Military Collector Group Post;
Backmail #38:
Index:
MANUALS, FIELD MAINT. DEPO MAINT.?? By Dennis Starks
- (Which ones do you need? What's the Difference?)
BOOKS WE ALL NEED; by Dennis Starks
- (A list of MUST HAVE books & manuals for the Collector/Historian)
Book Reports,
- Wireless For The Warrior by Louis Meulstee
- Funkpeilung als alliierte Waffe gegen deutsche U-Boote 1939-1945 by Arthur Bauer
- Communication Equipment of the German Army, Paladin Press
- Radio Equipment of the 3rd Reich, Paladin Press
- Navajo Code Talkers Books, "Navajo Weapon", "The Navajo Code Talkers"
- Polish Resistance Book, "Fighting Warsaw"
- "The History of Military Communications"
- "Radios by Hallicrafters"(by Chuck Dachis)
- "War in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay"
- "War Secrets in the Ether", by Wilhelm F. Flicke
- "The Plumber's Kitchen"
PLACES TO GET STUFF; Manuals, & Xtals
*************************************************

MANUALS, FIELD MAINT. DEPO MAINT.??

Groupites:
- Not to gloat, but I just scored a GRC-9 from Mike Lingr in Texas. I'm going on the assumption that it's in horrible shape and it'll take me years to get it to work. My question for you guys is "Can someone tell me the difference between the field maintenance, depot maintenance, and organizational maintenance manuals?"

- Also this one: "If I get these manuals, in addition to the April issue of ER, is there a chance that I can get the radio going again?" I took electronics in high school and studied it on my own after, and I know how to solder".

- I figured I'd order the manual from Fair when I order the accesories, and see what they send me. Thanks for your input and expirience.

Ps: I couldn't go in Ground Radio Repair in the Air Force cause I'm color blind; now I just get my neihbors to tell me the colors.

Sean T. Kelly, KK4TS/Portable
---------------

Sean,
- The GRC-9 is a very simple, and GOOD radio, sure you can fix it! And you'll be most happy with it once it's operational. In regard your color-blindness, you don't need color perception to work on electronic equipment, that's what they make all that test equipment for.

- I flunked 32 test for color perception when I entered Naval service. I was most unhappy as were my recruiters, me having already been an electronic technician for four years prior to my enlistment, and had received two years of training in that field. According to Hoyle, being color blind, there was only a couple rates I'd could pursue(none very pleasant).

- But I fooled them all. I enlisted non-rated. Upon completion of Boot Camp, I received orders to report aboard USS John F. Kennedy no later than 22:00 hours on December 10/1976. That was the extent of these orders, they did not detail what division I was to be assigned. When I confronted the half-asleep Yeoman in Personnel at exactly 22:00, they, not seeing any designated department on my orders, asked me where I was supposed to go. I simply said "where the radios are", "I'm an Electronic Technician". As no billets were open in ER division, they sent me to TTY repair(CR Division). Manned by Radioman, I had to get the hell out of there and away from those Monkey Motion contraptions in short order! I ended up in Facilities Control(still CR Division). A year later someone realized I was color blind, but by then I'd made 3rd Class PO, was now rated as a Radioman, and there was nothing they could do about it. The rest is history.

Manuals?
- In the early, uncomplicated days of military radio, only a single manual, usually published by the original manufacturer of the equipment, was required that would include both operational, and servicing information. This practice continued until the early days of WW-II.

- As the equipment in question became more complicated/advanced, serviceability in the field became near to, if not, impossible. This was not only because of the limited technical expertise of the operator, but more so because of the immensely complicated logistics involved with the supply of the higher echelon repair parts in a combat zone(anything other than some tubes). As a result, manuals were printed that more directly involved the level of maintenance allowed under normal circumstances at the various echelons. In WW-II these were divided into the SCR, and BC manuals(in our case we'll use SCR-694 and BC-1306 as examples).

- The SCR-694 manual was intended for use by the operator. It would usually contain enough information to the operator to operate, maintain, and provide simple repair service, to most of the equipment included in his radio system. SCR-694 manual included tube placement, a schematic, and maybe some simple maintenance checks, along with a complete inventory and detailed descriptions of all the major and minor components that composed complete radio system. On the other hand, the BC-1306(major component of the SCR-694) manual would contain in depth service information for this receiver-transmitter only. The BC-1306 manual contains no operational information, no accessories descriptions or maintenance info, no system information at all. On the other hand it would contain detailed circuit descriptions, parts placement, symptom diagnoses and troubleshooting info, etc.

