[MRCA] SCR-284 PE-103

[Rob Flory]

Garrett hit the nail on the head:

"Regarding whether or not you take a heavy medium power HF radio set to the
sharp end, complete with a PE-103 dynamotor and probably a truck to power
it - well that’s a different matter.  "

At the sharp end it was all about wire.   Even low power HF radios were not
commonly up at the sharp end.
RF

On Wed, Oct 4, 2017 at 9:35 AM, Garret Scott <scottgs at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> I agree with Robert.   In my opinion, the SCR-284, with PE-103 is probably
> the quietest of all the WWII radio sets that I have, while transmitting.
> However, I only have a handful that I have restored and operated.
>
>
>
> But, I think the discussion is not that it is silent, but that relative to
> the other HF sets available to the Marine Corps, i.e. TBX, etc., it is at
> least as quiet, and maybe quieter, even when running with hand-cranked
> generators.  In receive, of course they all can run from dry batteries, so
> there is zero sound emitted from the power generation for the sets.  Even
> the PE-104 vibrator supply in the SCR-284, if used instead of dry
> batteries, seems exceptionally quiet on receive.
>
>
>
> I have noted a comment in one of the books I have about the Native
> American Code Talkers, that when discussing radios it was mentioned how
> noisy the TBX hand crank generator was, and that SOP was to find a shell
> crater to put the generator in, attached to a log on the ground, just to
> help keep it quieter. Having operated this set, I can attest to the fact
> that the hand-crank generator is rather loud, at least the three that I
> have are.  As I have also learned through (somewhat painful) experience,
> there are several other short comings of TBX set too, which do not exist in
> the SCR-284 or BC-1306 – but I digress.  I can say that if I were given a
> choice of HF radios, I’d probably choose the SCR-284 over the TBX (if I
> didn’t have to carry it), as it is one fine working radio.
>
>
>
> Regarding whether or not you take a heavy medium power HF radio set to the
> sharp end, complete with a PE-103 dynamotor and probably a truck to power
> it - well that’s a different matter.   But surely if you did, the SCR-284
> would be amongst the quietest. And the heaviest.
>
>
>
> I’m no expert, and I wasn’t there of course, so these are just my amateur
> observations after fooling with these WWII radios for several years.
>
>
>
> Garret
>
> W8BUG
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> *On Behalf Of *WA5CAB--- via MRCA
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 3, 2017 7:34 PM
> *To:* mrca at mailman.qth.net
> *Subject:* Re: [MRCA] SCR-284 PE-103
>
>
>
> That's what I've been trying to say.  The ones that I have/have had are
> quieter than even a DM-32.  And definitely quieter than a BD-77 or DM-41.
>
> Robert Downs - Houston
> wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
> MVPA 9480
>
> In a message dated 10/03/2017 06:16:10 AM Central Daylight Time,
> scottgs at bellsouth.net writes:
>
> Surprised to hear this. The two PE-103's I have are exceptionally quiet,
> more so than even some hand crank generators. You can barely hear them
> outside a tent. Compared to other dynamotors, they seem the quietest of
> all.
>
> Perhaps there's differences among them?
>
> Garret
> W8BUG
>
>
>
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