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AN/PRC-5
Military spy radio set - this page is a stub

AN/PRC-5 is a portable medium-range shortwave spy radio transceiver, developed around 1944 by the US Military Intelligence Service and manufactured at Herbach and Rademan (H&R) in Phila­delphia (USA) [3]. Powered directly from the 110/220V AC mains, it was intended for use in urban areas by the US military intelligence service and US Special Forces (SF). The device was used in the latter part of World War II (WWII) and during the first years of the Cold War, at least until 1956.

The device is housed in a compact plywood suit­case, covered with varnished tan fabric with a few chocolate-brown stripes. The lid gives access to the controls and connections, whilst the accessories and spare parts are stowed behind a hinged side panel. Suitcases like this were quite common during WWII and allowed the agent to travel inconspiculously.   

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Features
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Parts
AN/PRC-5 radio set
J47 morse key
HS-30 headphones
Plug-in frequency coils
FT-243 quartz crystals
Wire antenna
Operating instructions
Radio set   PRC-5
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Morse key   J-47
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Headphones   HS-30
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Plug-in coils
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➤ Coil specifications

  

Crystals
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➤ Crystal specifications
➤ Crystal frequencies

  

Wire antenna
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Manual   TM 11-265
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➤ Download manual
➤ Other documentation }

  

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Interior
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Specifications
  • Device
    Spy radio set
  • Purpose
    Agent to Centre communication
  • Model
    AN/PRC-5
  • Developer
    US Military Intelligence Service
  • Manufacturer
    Herbach and Rademan (H&R), Philadelphia (USA)
  • Users
    US Army military intelligence, Special Forces (SF)
  • Year
    1944
  • Country
    USA
  • Crystals
    6 (later: 26)
  • Coils
    4 (type B, C, D, D)
  • Dimensions
    279 × 254 × 105 mm
  • Weight
    11.3 kg
  • Antenna
    50 m wire
Receiver
  • Type
    Superheterodyne
  • Frequency
    4.5 - 16 MHz
  • Ranges
    2 (4.5-8 MHz, 8-16 MHz)
  • Valves
    2 × 6SK7, 6SA7, 6SR7, 6N7
  • Circuits
    RF, Mixer/Osc, IF, Detector/BFO, AF
  • IF
    455 kHz
  • Modulation
    AM R/T, CW
  • Output
    High impedance (headphones, no transformer)
Transmitter
  • Type
    Crystal controlled
  • Frequency
    4 - 16 MHz
  • Ranges
    4 (B: 4-6 MHz, C: 6-8 MHz, D: 8-12 MHz, D': 12-16 MHz)
  • Valves
    6V6, 6L6
  • Circuits
    Crystal oscillator, RF power amplifier (PA)
  • Modulation
    CW only
  • Output
    16 W (f1), 10 W (f2)
Power supply unit
  • Mains
    110 or 220V AC, 50-60 Hz (switch selectable)
  • Valve
    5Z4 rectifier
  • Consumption
    RX: 46 W, TX: 84 W (key down)
Accessories
  • AC mains plug adapters
  • FT-243 type crystals
  • HS-30 headphones with CD-605 cord (with transformer)
  • J-47 morse key with CD-201-A cord 1
  • 4 transmitter plug-in coils
  • 50 metre antenna wire
  • 2 ceramic isolators
  • Operating instructions (manual)
  • Spare parts
  1. Later: J-37 morse key.
Crystal frequencies
  • 4635 kHz
  • 5263 kHz
  • 5925 kHz
  • 6525 kHz
  • 7150 kHz
  • 7825 kHz
Coils
FrequencyOscillatorOscillator coilRF output coil
4-6 MHz4-6 MHzC (24 wdg)B (32 wdg)
6-8 MHz6-8 MHzD (14 wdg)C (24 wdg)
8-12 MHz4-6 MHzC (24 wdg)D (14 wdg)
12-16 MHz6-8 MHzD (14 wdg)D (14 wdg)
Missing
The following items are currently missing from the PRC-5 in our collection:

  • Three plug-in coils
  • Headphones HS-30
  • Original manual
Documentation
  1. Radio Set AN/PRC-5
    TM 11-265. War Department, 21 June 1944.
    ➤ Circuit diagram

  2. Repaired Equipment Standard for Radio Transmitter Section of Radio Set AN/PRC-5
    US Army Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories.
    REP-439, Issue No. 1, 28 April 1954

  3. Repaired Equipment Standard for Radio Transmitter Section of Radio Set AN/PRC-5
    US Army Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories.
    REP-890, Issue No. 1, 31 March 1954

  4. Technical Notes for Modifying the AN.PRC-5
    Extracted from Headquarters Command Newsletter, Volume II, Issue II.
    Commander Sturkey (W4DAZ), 31 August 1956.

  5. PRC-5 trouble shooting guide
    Page 45-76. Undated. SECRET.
References
  1. Louis Meulstee, Wireless for the Warrior, volume 4 - AN/PRC-5
    ISBN 0952063-36-0, September 2004

  2. Radio Nerds, AN/PRC-5
    Visited 4 October 2023.

  3. Bob Thomas (W3NE), H&R Manufacturing - Part 2
    A Collection of Radio Memories by Bob Thomas, W3NE. Page 46.
    Edited by Mike (AB3AP). First published in May 2010.
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Tuesday 03 October 2023. Last changed: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 - 09:56 CET.
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