(c) 2005,2008 Peter McCollum
The AS-3 HF Radio Set
This set’s nomenclature indicates that it was intended for a
slightly different purpose from the “RS” sets that are more commonly seen. The
“AS” stands for Automatic Station, so named because some ‘automatic’ features
were built-in, notably burst transmission. The set uses the CO-3 coder and CA-3
cartridge, which are also seen with several other sets, including the RS-8,
RS-49, RS-511, and the military AN/GRA-71 coder/burst set. It is noted that the
CO/B-8 coder (which is much more complex than the CO-3, and includes an
alphabetic wheel) is not mentioned
with the AS-3 set. Probably the CO/B-8 was not available yet, since the AS-3 is
believed to be only the second system to use high-speed keying. There are other
AS-series sets, in particular the AS-4 which uses a modulation mode other than
simple on-off keying.
The AS-3 uses early solid-state technology, circa 1959, and
operates directly from 12 VDC. The transmitter includes built-in components
that are generally equivalent to the KE-8 keyer (the ability to ‘play’ CA-3
tapes, and key the transmitter at 300 WPM). The set includes an AP-3 power supply,
which accepts various AC input voltages, and produces 12 VDC. A BA-3 battery is
another optional power source. The AS-3 was possibly made by Hughes
Electronics.
Although the receiver can be operated independently, the AS-3
set is centered around the AT-3 transmitter. The AT-3 has connection points for
the RR/D-11 receiver, and also a TP-3 printer. It is unclear what the purpose
of the TP-3 printer is. Two possibilities are:
1.
It is for making a printed
record of a transmitted message (although this would seem to be a security
risk).
2.
It is for printing received signals (high-speed bursts?) in a
manner that could be directly read without a tape recorder or other specialized
equipment. This conjecture is possible since the printer and receiver both
connect to the transmitter, so signals from the receiver could be routed to the
printer. The printer would perhaps be able to detect an audio tone and use the
presence/absence of the tone to produce a printed output.
The RR/D-11 receiver, part
of the AS-3 set. The BNC antenna connection and RCA phono jack audio output are
likely not original. This image is from the book “CIA Special Weapons &
Equipment: Spy Devices of the Cold War” by H. Keith Melton, Sterling Publishing
Co., NY, 1993, ISBN 0-8069-8732-4. Image used with permission.
A view of the AT-3
transmitter from the operator’s manual.
Another view of the AT-3
from the manual. Note the connection points for the TP-3 printer and RR/D-11
receiver.
|
AS-3 Specifications |
|
|
|
|
|
Receiver RR/D-11 |
Transmitter AT-3 |
Power Supply AP-3 |
|
Weight |
4-1/4 lbs |
6-3/4 lbs |
? |
|
Dimensions |
8-3/4” X 5-1/4” X 1-5/8” |
2-3/4” X 9-1/2” X 10-3/8” |
? |
|
Frequency Bands |
3-12 MC, 12-30 MC |
3-30 MC |
|
|
Power input |
6 or 12 VDC |
12 VDC at 10 amps |
70-270 VAC, 50-400 CPS |
|
Power Output |
|
25 watts |
12 VDC |
RR/E-11 Receiver
Below are 3 views of the RR/E-11 receiver. It appears to be
essentially the same as the RR/D-11, except that the higher band and its
associated components are not included, and thus the case is about an inch
narrower. Note the connector label, which indicates operation from either 12
VDC or 6 VDC. The connector is a DB-9 type, as seen on the RS-49 set. The
interior appears to include two early Philco RF transistors, near the right end
of the center board.
