Hi - Well the GRC-109 is simple, rugged and repairable to extent downrange if necessary, the operators Spares kit is good. My set had considerable service wear when I got it in 1985 shortly after the Army excessed them. My units have the original 1965 tubes in them and I put another 40 years on them. Replacement tubes are readily available online, most for around $5 if needed. Other internal components could be replaced easily with modern equivalents (eg: silicon diodes in the power supply).
More 109 history and Ops if interested:
www.n6cc.com/angrc-109-special-forces-radio-set/
Modern gear is fantastic but generally unrepairable beyond the manufacturers DEPOT level with their custom microprocessors, LCD displays, memory chips and exotic test fixturing. Downrange they would become wheel chocks. (The 109 would make a great wheel chock!)
As to power consumption, the PRC-174's we used would receive 24/7 for over 2 weeks, a bit less depending upon transmit time but a long time on a deep cycle marine battery without recharging. The GRC-109 with the hand cranked generator would be on the air indefinitely unless the Power Supply staged a rebellion - as many of you could attest to! ;o)
Hybrid Mode
