PRC-64A

Built by Delco in the US in the sixties. Also used by the CIA as the 5300. Used in Australia in general service but also used by the SAS. Reportedly SAS versions had the lid sharpened at the edge so that the operator could slam the lid shut and run with the radio, cutting the antenna. Has gained a reputation as a 'spy radio'. Fully solid state, it was designed for field use, but there is no facility for use on the move. Only wire antennas are provided. Both transmitter and receiver are crystal controlled. Output power is about 5 watts. Transmitter has a whisper function.  Frequency coverage is 2.2 to 6 MHz. The PRC-64A supports the use of the GRA-71 code burst keyer. It is my understanding that all PRC-64s were converted to PRC-64As.

COMMENTARY

I would guess that this radio was built to a budget. Whilst capable of doing what was required of it I think operator would have appreciated more flexibility. I consider its wire antenna's as a major disability.

The power switch is quite nice, when the lid is open the radio is on, when the lid is close the radio is off. The built in morse key is quite cumbersome. The Australian versions used a miniature external hand key.

This radio is quite difficult to use on the ham bands, although not impossible. Only one channel covers the 3.5MHz ham band. Batteries are generally not available, and those that are available are not rechargeable.
Whilst a power supply would not be particularly difficult to build I don't consider the reward sufficient to justify the effort.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Transmitter channels    4 crystal controlled channels
Frequency Range
    Channel 1    2.2-2.85MHz
    Channel 2    2.8-3.65MHz
    Channel 3    3.6-4.7MHz
    Channel 4    4.6-6MHz
Power Output
    CW    5Watts
    Voice    1.5Watts
Modes    AM or CW
Keying speed    up to 300WPM with GRA-71 burst keyer
Sensitivity
    AM    5uV
    CW    2uV
Bandwidth    6kHz or 500Hz using Collins mechanical filter
Battery Type BA-1509/PRC-64    28V, 12V, 4V

CONSTRUCTION

The PRC-64 was designed to be small, which it is. It is lightweight and compact. I see the inability to use the radio on the move and ungainly antennas a hindrance, especially as the radio was designed for front line usage.

The case is watertight only when the lid is closed. This could be a potential problem when using the equipment in very wet environments. Circuitry is mounted on circuit boards. Most examples I have seen have looked quite beaten-up inside with warped circuit boards. I do believe that the construction should have been of a higher standard given the intended use of this radio.

OVERALL RATINGS

    Engineering rating (taking into time of design).

             Could have been better engineered, although a budget was obviously being adhered to 6/10

    Fitness for purpose rating

             Needs more flexible antenna arrangement. 6.5/10

    Usefulness as ham equipment rating

             Difficult to get on the ham bands, and only one channel on 80 metres. 2/10

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