[Milsurplus] SCR-399

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

During WW-II, virtually all of the trucks (including Jeeps) carrying radio 
sets came off of the TO&E of the using unit.  They were not considered a part of 
the radio set and were not covered in the radio set manuals.  Just as 
aircraft were not considered then part of the radio sets carried.  The only 
exceptions that come to mind are a few USMC sets.  During the Korean War there were 
more exceptions (the AN/MRC- sets), but during WW-II even with the big trailer 
mounted sets like AN/MRC-2 or all of the big fighter control sets, or the mobile 
trailer mounted radar sets, the prime movers were not considered (for 
requisitioning or support) as part of the radio set.  The SCR-399 was a mobile set 
that could be operated dismounted, not a portable set that could be operated in 
a vehicle (like the SCR-300 or later AN/PRC-10 or AN/PRC-25).  

However, my point was that Portable, Transportable and Vehicular were 
distinctions predating the AN system.  And that Portable has always implied something 
that less than a Squad could pick up and carry.  :-)  SCR-399 is a vehicular 
set.  SCR-499 is a transportable set.  There was no portable variant.


In a message dated 7/27/2006 8:42:06 PM Central Daylight Time, W7QHO at aol.com 
writes: 
> We usually think of the 399 in this way but apparently that was not always 
> the case.   TM11-281, March 1945, sez "...USUALLY (emphasis added) installed 
> as 
> a mobile station..."   Goes on to say "....is shipped with the operating 
> components and the power source installed in Shelter HO-17-A and Trailer 
> K-52-( ) 
> respectively."   (No truck)   On the next page,   makes a point of saying 
> that 
> "For mobile use" mount the shelter on a 2 1/2 ton, 6 X 6.   Would be 
> interesting to know how many were used in the truck vs. non-truck 
> configuration.
> 
> The BC-499 (no shelter or trailer) is specifically characterized as NOT 
> intended for mobile use.   The TM makes the point that the components of the 
> system 
> are small enough for air transportation.
> 

Robert Downs - Houston
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