From: Frank Gilliland on Dec 19, 1:28 pm

On 19 Dec 2005 10:38:46 -0800, wrote in
From: Frank Gilliland on Dec 18, 6:54 pm


The AN/PRC-104 HF manpack transceiver (operational 1986,
will be replaced soon by an updated unit) by Hughes Ground
Systems has an automatic antenna tuner integral to the
manpack R/T. One can physically shorten the whip by
removing sections to cut down visibility and the antenna
tuner will compensate for the shorter sections. Won't be
quite as efficient as the full whip but it is less visible
on the ground. The lil 20 W PEP transmitter will shove as
much RF into the whip as it can without damaging itself.

We had the PRC-104 in the early '80s; the RT was used as the exciter
for the MRC-109/110 (400/1000W) jeep radios. Mechanical push-button
tuning from 2-30 MHz. I still want one.

I'm not familiar with the MRC-109 or MRC-110, but a reference
on C4I has that compatible with the AN/VRC-49 which is FM in the
30 to 76 MHz region.

The AN/PRC-104 basic R/T was used in the AN/GRC-213, a vehicle
mount configuration with audio amplifier and DC vehicle power
supply conditioning, 20 W PEP SSB output. The AN/GRC-193 is
also for vehicle mounting, uses the basic R/T, but includes
a 100/400 Watt linear amplifier for transmitter and a higher-
power antenna coupler/tuner.

The basic R/T has digit push-wheel frequency selection (like
digit thumbwheels but with a single button mover). The
AN/VRC-11 through AN/VRC-49 had, variously, 10 push-button
or rotary switch selection of frequencies in the 30 to 76 MHz
region, FM, and were compatible with the AN/PRC-25 and -77
VHF FM sets. The lower number VRCs I've seen all have
chromed push buttons, something left over from WW2. :-)


The latest is an RF psycho weapon using ultra-wideband
microwave stuff to scare-shock-disturb unfriendlies at a
distance. First operational test contract was awarded
a couple months ago. While it uses radio, it might not
be handled by signalmen at all, probably not by artillery
types either. Psy-war units? :-)

I heard about that a couple years ago. Not a psych weapon -- it causes
significant "discomfort" in the eyes and skin at a distance. It is/was
intended for domestic purposes (i.e, riot control -- make sure to wear
your aluminum-foil hat to the upcoming anti-war rallies).

I'll have to get out my aluminized Nomex full-body suit! :-)

The "riot control" version was an R&D model. DoD has
upped the ante with a fieldable system contract awarded
for testing on whoever wherever they want to try it.


The first NODs (Night Observation Devices) were
operational during the latter half of the 1960s and
used in Vietnam. Too many were stolen/captured with
the USSR making their own versions. Now those "Buck
Rogers" devices can be bought at sports stores as
a regular consumer electronics product. shrug

Yeah, I have a Soviet unit that takes 2 AA batteries. Hmmmm.....

In 1967 the U.S. military had three field models of
NODs. Electro-Optical Systems division of Xerox in
Pasadena produced one of those models. Three were
stolen/turned-up-mission that year, feds in there asking
questions after. The production manager "resigned."
I have no idea where those missing NODs wound up but I
read reports in 1970 where the USSR military now had
them. First ones were "blotchy" in imaging and sensitivity
didn't have any automatic gain control but they could
enable anyone to "own the night." They have improved
considerably since 1967.