[Milsurplus] MAB vs BC-611

[Mike Morrow]

Ray wrote:

> DAV had a DF mode. In that sense this line had more options and
> flexibility then the BC-611

The BC-611 had a DF attachment.  However, I wonder if DF'ing with the BC-611 or DAV was ever actually used in combat.  It seems like a solution looking for a problem.  Even the DF antennas for the later FM PRC-6/8/9/10 and PRC-25/77 sets seem to have been white elephants.

> the BC-611 although a great radio for its time ultimately turned
> out to be a technological blind alley

And the MAB/DAV wasn't???  The fact that HF-AM tactical portable sets were replaced worldwide by far superior VHF-FM sets says nothing about the relative merits of the BC-611 vs. the MAB/DAV.  IMHO, the RF and physical design of the BC-611 is a significant advance over that of the MAB/DAV.

> what about the PRC-6

Physically, the PRC-6 owes far more to the BC-611 than to the MAB/DAV.

> PRR/PRT9

Or how about the PRC-34/36 helmet/belt radios?  Just like the PRR-9 and PRT-4...ineffective dead ends that didn't get much out of the prototype phase (PRC-34/36), or shouldn't have (PRR-9/PRT-4).

> PRC-68 

Beginning the modern era with this set...though I think that the URC-68 (vs. the PRC-68) was one of the first practical and modestly deployed combat handhelds.

> and all the subsequent hand held radios I have to say
> that I do not feel that the PRC-6 or all that came after that
> owes anything in its design to the BC-611

But since we were comparing the BC-611 to the MAB/DAV, how much do the sets that you list owe to the MAB/DAV?  Obviously, much much less than they do to the BC-611.

As an RTO I carted around a PRC-6 (USMC was still using some in 1972!) or a PRC-25 (not 77) through the Dismal Swamp on military training exercises 33 years ago.  Based on that limited experience, I can't imagine selecting a MAB/DAV over a BC-611 if that was the choice I'd have had to make.  All that extra cordage and awkward antenna mountings and weight of the MAB/DAV would be unacceptable in the extreme compared to the compact simplicity, shoulder sling carry, and better performance of the BC-611.  The DAV, in particular, is a real loser.  Its DF function would be just a bunch more useless weight and bulk.   

Accounts of USMC use of the BC-611 in the PTO exist, but accounts of use of the MAB/DAV (by anyone) seem not to.  I think that's pretty good de facto indication of which was the better combat set.  When a set loses out to the TBY in accounts of actual usage, that set must have been a real howler!

But it's good that VHF-FM ultimately relegated all these HF-AM sets to reserve use or storage depots.  (I'm ignoring the Vietnam era "village" radios.)

73,
Mike / KK5F
(Two MABs, one DAV, one BC-611-F (plus PRC-6/8/9/10/25/77) in collection)