- Early 50's equipment manuals would follow closely the format of those in mid-late WW-II as the technology or complication of systems had changed very little. But the manuals would have different names. There's now a FIELD Maintenance Manual replacing the old BC manual. And OPERATOR's manual replacing the SCR. And far less service is now allowed on the Operator level.

- Entering the 60's, two things effected major changes in the equipment operations and service system. First was the entrance of solid state technology into the field. This pretty much making impossible any service by the operator. And with this inability to service a radio in combat also came the negating of the training associated with it. By the close of the Vietnam war, the operational simplicity of radio equipment had became such that very few radio operators were Radioman/Signalman at all. They were simple Infantry Grunts drafted from the ranks to carry the radio. The expected increased reliability of solid state designs would mean that the operator would no longer carry even the simplest of replacement parts with him into combat. Instead, if any maintenance other than changing batteries were contemplated, this would take place once the operator returned to his base(Organization), and at this level only the simple replacement of modules might be effected. If the simple replacement of modules would not fix the problem, the item would then be sent in for DEPO Maintenance where troubleshooting down to a circuit level was authorized. All this greatly simplifying the amount of training required by the personnel at a particular level, and the all important logistic support required by any item of combat equipment.

- Second, and most important when trying to explain the multitude of various manuals currently available for any item of equipment, is the Preventive Maintenance System(PMS). In the sixties the PMS program was initiated for ALL items of military equipment, not just complicated, intricate, radio and electronic apparatus, But EVERYTHING had/has it's PMS schedule. As each item of equipment progresses through it PMS schedule it might be checked for operation or defects, cleaned, lubricated, or repairs minor or major be made. All dependant on the level of PMS being conducted, and the expertise, training, or echelon of the personnel conducting the PMS. Each level of operation and responsibility has it's own PMS that is conducted with a corresponding increase of the technical expertise required. These might be weekly or monthly at operator's level, monthly or quarterly by a Radioman/Signalman at an Organizational level, or yearly at a Technician(ET) Depo level.

- At the Operator level, a radio set might be checked only for operation, and maybe it's accessories inspected and inventoried once weekly or monthly(Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manuals). Generally the radio itself will not be internally inspected at this level. Remember, the operator may or may not be a radioman at all, thus his technical expertise limited, and as such manuals at this level are usually fairly simple and often times only include operational instructions of the radio, and maybe a list of accessories that should be included with a complete set. For current equipment, these Operators manuals have been reduced to only the simplest of operating instructions.

- At the next level, Organizational(current) or Field Maint(of old), a Radioman/Signalman will conduct detailed inspections and simple maintenance on a monthly or quarterly schedule. This will include both external & internal inspection, lubrication, and minor repairs.

- At the highest level came FIELD Maint(in the old days). Dependant on the complexity of the particular item this may be combined in a single manual. The old Field Maint level was usually conducted at a level just above that of an operator, by personnel with the required technical expertise, usually a Radioman/Signalman or an Electronic Technician if one is available. With the increasingly complicated nature of electronic equipment, and with that, the amount of information, expertise, and training required to repair an item of equipment came the need for manuals and maintenance levels to again be divided into a last category.

- DEPO maintenance/Repair manuals represent the most technical of them all. Like the Field Maint, and BC-(*) manuals of old, they contain no operational or system information. They are strictly limited to the detailed information needed by an ET to effect any conceivable repair on a particular item of equipment. Conducted at a DEPO level far removed from any combat, with the utmost of available logistic support.

- The above is a ruff outline of the manual types we might encounter, the level of expertise it's user was expected to have, and their reasons for existence.. The different technical periods in our developmental history will overlap each other slightly. But what does all this mean to us the collectors?

- When you first begin to assemble, or restore a system you need to know three things. #1, How the radio was operated. #2, What accessory items composed an operational system(so you can keep an eye out for the items you don't have). #3, How to repair it if it doesn't work.
Examples:
- WW-II SCR-694. For operation, accessories, and simple repair information you must have the manual titled SCR-***. For detailed repair information you must have the manual titled BC-***(BC-1306 in this case).
- Korean War Vintage GRC-9, PRC-10 etc. For operation, accessories, and simple repair information you must have the manual titled "Operator's", or in some case "Operator Maintenance". For detailed repair information, anything that will require a schematic, you must have the manual titled "Field maintenance".
- Vietnam Vintage PRC-25, -77 etc. For simple operating instructions, an Operator's manual. For details of the set's various accessories, operational parameters etc, you must have the "Organizational Maint" manual(sometimes Operator's & Organizational Maint are combined in a single manual). For repairs more difficult than swapping a module you must have the "Depo Maintenance" manual (sometimes called "Field & Depo Maint").
- Current Equipment, PRC-68, -126 etc. Similar to the Vietnam vintage equipment except now the Operator's manual contains nothing more than very simple operating instructions that have in some cases been reduced to a few pictures(or even cartoons for Marines).

