US Navy Shore Station HF Transmitters - 1950's & 1960's

This Page is for HF SHORE STATION TRANSMITTERS

 


 

SHORE STATION HF TRANSMITTERS (FIXED & UTILITY)

AN/FRT-5
AN/FRT-5A
AN/FRT-5B
frt5-01.JPG (96338 bytes) 15 kw HF 4-26 mc CW/FSK
FRT-5 manuf by Collins (1949)
FRT-5A manuf by Federal (1951)
FRT-5B manuf by Federal

FRT-5 and FRT-6 page 
      - more photos & info

spec sheet

FRT-5 NAVSHIPS 91183
FRT-5A NAVSHIPS 91457(A)

AN/FRT-6
AN/FRT-6A
AN/FRT-6B
AN/FRT-6C
frt6-01.JPG (89705 bytes) 40 kw HF 4-26 mc CW/FSK
includes AN/FRT-5 as exciter
FRT-6 manuf by Collins
FRT-6A manuf by Federal
FRT-6B manuf by Federal

FRT-5 and FRT-6 page 
    - more photos & info

spec sheet

NAVSHIPS 91263

AN/FRT-15
AN/FRT-15A
AN/FRT-15B
AN/FRT-15C
frt15-01.jpg (429289 bytes) 3 kw HF 2-30 mc AM/CW/FSK
w/ telephone dial channel select
(replaced by T-409/FRC-30)

pair 4-1000A modulated by pair 4-1000A

FRT-15 page - more photos and info

additional photo

spec sheet

manuf Radiomarine Corp.

NAVSHIPS 91848(A)
NAVSHIPS 91690(A) 

AN/FRT-17
frt17-1211-01.JPG (162574 bytes)
Designed by Collins?
manuf by Federal & Mars

NAVSHIPS 91963

500w HF 2-30 mc AM/CW
4-400 modulated by pair of 4D21 (4-125)

FRT-17's at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 181.jpg (718406 bytes)

Early model with different antenna tuner
frt17-early-01.JPG (184726 bytes)

frt17-spec-03.JPG (1417733 bytes)

components:
  • O-212/FRT VFO
  • MD-200/FRT FSK Keyer
  • MD-201/FRT Modulator - Power Supply
  • AM-766/FRT-23 500w RF unit
  • CU-362/FRT Transmission Line Coupler
  • CY-1436/FRT Cabinet - Control - Power Supply
frt17-spec-01.JPG (1876286 bytes) frt17-spec-02.JPG (2321024 bytes)
There's an odd history here - the original contract was with Federal, follow-on with Mars (Crosby-Teletronics) - but an early FRT-17 spec lists Collins part numbers for components, some of which are identical to AN/FRT-5 components. 

Please let me know if you have any info on the Collins 506A, 507A, 508A, and 509A units.

Collins 506A-1 Power Supply (505-2304-005)
Collins 507A-1A RF Unit (505-2813-005)
Collins 508A-1 HV Power Supply (505-2748-002)
Collins 509A-1 Modulator (505-2740-002)
Collins 708A-1 Stabilized Master Oscillator (O-91/FRT-5)
Collins 709A-1 Frequency Shift Keyer (KY-45/FRT-5)
Collins 707A-2 p/s for the above two units (PP-454/FRT-5)
Some more Crosby/Mars info

mars-ad-6311.JPG (988502 bytes)

frt17-mars-tr302.JPG (178962 bytes) O-212/FRT Stabilized Master Oscillator - Same as Collins O-91/FRT-5
frt17-mars-o212.JPG (123131 bytes)
MD-200/FRT FSK Modulator
Same as Collins KY-45/FRT-5
frt17-mars-md200.JPG (114045 bytes)

frt17-fsk-schem-01.JPG (124287 bytes)

AN/FRT-18  

spec sheet

NAVSHIPS 92018

frt18-61.JPG (51390 bytes)
photo thanks to N6FEG

FRT-18 at NPN Giam
Guam Communications Station 011.jpg (376287 bytes)
 

FRT-17 plus 3kw (pair 4-1000A) power amp
3 kw HF AM/CW/FSK

frt18-110301.JPG (139625 bytes)

manuf by Federal - contract NObsr-57351, April 1952 - "replacement for TDH"
includes:
  • O-212/FRT VFO
  • MD-200/FRT FSK Keyer
  • MD-201/FRT Modulator - Power Supply
  • AM-766/FRT-23 500w RF unit
  • CU-362/FRT Transmission Line Coupler
  • CY-1436/FRT Cabinet - Control - Power Supply
  • AM-897/FRT 3kw RF amplifier
AN/FRT-22
(Army, used by USN)
ft-allen-72.jpg (48644 bytes)
AN/FRT-22 transmitters at Ft. Allen - thanks to Pete Premo
40 kw 4-26.5 mc CW/FSK
similar to FRT-6
includes AN/FRT-26 as exciter
manuf Collins
photo and info
AN/FRT-23
(USCG only?)
need photo - 

see here - looks identical to FRT-17??

