[ARC5] SCR-AF-183

[David Stinson]

SCR-AF-183 is not compat. with other models.
It was manufactured by W.E. on order 10990-NY-36.
While it is the early A.R.C. design (with some mods)
it may have been- if not the first, then one of the first- 
sub-contracts that A.R.C. let to Western Electric.

Or perhaps the Army asked W.E. to compete using
the same basic design.  I have no documentation
either way, but the "subcontract" idea is most likely.

Bracketing the -AF-, 
A.R.C. produced the SCR-AE-183 on several orders, 
the earliest of which I have documentation 
is SC-132368 Date 6-5-35 (an earlier order system)
and the latest one I have,  17879-NY-39 1-10-39 
(that's odd, I know).
A.R.C. produced SCR-AG-183 on order 11487-NY-36.

So A.R.C. and W.E. were producing very similar sets
during the same time period.  It could be W.E. was
"taking up some slack" from A.R.C. as they were to do 
later, because I have never seen a piece of -AG- equipment,
while many parts of -AE- have surfaced.
I'll leave the final answer as to why W.E. stuck its nose
in the middle of the SCR-xx-183 life-cycle to the lucky 
person who gets to spend a month or three in the archives.

The -AF- receiver, rx control box, dynamotor and junction box 
were also componants of the receive-only set SCR-AB-185
and radio-compass set SCR-AB-186.
"While the general appearance and fuctioning of this radio set
are the same as those of the others......, many of the circuits 
are different and most of the parts are not interchangeable..."

The set was furnish either with a "normal" range of coils,
or with an "alternative" set, 
depending on the mission of the installation aircraft.

"Normal"
Transmitter coil C-200, 6200-7700 KC
Transmitter coil C-182, crystal control on 4495 KC (Army Airways)
Receiver dual Coil C-185, 201-398 KC, 4150-7700 KC.

"Alternate"
Transmitter coil C-200, 6200-7700 KC
Transmitter coil C-201, 3050-3800 KC
Transmitter coil C-182, crystal control on 4495 KC (Army Airways)
Receiver dual coil C-183, 201-398 KC, 2500-4700 KC
Receiver coil C-192, 4150-7850 KC

I have an example of th SCR-AF-183 transmitter, but 
no coil.  The transmitter coil socket has a large exclusion pin 
in the center to prevent other set coils from being inserted.
I've seen one -AF- receiver and one antenna switch (BC-AF-198)
on Ebay, but couldn't afford either of them.  Have photos 
if needed.

If anyone has one of the -AF- transmitter coil sets, I'd make a good trade.

73 Dave S.