Vehicle Mounted PRC-77 Sets

[Craig Tanner]

This is what I know... which may be very little.. but I certainly have a few nights carrying around both the 25 and 77 set man pack boat anchors...

I always knew the PRC 25 set was an older version, and the ANPRC 77 set was newer. It was reported to have had updated electronics, and a breather mounted on the battery cover. Other than looking at the tag where the serial number was (which stated 25 or 77 set) the breather was a sign of the .... 77 set.

For the RRB function, in a vehicle, the dual installation system either 2x 524s or 2x841s (77s in trays) you needed a thing called a 2299 box which, when engaged on RRB allowed the radio net to be rebrodcast.

That was a couple of years back so I may be a little rusty on some of the more complex terms like RT841/77PRC etc but I will never forget that radio.....

I'll see if I can dig up some pictures....


For all its worth

Craig Tanner

[maple_leaf_eh]

The '77 manpack harness fits nicely over the passenger seat of the M38A1 jeep. Tilt the seatback and judiciously arrange the pressure points. The 10' antenna mounting unit cable (forget the name) normally connecting the AMU to the RT524 also connects to the '77. I prefered the handset of the '77 set hitched onto the '524 versus the headset and mike combination. Fewer loose pieces and it used one headset plug-in vs two. Or, keep the '524 on one freq' and monitor another on the '77 with its 10' antenna.

[alleramilitaria]

the 25 is the older version of the 77.

the 77 was solid state and the 25 had to have the crystals tuned in.

in the 70s all the 25s were trasferd overseas and sold leaving the 77s for the US military

the pwr supply and the 77 is the grc-160
its all part of the VRC-1 system

[David Dunlop]

Thanks for the input so far, Gentlemen. Looks like I don't need to chase covers for the 77-Set anymore.

It has taken about five years to put together the vehicle components for my 77-Set to enable me to run the set with my PCC-2 Power Supply, thereby solving the problem of finding a reliable battery supply. I have been able to put together the complete kit, up to and including the Antenna Matching Unit MX-2799/VRC. Still trying to find a good condition Base Antenna Support AB-719/VRC to mate up to this particular AMU, but slowly we make progress.

Regards,

David

[Stuart Kirkham]

The Australians used the PRC 25 extensively in Vietnam but I can't recall seeing photos of a GS (general service) vehicle mounted set apart from a dedicated radio vehicle. It would seem that they simply stashed a 25 set between the seats and ran it off the set battery. Oh BTW, I have never seen a photo of any cover over the 25 set as I have been seeking answers to this same question.

[JackM]

Hi Stuart,

An interesting pic - must have dated from around 1965 as it appears to show a 37 pattern web revolver holster and lanyard, on the centre console.


Jack

[David Dunlop]

Now that I do not need to have any more sleepless nights looking for a PRC-77 canvas cover, one other item comes to mind.

The 19-Set, 29-Set and C-42 Set all had some form of spare antenna sections storage, be it a soft canvas bag, or hard fiber tube. Was a similar item ever issued for the two 64" fiberglass antenna sections used with a vehicle mounted PRC-25 or PRC-77?

I believe the earlier antenna system would have been the AT-912 (the one I am trying to put together) or the later AS-1729. The upper antenna sections were identical for each system, but the lower ones differed as the threaded post on the antenna support spring assemblies were different diameters.


Regards,

David