[MRCA] HF/SSB pack sets.

[Dennis]

I was asked for my top 5 count down. I got carried away. I purposely did not include many commercial, or any Ham type radios, though I very easily could have. I just didn't think this was the proper forum. So please don't respond with KX#@ SG^&* FT*& TS"@ etc etc because I own these too & could easily have done so myself. 


I will say one thing though, it is not possible to cobble together a radio, power source, antenna & antenna couple, cables carry equipment, etc, etc and have an equivelant, or even a close approximation of a purpose built military(or even para-military) backpack radio capable of being fully operational while pedestrian mobile. I have done this with ham & commercial rigs many times, & still do. But all in fun as none would out perform the least of the radios listed below.

I have either owned & operated the following sets, or communicated with them at length on the air. Sometimes both. We regularly have people check into our nightly net, often under the most adverse of conditions, when there is nobody else on the band willing to even turn on a radio per the noise. Yet, we can usually pull the low powered stations out. We go out of our way to!


PRC-70,
Positive. 2-76mc 100cps band coverage.
               Extremely effective antenna coupler.
               Among the best TX audio processors ever produced(VOGAD).
               30 watts RF output.
               FM compatibility with VHF pack sets.
Negative. Heavy
               Difficult to support.
Comments. 24vdc operation. Best suited as an item of historic significance rather than a user.

PRC-74.
Positive. Extremely low current consumption.
                Very good TX audio tailoring.
                Effective original antenna(AS-1887).
Negative. Limited frequency range(2-18mc).
                 Extreme equipment age.
                 Limited antenna coupler range.
Comments. 12vdc operation. Anybody that tells you they have a fully operational PRC-74 is most likely wrong. Xtal aging in the synthesizer is a serious problem that affects them all. Original RF output devices impossible to find. Very fun radio to use!

PRC-104,
Positive. 2-30mc band coverage, 100cps steps.
               Good auto antenna coupler.
               Radio & accessories availability & compatibility.
               Enhanced versatility per various accessories.
               Memory channels on later versions.
Negative. Very poor TX audio processing.
               Nearly impossible serviceability.
               High cost.
Comments. 24vdc operation. If I were given one as a gift I'd sell it before it broke and buy a PRC-1099A.

PRC-132
Positive. 2-50mc frequency coverage.
               Extreme small size.
               As much as 50 watts out.
               Very good TX audio processing.
Negative. No antenna coupler.
               Very Poor user interface.
               They seldom work.
                Poor serviceability.
Comments. A very attractive radio but pretty much useless. Very seldom do you see one that actually works, & those will quit in very short order. They always demand a ridiculous amount of money. The original antenna is extremely rare, & not very good. It's a bitch to program the channels, then that's all you have. There is no VFO type mode.

PRC-138
Positive. 2-76mc band coverage, 100cps steps.
               Good auto antenna coupler(except on the lower bands).
               Radio & accessories availability & compatibility.
               Enhanced versatility per various accessories.
               Memory channels.
               Excellent TX audio processing.
               Very Small
Negative. Extreme High cost.
Comments. 24vdc operation. Early digitally defined radio. You can hear the digital hash on strong signals. Very versatile & effective radio, just too much money!

PRC-174.
Positive. 2-30mc band coverage, 100cps steps.
               Excellent TX audio processing.
               Good auto antenna coupler.
               Minimal current consumption.
               NATO compatible audio accessories.
               Minimal cost for complete pack set.
Negative. No original battery boxes available.
               Original accessories availability is spotty.
Comments. Once obtained & brought up to snuff they are a very effective & practical set. Slightly lighter than the PRC-515 and easier to service. Don't buy one without the side mount antenna bracket(the original preferred). All available battery boxes are not original, nor are they reproductions. Those produced in Israel are usable. The best was built by N30C who had a small lot produced.

PRC-247
Positive. 2-30mc coverage.
               Effective TX audio processing.
Comments. Italian built, not a very common radio any more. Effective on-the-air performer.

PRC-319.
Positive. 2-40mc band coverage 100cps steps.
               Excellent TX audio processing second to none.
               50 watts RF output.
               Effective automatic antenna coupler.
               NATO compatible audio accessories(some versions).
Negative. No whip antenna connection.
               Front end easily overloaded by BC stations.
Comments. 24vdc operation. Very versatile with available accessories. Not nearly as large as pictures make it appear.

PRC-320
Positive. 2-30mc band coverage 500cps steps.
               Excellent TX audio processing second to none.
               30 watts RF output.
               Effective manual antenna coupler.
Negative. Almost too heavy for actual pack use.
               Hokey 1.5kc frequency offset on USB.
               VERY ugly radio!
Comments. 24vdc operation. Very versatile with available accessories. Minimal cost for complete system. Very good on-the-air performer. On all the Clansman family of radios DO NOT use the lightweight headset. They sound horrible to point of actually inflicting pain!

