[ARC5] SCR-522: Rethinking The Old Gal

[Mike Morrow]

Dave wrote:

> Once, I was disdainful of the SCR-522 VHF rig.  Not because of
> its history, which is quite significant, but for aesthetics,
> calling it an "ugly black lump of a radio."

IMHO the SCR-522-A was the MOST important aircraft command set on any frequency used by any armed service of any nation during WWII.  Bendix made a great contribution to the war effort with its refinement of original UK designs.  Even the USN used it...I have a picture of a PBY cockpit with two BC-602-B pushbutton control boxes side-by-side.

I have complete VHF sets AN/ARC-4, SCR-522-A, AN/ARC-5, AN/ARC-3, and AN/ARC-1.  It's interesting to see the development of US military VHF command sets over a short four-year period.

I admire the beauty, quality, and engineering of the MF/HF AN/ARC-5 system, but the SCR-522-A was much better suited for command set service.  Unfortunately, its horrific complex "Rube Goldberg" push-button mechanical nightmare BC-602-B control box inspired similar control box abominations like the C-118/ARC-3 and C-30/ARC-5. :-)

Mike / KK5F