[Milsurplus] RAX receivers

[Mike Morrow]

Mike Hanz wrote of the RAX-1:

>...It is a superb liaison 
>receiver, and may have filled in for that role between its introduction 
>and circa 1942, but the frequency coverage for the entire set is far 
>beyond the normal Navy HF range.  In 1942 the Navy finally introduced 
>its version of the "official" liaison receiver, the ARB.  Patrol 
>aircraft like the PB4Y2 actually carried *both* of them, and that seems 
>to reinforce the probable use of the RAX in a signals collection role.

I like the very interesting photos that you have of the radio installation
for a PB4Y-2 at http://aafradio.org/sidebar/PB4Y2_Line_Maintenance_Manual.html

It appears that the antenna lead for the RAX-1 units is NOT directed to
the receiver antenna post of the ATC transmitter above the RAX-1.  There seem
to be routing brackets for the RAX-1 antenna lead AWAY from the ATC, but it
also appears that the lead is short as if in fact it was to be connected to
the ATC.  It looks like the end of the RAX-1 antenna lead is already stripped
of insulation for that purpose.  Maybe my interpretation is wrong...I suspect
that the RAX-1 antenna lead would have been fastened to the ATC...but I don't
understand why that lead appears to be in brackets heading downward, not
upward to the ATC.

There's also a C-26/ARC-5 to the left of the ATC that appears to be
for the R-26/ARC-5 that's in the rack with the R-23/ARC-5.  The R-23,
R-26, and ARB/ATB clearly share the same antenna.  It wouldn't
surprise me if there wasn't an intent to use the R-26 as a backup
liason receiver.

The ARB and ATB appear dedicated as HF command sets with controls for them
only at the pilots' position.  I'm surprised that there's not a radio
operator's control box and tuning dial for the ARB at the radio operator's
position.  It appears that the ARB was NOT an option as the ATC's liason
receiver in this installation unless the pilots were going to control it.

I love that VHF AN/ARC-5 installation too!

Great photos...Thanks Mike.

Mike / KK5F