[GreenKeys] AN/MRC-32 RATT

[Ken Kinderman]

In his description of the AN/GRC-26A, Ken said "Dropped onto the ground,
it can be called an MRC-32."

 I hadn't heard of the "MRC-32" before, so I Googled it and came up
with  a description & pictures at Nick's Navy-Radio site:
http://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/mc/mc-radio-07.pdf  It is listed under
USMC communications equipment and looks just like an AN/GRC-26A!  I know
that there has always been a lot of rivalry between the Army & the
Marine Corps, but did they really need different nomenclature for the
same equipment??

Does anyone know what the difference was between the GRC-26A & the MRC-32??

Thanks,

Duncan
K2OEQ

*Yup, that's exactly what it is, right down to the TG-7B's tarted up into
TT-55's.

Note that all the photos in all the manuals show an empty clock mount.
That's where the A-11 goes. Notice also that the wooden case under the
operating table is called a CT-689/GRC-26. That's another design blunder.
It's made of 1/4" plywood and holds 80 pounds or more of TTY paper and tape.
It has to be slid out from under the table.. no wheels. Every time I pull
mine out, it comes apart in my hands.

When restoring mine I had to make a paint decision. All the evidence pointed
to post-WW2 semi-gloss olive. But with all the dents in the sheet metal it
wouldn't look so good. Once I found out that the Marines used it, I decided
on Marine Green. It's a slightly different shade, but best of all it's a
flat finish, so the dents aren't as visible. Once the shelter is painted one
more time, the original stencils will go back onto it in Marine Yellow,
along with the original NSN number which was also originally on the unit.

Nice catch Duncan!


73,

Ken
W2EWL
*