From: military-radio-guy Full-Name: Dennis R Starks To: military radio collectors#4 Fcc: Sent Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 05:02:06 Subject: MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, July 20/99 Message-ID: <19990720.050052.2543.1.military-radio-guy@juno.com> X-Status: Sent X-Mailer: Juno 1.49 MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, July 20/99 Index: SPECIAL EVENT REPORT; Washington Mo. Hamfest THE PRC-68 FAMILY; By Alan Tasker MEMBERS WRITE; PRC-25 Testimony, PSS-11 Batteries, NEW MEMBER; Craig Clifton ON THE COMMERCIAL FRONT; URC-101's HUMOR; *********************************************** SPECIAL EVENT REPORT; Washington Mo. Hamfest A HOT TIME in Washington The Zero-Beaters Hamfest in Washington, MO, has always been my favorite. This time, though, the heat and humidity probably kept many away. On the other hand, the folks who made it seemed eager to buy stuff. Case in point: they bought my home-made shortwave crystal sets and my two-tube oscillidyne and paid me what I asked. No haggling! Dennis saved me a spot under the trees, so I didn't need to set up my sunshade. He also rented me a table made from an old rack-cabinet door for the price of a ham-egg-and-cheese biscuit from Hardy's. The green gear: More than usual! Within five minutes of arriving, I got a RT-68 and PP-112 with dogbone for $35. The same guy had a set of heavily-modified TCS, but I didn't ask the price. I later learned that he sold a shiny BC-342-J for ten dollars!! Dennis had already cased the joint and pointed me at the right table. Way down the row was a table with BC-1000 and two PRC-6's with invertors installed, but priced way high. I later saw the BC-1000 hustling away towards the parking area. Ike WD0AAQ was set up next to Dennis, with a BC-779 - A and RA-84 power supply for $75. At the end of the day, I bought it. Dennis' place was loaded with test equipment and IBM-286 computers surplused from the Missouri Dept. of Mental Health. As far as I know, nobody touched any of those computers. As the day wore on, the temps increased and people started getting desparate. I sold a lot of little things for a dollar, gave away a bunch of old books (MS-DOS 1.1). The snackbar marked the sodas down to seventy-five cents(!) and the crowd thinned even more. By 1300, it was pretty much over. I hope it's cooler next year. Bob n0ntc@train.missouri.org ed) Bob was late getting in, so was Ike. I had made several enemies saving them those shady spots, and was getting antsy about when they'd show(I got there the afternoon of the previous day). Bob had finally got his PRC-25 wired up in the Jimmy, and frequent frantic calls to him via my URC-773 finally netted a response from about 3 miles out. Ike showed up just after daylight & didn't bring anything to communicate with so I loaned him the little Cherokee 6mtr HT he had sold me several months before(hummm!). He used it till the battery went dead, then upgraded to my PRC-126. After watching Bob holding his PRC-25 in one hand, the handset against his ear with the other, all the while hagling with hamfest patrons, I took pity and loaned him a PRC-68. It didn't really work out very well though as the H-250 stuffed in his shirt pocket did not yield enough audio output that he could hear it(there's got to be a way to fix that, maybe install an LM-386 amp?). The real stars of the show were my PRC-10, and CPRC-510. The PRC-10 being run off of 2ea 6v 10ahr gell cells(12v) and the inverter power supply from a French ER-79. The CPRC-510 also was being run off 12v, but using a modified power supply as robbed from an early 60's GE Draggie Talkie. The PRC-10 ran for a day and a half with no sign of battery fatigue. I didn't get to buy one damn thing except a crapped out old Polytronics 6 & 2mtr AM rig from Ike for $10. I saw to my great amazement, a 75A3 go by our compound, the jerk(and I mean he was a jerk) had only given $35 for it. The same guy got the BC-342 for $10. When I asked him what he wanted for it later, he told me I couldn't afford it! I had not planned to go to this hamfest even though it is one of the best we have. The old Power Wagon has been throwing oil pretty bad, and needs it's heads done. But the state had dumped a couple tons of those old IBM computors, and some test equipment on me at an auction the Tuesday before(you buy a big lot get a few nice things, if you don't haul it all off