The SCR-508 radio was a mobile
Signal Corps Radio
Signal Corps Radios were U.S. Army military communications components that comprised "sets". Under the Army Nomenclature System, the abbreviation SCR initially designated "Set, Complete Radio", but was later misinterpreted as "Signal Corps Radio."
...
used by the
U.S. Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, for short range ground communications. The SCR-508 series radio represented the Army's commitment to both FM and crystal tuning, and was used extensively by armor and mechanized units. The
turret bustle of late series light and medium tanks was designed around this radio.
Use
The SCR-508 series was standardized on 22 July 1941, and used by armored forces for command and control of tank units. It replaced the earlier
SCR-293 and
SCR-245
The SCR-245 Radio was a mobile MF/ HF Signal Corps Radio used by the U.S. Army before and during World War II, for short range ground communications, It was one of the first crystal controlled sets used by the Army.
Use
The SCR-245 was standard ...
and was used primarily in the
M5 Stuart
The M3 Stuart/Light Tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II. An improved version of the tank entered service as the M5 in 1942 to be supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. in ...
light tanks as well as the
M4 Sherman
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The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It ...
medium tanks. It also provided the intercom system to all crew stations. It provided voice communications between tanks and other vehicles/units equipped with FM radios (such as the SCR-510 and others) operating in the same frequency range. One of 10 channels could be selected by the operator, a total of 80 channels were available for use at 100 kHz channel spacing. Channels were referred to by a numerical identifier. For example, 27.100 MHz was "channel 271", 25.000 MHz was "channel 250" and so on. It was replaced by the
AN/VRC-8 series radios.
Components
* BC-604 transmitter (FM, CW/voice), 10
crystal controlled channels 20.0 MHz to 27.9 MHz, 25 watts, range
** DM-34
dynamotor (12 Volt input) or
** DM-36 dynamotor (24 Volt)
* BC-603 receiver (2 for 508 set)
** DM-35 dynamotor (12 volt input) or
** DM-37 dynamotor (24 volt)
* FT-237 mount or rack
* CH-74 cabinet for use in open command vehicles (FT-284 Legs)
* MP-52 mast base for CH-74
* MP-48 antenna base, and
whip antenna
A whip antenna is an antenna consisting of a straight flexible wire or rod. The bottom end of the whip is connected to the radio receiver or transmitter. A whip antenna is a form of monopole antenna. The antenna is designed to be flexible so ...
* CH-264 chest for parts and accessories (could be slid into mount in place of receiver)
* T-17 microphone
* HS-30 headset
* RM-29 telephone patch set
* BC-606 intercom box, at crew stations
* I-208 signal generator (TM 11-317)
Variants
Different combinations of components could be arranged in the mounts.
* SCR-528 transmitter and single receiver
* SCR-538 Receiver and BC-605 Amplifier (for intercom)
* AN/VRC-5 Separately mounted transmitter and receiver
** FT-508 mount (transmitter)
** FT-345 mount (receiver)
The Artillery branch used the same radios mirroring the SCR-508 series but with a different frequency range
* SCR-608
** BC-684 transmitter 27.0 MHz to 38.9 MHz at 35 watts, for
** BC-683 receiver
* SCR-628
See also
*
Signal Corps Radio
Signal Corps Radios were U.S. Army military communications components that comprised "sets". Under the Army Nomenclature System, the abbreviation SCR initially designated "Set, Complete Radio", but was later misinterpreted as "Signal Corps Radio."
...
*
Crystal oscillator
A crystal oscillator is an electronic oscillator circuit that uses a piezoelectric crystal as a frequency-selective element. The oscillator frequency is often used to keep track of time, as in quartz wristwatches, to provide a stable clock ...
*
Wireless Set No. 19
The Wireless Set No. 19 was a Second World War mobile radio transceiver designed for use by Armoured warfare, armoured troops of the British Army. First introduced in 1940, the No. 19 began to replace the pre-war Wireless Set No. 11. Two modified ...
References
General references
* TM 11-487 Electrical Communications Equipment
* TM 11-600 SCR-508 operator
* TM 11-620 SCR-608 operator
* Radio to free Europ
External links
SCR ListUS Army Signal Corps Museum
BC ListUS Army Signal Corps Museum
SCR-508 WWII Vehicle Radio SetYouTube
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017
Amateur radio transmitters
Military radio systems of the United States
World War II American electronics
Military electronics of the United States
Military equipment introduced from 1940 to 1944