[Milsurplus] Hoffman RT-159A / URC-4 Survival Radio

[Mike Morrow]

Alan wrote:

>I think most of them were manufactured by Philharmonic.

Yes, the many that I've seen were.  I've never heard of "Hoffman."

The USN also used the AN/URC-4 in many lifeboat survival kits.

I like the RT-285/URC-11 (243.0 mc) and RT-350/URC-14 (121.5 mc) units
that replacced the RT-159/URC-4.  These also were made by Philharmonic
Radio and Telephone Company.  They used the same battery and cable as
AN/URC-4, but the RT units were about 25 percent of the weight and
volume of the old AN/URC-4.  The AN/URC-14 units that I have seen never
have a military contract or order number shown.  But they were used in
emergency kits by US airlines like PanAm!  These units had six subminiture
tubes, and were smaller and lighter than the later all-solid state
RT-278/URC-10 or AN/URC-64 units of the Vietnam era.

The AN/URC-11/14 were replaced in the early 1960s (judging by component
date codes) by the RT-295A/URC-11 and the RT-350A/URC-14 units.  These
eliminate one tube and use two transistors in its place.  The power cable
is permanently attached on the RT unit end.

The stupid part of the design of all these lightweight AN/URC-4 replacements
is the antenna ejection plunger on the bottom.  This is held in by an
extremely flimsy o-ring that quickly popped loose and was lost.  Almost none
found today have this plunger.  I have such a unit only because it was NOS
when I got it.

I'd eagerly pay for a maintenance manual for the AN/URC-11 or -14, or the A
versions.  I've been looking for a while without success.  AN/URC-4 manuals
are common.

The cited article was interesting.  I'm happy it was brought to the list's
attention.

Mike / KK5F