RT-524 Vehicle Radio Set-up

Brad Mills · #1 10-12-07, 16:54

Can any one list the required items used in a Canadian Ferret Installation for the RT-524 Set?

I assume the following components are required:

RT-524/VRC Receiver-transmitter (A Set)
R-442/VRC Receiver (B-Set)
C-2298/VRC VRC Control Box
C-2299/VRC Radio control box
AM-1780/VRC Main junction box
LS-454 External Loudspeaker
VRC-12 VEHICULAR MOUNT for R-442/VRC
MT-1029-GR VRC VEHICULAR MOUNT for RT-524/VRC
AS-1729/VRC Antennae (x2)

rob love · #2 10-12-07, 18:36

Brad
You forgot the cutting torch to cut the hole bigger through the hull for the cables to fit through, and as well to chop up the AMY bracket so it fits the US style antenna mount.

The Cdn ferrets I have seen were not modified in a pretty way.

Brad Mills · #3 10-12-07, 20:48

The use of the cutting torch is not a problem to make a CDN Mod, but what components are used?

Jon Skagfeld · #4 11-12-07, 00:20

Quote:

Originally posted by BMills
Can any one list the required items used in a Canadian Ferret Installation for the RT-524 Set?

I assume the following components are required:

RT-524/VRC Receiver-transmitter (A Set)
R-442/VRC Receiver (B-Set)
C-2298/VRC VRC Control Box
C-2299/VRC Radio control box
AM-1780/VRC Main junction box
LS-454 External Loudspeaker
VRC-12 VEHICULAR MOUNT for R-442/VRC
MT-1029-GR VRC VEHICULAR MOUNT for RT-524/VRC
AS-1729/VRC Antennae (x2)

Brad Mills · #5 11-12-07, 13:17

Jon,

Does your reply mean yes, those are the required bits, or no?

:-)

Jon Skagfeld · #6 12-12-07, 05:57

Sorry, Brad...fingers hitting keys before cerubellum synapses kick in.

Reference your post...don't know if I can help. I've never seen a Ferret with Legacy series radios.

The only ones I've seen had C-42 sets installed.

However, should you have questions about Legacy series radios or C-42 radios...by all means shout me up.

This offer is also for all and any comms type guys and restorers who may have questions about the above radios, especially the installations thereof. Information shall be freely provided, as best as can be done.

After all, isn't this what the Forum is all about?

rob love · #7 12-12-07, 06:26

I have seen the telltale signs of the 524 family of radios in the Cdn ferets. I believe they were photographed in that old photo shoot in the Quad magazine decades back. As I mentioned in my earlier post, the hohles for the cables goign through the hull were torched to a bigger size, and the brackets were torched out and new holes drilled to accept the US AMUs.

Jon: From where do you get the phrase "legacy radios"? I personally never heard this phrase wrt the 524s and their accessories until after they were turned in. The term legacy described all the stuff that was not on charge (and therefore could not be turned in) because it was held against checklists rather than on the unit MIUs. In my old unit, dumpsters were filled with a lot of the legacy stuff.

Jon Skagfeld · #8 12-12-07, 19:57

Quote:

Originally posted by rob love
I have seen the telltale signs of the 524 family of radios in the Cdn ferets. I believe they were photographed in that old photo shoot in the Quad magazine decades back. As I mentioned in my earlier post, the hohles for the cables goign through the hull were torched to a bigger size, and the brackets were torched out and new holes drilled to accept the US AMUs.

Jon: From where do you get the phrase "legacy radios"? I personally never heard this phrase wrt the 524s and their accessories until after they were turned in. The term legacy described all the stuff that was not on charge (and therefore could not be turned in) because it was held against checklists rather than on the unit MIUs. In my old unit, dumpsters were filled with a lot of the legacy stuff.

I hadn't heard of the term until recently. Sigs types and others at Meaford use the expression freely, albeit perhaps wrongly.

Maybe I'd better stop using the term.

Brad Mills · #9 12-12-07, 20:39

I have been speaking with Colin MacGregor Stevens on the subject of the RT-524 Set mounted in CDN Ferrets. He does not have a whole lot of information on this subject but did send along some photos (posted below) he took of the restored mk I Ferret the RCD has with the RT-524 installed.

To me looking at that install, its very messy. Not as tidy as the
C-42 installs I am use to in Ferrets. Perhaps the lack of interior bins/boxes is throwing me off or perhaps its the white interior (yick).

Was it the norm to paint the interior white in Ferrets? The original CDN Ferrets I have seen inside are silver, not white. Was this done during the restoration of this Ferret as it was assumed it was white? This is a whole other subject...

Brad Mills · #10 12-12-07, 20:53

The other question I had was the A Set/ B Set config on these. I notice above they just have two (2) RT-524 sets installed...was this common to act as the A-Set/B-Set or did Canada use the R-442A Set alongside the RT-524 Set?

RT-524 Set:

R-442 Set:

rob love · #11 12-12-07, 21:03

Regarding the interior colour, it could be either. I usually saw silver, but the one I sandblasted had white over several layers of silver.

The armoured took care of their vehicles like no other trade. Lots of paint and elbow grease after an ex to make the vehicles right. After all, without your vehicle, your just a lesser trained infanteer.

It's possible the white was all the guys had in the paint locker that day.

Dan Sicotte · #12 13-12-07, 01:05

I was one of two people who painted the RCD ferret. The white interior was chosen as it was a parade vehicle only. The silver rubbed off on the uniforms, so it was decided that it would be the same colour as the interior of the Loepards.
It in retrospect wasn't the best idea, but it's done.
The radio sets were installed by a RAD tech, and he did it the way he could remember....so he was old.
Don't forget, the restoration was done with regimental funds, and the odd donation from local businesses, and all volunteer time. If the unit spent $5 on the ferret, it's $5 less in ammo, fuel or whatever for the troops.

Brad, am I to understand you got the ferret from Liverpool docks?
Send info!
Dan Sicotte
00 DA 81

Brad Mills · #13 13-12-07, 03:24

Dan,

I think the RCD Ferret resto, given the funds avail is far beyond what other Units even think to attempt or consider . I know the PEIR currently has a runner under restoration and again, all funded by Regimental Funds, so Kudos to them as well. Money well spent.

I had repainted some of the interior on my previous Ferret just to freshen it up with some silver paint and your right, it rubs off very easy and you get covered in it. The original silver paint used by the Brits didn't rub off though. They must know something the friendly folks at CDN tire don't know :-)

The Ferret at the Liverpool Docks...is that recent? I'm currrently working with Bob Grundy at British Military Vehicles. He is restoring a mk I ferret to my specs. Won't be ready for shipping till sometime in April/ May. I know a mk I just arrived in Moncton though, shipped from Liverpool. The owner's name is Mike Baxter. I don't know him but I refered him to Bob Grundy for help with the exporting. That must be the one.

Have you been posted to Moncton? PM me your e-mail addy and I will shoot you some info on it and his contact info.

Brad