[Collins] KWM-1 in U2 aircraft

Wed Feb 1 18:15:31 EST 2017

Best I recall the KWM-1 I saw in that U2 was behind the pilot's seat 
mounted up above the seat back or on top of the dash so the pilot could 
use its controls since it had no provisions for remote control. It had 
the crystal plug in sold for novices. It had to be accessible in flight 
to change frequency and to tune. The 618T sure took more power but it 
was remote controlled and auto tuned as was the companion antenna 
coupler, a great deal easier for the pilot to use. I can see that if the 
cabin was not pressurized the KWM-1 would need considerable modification 
to keep it from arcing around the PA tubes and tuning capacitors while 
transmitting. According to the yellow 1959 Fundamentals of Single 
Sideband there were both 12 volt and 24 volt supplies that could run the 
KWM-1 and KWM-2. 516E-1 and 516E-2.

Then the museum aircraft may have been modified at the museum to install 
a stock KWM-1 because some had been used and there were no radios in the 
aircraft that got to the museum. So we can't be sure about the radio. 
There weren't very many U2 as I recall so a couple KWM-1 and the 3 618T 
mentioned in those documents may have gone a long way.

73, Jerry, K0CQ, Technical Adviser to the Collins Radio Association.

On 2/1/2017 11:27 AM, antqradio at sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Jerry
>
> Below are some CIA documents concerning the U2-C + (KWM-1 or SSB), there
> are others to be found at:
>
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/
>
> I just did a quick scan of these docs but it seems that the KWM-1 was
> heavily modified and mounted in the U2 nose area since it was packaged
> to operate at 70,000 feet. Support aircraft used either the ARC-58 or
> ARC-65 depending on the age of the aircraft and transceiver location.
> These docs are redacted and terse so several have to be read to get the
> full picture.
>
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP67B00511R000100240023-0.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP89B00569R000900250183-7.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP81B00878R000600030100-7.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP63-00313A000600070028-9.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP63-00313A000600070037-9.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP81B00961R000100010141-9.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP81B00961R000100140242-3.pdf
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP33-02415A000400310008-4.pdf
>
>
> Jim
>
>
> *From:* Dr. Gerald N. Johnson <geraldj at netins.net>
> *To:* collins at mailman.qth.net
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:27 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Collins] 312B-2
>
> Some KWM-1 flew in U-2 spy planes with the crystal plug in option. I
> remember seeing one in the cockpit I think at the SAC museum in Nebraska
> several years ago.
>
> I think the KWM-1 production was all before Art's decree for random
> serial numbers so the highest serial number found may hint at the number
> produced. I know for sure that the random serial numbers applied to
> KWM-2 and S line.
>
> 73, Jerry, K0CQ, Technical Adviser to the Collins Radio Association.
>
> On 1/31/2017 5:26 PM, CARLSMITHSON wrote:
>  >
>  > There is a new group on facebook dedicated to the KWM-1 and the fellow
>  > wanted serial numbers of their rigs. I was trying to determine just
> how many
>  > KWM-1s were made and I found a listing for a 312B-2 with a paint chip for
>  > $1300.
>  >
>  > Sonny
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > -----Original Message-----
>  > From: Gary H. Harmon, Jr. [mailto:gharmon at idworld.net
> <mailto:gharmon at idworld.net>]
>  > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 6:02 PM
>  > To: 'CARLSMITHSON'; Collins at mailman.qth.net
> <mailto:Collins at mailman.qth.net>
>  > Subject: RE: [Collins] 312B-2
>  >
>  > That's good to know. I have one plus two KWM-1s plus one AC PS and an
> extra
>  > AC PS cover.
>  >
>  > WHY? Good question.
>  >
>  > 73,
>  >
>  > Gary H. Harmon, Jr. - K5JWK - HAM Radio and ATARI Archaeologist
>  > 6003 Archwood
>  > San Antonio, TX 78239-1504
>  > (210) 657-1549<home>
>  > (210) 884-6926<cell and text>
>  > (210) 657-1549<FAX with prior notification> gharmon at idworld.net
> <mailto:gharmon at idworld.net>
>  >
>  > "Retirement = Every day is a Saturday except Sunday"
>  > http://www.grissomroadcoc.org <http://www.grissomroadcoc.org/>
>  >
>  >
>  > -----Original Message-----
>  > From: Collins [mailto:collins-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> <mailto:collins-bounces at mailman.qth.net>] On Behalf Of
>  > CARLSMITHSON
>  > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 4:58 PM
>  > To: Collins at mailman.qth.net <mailto:Collins at mailman.qth.net>
>  > Subject: [Collins] 312B-2
>  >
>  > I saw somewhere that the 312-B2 speaker,directional coupler, phone
> patch is
>  > possibly the rarest Collins assessor. Do any of you know what numbers
> were
>  > produced?
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > Thanks,
>  >
>  > Sonny Smithson..NN8K
>  >
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