[ARC5] R-648/ARR-41 vs. R-224/ARR-36

[Mike Morrow]

Jim wrote:

> Hard to compare the above other then they both seem to be
> afterthoughts as system requirements were expanded.  Not to
>  mention that each were used by competing branches of the
> military; were designed by competing companies which both
> seem to have loyal followers.  Might as well compare dogs
> to cats.  ;-))

Jim, everything you list is **exactly** why they invite comparison!

END GOAL:  A Top-line MF/HF Main Set RT and Aux Receiver

It is fascinating to study what resulted as affected by:
USAF Requirements vs. USN Requirements
RCA Design vs. Collins Design

RT-128A/ARC-21 with R-224/ARR-36 vs. RT-311/ARC-38 with R-648/ARR-41

There was some common ground with the USB conversions of the RT units, since the USB designs for both the AN/ARC-21 and the AN/ARC-38 were done by RCA;

RT-400/ARC-65 vs. RT-594/ARC-38A

I am unaware of any other group of sets that present as much interesting parallel-path comparisons.  A few other "parallel" service-specific sets just don't come near:

HF
AN/ARC-8 (USAAF) - AN/ARR-11 (BC-348-A) and AN/ART-13A
AN/ARC-25 (USN) - AN/ARR-15 and AN/ART-13

VHF
AN/ARC-1 (USN)
AN/ARC-3 (USAAF)

Anyone with much interest in the past 80 years of vacuum-tube US aircraft communications receivers should have or study these:

AN/ARR-11 - BC-348-Q, -R
AN/ARR-15 - R-105A
AN/ARR-41 - R-648

The AN/ARR-36 is not on the list.  It is just too rare.  Aside from that, it would be a bear to use.  Its also significantly larger and heavier than listed receivers.

Mike / KK5F


       From: Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net>
 To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Monday, March 21, 2016 1:55 AM
 Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] R-648/ARR-41
   
> ... i am looking at the ARR-41 with changed feeling now. This was
> the final “NO” vote.

That would be a decision without sound basis, IMHO.

The R-648/ARR-41 represents the ultimate level of development for military LF/MF/HF aircraft receivers of the vacuum tube era.  snipThe USAF also used their contemporary RT-128A/ARC-21 (and RT-400/ARC-65) aircraft HF set with a R-224/ARR-36 auxilary receiver.  It uses the same model control box as the RT-128A, which requires frequency entry by setting pins on a drum.  I have an R-224, but it could serve little real purpose to try to get running.  The AN/ARR-41 has this closest competitor beat.

Mike / KK5F
PS:  The only significant cat vs. dog difference...cats are fluffier.