[Milsurplus] TMC STR-5 Receiver, etc.

[Mark]

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:36:02 -0500 (EST)
From: radioman390 at cs.com
Subject: [Milsurplus] Question(s) about TMC receivers
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net, coldwarcomms at yahoogroups.com
Message-ID: <8CDA004F1DF90DC-1120-7F54 at angweb-usd004.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

  I have a pair of TMC-made  STR-5 "strip" receivers which I hope to 
sell
soon. Basically its a rackmount HF receiver which uses plug-in
subassemblies which control the frequency and mode. The plug-ins are
rather sophisticated with a big crystal oven and a demodulator section.

I've tried to figure out where and how they were used. 

So I figure Cheyenne Mountain or maybe a WHCA site, but does anybody
know for sure?

~*~

I have a TMC SMR-1A rackmount receiver with 16 crystal-controlled channels, two per plug-in module.  As sometimes happens, you can get a clue about this type of equipment's original function by noting the frequencies that were originally set up:

(kc)
5692
5696
4428.7
6506.4
8765.4
9587.25
13113.2
18640

(Other 8 sockets empty). Freeks are actual zero-beat (virtual carrier) frequencies of the xtals now installed in the set.

The first two are immediately recognizable Coast Guard frequencies, 5692 being search and rescue helos, and 5696 being international ice patrol and air ops (among other things, possibly...GP freeks).

Also, COMSTA info lists "COMSTA Callsigns (broadcast on 2670, 4426, 6501, 8764, 13089)".  4426, 6501, and 8764 are pretty close, maybe within the crystal aging one might expect in a 40+ year-old piece of equipment.  My SMR-1 was almost certainly a COMMSTA radio.  From which COMSTA is anyone's guess.

--Mark Francis
  KI0PF

Author of "Mil Spec Radio Gear Volume 2"
available direct from the author,
$29 cash/check/MO including postage, 
$30.17 via Paypal, both within U.S. 
(foreign buyers please contact me).
Signed by request.

Excerpt here:
http://www.mmfrancis.com/MSRG2/MSRG2.pdf

Also available from:
Universal Radio
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/books/3495.html
Fair Radio Sales
https://www.fairradio.com/catalog.php?mode=viewitem&item=6569
Electric Radio
http://www.ermag.com/index.cfm?v_link=product_detail&v_key=415

****

Volume 1 is still available direct from
CQ Magazine (probably the best price),
http://store.cq-amateur-radio.com/Detail.bok?no=113
Universal Radio,
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/books/0415.html
and 
Amazon.com

There was a young lady named Bright
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.