Radios in FFR Perentie

[mike_k]

Thanks for the info Diana,

I have been doing a bit of research, and it looks like the Army changed from the Larkspur batteries and carrier to an Aussie system sometime in 1969.

There is an EMEI for this, G 057- 18 specifying the change from the UK batteries and carrier to 'lightweight plastic cased batteries' with a different carrier.
All of the replacement parts are Australian, and have an Aussie DSN.

The EMEI is here on REMLR:   http://www.remlr.com/documents/EMEI/Series%202/G057-18%20-%20replace%20radio%20batteries.pdf 

I think that this is a picture of the setup here, from Anzac steel,


So, while the later 2A FFTs kept the Larkspur table, it looks like we went to local batteries, which I guess would be correct for my 1970 vehicle. It does only have one set of holes in the tub for the battery carrier, it would be interesting to know which type it had!

This is the carrier that I will make up, some dimensions would be helpful.....

It is a bit hard to see if the vehicle had a power distribution panel in the photo, there are some wires up there, but it would also be possible to wire the 160 directly to the batteries I guess.

There must be some info out there for fitting the American kit to the vehicle, I see that there was an EMEI called,
'Preparation for Radio installation. Used with Field Radio sets other than those of UK origin' number G 055 - 1.
It runs for 12 pages, but it does not look like we have a copy at REMLR.
(if anyone has a copy, I would be keen to see it!)

If I find any more photos or info , I will post them up.

[Diana Alan]

You can see the regulator on the rear of the transom at the extreme left in the gap between the MT-1029 and the capping.  The distribution box is that large thing mounted on the top/front of the transom between the two outer seats.  You can see the wiring running up the middle of the transom in your image.

You will note that the vehicle in your image is post 1966 because of the cable type wipers.  Yours will probably be exactly like this one.  The earlier ones has an air blower on the RHS of the transom immediately behind the driver.  This took outside air from a louvered vent just behind the fuel filler and a duct blew the air onto the back of the Larkspur radios for additional cooling.  If your tub doesn't have the vent, it never had the blower.

You could be right about using current issue batteries. Mike Kelly in Gippsland has found a single box, I've been going to borrow it and have a mould taken off it to make fibreglass replicas where you could fit modern batteries inside still with the original outside look.

Sorry about the images but these are of my frame taken a couple of minutes ago.  It should give you an idea.

 
 

[Diana Alan]

Thanks for the info Diana,

I have been doing a bit of research, and it looks like the Army changed from the Larkspur batteries and carrier to an Aussie system sometime in 1969.

There is an EMEI for this, G 057- 18 specifying the change from the UK batteries and carrier to 'lightweight plastic cased batteries' with a different carrier.
All of the replacement parts are Australian, and have an Aussie DSN.

The EMEI is here on REMLR:   http://www.remlr.com/documents/EMEI/Series%202/G057-18%20-%20replace%20radio%20batteries.pdf  ...<snip>

Thanks for that link, interesting that the later design replaced the 4 metal cased  12V Larkspur batteries with 8 much smaller 12V batteries.  I had been going to use 12"deep cycling batteries inside my fibregalss cases, or even a couple or four truck batteries like the N200.

[Carzee]

Some more Perentie FFR gear pics from videos:

[Carzee]

straight into tent.

[glbest]

radios used in the 110 were raven series

[AGAS 5]

... and

AN/GRC-160
AN/GRC-106
AN/VRC-46 ... possibly the 49 as well (retrans setup)
ASKY/RT-F500 WAGTAIL
RT-1915 EPLRS XF

Cheers