(c) 2000,2008 Peter McCollum
Selected Foreign Sets
This section documents certain non-U.S. equipment.
For more info on German sets, see Jim Meyer’s site at http://www.spyradio.cabanova.de/
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U.S.S.R. (KGB) BR-3U
Transmitter and "Svir" Receiver
This radio equipment was part of a KGB "leave behind"
program in Europe in 1966. It was buried in Switzerland, near Friburg, and
'booby-trapped' with explosives. Similar caches have been found in Italy,
Belgium, and perhaps other countries.
In a 1966 article appearing in the CIA-internal journal
"Studies in Intelligence", this radio set is described as follows:
"[this set] reflects the application of advanced technology
to agent radios. It unquestionably represents a superior system of covert
long-distance communications. It has a magnetic tape keyer for automatic
transmission at a rate of either 450 or 750 words per minute [using
frequency-shift keying]. With an output power of 80 watts and a frequency
spread of 4.5 to 18 MC [4-20 MC for the receiver], it is eminently suitable for
intercontinental traffic. Such a radio set reveals an extensive commitment of
effort to clandestine operations and a high order of professionalism."
The article also mentions that the transmitter case measures
about 4" X 9.5" X 13", and the total weight of the set is 33
pounds.
The
BR-3U transmitter.
The
receiver, code-named "Svir".
The
accessories for the cached radio set.
The
coder device used with the transmitter.
Three
explosive charges in the lid; part of a "Molniya" device.
Another
explosive charge inside the coder device.
British Mark 119 Radio Set
This set is included here because it's overall size and
specifications are very similar to the U.S. RS-1 / GRC-109 set.
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MARK-119 British Radio Station Specifications |
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Receiver |
Transmitter |
Power Supply |
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Weight |
14 lbs 4 ozs |
10 lbs 7 ozs |
23 Lbs 8 ozs. |
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Dimensions |
10-5/8" X 6-3/4" X 7-1/8" |
10-5/8" X 5-3/8" X 6-3/4" |
10-5/8" X 7-3/8" X 7-3/8" |
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Tube complement |
EF 92 (6CQ6) RF amp |
EF 91 oscillator X2 |
selenium rectifiers |
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EF 91 (6AM6) converter |
2E26 final |
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EF 91 oscillator |
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EF 92 IF amp |
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EF 91 audio |
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EF 91 BFO |
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Frequency Bands |
0.5-1.05 MC 1.05-2.2 MC 2.2-4.7 MC 10-20 |
1.5-2.3 MC, 2.3-3.5 MC, 3.5-5.5 MC, 5.5-8.5 MC, 8.5-13 MC,13-20 MC |
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Power Output |
100 mW |
17 W, below 13 MC 14 W above 13 MC |
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The MK 119 receiver. Photo courtesy of Denis
Chouinard.
The MK 119 transmitter. Photo courtesy of Denis
Chouinard.
The MK 119 power supply. Photo courtesy of Denis
Chouinard.
The
complete MK 119 set. Photo courtesy of Denis Chouinard.
German SP-20 Transmitter
This modern German transmitter operates from 2-24 MC, with an
output of 15 watts. The power supply accepts various AC or DC voltages
(self-regulating), and has an internal battery.
An older version is the SP-15, which operates from
crystal-control only.
Info from Louis Meulstee (PA0PCR):
This was manufactured by
Pfitzner Teletron in W. Germany [the main contractor for the entire set]
apparently in the late 70s-early 1980s (I am still tracing this) [transmitter
S-6800 and antenna tuner ASG-6800 were made by Telefunken]. The indication on
the harness box says KS30 (Kurzwellen Synthesizer 30) and KE30 (Kurzwellen
Empfanger 30?) as type numbers [the KE30 is the matching receiver, but it is
reported to not be in production - ed.]. There is also a connection for an
external device KUG. The TX may be used without the synthesizer and has a
crystal holder.
Please see my web-site on
British Army radio equipment "Wireless for the Warrior" http://home.wxs.nl/~meuls003/home.html
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The SP-20 set. From the top, the units are: power
supply; KS-30 synthesizer; ASG-6800 antenna tuner; and S-6800 transmitter. The
key is in the left foreground. Photo courtesy of P.V.D.H.
Two
more images of the SP-20 set, courtesy of Louis Meulstee.
The
RT-3 coder used with the SP-20 set.
Miscellaneous
This is a pair of Dutch resistance crystal radios,
built into a small metal can, and a matchbox. The image is from a postcard
bought at a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The matchbox is marked in
Swedish, but Swedish matches were sold in Holland for many years. Image
courtesy of Bill Howard.