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← CZ Cold War
The transmitter was crystal-based and covered a frequency range
from 3 to 12 MHz. It had an output power of approx. 12 W, suitable
for an operational range of about 1000 km, making PLUTO the ideal
radio station for clandestine transmissions from West European
countries.
The transmitter was used for sending messages in
morse code by means
of a small external morse key,
supplied in the accessory box, or an
automatic keyer that was part of the receiver.
In the latter case, a plastic paddle was inserted and attached
to the front right of the receiver.
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Of the initial version of PLUTO, only 11 complete radio stations were
ever built [1].
The receiver was produced in larger quantities, for stand-alone use
as well as part of the later SIRIUS spy radio set.
Very few PLUTO receivers have survived and most transmitters
have been destroyed after they were taken out of service.
A complete PLUTO radio set is on public display at the
Police Museum in Prague [3].
PLUTO was succeeded in the early 1960s by the more powerful
SIRIUS.
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Správa 6 refers to Government Department 6: Communication Technology.
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The free-running receiver can be adjusted from 2-8 MHz
divided over 2 ranges (or 4-16 MHz on the later version).
Audio is provided at a level
suitable for the supplied crystal earphones.
The receiver is powered by the transmitter, to which it is connected
via a metal 6-pin 270° DIN connector that is stored in a compartment at the
rear right corner. The early version of the receiver had a built-in
automatic morse keyer.
➤ More information
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Transmitter
TI-462 B - wanted
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The transmitter has the same form factor as the receiver and is
crystal-operated. It covers a single frequency of 3-12 MHz
(2-8 MHz on some versions) and delivers
an output power of 12 W, suitable for a distance of ± 1000 km.
Most transmitters were destroyed once they were decommissioned.
A good example is on public display at the Czech Police Museum [3].
➤ More information
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Accessory box
TI-462 P - wanted
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The radio station was supplied with a small metal accessory box that had
the same form factor as the transmitter and the receiver. It contained
crystals, wire antenna, power cables, morse key and other accessories.
Most accessory boxes were destroyed once the radio sets were decommissioned.
A good example is on public display at the Czech Police Museum [3].
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A simple manual morse key was supplied as part of the accessory kit.
It was intended as a backup in case the automatic keyer could not be used,
and could be mounted inside the accessory box in such a way that the knob
would stick out at the front, allowing the operator to use it directly.
The key has a short cable with two banana-type plugs at the end.
It should be connected to the banana sockets at the right side of the
receiver.
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The order to check whether the mains voltage is present and to determine
its average voltage, a small mains checker in the shape of a universal
mains plug was supplied. One of its sides is transparent allowing the
operator to watch the internal neon lamp (closest to the contact pins).
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PLUTO was supplied with a small crystal earpiece that was connected
to the right side of the receiver, just above the banana sockets.
Earphones of this type were rather common in those days,
as they were also used with the hearing aids of the era.
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This power cable was used to connect the TI-462 B transmitter
to the mains AC network. By using a slimline plug with just two
pins, it will fit most of the common wall sockets in Europe.
The power supply unit (PSU) of the TI-462 B could be adjusted
for a variety of mains voltages, making it possible to operate
the radio virtually anywhere in the world.
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Other accessories (not shown here)
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- Mains power cable
- Wind-up antenna
- Crystals
- Spare valve
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We have the full original documentation of the PLUTO spy radio station,
which is available for download below. Please note however that the
pages are barely readable as they have faded over time. The
text is in Czech/Slovak. If you can translate this to English,
please contact us.
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Transmitter 2-8 MHz, or 3-12 MHz (crystal operated) Output power 15 W Range 1000-1500 km Area Western Europe Receiver 2-8 MHz and 4-16 MHz (VFO)
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Friday 31 July 2015. Last changed: Wednesday, 28 February 2018 - 23:42 CET.
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![Pluto accessory box. Photograph copyright Detlev Vreisleben [4].](img/pluto_tx_1s.jpg)
![Pluto accessory box. Photograph copyright Detlev Vreisleben [4].](img/pluto_acc_1.jpg)
