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Man pack radio BA-1302
Clansman
AN/PRC-319 was a ruggedized
man pack radio, manufactured in the late 1980s by
MEL (Philips) in the UK.
It was used for Special Operations by the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Only 350 units were built for use by the British Armed Forces.
Secure communication was possible with an
Electronic Message Unit (EMU)
or a Digital Message Handling Device (DMHD).
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The image on the right shows the typical two keypads of a PRC-319
unit that has been taken out of its canvas back pack.
The keypad on the right is used to control the transceiver, whilst
the leftmost unit the removable EMU (see below).
The device operates on the HF bands from 1.5 to 40 MHz 1
in USB, CW and Data mode.
Transmit and receive frequency can be set independently,
allowing split-frequency (duplex) operation.
The maximum power output is selectable between 5W and 50W.
The ruggedized case is watertight and can be submerged in up to 6 feet
of water.
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The set is specified for a range of 20 km when using the whip antenna or
1000 km when using a wire antenna. An automatic antenna tuner (TURF) allows
most types of antennas to be used. For frequencies below 4 MHz an additional
antenna unit (the so-called TURF Extender) is required.
The PRC-319 was built around 1988 by
MEL (Mullard Equipment Ltd)
for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). MEL was a
Philips subsidary and was later sold
to Thales.
Support for MEL equipment has meanwhile been discontinued.
The original base price for a unit was USD 21,000.
A number of AN/PRC-319 transceivers appeared on the European
surplus market around 2010.
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As the HF band officially runs from 3-30 MHz, the PRC-319 also covers
part of the MF
band (1.5-3 MHz) and the
VHF band (30-40 MHz).
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EMU - Electronic Message Unit
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The PRC-319 was used by Special Forces and for Special Operation Tasks.
In situations where secure non-voice communication was required, the optional
BA-1304 Electronic Message Unit
(EMU)
was used. The EMU can be inserted into an empty slot on the body of the
radio, to the left of the main control unit.
➤ More information
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For many years, the PRC-319 was standard issue for the SAS, the British
Special Forces. It was used for behind-enemy-lines missions in Iraq during
the First Gulf War in 1991.
A good example of the use of a PRC-319 is given in the book Bravo Two Zero,
written by SAS Sergeant Andy McNab (pseudonym), in which he gives
a detailed account of a (failed) infiltration mission in Iraq.
The book is based on a real mission in Iraq lead by McNab in January 1991.
The eight-member team had one PRC-319 radio for emergency use.
It was equiped with the EMU
and had to be used in burst mode (i.e. no voice calls)
in order to avoid interception and
Radio Direction Finding (RDF) by the enemy.
The team also carried four TACBE (Tactical Beacon)
units for emergency distress calls in case the PRC-319 got lost or damaged.
➤ Bravo Two Zero mission on Wikipedia
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Wednesday 07 April 2010. Last changed: Wednesday, 15 July 2020 - 09:29 CET.
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