[Milsurplus] UHF (& BC-357)

[Scott Johnson]

My guess is the ARC-51 family easily exceeds the ARC-27 in number produced, 
it also had a longer service , from the early sixties to the early nineties 
(in the US, there may be countries still using it). The ARC-34 is also 
available, but is not exactly child's play to keep running. If one is 
looking for cheap, there are also the UHF FAC radios such as the PRC-66 and 
75 which are available in the  sub-100 dollar range.  There is some 
interesting monitoring to do on these sets, but I would strongly warn anyone 
against transmitting without proper permissions.  I support contractors that 
need UHF capability, but was once admonished for conducting an on-air check 
while the particular aircraft was not technically on contract.  Also 
never,never, never even think about transmitting on any of the glideslope 
discretes, or even near them! Some radios, such as the ARC-27 can be coaxed 
down to 220 MHz, so you can legally operate in the amateur alocation, as 
long as you have someone else to talk to on 220AM!


Good Luck,
Scott
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jeff" <jeffv at op.net>
To: "Mike Morrow" <kk5f at earthlink.net>
Cc: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 7:24 AM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] UHF (& BC-357)


> On Mon, 2004-12-20 at 16:44, Mike Morrow wrote:
>> Here in the U.S., surplus 225 to 400 MHz radios are all over the place, 
>> often at give-away prices.
>
> that would match my price range almost exactly :)
>
>
>> Of all the above, IMO the AN/ARC-51BX is an excellent, lightweight, and 
>> compact set that likely approaches the earlier ARC-27/55 sets for the 
>> number of installations.  It is the classic military "command set" of the 
>> 1960s and 70s.  On eBay, $50 is a typical price for the RT-unit, and $25 
>> usually gets a control box.  Other than cable/plugs, that's about all 
>> there is to the set.
>
> I've been reading, trying to pick up some knowledge and this is the
> direct, simple kind of information even *I* can understand.
>
> Would you recommend this as a first milsurplus radio?  If not, which?
> I'd like to start out cheap and relatively simple (and progress from
> there).  Santa gave me some Auction Dollars so all I need is a clue.
>
> UHF is interesting, as I have a few HF Boatanchors.
>
>
> While I'm asking for the impossible: anywhere in the Philadelphia (PA
> US) area to shop?
>
>
>
> thanks
>
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