Is this rack for radios?

Can anyone ID this rack? Is it for radios or other gear?

With all the radio cables hanging all over the place, its a dead giveaway. Not sure what radio set was in there, but it was a larger set. I'd reckon the VRC-12 series of radios was in that mess, though, I can see the MX-7777 surge supressor to the left of the rack on the deck.

Don't toss it - there are guys who are MV users and ham radio operators who wouldn't mind having that!

I sent the link to Steve Haney. He usually knows what these odd things are for. The far end, I'd guess a grc106 migth fit there, except the vary computer-ish looking holes on the far side plate indicate that something else for sure was the inhabitant..

What sort of vehicle is it in? That can be one clue. Also, any data plates of any sort? I don't think it is the VRC-12 family. Could be something older, but need more "clues" to figure it out. Probably a "multi-band" radio (combination of radio sets) system. Here is an example of a similar type of rack. http://www.columbiaelectronics.com/multi_band_radio_sets.htm

Re: RE: Is this rack for radios?

ONTOS66 said:

What sort of vehicle is it in? That can be one clue. Also, any data plates of any sort? I don't think it is the VRC-12 family. Could be something older, but need more "clues" to figure it out. Probably a "multi-band" radio (combination of radio sets) system. Here is an example of a similar type of rack. http://www.columbiaelectronics.com/multi_band_radio_sets.htm

Click to expand...

Yes! Thats a GRC-206 multi-band radio setup there that you linked to. I have about half the components for that set, including the RT-524, both control boxes (including the remote control box), the switchboard, the antenna and the rack. The hard part will be finding the RT-1444 unit and the VRC-83 radio sets (2 are required to complete the set) since each of them run $5,500 retail. The COMSEC stuff is impossible to find, but perhaps I can create a fake dummy COMSEC unit to complete the set.

Please post more pics, Bruce. Also, if you can get some of the radio cable nomenclature off the cables, that would help a lot....

Thanks for the help guys. The rack is from an M820 expansible van. Here are a few more pics. I will check again for data plates, but I didn't see any at first glance.

AHHH HA!!! Yoiks! EUREKA!!

The answer is: (according to TM 11-7440-293-14) an installation for a "Variable Format Message Entry Device, AN/GSC-21."
It also refers to TACFIRE equipment and some other manuals that I don't have. So the radios were some combination involved in Tactical Fire Control.

However, I do have this TM available in .pdf which lists the names for most of the components in your photos. PM me if you'd like a copy emailed.

It pays to be a packrat!