[MRCA] Green Radios in WW2 Vehicles

[Ray Fantini]

From: MRCA [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of WW2RDO via MRCA
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2017 2:10 PM
To: mrca at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [MRCA] Green Radios in WW2 Vehicles

While this may seem a bit off topic, in the WW2 reenactment world, we're trying to standardize radios and frequencies for use by original military radios used both on the ground, and in vehicles.  This does not apply, of course, to aircraft and watercraft, since FAA and US Coast Guard regulations rightly stipulate communications requirements for those vehicles.  AM frequency 3885 in the 80 meter band is a standard for most US radios, and  is popular in use in radios like the BC-611, BC-654 and BC-1306.  The FM side of the house is a little trickier.  The most popular US backpack radio, the BC 1000, operates on the 60 meter net, on frequencies that for the most part are not legal for regular civilian use.  I've heard this radio can be converted for use on the 6 meter net, but there may also be a problem with bandwidth usage ( even though these radios were built before 1972, and are exempt from most of the rules concerning bandwidth use).   Perhaps as the 60 meter net is opened up for civilian use, that may change, but nobody is holding their breath, and re enactors are looking for equipment they can use now.  The BC-620 and BC-659 are very popular radios for light vehicles dues to the compact size ( in relation to other WW2 radio sets).  They operate on the 10 meter band, but are really "2 trick ponies" in that they are crystal tuned, and operate using only 2 frequencies at any one time.  The BC-620 is not capable, without modification, to operate on the part of the 10 meter band set aside for voice communication.  The BC-659 can operate on frequencies at the top of the 10 meter band that are capable.  Here on the East Coast, the frequencies we're installing are 29.6 MHz (FM Simplex Frequency) and 29.1 MHz.
      The Axis side of the house is a mess.  Real German, Italian and Japanese radios are practically non-existent, and those few that are around are too expensive to risk in operation, even if all the tubes, power supplies and other accessories are acquired. There are reproduction radios on the market, but most are empty shells that look good but do not function.  Putting modern "guts" in these shells presents a problem in that many of these sets had receiver and transmitter sections in the same transceiver that were tuned independently from one another.  Most of those used by re enactors use single channel handhelds mounted inside the shells that cannot even be tuned on or off without opening up the radio shell ( major buzz kill).

I see a major area for possible expansion of the HAM radio community in both the military vehicle collector's community, and the re enactors community.  Most people in these communities think getting the license is too hard to do ( not true - if an somebody like me can get a licence, anybody can ).  They think that there is still a Morse Code requirement, and need to be and Electrical Engineer in order to pass the technical part of the licence exams.  They also have no idea who to approach about getting their radios working even if they get a licence.

Mark D.
WW2RDO
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