[Milsurplus] USN RBM vs. RBS Questions

[James C Whartenby]

On Sun, 10 Aug 2003 15:45:52 -0700 "Hue Miller" <kargo_cult@msn.com>
writes:
> > R-336/GRC-26.  And Hue, I'll have to look up what was different in
the R-336 
> > from its source BC-342.  What I was think of is OA-65/MRC-2 which is
a pair of 
> > modified (master/slave) BC-342's.
> 
> The one i have seen looked absolutely identical to BC-342 
> except for the more modern nameplate. With the surplus
> supplies available during the KW, i cannot see how the
> gov't would pay for new BC-342's to be manufactured, so
> my thinking is, these were overhauled and relabeled with
> the new AN/ nomenclature. 
> BTW, it looks like a large number of BC-342's were bought
> by France, then overhauled and relabeled SFR ( i think ). I
> recall seeing these advertised in Fr. radio mags. I have 2 of
> 'em.
> Hue

Hue and the Group
The original GRC-26, with no rev letter, did use a modified BC-342s. 
IIRC, the modifications were in the oscillator and possibly the two RF
sections for greater frequency stability and tracking.  There may have
been some other mods but I think the above were the main reasons for the
revision in model number.  If there is interest, I can dig up the manual
and look for the published reasons for the mods.
Interesting equipment the GRC-26.  Used the R-388, R390 and maybe others?
Regards from Arkansas,
Jim