- To close, you did the right thing in ordering both manuals for your GRC-9. And rule of thumb, JUST GET EVERY MANUAL YOU CAN LAY YOUR HANDS ON! Each will contain needed information of either a technical or historic nature not found in the other.

Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN
military-radio-guy@juno.com
*************************************************

BOOKS WE ALL NEED;

- Several times in the past I've listed these books for you. Here they are again with a little info about each. Keep your eye's out for them whether you have copies or not. This because most are out of print, & many members of our group do not have them. This is by all means not a complete list of useful printed material, there are many others, these are just the most valuable & hard to find ones.

- For other printed material of interest, refer to my library inventory, & want list. Most of these titles can be had at used book stores for very little. If any of you are in need of these, let me know and I'll put you on a list, as copies are found I'll forward on the info.

FOR GENERAL MILITARY RADIO DATA;

U.S.Army in WW-II,The Signal Corps.
A. The Emergency, (WW-I to Dec. 1941) by Dulany Terrett.
B. The Test, (Dec. 1941 - July 1943) by George Raynor Thompson,Dixie R.Harris,Pauline M.Oaks, Dulany Terrett.
C. The Outcome, (Mid 1943 through 1945) by George Raynor Thompson,Dixie Harris, CMH Pub 10-18.

- These are a must have set (three volumes) for anyone interested in any facet of WW-II electronic equipment, or even later equipment because they all started here. No material ever printed will provide you with more information. Beginning before WW-II & concludes shortly after. It provides great detail of the development, & use of radar, radio, & just about every other electronic gadget of the war. How communications & radar were utilized in virtually every theater of the war. Until recently these were still in print, but no longer. Several of us are looking for them so keep your eyes out. This was an official Government series, I cannot over emphasize it's importance! They are available from time to time from the Government Printing Office, or used books stores. Value per volume is between $15-$25.

Evolution of Naval Radio-Electronics, and Contributions of the Naval Research Laboratory, by Louis A. Gerhard.
- I'am very anxious to get a copy of the above, many questions may be answered by it. It comes very highly recommended by an early radar enthusiast. It was also referred to as NRL Report 8300, Library of Congress 70-6000083, GPO stock No. 008-050-00189-5. Though it is said to be available from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office, my attempt to search their web sight didn't turn up anything, but I'm not very good at that stuff.

Military Communications: A Test For Technology, The U.S Army in Vietnam,
by John D. Bergen, CMH Pub 91-12
- This is the most informative resource book EVER printed for the time period it covers. Detailing communications equipment, systems, development, problems, uses, and history. It too is an absolute must have book! It may still be available from the government printing office, or their outlet stores.

Jane's Military Communications
- These began with their first issue, a double one 1979/80, progressing with additional issues each year until present. They will supply you with some great detail of current to simi-current equipment along with many good pictures of communications equipment from all over the world. Don't pay the horrible crazy price they ask for their current issue(about $175.00 now), after they've become a couple years old, the prices drop to about $20.00. They can be found in such places as "Shotgun News" , surplus, and used book stores etc.

ECOM 4451, History of the Squad Radio. By Marvin W. Curtis
- This book was originally printed by the Electronics Command at Ft. Monmouth in 1976, & Until I found a copy a couple years ago, they were thought to be extinct, the Museum was astatic to learn one still existed, so I loaned them mine, it took nearly a year to get it back. It provides great detail in to the development of the Squad Radio beginning with the BC-611 continuing up to the PRT-4/PRR-9 with many pictures of experimentals, prototypes, and some foreign models considered for adoption. Also mentioning several other items of equipment familiar to us today. It will give you a great insight into the problems encountered when trying to develop an item of equipment, & the government bull shit that doesn't help. I greatly wish they had produced other works similar to this one with other topics, if anybody knows if such volumes exist, please let me know. (87 pages) Reproductions are available from W7FG Vintage manuals at email; w7fg@w7fg.com , visit his Web sight, or call 1-800-807-6146.

