Spy Radios
DH4PY

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      GRA-71
  GRC-109
      RS-6

 

 

 

 

 

A little bit of history:

  RS-1:

After developing it in 1948 / 49, the CIA introduced the RS-1 and used it as spy radio ca from 1950 to 1964 in Asia, Bulgaria, Albania, Vietnam, Tibet, Kuba and most probably in other countries, too. In 1960 reserve special troups were trained on it.

RS-1 consists of

  • RR-28 Receiver
  • RT-3 Transmitter and
  • RP-1 Power Supply (75 - 260 V AC and 6V DC) or
       RP-2 Power Supply (75 - 260 V AC).


    The Army adapted the radio and called it

      GRC-109

    The producer Admiral Corporation built the GRC-109 for the Army, (they also had built the RS-1 for the CIA). The Army used it ca from 1961 to 1969. After 1965 it became the standard radio for all combat units in forward areas.

    Look as well as technical data of RS-1 and GRC-109 are identical, in addition every GRC-109 (also GRC-9 A) has a plug for a burst coder
    GRA-71.

     
    The burst coder GRA-71 (<= link)
    can be used in combination with the GRC-109.


    GRC-109 consists of:

    R-1004 Reciever,
    Serial# 124
    [<= click]
    T-784 Transmitter
    Serial# 423
    [<= click]
    PP-2684 Power supply (75 - 260 V AC and 6 V DC) or
    PP-2685 Power supply ( 75 - 260 V AC).
    <== Here a PP-2685 is used.
    Serial# 523
    [<= click]

    A modified GN-58 is used as hand crank generator (the same as used with GRC-9); there also was a two- stroke generator UGP-12.

    The universal power possibilities (6V, AC, Generator) is the reason that the GRC-109 was used for such a long time. No special batteries were needed and the radio could be operated everywhere, for instance from a hotel room.

    The components are watertight. The lids have rubber packings and are closed by thumbscrewws. To hide it, the radio may be easily buried underground.

    Connections are very simply built, so an installation as well as maintenance of the cables needs no special tools.

    Later on Oklahoma Aerotronics built a GRC-109 A. It is even more rugged, is closed by hasp-type lid fasteners and has handles. Technical data are the same.

    A very detailed site on RS-1 and GRC-109 can be found at:

    www.Militaryradio.com


    Frequency ranges:
    R-1004 (Receiver): 3 ranges:
    3 ... 6;
    6 ... 12;
    12 ... 24 MC
    T-784 (Transmitter): 4 ranges:
    3 ... 5.5;
    6 ... 9;
    10 ... 16;
    17 ... 22 MC

    Technical data:

    Tubes in the R-1004:
    Four times 1T4 , 1L6, 1 U5.
    Tubes in the T-784:
    6AC7; 2E26.
    Tube in the PP-2685:
    OB2.
    Mode:
    Transmitter A1 ( CW, Morse key built in )
    Receiver AM and CW
    Channels:
    1
    NF Output:
    30 mW at 4 kOhm
    HF Output:
    12 to 15 W at 3 to 15 MHz
    10 to 12 W at 15 to 22 MHz
    Weight of the radio set:
    15 kg