SCR-536 Description
Radio Set SCR-536 (and the -A to -F modifications) consists of a five tube, low power (for its time), dry battery operated radio receiver and transmitter, plus certain accessories. It is designed for amplitude-modulated (AM) two-way communication over short distances. The outstanding feature of its design and constructions is its extreme portability (again, for its time -- very bulky by today's standards.) It is intended primarily for foot combat soldiers to communicate with their commander or with supporting units. In the photo to the left, PFC Harold C. Schreckengest, CO's runner, is using an SCR-536 to direct movements of Company E, 2d Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, U.S. First Army in Koenigsfeld, Germany, 9 March 1945.
The core component is the BC-611 Radio Receiver and Transmitter, sometimes confused with the entire SCR-536 system. The SCR-536 operated over the 3.5 mc to 6.0 mc frequency range on any one of 50 channels. Plug in crystals and coils were used to control the frequency of the receiver and transmitter. The range of the unit was about one mile over land and perhaps 3 miles over ocean. The antenna was a 40 inch telescoping rod that slid into the case. The unit weighed 3.85 pounds without batteries.
There was no power switch on the SCR-536. The operator pulls out or pushes in the antenna on the top to turn the radio on or off. The power was supplied by a BA-37 1.5 volt dry battery for the filament supply and a 103.5v BA-38 battery for plate supply. Battery life was about one day of normal use. The two batteries weighed about 1.6 pounds.
The technical manual was TM 11-235.
This very popular AM set was followed by tropicalized and easily concealed versions, AN/PRC-4 and AN/PRC-6 respectively.
Radio Set SCR-536, the original Walkie Talkie (or Handy Talkie) in use on a beach during WW II.
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