[Milsurplus] 1910s Mule Pack Radio (was 1930s Mule Pack Radio)

[Don Reaves W5OR]

Last week, at a local hamfest, a fellow collector displayed a nearly
restored mule pack radio - a BC49.  This is a spark gap transmitter and a
crystal receiver in a suitcase sized trunk, first used chasing Pancho Villa
across Mexico.  The BC49 entered service in 1912.  It didn't see long
service, as it required three mules and five men to pack and set up all the
accessories, including tent, antenna, masts, generator, radials, and other
bits. The owner is looking for the proper 500 cycle hand cranked generator.

I was awed to see such a neat trunk full of history.  There is only a tiny
bit of info about WWI era mule pack radios on the web.

http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usamhi/ has at least one reference document.  

Don W5OR
www.militaryradio.com


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