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SINCGARS ← PRC-77
SINCGARS non-ICOM Radio
RT-1439/VRC is a military non-ICOM VHF/FM ECCM-capable
transceiver for the 30-87.975 MHz range, developed and manufactured
around 1988 by ITT. It is an early member of the SINCGARS family
and does not have built-in voice encryption [1].
Instead an external KY-57 or
KY-99 voice encryptor is required.
It supports (slow) Frequency Hopping (FH) at 100 hops/s and
is backward compatible with Single Channel radios, like
AN/PRC-77 and AN/VRC-12 from the Vietnam era.
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The user interface comprises a 5-digit red LED display and a
keypad with 16 rubber buttons. They are used for the seletion of channels,
frequency hopping tables and menu entries.
To the left of the keypad are the channel and mode selectors. The rig supports
single channel operation (SC) as well as frequency hopping (FH).
Six preset radio channels can be selected directly, others
have to be entered on the keypad.
Also on the left is the power selection, allowing the choice between low power
(LO), medium (M), high (HI) and an external power amplifier (PA).
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At the far right are two audio connectors. In normal operation
they are used for the connection of a handset, microphone
and/or headset. The upper connector (FILL)
is also used for loading frequency hop sets by means
of an ECCM fill device, like MX-18290
or CYZ-10.
A voice encryption device, like the KY-57,
should be connected to the recessed connector at the right side panel.
The device was introduced in 1988 for a unit price of US$ 6,500 (est.).
16,475 units were made before it was succeeded in 1990 by the RT-1523
— a SINCGARS radio with built-in COMSEC [2].
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The image below provides an overview of the controls and connections
of the RT-1439. The unit is powered by a 10.5 to 15.5 V/DC power
source, such a 12V battery, that must be installed in an
adapter that is connected to the
system connector (P1) at the rear.
All controls are at the front panel.
At the centre is a LED display
and a 16-button keypad for user I/O. The other controls are
explained below.
At the front panel are also 4 receptacles: a BNC socket for
connection of the antenna (ANT), two audio plugs
(AUD/FILL and AUD/DATA) and one for retransmission (RXMT).
At the right side is a circular 55-pin socket (J5) for connection of
a COMSEC device such as the KY-57 or KY-99. Note that a special
interconnection cable is needed for either of these devices.
The unit is switched ON with the MODE-selector, whic is further explained below.
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OFF Power off TST Test SQ/ON Operation with CTCSS squelch SQ/OFF Operation without CTCSS squelch RXMT Retransmit mode (operation as repeater)
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SC Single Channel FH Frequency Hopping mode FH/M ?
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LO 500 µW M 160 mW HI 4 W PA 50 W (only when PA module is fitted)
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MAN Manual frequency entry (via display and keypad) 1-6 Preset 1 to 6 CUE ?
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The RT-1439 has built-in ECCM provisions in the form of a (slow)
Frequency Hopping (FH) capability with a hop-rate of 100 hops/second.
Note that FH can only be used if at least one valid hop-set
and a valid Transmission Security Key (TSK) have been loaded into
the device by means of an MX-18290 or CYZ-10 fill device.
Frequency Hopping serves the following purposes:
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When additional Communications Security (COMSEC) is required, an external encryption
device must be connected to the RT-1439. The first voice encryption device
that was available when the RT-1439 was released, was KY-57 (VINSON).
It offers wideband encryption over a 25 kHz radio channel using CVSD modulation
at 16 Kb/s. For encryption it uses the secret SAVILLE algorithm,
jointly developed in the late 1960s bu GCHQ and NSA.
The diagram below shows the full setup with a KY-57.
Later SINCGARS radios had built-in KY-57 functionality,
known as SINCGARS ICOM.
In 1994, KY-57 was succeeded by KY-99 (ANDVT), which offers wideband (25 kHz)
as well as narrowband (3 kHz) encryption for both voice and data. In wideband-mode
the KY-99 is compatible with VINSON devices like the KY-57.
The diagram below shows the setup with KY-99.
