[Milsurplus] WTB: USN ARB (CRV-46151) receiver - Now YE, YG, ZB, AN/ARR-, -2

[Mike Morrow]

> I'm restoring the air mobile end of the YJ homing system that went a long
> way in helping us defeat the Japanese in the Pacific.

The YJ RADAR homing beacon is an interesting and little-noted two-band radar beacon that operated on 170 to 180 Mhz and 500 to 530 MHz.  It was used with airborne ASB radars.

 http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/RADTWOA/RADTWOA-3.html#yj

That, however, is a pretty uncommon system that does NOT seem to be what you describe.

Instead, you appear to refer to the very common YE and YG radio homing beacons that operated near 246 Mhz, modulated by a 540 to 830 kHz signal that was keyed or itself voice-modulated.

USN airborne equipment for this system was the ZB-series homing adapter (a 246Mhz input TRF receiver with grid-leak detector whose output was the 540 to 830 kHz signal.  The output was sent to a MF receiver like the RU-series CBY/CW-46051A, the ARA CBY-46145, the ARB CRV-46151 (as you mention), or a R-24/ARC-5.  The JAN nomenclature for the homing adapter is AN/ARR-1.

But, it is very likely that THE MOST COMMON aircraft receiver that was used is the R-4 or R-4A/ARR-2.  It is an all-in-one unit that fit in AN/ARC-5 receiver racks, combining the homing adapter and the BCB receiver with 246 MHz in and audio to the pilot's ears out.  If I were looking for the best example of what was most used, I would definitely choose the AN/ARR-2 over the ZB/ARB combo.  It is also a lot easier to find an R-4/ARR-2 than it is an ARB with all its required support items.

> The only major component that I'm missing is the subject receiver.

What has identified the ARB to you for this role?

> As the comm/homing receiver on most carrier-based planes, it was likely
> made in the thousands.

Not so.  The AN/ARR-2 was the most common homing receiver for the YE/YG homing signals from carriers and island bases.  And while there were a few thousand ARB systems made, the numbers doubtless fall far far short of AN/ARR-2 numbers.  The ARB will only be a historicaly appropriate choice if it is accompanied with an ATB or ATC HF transmitter.

> I'm looking for one in good shape...

Remember that you'll need its control boxes, mounting rails, connecting plugs and cables, tuning splines, etc.  Plus, you have not stated that you have the ZB-2 or -3 homing adapter to put on top of the ARB case.  At least with the ARB, you won'need the ZB antenna switch, control box, or mounts.

Good luck.

Mike / KK5F