Hallicrafters gear were nothing short of works of art. My HT-32B was the best and coolest transmitter that I have ever owned. The audio was amazing and it was sweet to operate. It was just beautiful.
I'm so glad to see this video about amateur radio's historical role in military communications out there for everybody to see. Many similar vintage tube radio equipment is still in use today and performing as they did new. 73, KA7AGN / DL4VCW.
I am a Telecommunications Engineer for my local Gov and consider myself to be a big fat “nothing” compared to these men. This film was made back when America still existed.
In the event of an EMP, this gear would still be operating. The new stuff would be a door stop. Wish I had one, and the knowledge to operate it. I'm not an old time radio operator, I'm a current appliance operator. 73 de VE3CRF
This movie inspired me beyond my wildest imagination, and brought an actual HT-4, the original civilian model into my life. It was built in 1939 (SN 1882) and spent the war wears so I am told at the War Dept in Washington, but more likely with the Signal Corps Labs in New Jersey.
I was in the Signal Corps and when I did my training at Ft. Gordon, GA, the equipment they trained us on was nearly that ancient. I remember the trucks that these "Rat Rigs" were on looked to be Korean War era and you could still faintly see the big white star under the modern camo. Fun times indeed.
Decades ago you could buy transmitters and receivers for $5 each at most any "Army-Navy Surplus Store." These stores existed for decades until the surpluses were sold. For some reason most of the surplus radios were Bureau of Ships (Navy) rather than Army, although the Army gear was by no means rare. A friend and I bought out one surplus store's inventory of TCS gear, and after building power supplies on upside-down aluminum bake pans we had quality radio stations we re-sold for considerably more. Wish I'd kept at least one set, but that was almost 40-years ago when such things were considered little more than junk, Even then hams preferred the expensive commercial gear and military surplus stations were the mark of a low-budget, "poor man's" operation once the curiosity of the experimenters was accounted for.
I was around then, and $5 was significant when millions of Americans were buying a house and raising a family while paying their bills (no credit cards then) on less than $100/week.
These radios would sell like crazy if they would put them back into production built as heavy duty as the originals. Even young hams are realizing that old vacuum tube gear is the best. Discrete components. Point to point wiring. Tough as nails. Microprocessor controlled radios will be in landfills while old vacuum tube gear keeps on going!! Scott. KK7VY.
I'm 99% certain that is actor Karl Malden at 3:43. According to Wikipedia:"His acting career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a noncommissioned officer in the 8th Air Force. While in the service, he was given a small role in the United States Army Air Forces play and film Winged Victory."
It would be amazing to have a fully restored K-51 comm. truck and K-52 generator trailer with all the radio equipment as shown here with the SCR-299. Of course, as a modern catalog ham I wouldn't be smart enough to know how to use it. lol
They don't call the war horses for nothing. It was interesting to see the conversion from static to mobile operation. Too bad we cannot get something like this today.
Hallicrafters gear were nothing short of works of art. My HT-32B was the best and coolest transmitter that I have ever owned. The audio was amazing and it was sweet to operate. It was just beautiful.
excellent video, sharing this on my fb page, a hallicrafters fan here.
That segment at 3:00+ is enough to make a grown ham cry.
I'm so glad to see this video about amateur radio's historical role in military communications out there for everybody to see. Many similar vintage tube radio equipment is still in use today and performing as they did new. 73, KA7AGN / DL4VCW.
I am a Telecommunications Engineer for my local Gov and consider myself to be a big fat “nothing” compared to these men. This film was made back when America still existed.
In the event of an EMP, this gear would still be operating. The new stuff would be a door stop. Wish I had one, and the knowledge to operate it. I'm not an old time radio operator, I'm a current appliance operator. 73 de VE3CRF
Wait'll you get a gassy tube...
@@alexcarter8807 with proper care some could last above 20000 hours... And if ones gassy you get a fun light show not just smoke.
This movie inspired me beyond my wildest imagination, and brought an actual HT-4, the original civilian model into my life. It was built in 1939 (SN 1882) and spent the war wears so I am told at the War Dept in Washington, but more likely with the Signal Corps Labs in New Jersey.
Right on!
I was in the Signal Corps and when I did my training at Ft. Gordon, GA, the equipment they trained us on was nearly that ancient. I remember the trucks that these "Rat Rigs" were on looked to be Korean War era and you could still faintly see the big white star under the modern camo. Fun times indeed.
Decades ago you could buy transmitters and receivers for $5 each at most any "Army-Navy Surplus Store." These stores existed for decades until the surpluses were sold. For some reason most of the surplus radios were Bureau of Ships (Navy) rather than Army, although the Army gear was by no means rare. A friend and I bought out one surplus store's inventory of TCS gear, and after building power supplies on upside-down aluminum bake pans we had quality radio stations we re-sold for considerably more. Wish I'd kept at least one set, but that was almost 40-years ago when such things were considered little more than junk, Even then hams preferred the expensive commercial gear and military surplus stations were the mark of a low-budget, "poor man's" operation once the curiosity of the experimenters was accounted for.
I was around then, and $5 was significant when millions of Americans were buying a house and raising a family while paying their bills (no credit cards then) on less than $100/week.
These radios would sell like crazy if they would put them back into production built as heavy duty as the originals. Even young hams are realizing that old vacuum tube gear is the best. Discrete components. Point to point wiring. Tough as nails. Microprocessor controlled radios will be in landfills while old vacuum tube gear keeps on going!!
Scott. KK7VY.
hay a d-104 astatic microphone i still got mine great stuff i talked to alaska from newyork many times fk cell phones
I'm 99% certain that is actor Karl Malden at 3:43. According to Wikipedia:"His acting career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a noncommissioned officer in the 8th Air Force. While in the service, he was given a small role in the United States Army Air Forces play and film Winged Victory."
I have restored several HT-4s and I have 3 myself. Now days, vacuum tubes are getting very hard to get hold of. All my units works.
It would be amazing to have a fully restored K-51 comm. truck and K-52 generator trailer with all the radio equipment as shown here with the SCR-299.
Of course, as a modern catalog ham I wouldn't be smart enough to know how to use it. lol
Excellent video and thanks for sharing! 73 de AC6GM!
They don't call the war horses for nothing. It was interesting to see the conversion from static to mobile operation. Too bad we cannot get something like this today.
Stuff was built to take a hit with a baseball bat and still work.
Stuuf is now made to last a second after the warranty void
And sometimes the old stuff required the same bat to wack it a time or two to seat things properly and make it work again.
Amazing.
Really interesting!
Rock On! Super cool!
I bet the 2 guys fixing the wires wished they had a roll of duct tape. 1:48
I want one!!
Were any of these SCR 299 units preserved complete in the truck, with the trailer, anywhere in the world?
Great for field day.
I want one … Please !
Little mind .
mobile.... tehee
troll
I assure you America still exists.. and we have a wonderfull 2nd term President with a fully functional social conscience. and a very bright mind.
Oh man, life felt less stressful without the trump bullshit going on..