[ARC5] BC-453 in the SCR-274N Configuration

Mark K3MSB mark.k3msb at gmail.com
Fri Feb 24 15:38:43 EST 2023


Without checking my notes...  276 Kc was not related to AN ranges.

It was a standard ground to air frequency for use by aircraft that didnt
have a transmitter or didn't have 2 way comms on the several other standard
airport frequencies in the 3 to 5 Mc range.

73 Mark K3MSB

On Fri, Feb 24, 2023, 3:21 PM Bart Lee <bart.lee.k6vk at gmail.com> wrote:

> "a switch that when pulled out set the radio to 276 Kc."
>
> What was that frequency at the time?  A standard airfield A-N?
>
> We have, at the CHRS Museum, a BC-1206 but not an R76-ARR-13.
>
> Nice pix!
>
> 73
>
> ##
> -- --
> Bart Lee, K6VK, CHRS Archivist and Fellow, AWA Fellow, ARRL Liaison
>
> Texts only to: 415 902 7168
>
> www.bartlee.com
>
> {Bart(dot)Lee(dot)K6VK(at)gmail(dot)com}
> <http://www.lawforhams.com/>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 9:54 AM Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> The P-51 Pilot Training Manual dated 15 Aug 1945 mentions only the
>> SCR-522 (which makes sense as by that date it would have replaced the
>> SCR-274N).   The manual shows a Detrola LF receiver mounted on the lower
>> right side of the cockpit.     “The Detrola is a low-frequency receiver.
>> It operates between 200 and 400 Kc, which covers the transmission band for
>> towers and range stations through the United States.”
>>
>> I have no doubt that a BC-1206 could be used in place of the Detrola as
>> visually they look to be about the same size.
>>
>> The BC-1206 was Setchell Carlson Model 524.   The Model 512 was the
>> R-76/ARR-13.   It was similar to the 1206 but had a switch that when pulled
>> out set the radio to 276 Kc.  See attachment.
>>
>> Another important use of the BC-1206 and R-76 was they were used for
>> ferry flights from the factory to the facility that installed the radios.
>> It was a temporary installation.
>>
>> 73 Mark K3MSB
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 11:07 AM <releazer at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Before WWII and even up until the 1970's to a limited degree, AN ranges
>>> were used on low frequencies.  These featured signals that gave a
>>> continuous tone if you were headed toward the station and an A (Dit Dah)
>>> tone or an N (Dah Dit) tone if you were off to one side.  Light aircraft
>>> without even an electrical system could use the AN ranges for navigation,
>>> and also receive control tower instructions by employing battery powered
>>> receivers.  Fighter aircraft generally did not have an ADF or even a loop
>>> antenna and so were equipped with LF receivers for the same reasons.  When
>>> SCR-522 replaced the SCR-274-N  or SCR-283 equipment small LF receivers
>>> were often installed in the cockpit to preserve the LF capability, such as
>>> the BC-1206 series made by Detrola, Setchell Carlson and others.  It is not
>>> clear to me how often the BC-1206 equipment was retained for overseas use
>>> or how USAAF fighters in the UK homed in on their airfield beacons.
>>>
>>> Postwar the BC-1206 was replaced with BC-453 in many refurbished P-51's
>>> that had ARC-3 fitted and can be seen perched high above the ARC-3
>>> equipment under the bubble canopy.
>>>
>>> Wayne
>>> WB5WSV
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