Military Radio Data, Vol. I, PRC Designated Radio Equipment, by Dennis Starks
- This book provides detailed descriptions, and touches on the history of PRC designated radio equipment dating from 1942 to present. Starting with PRC-1 & continuing to over PRC-5000, both foreign & domestic types. It was compiled over a 20 year period of time, from dozens of references, all of which are listed to enable your further research. All updated material for this book is provided to this group when available. (around 80 pages of text)It is available from me for $15, plus $3.50 first class postage.

TM11-227 Series;
- This series of manuals was originally printed in 1944. Three variants are known to exist, & copies can be had from various sources. TME 11-227 provides detailed descriptions, a pictures of captured German radio equipment. TME 11-227A is the same for Japanese equipment. These two manuals are the core for most the info we have on this equipment today.

- TM11-227, 1944, Signal Communications Equipment Directory, Radio Communications Equipment, is probably the best referance for pre, & early WW-II equipment there is. There were earliar productions of this manual, including one printed in 1943, but I have never seen any of them. It is not known if any versions were ever printed after 1944.

- If anybody knows where an original of these, the 487 series, Ships 275,or similar publications can be found, we can have them reproduced for the group.

TM11-487 series;
- Electrical Communications Systems Equipment. Also begining in 1944, this series of manuals is similar to that of the TM11-227 however has a slightly different format. Both the 227 & 487 contain information not included in the other, so you want both.

- The next known issue if the 487 was in 1950. TM11-487A, 1950, Directory of Signal Corps Equipments Radio Communications Equipment. It should be noted that the 487 series was busted up into various categories, including radio, radar, aircraft, test equipment, generators, radio direction finding, photographic equipment etc. All are highly sought after, and only the common ground radio variants can generaly be found. None of the aircraft versions prior to 1950 are known to exist, so if you find one, let us know! Copies of the 1950 version TM11-487A are available from Fair Radio Sales.

- TM11-487A, Military Handbook, Electronic Communication Equipment, 1958. By this time the manual had grown to 2300 pages, & do to it's size is loose leaf bound. It is the most desirable of all the 487 series in that it includes WW-II, Navy, Signal Corps, aircraft, AN types, TTY, wire line, contract numbers/prices/companies, & even commercial equipment that had been adopted for use. It was alternately known as MIL-HDBK-161, NAVEXOS P-2058, & TO 31-3-73. Many of the items this volume describes do not appear anywhere else in print. A last possible variant of this manual was the JANAP 161, printed around 1952. I only have a couple pages of this document but from what can be seen, it may have been even more detailed than the 487/1958.

- In 1964, TM11-487A-1, -2, & -3, Military Standardization Handbook, Electronic Communication Equipment, was produced as a supplement to the 1958 version. Released in three volumes. It was the last to be known as TM11-487, or HDBK-161. Then began the FM24 series.

SIG 3, Oct 1953, List of Current Issue Items.
- Not at all like the 487 series, though it is very descriptive of dozens of types of communications & test equipment, even some tools used. It superseded Sig.3, of September 1945. That version however, I have never seen so I can't vouch for it's value to us. Reproductions of this book (296 pages) can also be had from W7FG Vintage manuals.

SHIPS 275, 1 Aug 1944, Catalogue of Naval Radio Equipment.
- Very similar to the TM11-487 series, this is the only known officially published book with detailed discriptions of WW-II Navy radio equipment. And as such, is another must have book. Detailed descriptions of Naval ground & shipboard equipment are included, as well as Signal Corps types in use by them at the time, Harbor detection equipment, radio direction finding, etc. It notes on the inside cover that this volume replaces ENG 175, & SHIPS 207, these last two variants have appearantly not survived as none have been reported. 228 pages, reproductions are reported to be available from some company back east.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clandestine Operations, The Arms and Techniques of the Resistance 1941-1944, by Pierre Lorain. MacMillan Publishing Company, New York.
- This is the book by which all other such types are compared! It gives great detail into the operations, & the equipment used by the resistance, even including the aircraft that delivered these materials. Development of the radios, communications procedures, encryption methods/evolution, weapons, the enemy direction finding techniques & efficiency that forced re-writing of there procedures, etc. I most highly recommend it, so keep your eye's out at the used book stores.