they get really nasty with ya). Well, no big dumpsters out here in the sticks to sneek them in to, nor would they burn very well in the burn pile. So I thought I'd try the hamfest. I'm still looking for a dumpster! Dennis *********************************************** THE PRC-68 FAMILY; By Alan Tasker The PRC-68 is the first of the synthesized hand held portables designed and built by what was then Magnavox/Ft. Wayne, Indiana (since swallowed by Hughes Electronics, which has since been swallowed by Raytheon). As such, it has some advantages and disadvantages over the units that followed. The good news...10 channels, small size, simple modular construction (8 modules). The bad news, 50 kHz spacing instead of the now standard 25 kHz, needs a field strength meter to tune the antenna matching network when changing channel sets, and the 10 channels are in successive steps of 200 kHz spacing. It is the most available today, selling for $200 up, and is the easiest to fix. It also covers 51 MHz, which seems to be the place to be when at a ham and/or a Mil Vehicle event. The PRC-68A was the first attempt to solve some of the shortcomings of the PRC-68. They lengthened the case by about an inch, changed to two modules (One front, one rear), and went to microprocessor control (all of which became the standard for all models to come). The set has 25 kHz channel spacing, does not need an FSM for tune up, and allows 10 channels to be randomly programmed as long as all ten are within one of the 4 slightly overlapping bands. Not too many are around as I suspect not too many were bought. The PRC-68B was ordered by both the Marines and Air Force on what I suspect was combined funding. As a result, this radio has the most functionality of any of them, including all that followed. A display was added where the speaker/mic was, so the spkr/mic was moved to a projection of the top piece (they call it the "panel"), making the unit 0.6 inches taller than the PRC-68A (1.6 inches taller than the PRC-68). This size and the display became the standard for all units to come, the only changes being in the frequency setting controls. The antenna tuning switch was moved to the front (the unit beeps at you when you don't have it set right). This allows all 10 channels to be randomly programmed anywhere in the band of coverage.This unit also handles Tx to Rx offsets (for repeaters). Two features unique to the "B" model only are that it allows the channels to be set in 2.5 kHz increments, making it compatible with almost any band plan anywhere, and each channel can be programmed as a narrow band channel (i.e. like the hams, police and fire, etc.) or as a wide band channel (military). The unit could be switched to High Band by swapping out the RF module. Fair Radio has these for $495 with antenna, low band only. From time to time, Murphy has these also. The PRC-126 came along as a simplified PRC-68B. It kept the display, but lost that complicated wide/narrow and 2.5 kHz stuff. So, it's back to 25 kHz channels, and no possibility some grunt can set it wrong. This is the present Army/Marine combat hand held. Units sell for $500-750. The PRC-128 (Scope Shield I)is a PRC-126 but with 12.5 kHz channel spacing for A.F. guard duty. It also can take a high band module. Market price seems to be similar to that of the 126. The PRC-136 is, I suspect, a High Band only PRC-126 or 128, and is in service with the Marine Corps Crash Fire Rescue Service (CFRS). Some of these units had a vehicular RF/AF/Power Supply module to allow powering from the vehicle, amplification of RF and AF signals, and unit mounting while in the vehicle. These are as follows.... PRC-68A, OG-174 for Army fire control PRC-68B, AM-7302 PRC-128, OF-185 PRC-138 (Scope Shield II, Racal, not Magnavox), OF-228 (Note: this radio covers three bands by module replacement, not just the two bands of the PRC-68B and PRC-128.) Thanks to Joe Pinner for help on some of the above. Alan Tasker >From "MILITARY RADIO DATA" Vol.I, PRC Designated Radio Equipment. By Dennis Starks PRC-68/RT-1113;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver.Development started 1964 by the US Marine Corps do to desatisfaction with the recently adopted PRT-4 & PRR-9 radio sets.Intended for tactical short range communications between persons in independent small action teams.Production began in 1976, a 13.37 million dollar order was placed in 1978.The PRC-68 