[ARC5] AN/CRC-7

[Mike Morrow]

> You have to wonder why they did not use a CRC-7

The AN/CRC-7 wasn't AFAIK, available while WWII was in progress.
In addition, it is a US Navy set, not an Army set.  That makes a
difference.

The SCR-585-A (BC-721-A) was serviceable after glider landing
in BC-611-* type ground service.  A VHF unit would have been
worthless after landing, because there was no longer a need
for VHF-AM aircraft communications, and US Army ground
communications had no place for a VHF set.

> although I don't know if the C-47's and other towplanes had
> VHF, I would guess they would in order to interface with the
> RAF interceptor systems

You can bet that any USAAF aircraft operating from the UK had
a SCR-522-A VHF set installed (until the AN/ARC-3 came out).
I corresponded with Bruce Vaughn/NR5Q (now SK), who was a Radio
Tech in the ETO.  He said that the SCR-522-A got way more use than
any other aircraft radio set, and that it was used almost everywhere.
He also said it was a pain to re-channel for new frequencies.

Mike / KK5F