OSS Special Weapons & Equipment, by H. Keith Melton.
Clandestine Warfare, by H. Kieth Melton
CIA Special Weapons & Equipment, by H. Keith Melton.
The Ultimate Spy Book, by Kieth Melton
- All the above books are nice for their pictures, all but the last is out of print.

Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN
military-radio-guy@juno.com

****************************************************

New Books;
- There are two new books available that might appeal to those collectors interested in all types of military communications equipment. Saddly though, both are only available at this time in Europe. It has been proposed that should there be sufficiant interest, that several of us could go in together to emport a small quantity, thus reducing cost.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The first is titled "Wireless For The Warrior", Vol.1, by Louis Meulstee. Detailing British sets No.1-88(1933-1946), some being of Australian, & U.S. origin. It is a highly detailed work which includes many quality pictures, history on development & use, schematics, parts list, explanations on British numbering systems & deployment, etc. Vol.2 is suspected also to be in print & details the WW-II contributions of the more common radios, in greater detail. Vol.3 is either now, or will shortly be in print, & continues on with postwar sets No.89 & up. I have Vol.1 & highly recommend it. Dennis

The Wireless for the Warrior books may be ordered from the new publisher at Radio Bygones in the UK, details will be found on my web site http://home.wxs.nl/~meuls003/bygones.html

At present we are working hard to get Volume 3 published, scheduled for November this year, but I presume that this might be a bit earlier as progress is advancing quite well
(for the contents AND progress of Volume 3 see http://home.wxs.nl/~meuls003/progress3.html )

Best Regards,
Louis Meulstee
PA0PCR RSARS 3663
<l.meulstee@wxs.nl>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Funkpeilung als alliierte Waffe gegen deutsche U-Boote 1939-1945"
byArthur O Bauer
- This book is of German origin & is still only in print in that language. It still should provide a wealth of information to the researcher even if he can't read the language. Below is a description of the book by it's author, Arthur Bauer.

Now the description of my new book.
It contains 323 pages with 49 drawings and 30 pictures most of full size. It explains about wireless propagation, Enigma and its communication; the Uboat wireless organisation. The most important chapter is handling HuFF-Duff (HF/DF) and how it technically worked. The antenna, which was the backbone, is extensively explained. I also have integrated eye witness reports of three British Huff-Duff operators, which they have forwarded to me in 1995. (in to German translated)

- The explanation of the sort of Enigma messages for different purposes, as these were decoded in (by) Bletchely Park, based on original Public Record Office (PRO London) documents. In the appendix is a copy of the entire Enigma (general) manual M. Dv. Nr. 32/1, as well as several copies of other original coding material. Metox history with never published details;

- Kurier the top secret super fast Uboat's transmission system. This enabled messages to be transmitted within 454 msec!!!! If have used a picture of the inside of this apparatus, which I suppose never had been printed before (in not classified papers). This article was originally written by a British colleague and I have extended the technology chapter. Inclusive a British film strip recording made during their trails in 1945/46. You really will find all important technical principles described. And last but not least a contribution from a third (German) co-author concerning the technical description of the giant Goliath Sender which was wold's most powerful tube VLF transmitter (up to 1000 Kw output). Which could send messages to the Uboats while these were submerged, even in the Indian Ocean!

************************************************************

BOOK REPORTS;
"Funkpeilung als alliierte Waffe gegen deutsche U-Boote 1939-1945"
German Radio Equipment; Bill H & Lenox C.
Dennis,
- Lennox C asked my opinion n two books on WW II German radios. Here is my opinion. Use it as you see fit. I also include Lennox's message for additional facts.
Bill Howard
-----------

Bill,
- I got a reply from Paladin Press about the two books that you suggested:

Communication Equipment of the German Army, $40.00
Radio Equipment of the 3rd Reich, $25.00

- Do you recommend both of them? Do they have schematics? After getting over the "sticker shock" I thought I would ask before ordering both of them! I am old enough to remember when books were a whole lot less expensive! ;>}

Lenox
----------

Lenox.
- I recommend both books only if you are a dedicated collector of German equipment. Neither have schematics of the sets. Both have excellent photographs.

Communication Equipment of the German Army is a must have as it shows all the accessories, headsets, keys, etc. The other commo of the Third Reich has a lot on the Enigma machine but it does show a lot of sets that you might encounter.

Printing costs have gone up steadily over the years. These have excellent quality paper and pictures. When in the College of Engineering at USF from 1976 to 1979, I also suffered from sticker shock. Now I am immune to it!