Note that the standard MX-18290 fill device
— used for loading hop-sets and TSKs —
cannot be used for loading Traffic Encryption Keys (TEKs) into the
KY-57 or KY-99.
KEKs must be loaded with a separate fill device like the KYK-13.
Both fill devices (MX-18290 and KYK-13) were later combined into
the CYZ-10, which can handle all ECCM and COMSEC material.
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Radio transceiver
RT-1439
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At the heart of this SINCGARS system is the RT-1439,
which is a non-ICOM radio with ECCM features.
It features slow frequency hopping (FH) at a rate of 100 hops/s.
Hop-sets and TSKs are loaded with an MX-18290
or CYZ-10 fill device.
For COMSEC, a separate KY-57 (VINSON) voice encryptor
must be connected. When installed, it needs a different fill device,
auch as the KYK-13.
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When the RT-1439 was released in 1988, it did not have buil-in voice
encryption. Instead it had to be used with the external KY-57 secure voice
module, that was inheriterd from the PRC-77 era.
Later SINCGARS ICOM radios, such as the RT-1523, had
built-in KY-57 functionaly.
Note that a separate fill device, such as the KYK-13 is
needed to load the TEKs into the KY-57. The KY-57
was superceeded in 1994 by the backward compatible KY-99
(see below), which can also encrypt digital data traffic.
➤ More information
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Voice and data encryptor
KY-99
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In 1994, the wideband KY-57 (VINSON) was superceeded by the narrowband
KY-99 (ANDVT). KY-99 was more suitable for use on narrowband HF
channels (3 kHz), but was fully backward compatible with wideband KY-57 (25 kHz).
Like KY-57, the KY-99 uses the highly secret SAVILLE encryption allgorithm.
Note that a separate fill device, such as the KYK-13 is
needed to load the TEKs into the KY-99.
➤ More information
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Frequency Happing tables (FH-sets or hop-sets) and Transmission
Security Keys (TSKs) have to be loaded into the RT-1439 by means of the
dedicated MX-18290 fill device shown in the image on the right.
This device is not suitable for loading crypto keys (TEKs)
into the KY-57 voice encryption unit.
➤ More information
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When using the external KY-57 voice encryptor for COMSEC,
the required Traffic Encryption Keys (TEKs) have to be loaded into the
KY-57 by means of a fill device that can handle 128-bit SAVILLE keys,
such as the KYK-13 key transfer device shown in the image on the right.
Note that the KYK-13 cannot be used to load FH-data into the
RT-1439. That can only be done with the MX-18290 or CYZ-10
(see below).
➤ More information
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In 1993, the functionaly of the MX-18290 and
the KYK-13 fill devices was combined into a new device — the CYZ-10.
The CYZ-10 is a more universal Data Transfer Device (DTD) that can handle
various kinds of cryptographic keys of arbitrary lengths,
as well has frequency hopping data.
➤ More information
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For voice communication, the RT-1439 was usually equipped with a regualar
military handset, such as the H-250 shown in the image on the right.
There are many variants of this handset, from a variety of manufacturers.
In some situations, such as aboard an armoured vehicle, the use of separate
headphones and microphones might be more appropriate.
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In noisy environments and in situations where the use of a handset
would not be practicle, a noice-cancelling handheld microphone was issued,
such as the M-80 shown in the image on the right.
In this case, separate headphones or speakers must be used
as well.
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In noisy environments, such as aboard an armoured vehicle, headphones might be
more appropriate than a handset.
The image on the right shows a lightweight Astrocom H-251/U that was frequently
used with SINCGARS equipment.
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Apart from handsets, most behicles are equipped with one or more
speakers, such as the LS-671 active loudspeaker shown in the image on the right.
It has a volume control and an U-229 receptacle
for connection of a microphone or handset.
Such speakers can be fitted anywhere in the interior of the vehicle, but require
special wiring.
A good alternative might be the LS-454/U,
which is a passive speaker that can be connected to one of the
AUDIO receptacles
of the radio and does not require special wiring.
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The FH-sets and TSKs are retained in the static memory of the
RT-1439 by means of a small 6V battery that is
installed behind a lid
at the bottom of the radio. Under normal circumstances, this battery should
be replaced once a year.
