Military Wireless in the Midlands Museum Virtual Museum site

The U.S. of A. Section


The National NC-100 receiver, picture left as received, right and below as it looks now. Replaced the ift cans, the mains tranny was u/s so replaced with one from CR100 rx. Re-valved and re-capped. Now set is actually NC-100X as xtal filter also fitted.


US made PRC-74, 15W ssb/cw, 2 to 18MHz.


LEFT: A very nice addition, the BC223AX transmitter. I'm looking forward to trying this out soon.
tbx2

RIGHT: Recent addition, TBX-2 US Marines set, used on beach landing and the like, very nice little set, easy to operate.

Addition to the US section, the RCA AVR-20 receiver, aircraft use, 4 valve. Just acquired, the matching transmitter, AVT111, 4 valve, hf, AM

avt111

A rather odd WS58, plated as Canadian Signals Experiental Establishment. It has odd connectors for mic/phones and has a built-in calibrator.
ws58f

My standard WS58 Mk1*, the normal version seen.
ws58e

Close up of the id plate.
ws58a ws58b
Close up of the calibrator part, knob first then the internal crystal and switch.
ws58d ws58c
The shock mountings, on the side in this set.

The 51J4 receiver, very nice set indeed.
51j4
The CIA's PRC64A xtal controlled hf rx/tx, with aerial reels etc.
prc64a
LEFT: The BC-654A US military hf set undergoing trials on the operatring bench.
bc654a prr9
RIGHT: PRR-9 receiver, with new battery holder, and PRT-4A transmitter (on let).

LEFT: This is the National 1-10 VHF HRO set, 30 -300 Mhz with plug in coils (inside) super regen set, working fine.
hro-110 nc-2-40s
RIGHT: A recent addition this National NC-2-40S is a nice unit, but differs from the NC shown in Ostermans book, it has a square meter but the round center tuning dial. Anyone know its history ?

Another 1-10 arrived recently but in need of a bit of love. Before and after pictures.
110restore
LEFT: A pic of the SCR522 VHF tx/rx as used in WWII fighters, Spit, Hurri, etc. 4 channel xtal controlled, replaced the early hf sets used there.
scr522 bc191
RIGHT: The BIG US BC-191 transmitter...........


BC-652
6 Line exchange
The BC-652 receiver, hf set, 12 or 24 volt types. Now a 6 line US telephone exchange, compared to the British 10 line unit its somewhat big, but then, it is American... hi.

BC-148. This is one of the earliest mil sets here. Dated 1931 its a most unusual set. Three valve rx, sinlge valve tx, and the aerial was a loop of about 4 ft in diameter. I am in need of an actual aerial unit for this set if anyone has one in their attic.
BC-148
BC-470
BC-470. This is a Direction Finding set, a large loop aerial afixes to the top and can be rotated by using the large handle atop the set. I am looking for info on this set, a circuit or other details.


The Bendix RA1 aircraft set. Very nice receiver to use. Used with the TA12 transmitter.
RA1-B rx
WS 48
The US version of the British 18 Set, the Wireless Set No 48. Man carried, low power. The Canadian version was known as the 58 set.


A US Navy set, the TCS transmitter, shown here in use at this location. Nice set, under modulated but a few slight mods soon cures that.
tcs

The arc 5 vhf sets, this is a friends set up, I have the rx and tx now, just need the control boxes to finish off my unit.
arc5vhf


While on the subject of VHF, how about these two Command rx's, modded by USAAF in the UK for use as blind landing receivers, 6 to 9 Mhz versions altered to 28-41 Mhz. 28-41
4 to 9 Mhz covered by the Command set transmitters
command
Two US sets now, tuners, VHF, used in aircraft, in front of
a general coverage hf set. The ZB range of tuners.
zb_rx
BC-222
TS-184
BC-222 vhf set, man carried, beach heads etc. TS-184 test set, complete in transit case.

BC-609
ARR-7
The BC-609 test set, vhf, valved type absorption meter.
After surviving a dropping by good old Parcelforce and two weeks of restoration following we have the ARR-7 receiver, a very early scanner. The tuning can be motorised to sweep between two limits, searching the band for unknown transmissions. Used by USAAF to search for enemy signals.
Early radar receiver, around 400 Mhz or so, a recent donation to the collection.
asb4 bc611
RIGHT: The often quoted "first ever walkie talkie" the BC-611 HF portable set.

The good old HRO receiver, many a shortwave listeners first set. Used throughout the war, and long after. Many variations made but all had the same unique dial and detachable coil pack.
hro


The SP-600 rx in its US Army colours. Interesting set, though it lacks origonality as every component has been changed in this example.
sp600 bc620
RIGHT: The US BC-620 set, the mobile 10 Mtr set, batteries carried in a similar sized box underneath the unit. Jeep mounted or could be carried into the field for forward OP use.

LEFT: The SCR combo, BC-603 (right) and BC-684 (left), there were two ranges for this station, and this is one unit from each, the actual companion sets are near identical.
scr beacon
RIGHT: A Beacon set, used to guide in Para troops and drops.

LEFT: The US made version of the British R1132 vhf control tower receiver.
r5032a rme69
RIGHT: The RME-69 hf receiver and preselector, DB-20.

LEFT: The RT-524 VHF transceiver, fitted inside the Hummer for instance, used in Nam.
rt524 wavemtr
RIGHT: Simple Wavemeter, just tuned circuits, I-129 B apparently.
i129

Send an e-mail to: Ben Nock, G4BXD


********* Pictures by G4BXD are G4BXD copyright ********