Bill Howard
-----------------------------------------------

Navajo Code Talkers Book,
There is a book out on the Navajo Code Talkers:
McClain, S., "Navajo Weapon," Books Beyond Borders, Boulder, CO. 1994,
ISBN 1-883862-07-8
It has pictures (Dennis will be able to enjoy it!), maps and the complete code.

Lenox Carruth Dallas, TX carruth@geo-thermal.com

----------------------------------------------

Another Code Talker's Book,
THERE IS ANOTHER BOOK ABOUT THE NAVAJO INDIANS IN WW II. IT IS CALLED THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS, WRITTEN BY DORIS A. PAUL, PUBLISHED BY DORRANCE & COMPANY 35 CRICKET TERRACE, ARDMORE, PA 19003, COPYRIGHT 1973, ISBN 0-8059-1879-1, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER 73-79199. IT HAS A LOT OF PICTURES IN IT ALSO.
TODD HUSS
<KA0ZDD@JUNO.COM >
----------------------------------------------

Polish Resistance Book, "Fighting Warsaw"
Dennis, i has some years back a book, "Fighting Warsaw" from Minerva Press ( U.K. ) which recounted resistance work in Warsaw. I recall the equipment described was all homebuilt. One interesting thing was the resistance actually made voice broadcasts too, apparently in the hope Allied monitors would hear, since Poles themselves were forbidden to keep radios. This was quite a gripping story, of constantly watching out the windows, hastily disassembling radio equipment and dispersing. If the readers ever see this title in some book sale, i absolutely advise buying it.
*BTW, a book on resistance in the Auschwitz camp says that inmates there actually had a receiver and transmitter also.
Hue Miller
<kargokult@proaxis.com>
----------------------------------------------

BOOK REPORT; "The History of Military Communications"
I was made aware of the publication by a radio collector in Europe. Through the efforts of a friend in England, I was able to obtain a copy of the booklet titled "The History of Military Communications" It consists of several papers which were presented at a meeting in 24 September 1999.
The subjects covered were :
"From Runner to Radio";
"The RACAL RA 17 and RA 117"
"Some aspects of German military line communication before the Second World War",
"Naval communications before the Second World War",
"The early days of clandestine radios"
"The Mk 119 and PRC 316 HF miniature radios"
- I have not had a chance to read all the articles but I skimmed some of them and even though the titles are --before the Second world war, they do get into the early days of the conflict.
- It can be ordered from the Centre for the History of defense Electronics at Bournemouth University. There is a link to their site from my web site for those who want more information. It cost 10 British Pounds.
William L. Howard
----------------------------------------------

BOOK REVIEWS; "Radios by Hallicrafters"
A while back I threatened a couple book reviews so hear goes:
" Radios by Hallicrafters " by Chuck Dachis, Schiffer books. Second addition, released 1999 ( never read the first one ).

About two hundred thirty pages, likely the most complete collection of Hallicrafters products to date. of interest to the group will be all the pictures and descriptions of the many Hallicrafters military products.

The HT-4 ( BC-610 ) with the BC-614 speech amplifier( p 78 ) the AT-3 ( BC-939 ) makes its appearance in the accessory section ( p 104 ) other items of note are the HT-14 ( BC-669 ) Marine radio telephone ( p 82 ) with the whole marine radio family. also their are many examples of the " Village radio " family, with the HT-1, HT-2 ( p172 ) the TR-5, 9 and 20 ( p190-191 ) and the OPS/FM Paramilitary radio family, OPS/FM-1 , 5,7,10 and 20 ( p180-182 ) and the NVD-117 Night vision sight .

Their is a picture, frequency range and tube lineup of most radios mentioned. if you are a Hallicrafters fan it can be your new bible, with pictures of just about everything they had built, including televisions and all their consumer radios, and a whole section of old advertising litterateur. it reads like a typical reference book, by the authors admits their is verey little about the history or usage of the equipment, the whole section on the BC-610 is little more then one paragraph. although their is one picture of a SCR-299 and the book " HT-4 goes to war".

If you get the chance look thou it and you can decide if its worth twenty five bucks or so it cost.

Second Book:
"War in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay" edited by Bernard Nalty , Russ Pritchard technical advisor. Salamander Books released 1991, reprinted 1999. About three hundred pages, typical big picture book. Don't think much of big picture books, but this one appears to be far beater written and has many high quality color photographs of American , Australian and lots of Japanese equipment.

