[Milsurplus] A.R.C. RAT and RAT-1 Receivers- Survivor Count

[David Stinson]

(Copied to list for general information)

Some of our distinguished members are requesting a count of the 
surviving Aircraft Radio Corp.  RAT and RAT-1 items.  Listing can be 
"anonymous" if requested.
If you wish to contribute, you can send me an email and I will forward 
to the compiling members.

Here's a little on understanding RAT / RAT-1 serial numbers, for anyone 
who doesn't know this already:
There are two models of RAT receiver and two of RAT-1; four unique 
radios under this nomnclature.  While there are a number of RAT / RAT-1 
receivers surviving, there are not very many of each of the four 
individual types.  On the "Scarcity Scale," they are counted as four 
seperate entities, just as one would not say a T-17 transmitter is 
"common" just because T-22s are common.   There are less than 10 known 
survivers of each model.  They are, therefore, authentically Rare.

Only 50 sets of RAT and 50 sets of RAT-1 were built.  RAT, a 12 V set, 
has black nomenclature tags.  For RAT-1, a 24 V set, the tags are blue. 
Dynamotors, Racks and Remote Control boxs for RAT were also tagged 
black.  For RAT-1, the tags are blue.  Local Control panels have 
identifying engraving on an internal surface and a serial number tag on 
the front, but no colored tag.

A complete RAT set consisted of:
CBY-46083 13-20 MC receiver
CBY-46048 20-27 MC receiver
CBY-46096 Mounting Rack
CBY-***** Shock Mount
Two CBY-***** Dynamotors
Two CBY-23154 Local Control Adaptors
Two black-anodized tuning knobs.

A set of RAT-1 has the same type equipment, but with differing 
nomenclature numbers and is built for 24V.  While the manual calls-out 
blank adaptors and a remote control panel, I have never heard of either 
of these items surviving and am thus, unsure that they were ever 
produced.  Serial numbers for the receivers ran from number 1 to number 
50.  There can be no RAT or RAT-1 numbered above 50.  For each set of 
two receivers, one rack and one shock mount were produced, which are 
also numbered 1 to 50.  However, the Dynamotors and Local Control panels 
were serial-numbered independently from the radios.  It would not do to 
be issued a full set with 13-20 MC #1, 20-27 MC #1 and two dyanmotors, 
both serial #1.  They, therefore are numbered from 1 to 100.
If we were issued RAT set #1, we would have:
13-20 Receiver #1
20-27 Receiver #1
Rack and shock mount #1.
Dynamotors #1 and #2.
Local control panels #1 and #2.

If we were issued RAT set #12, we would have:
13-20 Receiver #12
20-27 Receiver #12
Rack and shock mount #12
Dynamotors #23 and #24.
Local control panels #23 and #24.

About the local control panels:
For both RAT and RAT-1, they are both nomenclatured "CBY-23154," but in 
the "A Unit Of..." line, they are noted as either RAT or RAT-1.  Odd.

GL OM ES 73 DE Dave AB5S


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