can be provided with equipment that will allow secure speech & vehicular operation.150cps tone transmission is incorporated along with standard carrier squelch on receive to insure complete compatibility with all current squelch systems. Ops on 10 channels with channel one beginning on 50kc increment and the following nine channels spaced 200kc, producing coverage of any 2mc segment of the 30-79.95mc range.RF power output is 1 watt with a range of 330yrds (short antenna) or 1 mile(long antenna).Requires 12-15vdc supplied by BA-1588,several other battery types are also available.Size 8.35 x 3.8 x 1.52",46oz(including antenna & battery). Accessories include various standard handsets & headsets,6"short rubber antenna,14"long rubber antenna,PRC-25/77 tape antennas can also be used,nylon carry case & shoulder strap,TS-3354 test set Note,the illustrations provided in Ref.#9,#11,& #12 are of experimental sets,data provided in Ref.#9,& #9A is incorrect.Original cost $1884.00. Ref.#9,#9A,#10,#11,#12,#14,#23,#28,#30 PRC-68A;This later variant of the PRC-68 has the ability to operate on ten preset channels with 25kc channel spacing, in any sequence within any one of four selectable sub-bands, 30-40, 40-54, 50-64, 60-80mc Channel presets are accomplished via internal programming. The radio has a slightly larger cabinet, but retains complete compatibility with previous model accessories. Ref.#28,#26,#30,#31 PRC-68B;Improvement of the PRC-68 that includes an external antenna load control, LCD frequency display, 2 watts RF output(adjustable), 2.5kc channel spacing with full band coverage, simplex or half duplex modes of operation, NBFM or WBFM options for each channel both on Tx and Rx. It's low band module is reported to be replaceable with another which will allow high band operation, but it is possible that reports are confused with that of the (V) variants. Announced in 1984,a production order of 9 million dollars was placed by the US Marine Corps.Original US Airforce cost $3084.50. Ref.#12,#28,#30,#31 PRC-68B(V)2;This radio appears to be a variant of the PRC-68B,produced for the US Airforce at a cost of $3485.00.It is very similar to the PRC-126V,& may have been replaced by that radio or the PRC-128V in some applications. Ops 130-174mc,with an adjustable 1-2watts output.Size 3.8W x 1.52H x 9.32L inches,3.125 lbs.NSN 5820-01-248-2852. Ref.#28 PRC-68(X);Improvement of the PRC-68B that include external frequency selection in 25kc steps,use of 2 plug in depo repairable printed circuit cards.Production started 1984. Ref.#12 PRC-68(X-2);Same as PRC-68(X-4)except operation is 30-88mc.Ten preset channels that can be set for any frequency in the band with 12.5,20,25,30,or 50kc spacing.In production 1984. Ref.#12 PRC-68(X-4);Adaptation of the PRC-68B that changes it's frequency coverage to 130-174mc by replacing the RF module.Other operational parameters are unchanged.In production 1984. Ref.#12 PRC-126/RT-1547;Handheld VHF,FM transceiver. The PRC-126 represents the latest development in the PRC-68 family of radio equipment. As such it is very similar in concept,appearance & use to the PRC-68 types,and is functionally interchangeable. It features 25kc channel spacing for a possible 2320 channels (ten preset),LCD display,push-button programming of preset channels,& external antenna load control. Cloning of preset channels. Integral security devices for COMSEC or similar applications. Simplex and half duplex operation. Reduced power consumption circuits & techniques for extended battery life. And a full line of ancillary equipment that allow handheld,packset & vehicular (including jerk & run) operation. Can withstand immersion in water to 3 feet for 2 hours. Ops 30-88mc(25kc standard or special order channel spacing),from 12vdc,with an RF power output of 1 watt(1.5-2 watts typical). 100mw into 47ohms audio output. Size 10L x 3.8w x 1.5"d,2.6lbs(with BA-5588). Accessories include; BA-588(nicad battery),BA-1588(mercury battery), BA-5588(lithium battery). Antenna types,Long tape(36" for 2 mile range),Short helical rubber(7" for .3 mile range),50ohm output connec- tor/adapter also available. AM-7302/VRC-96,allows vehicular installation of the PRC-126 with 15 watt RF amplification,audio amplifier, & 11-32vdc operation,battery charging,variants available for 130-174mc operation,size 5w x 4.9h x 13.1"d. MXF-326 vehicular installation unit allows "jerk & run" operation of the radio,input voltages of 11-32vdc, built in loud speaker & audio amplification,TACFIRE interface,VIC-1 vehicle intercom interface,size 12.3w x 13.3h x 4.9"d. MXF-327, allows dual radio vehicular installation using a single antenna & combines those features of the MXF-326 with 15 watts RF amplification, size 11.4w x 12.9h x 13.2"d. Interred service in 1986 with an initial order for over 4600 radios at a cost of 10.7 million dollars, in 1987 an additional order worth 7.6 million was placed.Original cost $2,283, NSN 5820-01-215-6181. Ref.