AN/GRC-9 aka 'Angry Nine' Military Field Radio

The AN/GRC-9 is a set of components primarily comprised of the RT-77/GRC-9 receiver-transmitter, capable of operating between 2-12 MHz in CW, MCW and AM modes. MCW is a modulated form of CW that can be received by radios that do not have a BFO (i.e. a normal AM receiver).

It is a mid to late 1940's design and was first documented field use in the Korean War, and was in active use through the Vietnam War and continued to be maintained in US military warehouses until 1974. It was in use by other nations long after, most notably the Dutch military.

Additional information available on the blog

[Chungustav]

I have a friend who was a radio operator in Vietnam. One of the few that lived. Man does he have some radio stories to tell

[dinosaurcomplaints]

A vietnam radio operator told me that every man in his squad had a length of copper wire and a fishing sinker attached to it. When they needed to make commo, everyone threw their sinker up over a tree limb so the cong couldn’t tell who had the radio. That was the first guy they would shoot, because he was the one to call in hell from above. Interesting impromptu survival tactic.

[hbdod]

Used the Radio Manpacked and in a Landrover in the Royal Netherlands Marines Corps until 1980.

[huaweigoogle]

Это великолепно, бро! Отличный обзор военного радио. Вибратор звучит как волшебство. 👍 Таким образом мы имеем возможность перемещаться во времени назад. И это великолепно.

[tonconnie]

That was my first rig. It was complete, even with spare tubes etc and the "knee morse key". Made some realy nice qso's with the an/grc9.

[ElectronicsUSA]

I have a GRC-9 and love it - a super cool rig. At what distance away from the panel did the Geiger counter return to normal background level? Please post the video you made of your testing. Thanks and 73!

[darrinpearce]

Great rig in fantastic condition. Alpha emitters are pretty safe, just dont eat the paint.

[StevenRosenberg]

If I recall, it was tough to find the dynamometer

[Steve-GMHUU]

Very nice looking example and very interesting, thank you. Portable! Just slightly heavier than an FT-817! 😄 The method of setting the TX frequency reminds me of the (super accurate) BC-221 frequency meter. So, wondering if it uses same design idea? Good that you got on the air with it. It sounds nice (apart from the generator whine, perhaps).

[otm]

2:49 Who's giving you that advice? The Alpha particles emissions are harmless. As long as the paint is not flaking or you're ingesting the pain there's zero risk to you or anyone else.

[warplanner]

I may have missed it, but where did you say you got your radio?

[jeffdyer]

Very cool peace of history. Glad not to have to listen to the generator in my shack ha.