[ARC5] Pilot's control box, CZR-23214

[Brian Clarke]

Hello folks,

I have available for your delectation, one only partly gutted Pilot's control box, CZR-23214. 

This particular one has an intact nomenclature plate telling that it is part of the ZB series aircraft radio equipment. Its serial number is 3780; its contract number is NXs 2959 of April 15, 1942. The manufacturer is Zenith radio corp. It has the US Navy stamp on the plate. The 8-way chassis male connector and some of the original wiring is in place as well as the operating plate showing On / Off, Distant / Local and Homing / Comm. Both the operating and nomenclature plates are in very good condition. But all the switches are missing along with the base plate. The black crackle paint is in very good condition. With appropriate toggle switches, this could easily be made to look original - just the thing for re-enactors or museums. 

Robert Downs, WA5CAB, reminded me that the ZB series of radio equipment comprised the AN / ARR-1, which was essentially a frequency converter from the carrier frequency of around 230 MHz, and a broadcast receiver, such as the BC-946, which was required to decode the carrier frequency's modulation, which was in the BC band range. This was part of a very clever system for advising aircraft where their aircraft carrier was when they had to return. The enemy could easily detect the carrier, but to the uninitiated, there was no intelligible modulation. There was an article in Electric Radio some years ago about getting this system up and running.

If you are interested, contact me off list. I can send you photos and we can discuss shipping.

73 de Brian, VK2GCE.