SCR-694

The SCR-694 was a portable two way radio set used by the U.S. military during World War II.

SCR-694 Radio Set

History

The SCR-694 began to replace the SCR-284 from mid 1944,[1] with improved range and reduced weight (around half of its predecessor), though the latter continued to be used up until the end of the war. Designed to provide communication between moving or stationary vehicles or as a portable field radio set, the SCR-694 was originally intended for use by mountain troops and airborne forces but soon became the Army-wide standard at battalion level.

The SCR-694 saw use all over the army in many different theaters; notable instances include at regimental division headquarters during the Normandy invasion[2] and the Cabanatuan prison raid[3] as well as by scouts and reconnaissance units in the Pacific War.[4]

It was later replaced by the AN/GRC-9, which saw first documented use in the Korean war.

Specifications

The SCR-694 "Radio set, Portable/Vehicular" consisted of the BC-1306 vacuum tube transmitter/receiver capable of AM and CW mode operation between 3.800 and 6.500 MHz.

  • Weight — 19.5 pounds.
  • Range — up to 15 miles on AM voice. Up to 30 miles reported on Morse code between moving vehicles
  • Transmitter — Crystal control, frequency doubler
  • Power supply — 6, 12 or 24 Volts DC, PE-237 Vibrator Power Unit
  • Optional accessories — hand crank generator with seat, antenna system, spares tube kit, canvas bags, Jeep mounting plates.
  • Manual — TM 11-230C

[5][6]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "What type of radio do I need - G503 Military Vehicle Message Forums".
  2. ^ Joseph Balkoski (2005). Beyond the Beachhead: The 29th Infantry Division in Normandy. Stackpole Books. pp. 108–. ISBN 978-0-8117-3237-6.
  3. ^ Gordon L. Rottman (20 October 2012). The Cabanatuan Prison Raid: The Philippines 1945. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 29–. ISBN 978-1-84908-112-2.
  4. ^ Gordon L. Rottman (20 August 2013). US Special Warfare Units in the Pacific Theater 1941?45: Scouts, Raiders, Rangers and Reconnaissance Units. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-1-4728-0546-1.
  5. ^ http://www.armyradio.com Army radio.com, BC-1306
  6. ^ "Radio Set SCR-694 U.S. War Dept. Training Film". YouTube. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

References

  • TM 11-230 dated 15 Aug. 1944
  • TM 11-227 Signal Communication Directory. dated 10 April 1944
  • TM 11-487 Electrical Communication systems Equipment. dated 2 Oct. 1944