Think the group will be interested in the huge color photos of the 94-3A # 36 Receiver Transmitter set with carrying case and all the accessories ( p262 ) or the assortment of model 92 field telephones and test sets ( p263 ). Also you will find a large number of large two page spreads of all types of personal equipment, swords, knifes, hand guns, rifles and machine guns, and things you don't normally see like a whole assortment of Japanese optical and rang finder equipment ( p124-125 ) or field medical equipment ( p186) and their is a two page spread on US combat rations ( p246-247 ).

In addition to this I would like to say that it is one of the few books written in the last ten years that dose not try to make the use of atomic weapons against Japan into some kind of politically correct version the US wanting to impress the Russians or of the Americans being bad people.

The books expensive ( $35.00 ) but I thought it was worth it.
Ray Fantini
<RAFANTINI@ssu.edu>

ED) I have Chuck's book & have used it several times as a source for data in my articles. The pictures are great as are the technical details, however it is lacking in the area of history. Several of the OPS series items(Para-Military) are technically incorrect or omitted but all in all it is very good. It's a shame that Chuck had to sell his lifes work for trifle .25 per copy, but as he has said, his main purpose was to get it published. Dennis
--------------------------------------------

"War Secrets in the Ether," by Wilhelm F. Flicke, Aegean Press, Catalog No.
M2, ISBN: 0-89412-233-9, 8.5" x 11", 234 pages, paperbound.
Aegean Park Press
P.O. Box 2837
Laguna Hills, CA 92654
Phone 714-586-8811
FAX 714-586-8269
Web site: http://www.aegeanparkpress.com

Grüße

Richard Brunner, AA1P
<rbrunner@gis.net>
--------------------------------------------

For information on Lt. Col. Henry Shore see MCGP Backmail #39,
The SSTR-1 series where his name is repeated many times..

Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN
military-radio-guy@juno.com
*********************************

PLACES TO GET STUFF; Manuals & Xtals

MANUALS:

W7FG Vintage Manuals,
for repo's of Military & Commercial, old and resent.
Write,
W7FG Vintage Manuals,
3300 Wayside Dr.
Bartlesville OK. 74006.
Call (inquiries) 1-918-333-3754, (orders) 1-800-807-6146.
Internet Home Page; http:///www.w7fg.com
Email; w7fg@w7fg.com

Lee Frank,
P.O.Box 60011
Harrisburg PA.17106-0011,
For original Militarymanuals. WW-II to late 70's, both radios and other equipment. Very good prices.

Robert Downs,
2027 Mapleton Dr.
Houston TX.77043.
For originals & the highest quality repo military manuals of all types(they look like the real thing). Give him a lot of time, this is not his primary business, and he may forget. He also collects all types of military manuals. Bob is also the foremost authority on military connectors & what will fit what. Theres a chance he might havewhat you need, but be prepared to pay for it! He has E-mail but I don't know his address. Maybe <RWDowns_WA5CAB@compuserve.com>

Ardco Electronics,
P.O.Box 95,
Berwyn Ill. 60402.
For high quality repo's of Hallicrafters built Military & Commercial equipment (including OPS series).

Rainy Day Books,
P.O.Box 775,
Fitzwilliam NH. 03447-0775.
PH.603-585-3448.
FAX 585-9108.
For original manuals, sometimes a bit pricey.

The Scholar's Bookshelf
110 Melrich Rd.
Cranbury, NJ. 08512
FAX order 609 395 0755
Email: books@scholarsbookshelf.com
They had Jane's Military Communications; 17th Ed. 1996-1997. $44.95
They specilized in Military History books.

Dean Soderling,
6725 Portland Ave.
Richfield MN. 55423
Collects electronics oriented military manuals of all kinds. He has an extensive library & is willing to make copies for those in need at minimal cost. A list of manuals he is presently looking for is avail.

Mil-Comm Exchange,
P.O.Box 982,
Orange Park, FL. 32067-0982.
Email: CKuzel@aol.com
For original & reproduction manuals of military & commercial Radio & Test equipment.Good luck getting Kevin to respond!

Surplas Sales of Nebraska,
1315 Jones ST.
Omaha Nebraska, 68102.
Check with your banks loan manager prior to makeing a purchace!

