[R-390] Vaguely on topic...human powered set.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

> Fellow r-390(A) drivers,
> I remember years ago seeing advertised in various radio periodicals a human
> powered radio set. Any of you older than me oldtimers have any data on them ?
> Anyone out there ever pedaled one while in military service ? Did the generator
> set put out AC or DC ?

There were various sets over the years. AN/GRC-9 was the most 
easily available to hams. It was both AM and CW. Put out about 10 
watts. Handcranked. I used one in the military. Not fun.

Also, the AN/GRC-109 which is CW only 10 - 15 watts output.

There are/were various other military and clandestine sets. In 
addition to handcranked, also wood fire powered (thermocouple), 
steam powered, water powered, bicycle powered.

I recently built a bicycle-gen using a GN-58 fastened to a special 
frame I made, driven by a Sears exercise bike with flywheel and 
free-wheel. I used this on Field Day last year. The bicycle made it 
MUCH easier than hand-cranking the same generator. Still very 
tiring.

All these I mentioned are DC generators.

> Would it be theoritically possible to power an R-390 with
> such a generator ?

For a VERY short time. There are 746 watts per horsepower. 
Adding in losses, for ease in calculation, figure 500 watts OUTPUT 
per horsepower. 150 watts would be, very roughly, about 1/4 HP 
then. IIRC, humans in excellent physical condition can put out 
about 1 HP maximum for a short period, but fatigue very quickly.

I think someone here mentioned Dr. Paul MacReady. His work on 
the subject of human power is definitive.

Ken W7EKB