Old school commo equipment - surplus radio sets GRC-109

[TacAir]

YA, since I mentioned set this on the (latest of many) EMP threads, thought I would share some information on old school commo gear - likely found with old ham radio operators or military re-enactors, these sets can be fun to operate with.

So, what about the AN/PRC -109?



The GRC-109 is the Army adoption of the RS-1, and consists of receiver R-1004, transmitter T-784, and power supply PP-2685 or PP-2684. The RS-1 and GRC-109 are identical except for labeling, although all known T-784's have a connector for a Burst Coder (GRA-71) on the front panel. This difference is an "MWO" (Modification Work Order) on the T-784. Other than the burst-coder connector and the markings, the GRC-109 is virtually identical to the RS-1.

The T-784 characteristics are described in NSN 5820-00-892-0880. Original cost: $532. The R-1004 characteristics are described in NSN 5820-00-892-0882. Original cost: $1122. The units are waterproofed and tested for 7.5 PSI.

There is also a GRC-109A set, which is a later model and has a different case with hasp-type lid fasteners, instead of thumbscrews; and there is a carrying handle built into one side. It also has some cost-saving design changes: for example, the window for the tuning dial is a part of the front-panel casting, instead of being a separate screw-on piece. The "A" model is probably more rugged, due to the thicker case and heavier construction, but it is 'less attractive' than the earlier model. The CIA did not have an equivalent to the GRC-109A, and production of the RS-1 had probably stopped several years before.

Yup, how many radios have you owned that had a CIA rig as their daddy/brother?



I lifted from a nice site on the radio set
http://militaryradio.com/spyradio/grc109.html

Since the set is CW only, it is likely a boat anchor for most folks, the receiver will cover parts of the SW broadcast bands, so you can use it for causal listening....

If there is any interest, there are several radios on the market that are a bit more modern and usable for SSB operations --PRC-74, PRC-104 and if you don't have a hernia, the PRC-47. The newest commo gear may show up on the surplus market in the future, but if equipped for Have Quick or encrypted comms - it not rally likely.

Last note, the newish (1980s vintage) PRC-104 sets, complete, are available/for sale on the web, for 4,800 USD each. For that kind of bread, you can afford the best of commercial/ham equipment. And have money left over for a hamburger or two.

[Radio guy]

Nice pic of the GRC-109, I have a minty set with screw down lids if anyone wants a pic of them. Its fun to use but I've had a mild shock when touching the various units and anything grounded in my house so it doesn't come out to play very often.

The PRC-104 is a very nice solid performing radio but with no frills and the average price is more in the $1200-$1500 range. I would avoid the PRC-74 due to their finicky nature. The PRC-47 is big but they put out a great signal on the air. There are lots of great military HF manpacks available for what I would call reasonable prices like the Collins designed PRC-515, the UK PRC-2000 and others.

The current cream of the crop high end HF manpack that is available to the public and legal to own the Harris PRC-138 which covers 1.6 to 60MHz continuous, AM-FM-CW-USB-LSB plus digital voice, digital and analog encryption and wide/narrow frequency hopping. The entire radio is DSP based with selectable DSP IF bandwidths, its built in antenna tuner will tune anything including a 3ft whip on 1.8MHz. These run about $4800 surplus and are a bargain considering they cost around $25,000 of our tax dollars each.

One problem with acquiring a mil surplus radio is batteries, they can be harder to find than the radios and sometimes the prices are very high plus many radios are 24v. You usually have to resort to building your own packs inside whatever battery box you can scrounge that fits the radio. I have lots of experience with this if anyone gets a mil radio and needs help.
Radio Guy

YA, since I mentioned set this on the (latest of many) EMP threads, thought I would share some information on old school commo gear - likely found with old ham radio operators or military re-enactors, these sets can be fun to operate with.

So, what about the AN/PRC -109?



The GRC-109 is the Army adoption of the RS-1, and consists of receiver R-1004, transmitter T-784, and power supply PP-2685 or PP-2684. The RS-1 and GRC-109 are identical except for labeling, although all known T-784's have a connector for a Burst Coder (GRA-71) on the front panel. This difference is an "MWO" (Modification Work Order) on the T-784. Other than the burst-coder connector and the markings, the GRC-109 is virtually identical to the RS-1.

The T-784 characteristics are described in NSN 5820-00-892-0880. Original cost: $532. The R-1004 characteristics are described in NSN 5820-00-892-0882. Original cost: $1122. The units are waterproofed and tested for 7.5 PSI.

There is also a GRC-109A set, which is a later model and has a different case with hasp-type lid fasteners, instead of thumbscrews; and there is a carrying handle built into one side. It also has some cost-saving design changes: for example, the window for the tuning dial is a part of the front-panel casting, instead of being a separate screw-on piece. The "A" model is probably more rugged, due to the thicker case and heavier construction, but it is 'less attractive' than the earlier model. The CIA did not have an equivalent to the GRC-109A, and production of the RS-1 had probably stopped several years before.

Yup, how many radios have you owned that had a CIA rig as their daddy/brother?



I lifted from a nice site on the radio set
http://militaryradio.com/spyradio/grc109.html

Since the set is CW only, it is likely a boat anchor for most folks, the receiver will cover parts of the SW broadcast bands, so you can use it for causal listening....

If there is any interest, there are several radios on the market that are a bit more modern and usable for SSB operations --PRC-74, PRC-104 and if you don't have a hernia, the PRC-47. The newest commo gear may show up on the surplus market in the future, but if equipped for Have Quick or encrypted comms - it not rally likely.

Last note, the newish (1980s vintage) PRC-104 sets, complete, are available/for sale on the web, for 4,800 USD each. For that kind of bread, you can afford the best of commercial/ham equipment. And have money left over for a hamburger or two.