[ARC5] Re: [Milsurplus] Command key ?

[Bob Macklin]

In the B-29 and later aircraft wirh ART-13/BC-348 intallations the J37/J38
keys were permanently installed to the radio operators table. But during the
Korean War period (I was there) the radio operator could use his own speed
key if he so chose. This was also true in the submarine service.

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ/7
Seattle, Wa.

"REAL RADIOS GLOW IN THE DARK"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Stinson" <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
To: <Military1944 at aol.com>; "ARC-5" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 12:43 PM
Subject: [ARC5] Re: [Milsurplus] Command key ?


> Military1944 at aol.com wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Just finishing off a Command set up here,
> > 2 x rx and 2 x tx layout,
>  > was just wondering what the correct mic and
> > key are with these sets ? >
> > thinking T-17 and J-37 ?
> > guess there may have been slight variations
> > depending upon aircraft fit but what was used in the B-17 etc?
>
> Concerning the microphone:
> As Mike said; the T-17 would be "valid,"
> but not common after 1942 in combat aircraft,
> John Wayne movies notwithstanding ;-).
> 1942 B-17 and B-24 radio installation manuals call for
> the T-17 or T-20, which would connect, not directly to
> the Command Set, but to the the interphone amplifier.
> Amplified output was fed to the BC-456 modulator,
> along with keying lines which were "straight-through."
> These were later replaced by throat mikes which left
> both hands free, and many a B-24 pilot will tell you
> it takes both hands to keep that beast in the air,
> even if it isn't full of holes.
> The transmit key for the throat mike was a button
> mounted on the aircraft control yoke.
>
> The SCR-274N was not issued with a Morse key,
> because it was not intended as a primary Morse radio.
> The "key" button on top was for emergency use
> and to provide a constant key-down for DFing.
> The Radio Op could, of course, plug in his key
> and use the set if his Liaison rig was out.
>
> That being said, it is certain that somewhere
> in some installation, the set was used as a Morse
> primary, probably in a "dual-role" or in a
> ground installation.  I say this in perfect
> confidence; it was a big war, and the Radio Ops
> fighting it used what they could get in many
> combinations to do every kind of job, hang "the book."
> In that instance, it's likely the key was
> a J-37, since they were most available
> and the 274N's "environment" usually included a J-37.
> But don't count anything "out;" I have a
> big, black "flameproof, Navy-Knob" key,
> the kind many of us have with the big
> Navy anchor stamped on the bottom.
> Turn this one over, and there is a
> square Signal Corps inspection stamp.
> Never say "never..."
>
> 73 Dave S.
>
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