[Milsurplus] Navy recorder/reproducer IC/VRT-4

[John Vendely]

I'm fairly (not absolutely!) sure that this machine was used for radio 
intercept work to capture a sample, apparently up to 60 seconds in 
length, of off-air signals for repeated playback to permit the operator 
to conveniently conduct signals analysis.  It may be a continuous-loop 
machine which could be left running to grab intermittent signals, then 
stopped and placed in reproduce mode when something of interest is 
recorded.  The mike jack would allow announcements or commentary (e.g., 
operating frequency, etc.) to be recorded by the operator. Apparently, 
it's a magnetic band recorder using steel tape, similar in principle to 
the old Poulsen magnetic recorders that predated paper and plastic base 
mag tapes.  It appears to have the old ring-type heads similar to the 
late 1940s recorders made by Brush Development Corp.

Although there were definitely instruments of this nature used for 
intercept work, this one's portable case casts some doubt on the above 
explanation, and makes me wonder if it's for something else altogether...

73,

John K9WT

On 7/16/2016 2:05 PM, Nick England wrote:
> Hi gang - does anyone know what this was used for?
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/282102148081
>
> What's with the odd nomenclature IC/VRT-4?
>
> Nick England K4NYW
> www.navy-radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com>
>
>
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