[Milsurplus] I'd like some advice, SCR-508

[Mike Morrow]

>I've got a friend, who has a friend, with a tank.  I have no idea which
>one, but he's given me the information that he thinks it takes the
>SCR-508....  components:  BC-604, BC-603, ST-237.

The main BC-604 and BC-603 units are fairly common and low cost on ebay.  But carefully check any BC-603 receiver to make sure it hasn't been ham-hacked.  The best give-away of that is some sort of kludge power supply installed in the dynamotor well.  You'll need two BC-603 receivers for the SCR-508.  The SCR-528 is identical except that only one BC-603 is used.  Then there's the AN/VRC-5 that uses a BC-603 and a BC-604 each on their own separate special (rare) mount.  The later-service receivers will have a protective adjustable baffle over the speaker, which won't be on early units.  I prefer the BC-604-DM and BC-603-DM later model versions.

You'll need a crystal set (80 pieces) which is stored in the drawer on the BC-604, plus the appropriate dynamotors for the BC-604 and two BC-603s.  Presumably a tank installation would require the 24 vdc versions.  Several BC-606 control units and the A-62 phantom antenna unit are appropriate too.  Robert/WA5CAB probably has some of these items available.  Appropriate antenna mount and elements will need to be found.

The FT-237 mounting rack is one of the hardest items to find today, and it is absolutely essential.  Expect to pay several hundred dollars for it alone if you can ever find someone selling one.  I guess if a fellow has his own tank, money isn't a controlling issue.

>He's told me that the intercom was part of the radio set.

That's normally performed by the BC-604 audio section.  There is separate a BC-605 intercom amplifier that fits in place of a BC-603.  But that is obsolete and has no function in a SCR-508, SCR-528, or AN/VRC-5 installation that has a BC-604 transmitter that is likely to be found in surplus today.

Mike / KK5F