RT-524 or RT-246

[on-to-berlin]

Hi All!
I would like to equip my 1969 A1 with a proper radio and I am a bit undecided. I would like to generally set it up as a radio jeep so with a bit more powerfull radios than the PRC77. So the next choice would be aRT524 I guess? Or can I also use a RT246. I know nothing about the radios and was looking at Viet Nam era pictures but couldn`t find good ones where I could make out what radio was installed.
Is there a good manual that shows how the radios are connected with all the support speakers and monitors?

[bazookajoe]

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago being unfamiliar with radios and what configuration i would like so i obtained some manuals showing pictures of combinations thereof so i could decide what i wanted instead of beating the radio guys to death with ignorant questions.I did an a-2 with twin radios, a 524 with a 442aux. reciever. The tech manuals will show pictures that were invaluable to help me decide and once you know what you like you will know what accessories you need. You are looking for a GRC combination or a VRC combo, depending upon what year you are trying to achieve.Tech manual TM 11-5820-401-10-1 was invaluable to me, i'm sure others will pipe in to help. I cannot find some of my manuals to be of more assistance. Oh and by the way Mike Baranowsky (sp)? was a huge and patient help, a very knowledgeable radio guy

[rickf]

GRC series would be very early since they were in service during Korea and phased out in the beginning of Vietnam.

[moose53]

The most common setup was an RT-524 and a R-442. the difference between the 524 and 246 was the 246 had 10 preprogrammable channels, which could be selected via a remote control box. The 524 has a built in speaker, the 246 needs an external speaker. The 246 was primarily used in armored vehicles, or as a command set where quick freq changes were needed. Power output of the 524 & 246 were the same.

Jim

[Rainman]

Sorry Rick, but GRC series were still in use in our time and possibly still are, just with higher numbers the GRC-5 and GRC-9 were Korean era, but I operated an AN/GRC-103 that was near new in the early 70's. The AN stands for Army/Navy and the GRC is Ground Radio Communication. Just my 2 cents.
Rainman

[rickf]

OK, My bad. I traded all the GRC 68 stuff I had for the VRC stuff I have now. So what does VRC stand for?

Rick

[miljeep]

AH the Grc-103 was/is a relay system not a RT system and the V mite be for Vehicle Mounted the early M151's mounted RT-66,67, and RT 68's using AB-15 type antennas Scott O&O

[Floyd]

Rick: Just a WAG, Vehicular Radio Communications.

Floyd

[MUTT Vet]

I was looking through the DTIC again and found some documents on the radios you guys have been talking about (i'll upload them as soon as i can) and Rick is right; VRC stands for Vehicle Radio Communications.

[199th mp]

eric, just curious---what's a DTIC you referred to? by the way, in my 66A1, i installed a working 524, and added a working VIC 1 set, so we could actually talk to each other when we're driving around.

[MUTT Vet]

eric, just curious---what's a DTIC you referred to? by the way, in my 66A1, i installed a working 524, and added a working VIC 1 set, so we could actually talk to each other when we're driving around.

Ron,

The DTIC is a military archive site that i have access to. It has documents for just about everything the military and government has done. Vehicles, weapons, wars, etc...

It's where all the documents on my other post come from (http://g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6145).

That's a pretty cool set up! I've been thingking about installing some kind of radio but they are just so big. I might just go with a CB mounted in my ammo can arm rest.

[199th mp]

eric, you're right, the 524 is pretty big, but no one has ever sat in the back since i got it, except the grandkids once or twice, so the benefit of having it, and the vic 1, outweighs the size thing. just being able to talk to each other on long rides has been an advantage, and i don't think that's possible without a radio like this. once i get my ham license, i'll also be allowed to use the 50-54 band. i'm still working on that, reading the book and studying, but i'm not good with electrical stuff, so i'm not going to hurry that part, i want to make sure i can pass the test.

[MUTT Vet]

Ron, for me having a back seat is crucial. My to girls are always wanting to go out in the jeep. We go off roading pretty much every weekend. I also drive it to work sometimes and i'm always giving people rides in it so i'm not sure if i can go with the bigger radio. Plus, they're not very waterproof and i get my jeep wet a lot.

Good luck on the ham license! I know a few people with them and they love it.

[rickf]

As far as just talking to each other you could go with a motorcycle setup, they even have wireless for talking between bikes. Whole thing clips on your belt. Of coarse it doesn't have the cool factor but it is about 600.00 cheaper!

Rick

[MUTT Vet]

That's a good idea Rick. Do you know the range on those setups? Do you think they would be better than just a standard CB setup?