End Fed Half Wave Wire Antennas
They can be simple to rig in a portable or field situation but EFHW wire antennas are generally my last choice. Despite marketing claims. Why? A “general purpose” end fed […]
PRC-174 HF Manpack Radio Set
UPDATE: 7/12/21 I recently obtained a veteran RT-936/PRC-174 HF manpack radio from a fellow Ham (Thanks!). These were made by Tadiran from a design clearly originating from Hughes, makers of […]
Numbers Stations, The Woodpecker etc.
The so-called “Numbers Stations“ are a favorite topic on the Interwebs. Some obvious open source information is available but wild speculation about them is widespread. I won’t try to duplicate […]
Mil Radio Ops at FOB COVID 2020
The following is a brief After Action Report on Military Radio training operations at Forward Operating Base COVID, July 2020. Scheduling difficulties required delaying from the June 2020 ARRL Field […]
AN/APR-1 & APR-4 Radar/Comm Surveillance Receiver
AN/APR-1 Radar/Communications surveillance receiver. (aka APR-1). Below: Type 13 and 22 Air Search Radars aboard the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer HARUTSUKI. They were also installed on some IJN submarines after […]
TRC-88 HF CW/SSB Transceiver
UPDATED 7/1/19 A work in progress. I am currently working on reviving an RT-665( )/TRC-88 transceiver. This will be a challenge since I cannot find any documentation on the set […]
TRC-77A HF CW Transceiver
UPDATED 6/8/21 A friend recently gave me an RT-654A/TRC-77. Also known as the TRC-77A. The RT-654(*) is the basic component of the “AN/TRC-77” set. (“TRC” = Transportable Radio Communications. The […]
Fast Patrol Torpedo Boats / PTF-17
PTF-17, PTF’s in general and Coastal River Division 21 Ops: Updated – 3/11/21 A Work in Progress.First, a little background: Why PTF’s? The Green Water Navy. Despite what several Keyboard […]
The PRC-47 HF SSB/CW/RATT Transceiver
Updated 4/2/20 Some notes regarding the Collins PRC-47. This radio was designed by Collins and produced by them but they also subcontracted with Bendix to produce additional sets. All Collins […]
AN/GRC-109 “Special Forces” Radio Set
UPDATED 7/17/21: My favorite “Black Radio” even with its few quirks.Probably the ultimate “SHTF Radio” for trained (or trainable) personnel.Some research, observations and adventures below; probably more than you ever […]