#12,#28,#31,#33 PRC-128(V); Hand held VHF/FM Transceiver. At least one version of this radio(Magnavox) is identical in appearance to the PRC-126. The PRC-128 apparently differs from that radio in it's ability to operate on either of two bands (VHF Hi or Low) dependant on an optional module installed internally. This is similar in practice to the PRC-68B(V)*, and for which it is believed this radio was intended to replace. Ops 30-87.988mc,& 130-173.988mc,with an RF power output of 1 watt,from 12vdc.The OF-185/PRC allows vehicular use. Built by Magnavox(Ref.#30,#31) and or Motorola(Ref.#28) under the Air Force Scope Shield program. One reference source states to use 5820-01-248-2852 (PRC-68B(V)2, 130-174mc) and 5820-01-179-7027 (PRC- 68B(V), 30-80mc) until current supplies are exhausted. This would tend to indicate the PRC-126 was intended to replace those radios. It would follow that sub-model types might also exist in the same manner as it's predecessor, I/E PRC-128(V)1 for radios supplied with the low band module(30-88mc), and PRC-128(V)2 for those supplied with the high band module (130-174mc). Original cost $3,093.00,NSN 5820-01-288-0626. Ref.#28,#30,#31 PRC-136;No description of this equipment has been found.It is known to have been built by Motorola,& purchased by the US Marine Corps at a cost of $2,347.00.NSN 5820-01-340-9438, no further information. Ref.#28 Another source list the PRC-138 as follows, VHF/FM hand held adopted for the Marine Corps Crash Fire Rescue System(CFRS), reports to be a replacement for the PRC-94. Ops 130-174mc. Dimensions and appearance are very similar to the PRC-126. Built by Magnavox. No further information. Ref. #34 References: #9.FM24-24,20 May 1977,Radio & Radar Reference Data. A.FM24-24,Dec 1983. #10.Janes,1979/80,Military Communications. #11.Janes,1981,Military Communications. #12.Janes,1988,Military Communications. A.Janes,1985,Military Communications.* B.Janes,1994/1995,Military Communications.* C.Janes,1996/1997,Military Communications. #26.Item has been personally encountered by me. #28.Federal Logistics Data on Compac Disc(Fed Log).1995 #30.Associated equipments technical manual. #31.Interviews with owners or former users. #33.Manufactures promotional literature. #34 Internet Web Site.* *********************************************** MEMBERS WRITE; PRC-25 Testimony, Dennis, I just read your story about the PRC-25 and 77's on the Military Radio List. It was very good and informative and describes accurately how dummies had to use them and could not be too complicated. I'm living proof. In August, 1969 I was on operation Durham Peak, high in the Que Son Mountains, about 25 miles southwest of Da Nang and right in the middle of the operation our platoon RTO was choppered-out making our squad radioman the new platoon radioman. It only took five minutes or so for my squad leader to find a guy to take my job of humping two sachels of C-4 and I then inherited the PRC-25. It was on-the-job training 'cause I had never used a radio/transmitter in my life but, it was a snap! I never even heard of a PRC-77 until a few years ago. I now have a few of them as well as a half dozen, or so, PRC-25's, including an Italian one contracted under RCA license. I guess I'm trying to save them all from the Government band saw blade. Makes me sick when I hear how they dispose of good stuff! Thanks for the article! Bob Lindgren Proud Marine R.T.O. ----------------------------------------------------------------- PSS-11 Batteries, So, I asked about batteries for my new AN/PSS-11 mine detector one evening, got a response the next morning, and had the right batteries in my hand a day later. Maybe technology is a Good Thing after all? Anyway, Mike Murphy suggested using Eveready 523 cells, and conveniently had some available (thanks, Mike!). They worked just fine once I hacked together a dummy battery to make up for the different size. In case anybody is interested, I wrote up a short article about the adapter I made and stuck it on my web page. Lots of pictures and schematics... Just follow the AN/PSS-11 link. -- Mark J. Blair, KE6MYK *********************************************** NEW MEMBER; Craig Clifton 1. I would like to accept your conditions for joining the "list". 