Due to the nature of the Squadrons task (long range communications) some of the early equipment used was obtained from other countries as there were no locally available (Australian Army) products. Several of these radios had been purpose built during and after the 2 World War to provide contact from operators in remote or clandistine locations and thus operated from a vaierty of power sources with field expedient aerial systems. The normal method of contact was High Frequency (HF) using Morse Code with some form of off-line (manual) encryption.
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RS-122 and RS-123 (Mk 122 or Mk 123) Suitcase type transceiver requiring mains power or use an inverter from 12 Volt automotive batteries or a pedal generator Mk 801A (diabolical when operating alone).
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RS-6 HF Transceiver The RS-6 is more-or-less a miniaturized version of the RS-1. It has a very similar design, but uses sub-miniature tubes in the receiver and power supply regulator, and a miniature tube as the transmit oscillator. Physically, the complete radio is in four units: receiver, transmitter, power supply and power supply filter unit (which also provides storage for some accessories). The RT-6 (transmitter) tunes 3-16.5 MC in two bands with up to 10 watts output. Maximum keying speeds are 40 WPM with the built-in key or an external hand key, or 60 WPM with an automated keyer that drives the tube cathodes directly. The RR-6 (receiver) tunes 3-15 MC in two bands, with either VFO or crystal control. The receiver also has a BFO and a crystal calibrator. The power supply operates from 70 to 270 VAC, 42 - 400 cycles, or from 6 volts DC. |
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SSR-5-B Receiver USA produced July 1945 The receiver which is battery operated was designed for use by the OSS. |
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A-510 The A-510 is a miniature tactical HF transmitter/receiver man pack set built by Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) in the mid fifties. The set was completely designed and built in Australia and it is reported that the radio set's prototypes had been tested under fire (actual combat) in Malaya. Compared to sets then in use (the English made WS No.68) its around 1/2 the weight at 17lbs, and it's batteries have 1/2 the weight yet twice the life, it provides double the frequency range of the existing set. The A-510 is definitely known to have served with distinction along side Australian forces in South Vietnam, until it's replacement by the U.S. made PRC-64 beginning in late 1965. It was not completely replaced in all avenues of military service until the advent and widespread fielding of the PRC-F1 series in the early seventies. |
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GRC-106 Base Station high power (400 PEP) HF transceiver, these units form the main vehicle mount and base station transceiver in general use in the Australian Army. Able to operate with a variety of aerial arrangements from a 24Volt power source. |
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AN-PRC64 (Delco 5300) The PRC-64 (Army adoption of the Delco 5300) is a portable solid-state HF transceiver developed in the early 60's tunes 2.2-6 Mhz, has BW switch on receiver, battery-test circuitry is simplified (tests only the 24V). The CW key on the PRC-64 is implemented with a panel-mounted microswitch. It transmits on four crystal-controlled channels, with a power output of 5W CW and 1.5W AM, and can be operated from a high-speed keyer such as the GRA-71. The receiver also has four (separate) crystal-controlled channels, and includes a BFO. Power is supplied by a battery that provides 4V (receiver), 24V (transmitter), and 12V (for modulator, only required for AM). This set is unusual for a clandestine radio in that it supports AM voice transmissions on the HF band. The set’s antenna matching circuitry is far less flexible than most earlier sets, so the user would be required to pay more attention to proper antenna configurations. Some interesting 'clandestine' features include A plunger-type switch that turns off the power if the lid is closed and a "whisper switch" which increases the microphone sensitivity. There are two earphone jacks, and one mic jack - all are the submini "transistor radio" type of plug. The earphone can also be used as a substitute microphone. |
Photo thanks to http://home.ca.inter.net/~hagelin/ColdWarClandestine.html |
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GRA-71 Burst-Coder The GRA-71 allows the user to record a message composed of dits and dahs (morse code) onto a small tape cartridge, then the message is 'played back' at a rate of about 300 WPM, to electrically key the transmitter. The purpose is to 'burst transmit' a message, so that the operator is on the air for a minimum amount of time. For CIA users, the primary reason is so that the enemy doesn't have enough time to RDF your location. Also, you gain security from a burst message in areas that are less technically sophisticated, since the message is not copy-able unless you are able to detect it, record it, then play it back at a reduced speed. |
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PRC-F1 A HF/AM/CW/SSB, backpack transceiver fully designed and built in Australia, the PRC-F1 (originally designated A-512) operates from 2-12Mhz in 1Khz steps for a possible 10,000 channels. RF power out is rated at 10/1 watts PEP AM/USB, 5/1 watts CW (high/low power settings). The unit requires 28vdc, provided from a recharagable battery pack, with a typical current consumption of 550ma (transmit) 35ma (receive). Size 32cmw x 12.7cmh x 29.4cmd, weight 14lbs 11oz, approx 20 lbs with accessories and operational backpack. |
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