typical military deployment in the field by Special Forces soldier
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MANUALS:
TM 11-5820-473-12
Operations Manual for Radio Sets AN/TRC-77 & AN/TRC-77A
TM 11-5820-473-35
DS, GS & Depot Maintenance Manual for Radio Sets AN/TRC-77 & AN/TRC-77A
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Arvin Industries, Inc.
Date of manufacture: c.1962-66
Procurement cost: ????
2 tubes: 3B4 and 2E24 (transmitter driver and PA)
17 transistors total: Rx: 11 transistors, Tx: 6 transistors
Frequency range: 3.0 to 8.0 MHz, Rx and Tx: 6 crystal channels each
Modes: Rx: AM and CW -- Tx: CW only
Power: Rx: 12V at 20mA -- Tx: 12V at 3.75A
Battery: 12V at 14Ah
Tx RF Power output: 10W to 14W
Rx Sensitivity: CW: 1uV and AM: 2.2uV
Rx IF frequency: 455 kHz
Unverified list of units that may have used the TRC-77: CIA, US Army, LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols) and other US Special Forces, South Vietnamese Commandos, Dutch Army Commandos, and the Australian Military |
Radio amateurs who enjoy restoring and using military communications equipment have a special regard for the beautifully made AN/TRC-77, a small crystal-tuned transceiver from the early 1960s that was built like a Swiss watch for Morse code communication. It was designed to be used by LRRPs and other Special Forces behind enemy lines. It featured a very sensitive 6-channel receiver and an independent 6-channel transmitter. Its dimensions are only 4.5"h x 9.5"d x 10.5"w and its weight is 11 lbs, minus the battery pack. It has a BFO, AM/CW receive options, and a built-in ATU and sidetone generator. For any Ham who collects classic military radios or is a fan of Morse code communication, the TRC-77 is a great rig to have and use. It is one of the very, very few rigs ever designed for transmitting ONLY code!!
The original crystals furnished with the TRC-77 (probably for basic testing and alignment) are the following:
(Tx/Rx) Channel 1 3.000/3.455 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 2 4.060/4.515 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 3 5.100/5.555 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 4 6.000/6.455 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 5 7.000/7.455 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 6 8.000/8.455 kHz
WA6UBE recommends the following crystal frequencies for Amateur Radio QRP communication:
(Tx/Rx) Channel 1 3560/4015 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 2 3565/4020 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 3 7040/7495 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 4 7041/7496 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 5 7042/7497 kHz
(Tx/Rx) Channel 6 7112.5/7567.5 kHz
For further information about use of the TRC-77 and other classic military radio gear,
click here for WA6UBE's great website:
Tactical Link Systems
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