2. Craig is the name, radios are the game. I've been a ham for 23 yrs, holding an Extra Class license with the callsign N6BWJ. I got involved with military radios when I purchased an M109A3 Shop Van (Duce and a Half). There were several antennas on it when it was picked up so I figured I might as well finish it off with more radios. When done it will be a a Communications Command Post/Ham shack on a 6X6. I have several radios including a RT542/R442, PRC 25 and a PRC47 all of which will be installed and usable. Thanks, Craig Clifton *********************************************** ON THE COMMERCIAL FRONT; URC-101's URC-101 backpack transceivers, clean, untested, $750 MURPHY'S SURPLUS Mention our group when contacting him. Mike has offered free shipping to all group members in conus. Foreign orders may be subject to federal restrictions. *********************************************** HUMOR; A blonde was lost in a snow storm and remembered her dad telling her that if she ever got lost in a storm that she should wait for a snow plow and then follow it. She stopped and waited and finally a snow plow came by and she pulled out and got behind it. Things got scary a few times but she managed to stay behind it. After about forty five minutes the snow plow driver pulled over, got out and came back to her car. He asked her what she was doing? She told him she was lost and her dad had said to follow a snow plow and that they would help her find her way...the driver said OK, but I'm done with the Walmart parking lot now, you can follow me over to Kmart if you want to.. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bob, a lawyer, was driving home over the Golden Gate Bridge after spending a great day out on the ocean fishing. His catch, cleaned and filleted, was wrapped in newspaper on the passenger side floor. He was late getting home and was speeding...Wouldn't you know, a cop jumped out, radar gun in hand, motioned him to the side of the bridge. The cop walked up to the window and said, "You know how fast you were going?" Bob thought for a second and said, "Uhh, 60?". "67 mph, son! 67 mph in a 55 zone!" said the cop. "But if you already knew, officer" replied Bob, "Why did you ask me?" Fuming over Bob's answer, the officer growled, in a sarcastic fashion, "That's speeding, and you're getting a ticket and a fine! "The cop took a good close look at Bob, in his stained fishing attire and said, "You don't even look like you have a job! Why, I've never seen anyone so scruffy in my entire life!" Bob answered, "I've got a job! I have a good, well-paying job!" The cop leaned in the window, smelling Bob's fish catch, said, "What kind of a job would a bum like you have?" "I'm a rectum stretcher!" replied Bob. "What did you say?" asked the patrolman. "I'm a rectum stretcher!" The cop, scratching his head, asked, "What does a rectum stretcher do?" Bob explained, "People call me up and say they need to be stretched, so I go over to their house. I start with a couple of fingers, then a couple more, and then one whole hand, then two. Then I slowly pull them farther and farther apart until it's a full six feet across." The cop, absorbed with these bizarre images in his mind, asked, "What the hell do you do with a six foot asshole?" Bob nonchalantly answered, "You give it a radar gun and stick it at the end of a bridge!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Redneck Love Poem Collards is green, my dog's name is Blue and I'm so lucky have a sweet thang like you. Yore hair is like cornsilk a-flapping in the breeze. Softer than Blue's and without all them fleas. You move like the bass, which excite me in May. You ain't got no scales but I luv you anyway. Yo're as satisfy'n as okry jist a-fry'n in the pan. Yo're as fragrant as "snuff" right out of the can. You have some'a yore teeth, for which I am proud; I hold my head high when we're in a crowd. On special occasions, when you shave under yore arms, well, I'm in hawg heaven, and awed by yore charms. Them fellers at work, they all want to know, what I