[MRCA] SCR-284 PE-103

Wed Oct 4 10:12:21 EDT 2017

That's my point.  I was at the sharp end in the 1990s.  I understand why the Marines would not want a radio that made ANY noise, whether receiving (other than on a headset) or transmitting.  In several instances, we didn't use voice to either call for fire or to send any type of report.  A lot of the information sent back to whatever forward HQ we were sending to could be answered through pre-arranged signals, normally consisting of how man times we pressed and released the transmit button on the mic.  There would be no speaking is that situation, since any man made sound could give away our position.  I wouldn't at all be surprised if the more modern radio sets use more digital messaging devices that voice communications, and transmission is absolutely silent ( at least I would hope so).

Mark
WW2RDO

In a message dated 10/4/2017 9:35:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, scottgs at bellsouth.net writes:

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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