[Milsurplus] R808 AN/GRC-14 manual needed

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Dick,

I don't disagree with some of your comments WRT the R-808.  But note that 
the developement contracts for the AN/GRC-14 and AN/GRC-19 were let at around 
the same time.  The AN/GRC-14 contract probably was let a few months before 
the AN/GRC-19 one.  So at the time, there were no piles of R-392's to pick 
from.

In the end, only one order was ever let for the GRC-14.  And USMC began 
using the GRC-19.  But the internal connectors used in the R-808 weren't 
special for it.  If they are hard to find (I've never looked for any), then they 
just weren't a popular rack and panel connector.  

In a message dated 11/11/2009 5:02:53 PM Central Standard Time, w1ksz at q.com 
writes: 
> I picked up an R-808 about a year ago at a Hamfest. It is a glaring
> example of how the Government Procurement system is in need of
> a major overhaul.
> 
> Instead of just buying more of the R-392, the Navy (Marine Corps)
> let a development contract for a clone. While the concept is a
> good one, the mechanical design results in one needing to make
> extension cables to service the modules.
> Not a problem, except there were so few made, the connectors
> are unobtainium (or at least I haven't found any). If they used
> the R-392, with the vast quantities built, this is not a problem.
> 
> As a result, this radio now sits in the junk pile, not working that well
> and it's outlook is not good.

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480