the Japanese guy disappears into some nearby bushes. The German and the American look at each other and then walk over and peek into the bushes, where they find the Japanese guy, squatting with his pants down around his ankles "What on earth are you doing?!" asks the American.The Japanese fellow looks up and replies "Waiting for a fax" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A wife woke of the middle of the night to find her husband missing from bed. She got out of bed and checked around the house. She heard sobbing from the basement. After turning on the light and descending the stairs, she found he husband curled up into a little ball, sobbing. "Honey, what's wrong?" she asked, worried about what could hurt him so much. "Remember, 20 years ago, I got you pregnant?" "And your father threatened me to marry you or to go to jail?" "Yes, of course," she replied. "Well, I would have been a free man tonight." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Tax Official has come to a rural synagogue for an inspection. The rabbi is accompanying him. "So rabbi, tell me, please, after you have distributed all your unleavened bread, what do you do with the crumbs?" "Why, we gather them carefully and send them to the city and then they make bread of them again and send it to us." "Ah. So what about candles after they are burnt? What do you do with the ends?" "We send them to the city as well, and they make new candles from them and send them to us." "And what about circumcision? What do you do with those leftover pieces?" The rabbi, wearily, replies, "We send them to the city as well." "To the city!? And what do they send to you?" "Today they have sent you to us." *********************************************** (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) ***********************************************