[Milsurplus] The R-1/ARR-1 and ARR-2 Receivers

[Mike Morrow]

Bruce quoted Walt Hudgins in ER:

"The ARR-1 (early Navy id ZB) is a 4 tube TRF receiver covering 234 to 258 
mcs....Its output (540-830 kc) goes to another receiver of any type which 
can be tuned to that frequency (from which it also draws power)."

"The ARR-2 is a self-contained 11 tube receiver.  (No companion receiver 
needed)."

"Did our WW2 carrier task force commanders ever use this system?"


As it's been mentioned, the ZB-series or R-1/ARR-1 could be clipped to the top of the ARB receiver, but it also can be clipped on top of the RU-series receiver after the tube cover is removed.  I suspect that the ZB/RU combo was the most common usage before the AN/ARR-2 appeared.  Maybe that explains why today many used RU units are missing the tube cover. 

I believe that the original ZB actually pre-dates WWII a little, and it seems to me that it was likely quickly eclipsed by the AN/ARR-2 which fit in a standard AN/ARC-5 receiver rack slot and was much simpler to install and more versatile to use.  Until the AN/ARR-2 appeared, the ZB-ARR-1 was the only reason for there to be BC-band ARA/SCR-274/ARC-5 receivers in service.  

Personally, I doubt that these BCB-command sets were actually EVER used to support the ZB-ARR-1 function.  Has anyone EVER seen a BCB command receiver that looked like it had been used in service, or got pictures of, say, an R-1/ARR-1 installed with a R-24/ARC-5?  I have seen pictures of the radio operator position in USN aircraft like the SBD and TBD where the ZB unit is clearly visible, but always along with a RU-series receiver. 

I'm not sure why Walt seems uncertain about the system's actual use by US carrier force aircraft.  Plenty of pictures exist showing installations of the ZB-ARR-1 or AN/ARR-2 in USN carrier-based aircraft.  The AN/ARC-5 manuals NavAer 08-5Q-95 and AN 16-30ARC5-2 show the presence of the AN/ARR-2 in many radio system configurations.  At least one pilot's memoir exists in which the radio operator is praised for being able to quickly re-tune the ZB for homing in on another aircraft carrier than the one the aircraft had launched from.  

I seek info to determine if/where/when the USAAF used the system.  Most of the R-1/ARR-1 units actually have Signal Corps type nameplates with SC contract numbers on them, to pair up with a BC-946/FT-310 BCB unit.

It is very common to find AN/ARR-2(*) sets that were overhauled as late as 1956, and the AN 16-30ARR2-2 maintenance manual was revised at least as late as 1 MAY 54.  It appears that this homing system had a long post-WWII career.

Mike / KK5F