[MRCA] FW: Gilbert helmet radio test set available

Mkdorney mkdorney at aol.com
Thu Aug 30 16:48:42 EDT 2018 

We used those helmet radios back in the late 1970s/early 1980s on field exercises when I was in the Army. We didn’t like them. The range was too short to really be useful. 

73
Mark
WW2RDO


Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 30, 2018, at 4:08 PM, Tim <timsamm at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Guys - The PRT-4/PRR-9 is an interesting set but as we know, it didn't last long.  In John Bergen's book "A Test for Technology" he noted that the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division used those sets in combat, notably the Dak To operation.  He stated that the 4th ID reported that they "worked well" but also noted their fragility and environmental weakness (exposed batteries).  And of course the one-way only nature.  Probably better than just hand signalling and yelling.  Another reference stated that they were soon abandoned or relegated to rear area security, OP/LP use etc to free up more capable gear for combat..
> Interesting that CAPT Colin Powell (yep, same guy) wrote the initial concept of operations for this use of this system and its replacement for the PRC-6 while he was an instructor at the Ft Benning Infantry School...
> 
> My own playing with them in the woods finds them to be actually pretty good.  They net with my PRC-25 and also the RT-70/VRC-7... The audio is good and punchy, they sound great, small and light - but the receiver is somewhat fragile of course.   One of our MRCG guru's designed a small SMT PCB circuit that fits above the battery that operates in FOX mode, making periodic transmissions, including a synthesized voice call sign announcement.  It makes a very clever FOX transmitter.  Lots of fun to hunt..
> 
> Tim
> N6CC
> 
>> On Thu, Aug 30, 2018 at 7:50 AM, ersmar at verizon.net <ersmar at verizon.net> wrote:
>> Breck:
>> 
>>      I'm glad there are no hard feelings. FYI the prt-4 has two rf channels.  One is fixed at 400 mW out and the second is variable from 50 - 250 mW if that's of any use in your repeater/fox hunt  project. 
>> 
>> 73 de
>> Gene Smar AD3F
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my Verizon HTC Smartphone
>> 
>> ----- Reply message -----
>> From: "B. Smith" <smithab11 at comcast.net>
>> To: "Military Radio Collectors Association" <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: [MRCA] FW: Gilbert helmet radio test set available
>> Date: Thu, Aug 30, 2018 8:34 AM
>> 
>> Besmirch my rep.   :-)   I enjoyed your contribution however I am now 
>> going to blame you for getting me started on a new project. The mute 
>> function can be easily be solved with a dip relay but am looking for a 
>> better way to do it = = = BTW the two units make an excellent simplex 
>> repeater and the transmitter really is nice to use on transmitter hunts 
>> on 51.0.
>> Z
>> 
>> On 8/29/2018 11:08 PM, Gene Smar wrote:
>> >
>> > Breck:
>> >
>> > I re-read my posting and now think I must explain that I did not 
>> > intend to besmirch the reputation of either you or the USAF by 
>> > referring to the PRC-88 the way I did – as if your design was somehow 
>> > inferior.  My research on the PRT4/PRR9 tells me that it wasn’t a very 
>> > effective duplex radio as there was no mute function on transmit.  The 
>> > USMC design took care of that.
>> >
>> > I never served in uniform so I have no dog in this hunt.
>> >
>> > 73 de
>> >
>> > Gene Smar  AD3F
>> >
>> > *From:*mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>> > [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net] *On Behalf Of *Gene Smar
>> > *Sent:* Wednesday, August 29, 2018 10:40 PM
>> > *To:* 'B. Smith' <smithab11 at comcast.net>; 'Military Radio Collectors 
>> > Association' <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
>> > *Subject:* Re: [MRCA] Gilbert helmet radio test set available
>> >
>> > And the good ole US Marines blended the two units into something 
>> > actually useable in the field:  PRC-88.
>> >
>> > 73 de
>> >
>> > Gene Smar  AD3F
>> >
>> > P.S. CU at Gilbert.
>> >
>> > *From:*mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>> > <mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> 
>> > [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net] *On Behalf Of *B. Smith
>> > *Sent:* Wednesday, August 29, 2018 5:42 PM
>> > *To:* Military Radio Collectors Association <mrca at mailman.qth.net 
>> > <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net>>
>> > *Subject:* Re: [MRCA] Gilbert helmet radio test set available
>> >
>> > The combo makes a great hamfest or military rally rig and the Test Set 
>> > can come  in handy during tune up. Use a  light weight aluminum  plate 
>> > for a mount and you have a "handheld". Battery info can be found at:
>> > http://k4che.com/PRRPRT/PRR-9PRT-4Battery.htm
>> > Z
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On 8/29/2018 3:32 PM, walter.skavinsky wrote:
>> >
>> >      AN/PRR-9 and AN/PRT-4
>> >
>> >     Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7 active, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
>> >
>> >     -------- Original message --------
>> >
>> >     From: Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> <mailto:kk5f at earthlink.net>
>> >
>> >     Date: 8/29/18 14:01 (GMT-05:00)
>> >
>> >     To: mrca at mailman.qth.net <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net>
>> >
>> >     Subject: Re: [MRCA] Gilbert helmet radio test set available
>> >
>> >     I guess this must refer to the AN/PRC-34(X-1) helmet and
>> >     AN/PRC-36(X-1) belt/helmet radios.  I received one AN/PRC-34 and
>> >     two AN/PRC-36 sets from NAVMARCORMARS in 1968.  I found them
>> >     interesting and easy to get on the air, but not very useful.  Back
>> >     then small 22.5-vdc dry batteries were not difficult to find for
>> >     the 67 vdc needed for the one RF tube in the transmitter module.
>> >      I still have these units plus an AN/PRC-6, 50 years later.
>> >
>> >     Or do you refer to the more common AN/PRR-9 and AN/PRT-4?
>> >
>> >     Mike / KK5F
>> >
>> >         -----Original Message-----
>> >         From: "walter.skavinsky"
>> >         Sent: Aug 29, 2018 10:43 AM
>> >         To: mrca at mailman.qth.net <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net>
>> >         Subject: [MRCA] Gilbert helmet radio test set available
>> >
>> >         Hey guys
>> >
>> >         I'll bring the helmet radio test set for anyone to use.  Its
>> >         good for diagnosing and aligning the transmitter and receiver.
>> >
>> >         Walt
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >     ______________________________________________________________
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>> >
>> >
>> > -- 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> 
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