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Topic: Collins Radio Sets |
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sailorruss
New Member
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Posted on: Mar 19, 2023 - 12:29pm
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Radio
Hello. New man here. So excuse my ignorance. Of course that's why I'm here.
I'm a HAM radio guy and they are rebuilding a few boats in Kingston as I'm sure you all know. I'm going volunteer, if they need me, and I wondering about the radio sets.
I know they were Collins but did they use a key & codes as well?
And has anyone found a working Collins set?
Thanks for your help.
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Total Posts: 8 | Joined:
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Mar 22, 2023 - 5:42am
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Check out this site. http://www.vmarsmanuals.co.uk/newsletter_articles/poor_mans_tcs.pdf As a rule the PT BOATS used the Collins TCS-12 although they did start with the TCS-10. Here is my Collins radio that is in my PT BOAT EXHIBIT.
In talking with the radio operators in the boats over the years, most had the hand mikes but they were capable of using a Key as well.
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sailorruss
New Member
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Posted on: Mar 23, 2023 - 7:52am
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That's very nice. Is it in working condition?
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 24, 2023 - 12:52am
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Hey Russ,
Welcome aboard. We have 2 sets of working Collins TCS-11 and TCS-12 on board PT658 and USS LCI713 here in Oregon. I have been workjing on getting them to be operable for the last several years. I will try to send photos, but you can go onto our website and see them for yourself if you want to The PT658 address is www.savetheptboatinc.com and the LCI713 is www.amphibiousforces.org The LCI has a FB link that is more up to date. Also on the PT658 website you can click on the Virtual Tour button and tour the boats charthouse where the radios are installed.
I will try to post photos soon.
Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1428 | Joined:
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 24, 2023 - 1:26am
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Here are the TX and RX on LCI713 in the radio room. Plus the last picture is the PT631 Builders photo showing the Collins Radios inside the PT Boat charthouse. We have all of the same stuff aboard PT658 including the power supply which lives just below deck in the crews head on a shelf. If you look on topo of the Transmitter 9on the right) and then off to the right of the units you can see the "Antenna Loading Coil" and the "Antenna Disconnect Switch". From there it leads to the 20m whip antenna on the outside of the charthouse. connected using vintage USN porcelain feed thru insulators. Hope this helps.
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 25, 2023 - 12:38pm
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No it is not in working condition but with a little work it could be according to a few buddies I have that are Ham radio folks.
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Mar 25, 2023 - 10:22pm
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Here are some close-ups I took today of the Collins Radio set up on board PT658.
It shows the Remote Control Unit outside for use by the Helmsman, the 2 radios (transmitter and reciever) inside the chart house, (note the code key and microphone and headset plugged in) the antenna disconnect switch, the Antenna Tuning Coil, and the power supply dynamotor set under the deck in the crews head. Next shown is the antenna base and porcelain feed thru. I tried to show you all the items that are needed in order to use these radios on board the PT boat. Be advised, this does not even show the IFF "radios" nor the WECO RT19 /ARC4 Radio set used for communication to aircraft. I hope this was helpful! Jerry
Remote Control Unit (has built in speaker and mic Jack but no tuning ability) behind trap door on Conn
Transmitter and Receiver in Chart House, note microphone and Speed Key, and headset plugged into jacks, as well as Antenna Tuning Coil on top
Antenna Disconnect Switch mounted next to radios.
Close up of same switch:
Close up of Receiver Unit note headset plugged in
Dynamotor Radio Power Supply with cables and connectors located just below radios in crews head on shelf
Antenna Base And Porcelain Feed thru insulator outside of charthouse on deck (note the 20m whip antenna has been removed for safekeeping before we placed boat onto cradle)
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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sailorruss
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 7, 2023 - 10:10am
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I'm a HAM guy myself. If yunee any help finding anything, as she tubes have different numbering systems, especially NOS military. I prefer those for my tube amplifiers actually. Very rugged, thicker glass.
Side note: While not Navy I met a guy who was in the Signal Corps. He and his unit got a hold of of Japanese radio sets after the war. He said that every component, and especially the tubes, were poorly built. They got them working but had to replace caps, tubes and sockets.
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Apr 8, 2023 - 1:23am
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Thanks Russ,
The PT658 is actually looking for a couple of items. One is a part of the IFF Suite. It is called a Model BN Radio Transmitting and Receiving Equipment CFN10233 made by Farnsworth. We are also looking for a Bearing Control Unit Type CABM-23AEJ. These are interconnects with the IFF and Radar coupled with the Flux Gate Gyrocompass. I will post a couple of photos. Thanks for your help!
Here is the Bearing Control Unit CABM-23AEJ on the Elco PT617 in Fall River
Here is a couple showing a BN Unit IFF Interrogator-Responsor Unit. The first one is the one in storage on PT617 back in the rudder room.
The other is located on board submarine USS Pampanito, inside the Main Control Room aboard the museum submarine in San Francisco, Photos courtesy of Rich Pekelney
Right and Left side views of IFF BN Unit with name plates
Shows front panel of IFF BN Unit opened, you can see the tuning knobs and power management jacks
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1428 | Joined:
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