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THE AM BULLETIN BOARD => Military Amateur Radio Section => Topic started by: Chris P. on May 09, 2018, 05:08:34 PM



Title: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: Chris P. on May 09, 2018, 05:08:34 PM
Got this in a load of radio junk. Can anyone tell me anything about it?


Title: Re: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: w8khk on May 09, 2018, 06:52:04 PM
It is obviously NOT junk!   I would be very careful where you share the photos.  Although it is finished in unobtrusive olive drab to make it appear to be military surplus, it is clearly a highly confidential device (potentially top secret) containing a flux capacitor, or is it a static inductor, not quite sure.  The tip-off is the digital pulse generator on the front of the panel, used by the CIA to perform mind altering experiments on unsuspecting subjects, causing ringing in the ears of specific target individuals.  Be very careful it does not fall into the wrong hands. 


Title: Re: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: Opcom on May 10, 2018, 12:33:35 AM
Without research I would speculate that as a control, it was used to 'dial up' a transmitter and control its functions. There is much missing, a chassis of relays and the like? There is a series of transmitters named 'FRT'. It could also just be part of a simple phone patch or audio panel.

http://www.virhistory.com/navy/xmtrs.htm

Back when the bell system was the internet, a rotary dial was sometimes used to enter a series of numbers that would select a function such as a switch or a voltmeter, etc., then interact with it by providing a reading or by operating the remotely located device. At each end of the (leased) line, there was a modem with a meter or control outputs.

This opinion about it being more sophisticated is based on what my elmer, as a chief electronics engineer with Braniff International Airways, had told me about how he regularly would dial up a transmitter to take readings or control it or interconnect/patch it in a HF net. I believe this was a product of Collins, as he always talked about Collins.


Title: Re: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: K4NYW on May 10, 2018, 04:42:46 PM
TM 11-487A says that C-418/FRT is used with PP-260/FRT power supply to control up to 8 Wilcox Electric fixed frequency transmitters (T-158/FRT or T-171/FRT).
So put this box on your desk, and out in the back set up your eight 2.5kw transmitters and you'll be all set....


Title: Re: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: KB2WIG on May 10, 2018, 07:33:03 PM


I don't think he needs all eight transmitters.

The bare minimum is 2, but 4 would be O.K.


klc


Title: Re: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: Chris P. on May 11, 2018, 10:11:44 PM
Thanks guys!

I found a paper for the T-171/FRT showing the control box.

http://jptronics.org/Military/JANAP161/an.frt/an.frt-type.t-171.fr.pdf


I don't think he needs all eight transmitters.


But I do!



Title: Re: Transmitter Control C-418C/FRT
Post by: Opcom on May 11, 2018, 11:24:22 PM
I think I have some stepping switches..
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