[ARC5] GF-12/RU-17 two-pin connectors and Test Meter

Tue Sep 6 15:16:04 EDT 2011

Gentlemen, many thanks for all your replies!

I have ordered some PL-77 connectors from Robert Downs, so those are on 
their way.

The test meter seems to be a bit of an aberation, but I'll provide one on my 
set-up just for fun! I don't know how common the GF/RU equipment is here in 
the UK, I suspect not very, but for some reason I came across eight meters 
unused in their cardboard boxes. Strange! Some are labelled GF-12 / RU-17, 
others RU-19.

Andy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <arc5-request at mailman.qth.net>
To: <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2011 4:57 PM
Subject: ARC5 Digest, Vol 92, Issue 8

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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. That two pin connector RU and 183 (Jack Antonio)
>   2. Re: That two pin connector RU and 183 (WA5CAB at cs.com)
>   3. Re: GF-12/RU-17 two-pin connectors and Test Meter (Mike Hanz)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:54:24 -0400
> From: Jack Antonio <scr287 at att.net>
> Subject: [ARC5] That two pin connector RU and 183
> To: arc5 at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <4E663420.60209 at att.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> That little two pin threaded connector has
> a number of designations and usages.
>
> Bur first, going back to the SCR-183.  The
> cable to the antenna relay uses a PL-77, two
> of these if using the TM-A(*)-172.  This is a
> "banana plug" style of connector typical of
> those sets.
>
> Now on the RU/GF.  The antenna relay cable
> uses a Navy Type 77. However this is *not* the
> same as the Army PL-77.  The Navy 77 is the
> two pin threaded connector. Whether the similar
> designations is a coincidence or not, who knows?
>
> The test meter uses a connector which is physically
> the same as the Navy Type 77, but has one pin marked with
> a plus sign, this goes by the ARC part number of 3146.  I have not found
> any Navy Type designation for this connector. In Army usage, on
> the early SCR-274N installations(with the I-71 tuning meter), it is
> known as the PL-157.
>
> Now to the VHF AN/ARC-5.  This same 3146 connector is used to
> connect to the C-42 and C-43 control boxes with an optional
> sidetone injection cable, from the receiver rack. In the parts
> list it is listed as a part of the CD-905 cable, and uses the
> Army PL-157 part number.
>
> Talk about arcane trivia.....
>
> One observation on the test meter.  Although the manual describes
> the use of the meter in direction finding applications, the meter
> just doesn't seem rugged enough for mounting in an aircraft, at least
> without some form of shock absorbing.
>
> Jack Antonio WA7DIA/4
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2011 11:21:31 -0400 (EDT)
> From: WA5CAB at cs.com
> Subject: Re: [ARC5] That two pin connector RU and 183
> To: arc5 at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <e8ca.7d6b12f8.3b97947b at cs.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> The 3146 also differs from the 77 in that the ID of the gland or tube on
> the rear of the connector is 1/4".  On the 77 it is 3/8".  Besides 77's, I
> also have a few 3146's.
>
> In a message dated 09/06/2011 09:54:31 AM Central Daylight Time,
> scr287 at att.net writes:
>> That little two pin threaded connector has
>> a number of designations and usages.
>>
>> Bur first, going back to the SCR-183.  The
>> cable to the antenna relay uses a PL-77, two
>> of these if using the TM-A(*)-172.  This is a
>> "banana plug" style of connector typical of
>> those sets.
>>
>> Now on the RU/GF.  The antenna relay cable
>> uses a Navy Type 77. However this is *not* the
>> same as the Army PL-77.  The Navy 77 is the
>> two pin threaded connector. Whether the similar
>> designations is a coincidence or not, who knows?
>>
>> The test meter uses a connector which is physically
>> the same as the Navy Type 77, but has one pin marked with
>> a plus sign, this goes by the ARC part number of 3146.  I have not found
>> any Navy Type designation for this connector. In Army usage, on
>> the early SCR-274N installations(with the I-71 tuning meter), it is
>> known as the PL-157.
>>
>> Now to the VHF AN/ARC-5.  This same 3146 connector is used to
>> connect to the C-42 and C-43 control boxes with an optional
>> sidetone injection cable, from the receiver rack. In the parts
>> list it is listed as a part of the CD-905 cable, and uses the
>> Army PL-157 part number.
>>
>> Talk about arcane trivia.....
>>
>
> Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
> wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
> MVPA 9480
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:57:16 -0400
> From: Mike Hanz <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org>
> Subject: Re: [ARC5] GF-12/RU-17 two-pin connectors and Test Meter
> To: Andy Young <andy-young at supanet.com>
> Cc: arc5 at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <4E6642DC.8010602 at aafradio.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> On 9/2/2011 6:43 AM, Andy Young wrote:
>> Can anyone suggest a source of the little two-pin plugs used on the cable 
>> between the Junction Box and Antenna Relay Unit and on the Test Meter of 
>> the GF-12/RU-17 system, please?
>
> Robert Downs has a few left, apparently.  They can be fabricated, if one
> has a drill press and a small lathe to use.  The knurled thumb nut is
> actually almost the same as used on the RU and SCR-183/283 tuning
> "speedometer" cables, so if you have any of those, that would save
> fabrication time.  A washer would have to be installed between the
> inside of such nuts and the connector body because the 'through' hole is
> larger than the one on the PL-77.  For the gluttons for punishment who
> might want to take a shot at making one, I have some dimensions and
> other thoughts at http://aafradio.org/garajmahal/PL-77.html - I had to
> go through the process in order to make a unique PL-76 that is identical
> except it has a single pin.  (Yes, it has no relationship to the *later*
> PL-76...the Signal Corps evidently had no compunctions about using the
> same number over for a "normal" banana pin  connector.)
>
>> Speaking of the Test Meter, how was it used in practice? Did any 
>> installations include this meter as a permanent feature? It's not really 
>> a portable unit, it's meant to be mounted somewhere, so for ground set-up 
>> or repair on the bench a workshop test-meter would seem a better option.
>
> The only installations where I have seen photographs of them permanently
> mounted have been in the test bench area.  I don't recall seeing them in
> any actual aircraft photos, but I never say never.  As KK5F mentioned,
> the manual mutters vaguely about the possibility of using it for DF
> readings, but the example cockpit photos I have here from the
> Smithsonian's collection (including the OS-8 Kingfisher at the bottom of
> http://aafradio.org/flightdeck/Peripherals-mikes.html ) doesn't have it
> anywhere in view.  It occurs to me that perhaps an audible DF,
> especially in the normal minima perception used most often, might have
> been "good 'nuff" for most applications.  Has anyone else seen any
> documentary evidence other than the RU/GF manuals?  The DU-2 manual here
> doesn't mention anything other than using an "output voltmeter" with a
> 1.5v or 6v scale for cardioid maxima finding in the unusual condition of
> being very close to the bearing source (as if every navigator carries an
> output voltmeter in his pocket for such emergencies...) :-)   That sorta
> tells me that the use of the RU/GF test meter as a permanent fixture in
> most cockpits wasn't exactly widespread.
>
> 73,
> Mike  KC4TOS
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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