PRC-515(RU-20)
Positive. 2-30mc band coverage, 100cps steps.
               Excellent TX audio processing.
               Good auto antenna coupler.
               NATO compatible audio accessories.
               Minimal cost for complete pack set.
               Extremely low receive current consumption.
Negative. Original accessories availability is spotty.
Comments. 24vdc operation. Slightly heavier than the PRC-174 & PRC-104 but with better current consumption figures. Whip antenna base is hard to obtain. Though serviceable, the PRC-174 may have a slight edge. On the air performance is excellent. Buy one of these with all the accessories you can because you may not be able to buy them later. DO NOT buy one without the whip antenna base!

PRC-1099
Positive, 2-30mc coverage, 100cps steps.
               5 or 20 watts output.
               Effective internal auto antenna tuner.
               Extremely effective squelch system.
               10 channel memory capacity(more on later versions).
               Good receive current consumption.
               Same footprint & accessories as PRC-25/77.
               Very effective TX voice processing(VOGAD).
               Serviceable with limited special parts.
Negative, Auto tuner best suited to whip antennas. Does not tune through coax connection.
               Whip antenna tuner prone to problems but is serviceable.
Comments, 12vdc. Later non 'A' versions have scan capability(that actually works). 'A' versions have 100 channels & numerous options(ALE, etc, etc). The best, most versatile, all around pack set available to the average ham, at an affordable price, period!

PRC-2000
Positive. 2-30mc band coverage, 100cps steps.
               Possibly the best TX audio processing on the air.
Negative. It's a little heavy.
Comments, when conditions are such that it's tough to hear KE6ZIQ on his GRC-193 at 400 watts, I beg him to fire up something with some audio processing. On comes the PRC-2000 hooked to an HLA-300 running 200watts. Problem solved!

Racal Syncal 30(TRA-931)
Positive. 2-30mc coverage, 1kc steps(modifiable)
               Extremely good TX audio processing.
               20 watts high, 5 watts low, RF output.
               Effective & easily operated internal manual antenna tuner.
               Easily serviced.
Negative. Plastic cabinet construction.
               Physically large.
               Battery box and some other accessories very hard to find.
Comments. 24vdc operation. No more difficult to service than a CB radio. Physically large but not very heavy.

RACAL PRM series:
They are all the same except for 
frequency range. All are small light weight, have exceptional TX audio 
processing that more than makes up for their 10 watts RF output. And all sell for way more than they are worth. I want one!

RACAL BCC-39.
I don't know much about this one except to say they sound great on the air & really poke a hole in adverse conditions. Really too heavy for a serious back pack set. As with most Racals, they cost a buncha money.

URC-87(SC-130)
Positive. Simple operation and servicing.
               15 & 5 watts(E versions)
                Built in loud speaker & lotsa audio.
                Very effective TX audio processing.
Negative. 2-10mc coverage 1kc steps(modifiable)
                 Fragile cabinet construction.
Comments. 12vdc operation. Limited frequency coverage. Small, light. Limited range internal antenna tuner best suited to a loaded whip. Hard to find original accessories including the battery box & antenna. Not all versions have side antenna mount provision. Very simple to work on. Single board discrete components.

MP-25(Kachina or Scientific Radio)
As above except frequency range 2-15mc 100cps steps.
Comments. Kachina versions have external battery box. SR variants have internal battery. Lack of venting can result in battery explosion in SR versions, seriously! I'd like to own one.

FT-70G(Yaesu)
Positive. 2-30mc 100cps steps.
               15 or 5 watts RF output.
               Simple operation and servicing.
               Adequate TX audio processing.
               Effective noise blanker.
Negative. No internal antenna tuner.
Comments. ALL original BCD frequency control switches are without exception BAD! If your radio has black switches your good to go. Very good external antenna tuner. One of my favorite radios. One of the most affordable true pack sets available.

VX-1210(Vertex)
Positive. 2-30mc coverage.
               Internal speaker & loud speaker/mic.
               20 watts & adjustable low power.
               Exceptional internal antenna tuner.
               Small light weight.
               Good battery life.
Negative. Marginally effective TX audio processing.
               Very expensive original battery.
               Very limited user interface.
Comment. I have one & I use it a lot, but only because it's the handiest radio I own. No other is as small & light. Has both the advantages and disadvantages of lithium ion batteries. TX audio processing can be improved with software & internal adjustments but will not equal any of the others listed here except it is still better than the PRC-104. One of the most affordable true pack sets. Original accessories are insanely expensive. Easily serviced with much support available.

Lemme see, what else is there?

Dennis Starks
Military-Radio-Guy
KBØSFP
HFpack/Milpack Monitor(all USB):
3996, 5357, 7296, 14342.5, 18157.5