In practice, these batteries often last much longer than one year.
Noe that the same type of battery is used to power the
MX-18290 and KYK-13 fill devices.
The backup battery is also known as the Hold Up Battery (HUB).
➤ More information
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The RT-1439 can be powered in a number of ways.
When used in a panpack configuration, it was usually powered
by a BA-5590 battery or equivalent, such as the
rechargeable BB-490 shown in the image on the right.
The battery was installed in the CY-8523 battery box
that had to be fitted to the rear of the radio.
➤ More information
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When batteries are used, they have to be installed inside
the CY-8523 battery box shown in the image on the right.
The box is attached to the rear of the RT-1439
with four spring-loaded latches – two at either side.
At the rear end is a lid that is held in place with another two latches.
The battery is located behind this lid.
The battery box also holds two wire terminals that can be used to connect
a tone-based Remote Control Unit (RCU).
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When rechargeable batteries are used — typically with
model numbers starting with 'BB' — a battery charger has to be used,
that is suitable for the chemistry used in the selected battery.
A variety of stationary, mobile and portable chargers is available.
The image on the right shows an improvised battery charger that was
made from the internals of an unknown charger for the BB-490.
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We are currently unable to show a picture of the original antenna,
as it is missing from the setup in our collection.
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We are currently unable to show a picture of the power amplifier
(PA) upgrade, as it is missing from the setup in our collection.
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At the top right of the front panel are two
U-229 receptacles marked AUD.
Either one can be used for the connection of a handset, headset,
microphone or speaker. The upper one can also be used for connection
of a fill device, such as the MX-18290 or CYZ-10.
The lower one can also be used for connection of a
data device, such as a message terminal.
Below is the pinout for audio devices, when looking into the
receptacle. ➤ More
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GND Ground SPK Speaker PTT Push-to-Talk MIC Microphone - ?
- ?
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The lower U-229 socket can also be used for the connection of a DATA device,
such as a personal computer or a message terminal. In that case, the
pinout is as shown below. ➤ More
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GND Ground RXD Data from radio PTT Grounded when transmitting CLK Clock out (in synchronous mode) DIG Digital data mode select TXD Data into radio
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The upper AUDIO receptacle can also be used for connection of
a fill device, such as the MX-18290 or CYZ-10.
➤ More
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GND Ground SWG Switched ground ACK Fill request acknowledgment DATA Fill data into KY-99 CLK Fill clock into KY-99 - ?
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At the bottom left of the front panel is a U-229 connector marked RXMT.
It is used for connection to another RT-1439 to allow repeater operation
(retransmit). Note that the two transceivers must be connected
with a cross-over cable (not a 1:1 cable). This means that wires D/B and C/E
must be crossed. Wires A and F are wired straight through.
Below is the pinout of this connector.
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GND Ground SO Signal Out CI Control In SI Signal In CO Control Out ADS A/D Select
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Device Military VHF radio set Purpose Voice and data communication with ECCM Model RT-1439 Family SINCGARS Country USA Year 1988 Manufacturer ITT, General Dynamics Predecessor PRC-25, PRC-77, VRC-12 Frequency 30 to 87.975 MHz Channels 2320 Spacing 25 kHz Waveform FM Operation Single Channel (SC), Frequency Hopping (FH) Encryption External: KY-57, KY-99 FH 100 hops/s (slow hopping) FILL DS-102, MX-19290 Squelsh CTCSS (150 Hz) Output 500 µW, 160 mW, 4W (50W with external AM-7238 power amplifier) Data 73, 150,300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 1600 baud
AD1, AD2 (TACFIRE) Power 10.5 to 15.5V (typically 12V) Battery 12V, BA-5590 (or equivalent) Backup 6V, BA-5372 (or equivalent) Dimensions 371 × 236 × 84 mm Weight 8.5 kg Price US$ 6,500 (est.) Quantity 16,475
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© Crypto Museum. Last changed: Friday, 31 May 2024 - 06:37 CET.
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