[Milsurplus] Pushbutton VHF control boxes

[Bruce Gentry]

Bruce Gentry wrote:
> Jim Horn wrote:
>> 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.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  
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> Push button tuning may have been chosen partially for  familiarity.  
> Even for pilots and  drivers, there was still quite a bit of "Gee 
> Whiz!" factor associated with radios, especially two-way.  Controlling 
> them like the big Philco in the living room at home could be related 
> to easily.  Push button or piano key controls continued to be popular 
> with all sorts of consumer products  besides radios and TVs  into the 
> 1960's.    The Cessna 195 and Beechcraft Bonanza personal airplanes 
> were one of the most unusual uses of them, as well as the Packard, 
> Edsel, and Chrysler vehicles with push button transmission controls. I 
> am wondering if the RT-246 was the last military radio to use 
> pushbutton, as opposed to keypad,   channel selection.   
> Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY
>