SCR-284 explained

The SCR-284 was a World War II era combination transmitter and receiver used in vehicles or fixed ground stations.[1]

History

The Crosley Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio manufactured the Signal Corps Set, Complete, Radio, 284 (SCR-284) that consists of the Basic Component 654 (BC-654) and associated support equipment.[2]

The SCR-284 was introduced in Africa during Operation Torch and was the first radio set used for communications from the beach to the U.S. Fleet to coordinate naval gunfire and beach radio networks.[3]

The set was used by Merrill's Marauders while operating in the China-Burma-India Theater and missions behind Japanese lines in Burma to communicate with air transport and other military aircraft, although some radiomen complained that it was "very inefficient" compared to other radio sets and "very hard to generate power".[4] [5]

The SCR-284 saw use in the Guadalcanal Campaign for portable operation with a hand crank generator. Transport over rough roads by Jeep tended to damage it, so it was disassembled and carried by several men.[6]

The SCR-284 was also used in the New Georgia Campaign, but was so heavy and prone to humidity damage it was sometimes left behind.[7]

More than 50,000 SCR-284s were produced and delivered in support of Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of Normandy. The complete SCR-284 transmitter, receiver, power unit and accessories weighed more than 100 pounds, but could be divided into sections for transport. The 45 pound BC-654 transmitter was notably difficult for radiomen to carry during combat, and has been described as "roughly the weight, size and shape of a modern window air conditioner".[8]

63972 units were eventually produced in total.[9] After the war, many BC-654s were sold as surplus for $15 each. Today, many are restored and operated by vintage amateur radio enthusiasts.[10]

Configurations

Technical description

Performance specifications

In popular culture

See also

References

External links

General references

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Radio Set BC-654-A SCR-284-A Receiver and Transmitter. Fucci. Antonio.
  2. Discovering America: A Special Issue . Journal of American History . 79 . 3 . 1102–1106 . Dec 1992 . 10.2307/2080804 . 0021-8723 . 2006-11-15 . Madison, James H. .
  3. The American GI in Europe in World War II: The March to D-Day. Stackpole Books; 22 September 2009. . p. 51–.
  4. Gavin Mortimer. Merrill's Marauders: The Untold Story of Unit Galahad and the Toughest Special Forces Mission of World War II. MBI Publishing Company; 15 November 2013. . p. 32–.
  5. DIANE Publishing Company. Merrill's Marauders: February to May, 1944. DIANE Publishing; 1 January 1990. . p. 29–.
  6. Samuel Milner. United States Army In WWII - The Pacific - Guadalcanal: The First Offensive: [Illustrated Edition]. Verdun Press; 15 August 2014. . p. 381–.
  7. John R. Walker. Bracketing the Enemy: Forward Observers in World War II. University of Oklahoma Press; 8 August 2013. . p. 209–.
  8. John C. McManus. The Dead and Those about to Die: D-Day - The Big Red One at Omaha Beach. Penguin Publishing Group; 5 May 2015. . p. 135–.
  9. The United States Army In WW II, Volume on Statistics, Section on Procurement, 09 APRIL 1952, Page 60.
  10. Web site: Newsletter, June 6, 1994. The Mississippi Historical Radio and Broadcasting Society. MHRBS. 2 May 2017.
  11. Web site: Ham Radio On TV. Key Clix. Amateur Radio Club of Savannah. 2 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605070319/http://www.qsl.net/arcs/KeyKlix/kkmay07.pdf. June 5, 2011. May 2007.

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