[Milsurplus] ATD Transmitter

[Mike Morrow]

Moe wrote:

>Have found an Bendix ATD transmitter located in a old barn. Covered
>and not disturbed by rodents yet. I am looking for some info on these
>transmitters as I have never see one before.

The ATD was the Bendix competitor to the Collins ATC (T-47/ART-13).
It was a poor second, but it is nonetheless interesting.  It was a
better unit than the earlier GP- and GO-series transmitters.

Yours has the four tuning units that normally come with a new ATD.
There is also a rare LF/MF tuning unit and an even rarer 9 to 15 MC
tuning unit.  It appears yours may be missing the mounting rail
slides.  The dynamotor and pilot's remote control box are the main
accessories.  There is also a LF/MF antenna tuning unit (not needed
if the LF/MF transmitter tuning unit mentioned above isn't present)
and a remote channel indicator for the radioman, which isn't 
necessary either.

An associated LM-series frequency meter connected to the CFI terminal
is a definite requirement for adjusting the master oscillator setting
in each tuning unit.

I have one of list member Robert's (WA5CAB) excellent reproduction ATD
manuals.  I don't know of any significant info on the web about the ATD.

The RCA ARB receiver covers completely the same frequency range as the
ATD below 9.05 MHz, and so it is the best companion to the ATD.  But I
doubt that very many ATDs ever flew.  The ATC was so superior.  Most
surviving ATDs appear never to have been placed in service.

I have assembled a complete (except for inter-unit wiring) new-condition
installation consisting of an ATD transmitter, ARB receiver, ZB-3 homing
adapter, and LM-20 frequency meter.  Plus, there's an ABK-5 Mark III IFF
and a AN/ARC-4 VHF-AM set to go along with it for good measure.

Mike / KK5F