[MRCA] "DELCO" radio in Vietnam

[Tim]

I think it was in John Bergans book that he mentioned that the Aussies were
involved in the development of the Delco/PRC-64 radio.. Paraphrasing:

Australian Army signals personnel (including Major W.B. Fegan, Royal
Australian Signals) were involved in the development of specification
requirements for the AN/PRC-64 as a jungle patrol radio.

During that development, Major Fegan also contributed a critically
important, but otherwise easily dismissed observation based upon the
Australians earlier jungle warfare experience in WWII coastwatcher ops and
later in Borneo. “The most important component of a man pack radio system
is the man.” Indeed. Keep it small, lightweight and simple. Sounds like the
PRC-64.

That video is interesting...Yup, URC-64, M-203 grenade launchers/M-16.  And
maybe HF CW comms without an antenna connected ?!  ;o)

Declassified MACVSOG documents noted that the PRC-64 was used by MACVSOG in
Vietnam but on a very limited basis when the range or weight of a PRC-74
was not needed or wanted.. Kept in "reserve".  I understand only 500 sets
were made.

Thanks Aussies - We remember

Tim

N6CC

On Sun, Mar 10, 2024 at 5:50 PM Al Klase <ark at ar88.net> wrote:

> Mark,
>
> It's a Delco 5300 or 5300A  a.k.a AN/PRC-64.
>
>
>
> My set:
>
>
>
> The Ausies were know to have made good use of these.  Designed for CW.
> The A model hasa 500 Hz Collins filter in the RX.
>
> AL
>
> On 3/10/2024 8:23 PM, MilComm Guy wrote:
>
> I found this video showing a DELCO radio @2min in and about 3:30 in, also
> what looks like a URC-64 survival radio.
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ZFRMeeWMk
>
> Mark
> K1HF
>
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> --
> Al Klase - N3FRQ
> Jersey City, NJ
> http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/
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