Fair Radio Sales
has a very large selection of manuals that are notcatalogued, & they make copies on a regular bases of those they dont have sufficientquantities of to sell the originals. Inquiries for these and all other non-cataloge items must be made in writing via fax or mail.
Email; email: fairadio@alpha.wcoil.com

Murphy's Surplus
401 N. JOHNSON AVE.
EL CAJON, CA. 92020
619 444 7717
FAX 444 6750
http://www.maxpages.com/murphyjunk
email: murphy@cts.com
Mike has numerous hard to find manuals for late model TransWorld & Collins military communications equipment(among others)

I also have several thousand manuals left to despose of, military, commercial, Ham, vintage magazines & books etc. A list can be emailed to you.
<military-radio-guy@juno.com>

http://www.abebooks.com
This is a web site that has second hand books. So if you need a Terman, or Radiotron Designer's Handbook, The Signal Corps:(Emergency, Test, Outcome, Today, The Perisa Corridor) this site has them. The site is a place where any bookshop can list their secondhand books. It is primarily intended for First Editions and Rare books, but it has common books too. Use the search engine to find what you want. Prices and locations vary, but most of them are in the U.S.A. and Canada and in US dollars. I have been looking for several books for a few years, and when I found this web site, it had 6 of the 7 that I wanted, so I paid their price, rather than keep on looking. Ray Robinson.

http://www.bibliofind.com
Much like the above site, this one is my personal favorite for finding books. The compitiion of thousands of books sellers keep prices way down. Dennis

- Just a short note to let you know how much I've been enjoying the MCGP. I wanted to say "thank you" for the invitation, and to let you know that I intend to participate more fully in the near future. My work has had my ass dragging lately, and that has taken a great toll on the really important stuff like my radio gear, MARS, my mil vehicles, and my gun collection. By the way, have you tried downloading manuals directly from the military? A lot of the stuff is locked out without a password, but a lot of the older manuals (PRC-41, PRC-47 for example) are not password protected and are open for anyone, as far as I know. The link is http://www.logsa.army.mil/etms/find_etm.cfm

I'm going to try to go through the MARS channels to get a password for the "sensitive but not classified" stuff. I probably wouldn't be able to share the password, but might be able to share the info with anyone who needed it, but wasn't a foreign national, or if it was not for export. John Whitten, III, WB5FXH

ED) I tried the web site but you gotta have Netscape ta make it work. Good luck with the MARS approach but I don't think it will work. Generally they just don't care!
----------------------------

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. Ralph
http://www.radionostalgia.net/surplus-schemi.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLACES TO GET XTALS;

Peterson Radio Company
Inc. 2735 Avenue "A"
Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51501
ph. 712-323-7539.
Reasonable prices & still makes the old stuff.

CW XTAL, am very sorry to report that after more than 50 years, CW xtal is no more. It seems that Mrs CW has died, and had been the backbone of the business for many years. This company, as well as the old American Xtal of Kansas City, have been bought out by Phoenix Xtal, & continues to use the CW name, but don't hold your breath. The new owner is John , N0ACS, 1714 N. Ash, Nevada Mo. or Email; N0ACS@juno.com (be careful)

Don't waist your time or money with either Jan or Crystek.Their xtals are total junk & no longer cheep. If you are lucky enough that they work when you get them, you can bet that they won't within a year! They like to mention their OFF SHORE FASCILITY! What does that mean to you? I know what it does to me!(JUNK)

International Crystal
CeceliaB@icmfg.com
WWW.ICM_Webpage@icmfg.com
They put out a high quality product. If you order from their web site the cost is around $11ea.

Boman
Ph. 1-800-526-3935, fax 1-800-700-2197
An excellent source, but they only make xtals for land mobile equipment. This the result of No Code Techs ordering xtals & not knowing what to dowith them when received, thus driving up Bomans cost, as they guarantee their xtals for life, $11.00ea. If you want to put an old brick, PRC-91, 97 etc on the air, this is where you want to get your xtals.

http://www.mnsinc.com/bry/hamfiles.htm
Crystals sources (USA and UK) with about ten pages of listings. I've not thried them yet.

If you know of any other reputable suppliers,with reasonable cost,let me know.

Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN
military-radio-guy@juno.com

***********************************************
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, the use of our material, or membership contact Dennis Starks at:
mailto:military-radio-guy@juno.com
A list of selected articles of interest to members can be seen at:
http://www.softcom.net/users/buzz/backmail.html
For an itemized Index of MCGP topics see:
http://mcgp.cellmail.com/index.html
***********************************************