[Milsurplus] Beer barrel ARC-21 wanted

[Mike Morrow]

> Looking for an AN/ARC-21 "beer barrel" transceiver that is complete
> and notscrewed with. 

You may have a long long wait.  Most RT-128A/ARC-21 units got converted
to RT-400/ARC-65 USB units.  The AN/ARC-65 is uncommon today, but not
nearly so much as the AN/ARC-21.  I think some RT-128A units got out
via AF MARS equipment programs 45 years ago, so perhaps one survives.
In 15 years of watching eBay, I've seen only one RT-128A, but it was
missing the pressure drum.  A list member got it.

I doubt there are any airframes out at D-M AFB in Arizona that would
still have an RT-128A on board.  By now all those that did should be
beer cans.

I won an ebay auction for a RT-400/ARC-65 about ten years ago, but
after the seller came up with a shipping cost after the auction of
several hundred dollars, we both agreed to cancel.  A list member bought
it and drove a fair distance to pick it up.  The pictures of the insides
that he sent me were beautiful.  BTW, these units are more than 18 inches
in diameter and weigh more than 140 pounds. 

If you do find a RT-128A/ARC-21, you'll also want the auxiliary receiver
that went with it, the R-224/ARR-36.  Those are very scarce as well.  The
only one I've ever seen "in the flesh" is the one I have.

Good luck!  I'm sure many on the list would like to hear of your success,
when it happens.

Mike / KK5F