[Milsurplus] Pushbutton VHF control boxes

[Jim Horn]

A couple of thoughts:  The AAF presumably had gobs of SCR-522s installed in aircraft.  Maybe someone thought it would be better (initially at least) if the channel selection on the ARC-5 VHF worked the same way.  Training  issue avoided?


The ARC-1: Collins autotune design.  10 channels is a lot for push buttons.  BC-603, 683,et. al. not withstanding.  Presumably the tank commander pushes the channel select buttons on the radios, not the driver.


ARC-12: Can't testify on that one. Never worked on it.


ARC27 & ARC-55:  Collins autotune again.  18 or later, 20 channels.  That's a lot of push buttons!  17 or 19 chances to push the wrong one.  Push buttons just didn't fit into the the Çollins scheme of autotune design.  Look at the first ARC-27 control box.  C-626 I think. if I remember correctly, it had a motor and was heavily mechanical. The many later controls were more electrical and less mechanical in nature.  


Most technicians never did fully understand how the ARC-27 channel selection system worked.  Me too. 5 wires for 18 or 20 channels, again, if my memory is correct. Rumor had it that the engineer who designed the channel selection system went insane.  The radio allegedly cost about $1800 in 1950 dollars.


Yes, Collins did make radios with push button channel selection. The 32RS1 and 32MS1 which were 4 channel marine band radios.  Likely there are others.


BTW: I have a healthy dislike for push buttons.  OTOH, 5 push button auto radios did work well.  Just try to keep it between the ditches while tuning your car radio to the traffic info channel with modern auto seeking tuning.  Bah Humbug!


And a Merry Christmas to all.