[MRCA] Speculations on ground radios and the GRC-14

[scottjohnson1 at cox.net]

Ray-

You are spot on regarding the heritage of the ARR-41.  There was a fellow
that put together a booklet a few years ago purporting to be a last living
expert on the ARR-41, but in all of his analysis, he did not realize that
its primary purpose was as a RTTY receiver!  He groused about the fact that
the mechanical filter selections were not optimal for AM or CW.  It very
obviously borrowed from the 618S/ ARC-38 architecture.  Agree W/R/T as well
to the ARC-21, as a post-WW!! Technology, it was cutting edge and cut down
on crew workload immensely.  As for the R-808, it performs well enough.
Never really compared it to the R-392, it is certainly simpler and lighter!

 

Regards,

Scott W7SVJ

 

From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf
Of Ray Fantini via MRCA
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2026 7:23 AM
To: 'Jim Whartenby' <old_radio at aol.com>; frledda at att.net; MMRCG
<mmrcg at groups.io>
Cc: mrca at mailman.qth.net; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [MRCA] Speculations on ground radios and the GRC-14

 

Ok, so I forgot about the ARC-21/65 a big mistake. As to the technical
issues would propose that the ARC-21 was produced under a cost-plus contract
and being new cutting-edge technology, it will have issues. 

As stated, have never had the opportunity to work on or use the R-808/GRC-14
so they may be Dogs, cannot speculate on that directly having no firsthand
experience so have to go on others statements.

Completely unrelated but maybe something like the huge Heathkit Mohawk or
whatever receivers Heathkit built back in the fifties. On paper they look
good but am told they were real Dogs also. 

More things to consider:

The ARR-41 and the ARC-38 always appeared to be related to me. Same use of a
PTO, variable IF and what may be identical audio card but think the ARR-41
was released way after the ARC-38, was not uncommon to see 618T and ARR-41
living together. Often hear people referring to the ARR-41 being the flying
R-390 but somehow think that's more related to the mechanical tuning system
and display although do have to admit that Bothe receivers use the same
Collins overdesign of lots of crystal converters.

I tend to regard the ARR-41 as a receive only ARC-38 without the mechanical
SMO monster that populated the ARC-38 family. 

The SMO was a truly terrifying thing, when it works it's a marvel to watch
but don't think there may have been more than a handful of people who
understanded its function, cams, gears and clutches.

 

Ray F/KA3EKH

 

  _____  

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/mrca/attachments/20260430/2ea4c185/attachment-0001.html>