[Milsurplus] SCR-197 -> SCR-299

[Marty Reynolds]

Very, very few ever saw a SCR-197.  According to good source*, six were
built.  Easily found data sez 3 BC-342s, a Halli S-20R, and a BC-325 tx.
100W to 300W.

RXs & TXs fitted in streamline trailer WITH the motor generator.  Deafening
headphones-only cw environment.

Tractor had sloping grille like a '36 Plymouth & whole rig looked like
one of Howard Hughes' mobile movie star dressing rooms.

One appeared at big LA-TX three div'n equipment tests of 6/41 & was the
Signal Corps laughingstock.  Always mired to axles in muck & because
of LA-TX heat, only useable just before dawn.

Somehow one survived thru war & was still parked in '46 outside DC at
some army sig. corps site.

Idea was since SCR-187 (bc-191, '342, RA-42, PE-75) took so long
to install, this mobile thing wud. prevail.

An evident flop but it quickly begot the SCR-299 & a new reqm't.
"100 miles in motion."  IE, talk 100 miles while truck on road.  '299
of course BC-610 (HT-4) & '342s & trailed PE-95 & '939 tuna & mongo whip.

The 4wd chebbie panel truck in civvy life was a bread truck & name
stuck thru Anzio... where '187 group user* sed got it's 1st & this
guy sed everyone used name.

BTW... only use for these '187s & 299s was on AAF airbases & they
had skeds to say little more than "I'm OK, R U OK?"

I'm sure there's bolloxed detail here but in overview it's OK.

End of essay

   'rm


*Some data here is via memory from "Green Book - the emergency," other
 is oral tradition - like from the '197 & '187 sources.

 Have copied my '197 source & will report any mistakes