[Milsurplus] Nomenclature Tags

[Mike Morrow]

The US military purchased the KWM-2A as the RT-718/FRC-93.

The KWM-2A was introduced in 1961.  Just by itself...no power supply, microphone, speaker, or any other accessories...it sold for $1,250.  That is equivalent to $13,000 today.

The Collins S-Line used RCA phono connectors everywhere except the RF output of the 30L-1 and 30S-1 amplifiers.  For almost 60 years it has amused me to see ham "engineneers" very frequently replace the same quality ceramic insert phono sockets on Heathkits with SO-239 sockets in false belief that the SO-239 is a superior RF connector.  Yet, one almost never heard of a Collins S-Line owner doing likewise.  :-)

Mike / KK5F

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce MacMillan <wirelessset at hotmail.com>
Sent: Nov 29, 2023 12:05 AM

A former co-worker used to work for Collins in Australia. He said on more than one occasion a KWM2 would have S/N's removed before it was "gifted" to a friendly party.

Bruce
M0SOE