QRQ 30
 

I am currently reading Maj Plaster's newest book, and they talk about the radio that the 1-2 usually carried. Can you give us some stat's on it. And maybe even some of your TTP's that were used on patrol?

Thanks

All we carried on an RT was the PRC-25. Towards the end they had switched to the PRC-77. After I left in Dec 68 I believe they started using the secure voice equipment for the PRC-77. Each american also hat a URC-10 survival radio. The HFs carried squad radios (CRS nomenclature) for internal communications. When I went to Special Projects I also carried a GRC-106 for direcxt commo to higher.

When I first got into country the Vietnamese were still using the Prc-10. They got our 25's when we switched to the 77. For those who may not know, the difference between the PRC-25 and the PRC-77 was an extra connector for the secure voice. Internally it was secure voice capable. :lifter

What was the weight of the 25, and freq range? Also what kind of range did you get with that. You mentioned in another thread that the enemy had very good RDF capability....what were some of the techniques that you used to beat that.

Those were 35+ years ago. I could look up the range and weight but so can you. No insult intended.

There is only one effectice counter measure for RDF -- silence!! When I was at Khe Sahn Teams were alright until they broke radio silence. Then, more often than not they made contact within 30 minutes of breaking radio silence.

And then there were the wheels in the puzzle palace. It would have been sufficient to have no radio transmission unless contact were imminent. A SITREP could have consisted of a visual (mirror usually) OK and the COVEY knows your location. But the wheels just had to have a daily SITREP broadcast and it usually resulted in contact. They didn't believe that "No news is good news." Curiosity killed the cat but the cats were on the ground and the curious ones were in secure, air conditioned bunkers. :rolleyes:

http://www.answers.com/topic/prc-77

as Terry mentioned earlier, the only real difference between the PRC 25 and the PRC 77 was the adapter for the KY 38 secure voice system (aka the Slave Rig to all RTOs who carried one...speaking as a former dope-on-a-rope...)

PRC-77

AN/PRC-77 Radio Set is a manpack, portable FM transceiver used to provide short-range, two-way radiotelephone voice communication. It can provide secure voice (X-mode) transmission with the TSEC/KY-57. The radio consists of RT-841 transceiver and minor components.


Technical Characteristics
Frequency Range: Low band, 30.00 to 52.95 MHz;
High band, 53.00 to 75.95 MHz
Planning Range: 8 km (5 mi)
Power Output: 0 to 4.0 W
Power Source: BA-4386/U, BA-398/U or BA-55984
Antenna: AT-892/PRL-24, at 271A/PRC multisection (10ft) "Static", or
3-foot tape "Bush-whip"
Type of Service: 30K0F3E
Manpack Field Radio
Weight: 10.7 kg (23.5 lb)

And in some far places the PRC-77 is also quite well known..

I'm sure it is as well as the PRC-25. I meant that it has been 35 years since I had anything to do with anything military. My memory of specifications isn't quite that good. :D

I would love to relate personal experiences et. al. but when it comes to specifics one can look it up and save two steps (me looking it up and relaying the info).

This is not weant to be in any way a rebuke. I don't want to relay 35 year old memories which may be less than accurate. :lifter

No rebuke taken, I was just curious about some of your experiences with it, and wondered if you ever took long range comm's ie. HF. I am not that familiar with the older radios and I should of looked it up. Life is very differant now with SATCOM radios and the newer ALE style radio's, but I like to here what people did before, all the new technology.

While wprking with Special Projects in SOG in 1968 we carried an AN/GRC-106. It was originally made for the SAS. It had CW and voice HF capabilities. The power and range were similar to the GRC-109.

I used to day dream about the kinds of equipment you men use today. I'm not one to hang onto the past. I wish we had your capabilities

An interesting device we had was a transmitter with coded buttons on it. We would give it to Bru trail watchers and everytime they saw a truck, tank, troops, etc. they would push the button. The message was recorded and stored and at night acft would fly over and activate the xmtr and record the intel. This was part of the project I worked with. By using these devices we didn't have to commit our teams to the AO. :lifter There are lots of things which won't make books like "Secret Commandos" because of the lack of sensationalism. A lot went on that may be found in serious AARs bit not best sellers.

Commo way back when
 

Make damn sure your antenna was cut right.
Batteries as new as possible.

While Billy W. was at Ba Kev,talked with him on PRC-25 w/292 antenna. The shot was about 60 miles.

BMT