did to deserve such a purdy yung doe. Like a good roll of duct tape yo're there fer yore man, to patch up life's troubles and fix what you can. Yo're as cute as a junebug a-buzzin' overhead. You ain't mean like those far ants I found in my bed. Cut from the best cloth like a plaid flannel shirt, you spark up my life more than a fresh load of dirt . When you hold me real tight like a padded gunrack, my life is complete; Ain't nuttin' I lack. Yore complexion, it's perfection, like the best vinyl sidin'. despite all the years, yore age, it keeps hidin'. Me 'n' you's like a Moon Pie with a RC cold drank, we go together like a skunk goes with stank. Some men, they buy chocolate for Valentine's Day; They git it at Wal-Mart, it's romantic that way. Some men git roses on that special day from the cooler at Kroger. That's impressive," I say. Some men buy fine diamonds from a flea market booth. Diamonds are forever," they explain, suave and couth. But for this man, honey, these won't do. Cause yor'e too special, you sweet thang you. I got you a gift, without taste nor odor, more useful than diamonds...... IT'S A NEW TROLL'N MOTOR!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- These are actual instruction labels on consumer goods: On Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping. (Gee, that's the only time I have to work on my hair!) On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. (The shoplifter special!) On a bar of Dial soap: Directions: Use like regular soap. (and that would be how?) On some Swanson frozen dinners: Serving suggestion: Defrost. (But it's 'just' a suggestion!) On a hotel provided shower cap in a box: Fits one head. (The big one or the little one?) On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert: (printed on bottom of the box) Do not turn upside down. (Too late! you lose!) On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating. (Are you sure??? Let's experiment.) On packaging for a Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body. (But wouldn't that save more time?) (Whose body?) On Boot's Children's cough medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery. (We could do a lot to reduce the construction accidents if we just kept those 5 year olds off those fork lifts.) On Nytol sleep aid: Warning: may cause drowsiness. (One would hope!) On a Korean kitchen knife: Warning: keep out of children. (or pets! What's for dinner?) On a string of Chinese made Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only. (As opposed to use in outer space or internally.) On a Japanese food processor: Not to be used for the other use. (Now I'm curious.) On Sainsbury's peanuts: Warning: contains nuts. (but no peas?) On an American Airlines packet of nuts: Instructions: open packet, eat nuts. (have a lobotomy) On a Swedish chain saw: Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals. Ouch! (What is this, a home castration kit?) On a child's Superman costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly. (That's right, destroy a universal childhood belief) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Two friends were playing golf when one pulled out a cigar but he didn't have a lighter, so he asked his friend if he had one. "I sure do," he replied and reached into his golf bag and pulled out a 12 inch BIC lighter. "Wow!" said his friend, "where did you get that monster?" "I got it from my genie." "You have a genie," he asked? "Yes, he's right here in my golf bag." "Could I see him?" He opens his golf bag and out pops the genie. The friend says, "I'm a good friend of your master. Will you grant me one wish?" "Yes, I will," the genie said, so he asks him for a million bucks and the genie hops back into the golf bag and leaves him standing there waiting for his million bucks. Suddenly, the sky begins to darken and the sound of a million ducks flying overhead is heard. The friend tells his golfing partner, "I asked for a million bucks, not ducks.!" He answers, "I forgot to tell you that the genie is hard of hearing. Do you really think I asked him for a 12 inch BIC?" *********************************************** 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 concerning this group or membership contact Dennis Starks at, . A list of selected articles of interest to members can be seen at: http://www.softcom.net/users/buzz/backmail.html ***********************************************