same as FRT-17? -
AN/FRT-24 
T-440/FRT-24

FRT-24's at NQM Midway
(thanks to Charles Kinzer)
Midway rows FRT-24 and FRT-39 - LoRes.JPG (113875 bytes)

003_023.jpg (118391 bytes)
Russ WA3FRP's FRT-24

1 kw 2-30 mc AM/CW/FSK
4-1000 modulated by two 4-400's

manuf by Collins
(commercial version is 432D-2)

Click here for more photos - also manual download
013_013.jpg (270799 bytes)

Another photo - K7YIR's FRT-24

NAVSHIPS 92223(A)

Article and photos in Sept. 2005 Electric Radio magazine

frt24-KS4FE-01.JPG (2003428 bytes)
Phil KS4FE & his FRT-24

AN/FRT-24A
T-973/FRT-24A

More photos here

 

 

 

frt24a-1209-01.jpg (366787 bytes)
Tony Marcus - Bermuda 1981
frt24-man0001.jpg (5169696 bytes) More photos here

1 KW 2-30 mc SSB/FSK

8576 final
synthesized freq. control
manuf by Manson Laboratories

Vol 1 - NAVSHIPS 0967-009-2010
Vol 2 - NAVSHIPS 0967-009-2020

AN/FRT-25? need photo higher power version of FRT-15?  NAVSHIPS 92431
AN/FRT-26
(Army, used by USN)
need photo

Socket for final tubes
frt26-skt-01.jpg (37672 bytes)

15 kw 4-26.5 mc CW/FSK
similar to AN/FRT-5
used as exciter in AN/FRT-22
manuf Collins

Chimney & plate cap for final tubes
frt26-chimney-01.jpg (31329 bytes)

 photo and info
AN/FRT-27  need photo 15 kw 4-26.5 mc AM/CW/FSK
similar to AN/FRT-5 with AM modulator
manuf Collins
 NAVSHIPS 92501
AN/FRT-39
AN/FRT-39A
(TMC GPT-10K)

londonderry_frt-39_3.jpg (766882 bytes)

AN/FRT-39 includes SLM-1, SBE-2, MCP-1

AN/FRT-39A includes SLM-2, SBE-3. MCP-2, AK-100

These models include a non-synthesized exciter

frt39-gpt-10k_overall_left.jpg (729712 bytes)

 

10 KW HF shore station (& some shipboard) SSB/ISB xmtr

frt-39-02.jpg (246632 bytes)
photo from TMC vintage radio web site

frt39-01.jpg (238972 bytes)
photo from TMC vintage radio web site

AN/FRT-39B
AN/FRT-39C
(TMC GPT-10K)

frt39b-gpt-10k_front.jpg (750021 bytes)

B and C models include URA-30 synthesized exciter

FRT-39B or C aboard AGMR-1
agmr1-xmtr-1311-01.JPG (349736 bytes)

10 KW HF shore station (& some shipboard) SSB/ISB xmtr

FRT-39B or C aboard AGMR-1
frt39-agmr1.JPG (60531 bytes)

FRT-39B/C - synthesized exciter on left
frt39-12.JPG (59030 bytes)

FRT-70, FRT-39., and FRT-40 at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 209.jpg (756433 bytes)
FRT-39's and FRT-40's at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 210.jpg (855083 bytes)
FRT-39's at NQM Midway
(thanks to Charles Kinzer)
Midway FRT-39 Xmtrs - LoRes.JPG (154699 bytes)
FRT-39's at NHY Bouknadel
(thanks to Darian Paganelli)
bouk-pag-08.jpg (63027 bytes)
AN/FRT-40
AN/FRT-40A
AN/FRT-40B
AN/FRT-40C
(TMC GPT-40K)

FRT-40B/C has URA-30 synthesized exciter

FRT-40 or -40A
frt40-gpt-40k_unsynth_front.jpg (747729 bytes)

FRT-40B or -40C at NHY Bouknadel
bouk-pag-01.jpg (21847 bytes)

(thanks to Darian Paganelli)

40 KW HF shore station xmtr

manuf by TMC
  GPT-40K-A (FRT-40)
  GPT-40K-E (FRT-40A)

FRT-40B or -40C at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 007.jpg (254125 bytes)
FRT-40B or -40C at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 008.jpg (189258 bytes)
==
AN/FRT-53 need photo - looks similar to FRT-57 1 kw 2-32 mc - SSB/AM/CW
manuf TMC SBT-1K-J
  • PAL-1K
  • SBE-3
  • VOX-5
  • No SWR meter or antenna changeover relay
manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY
AN/FRT-54 need photo - looks similar to FRT-40C 40 KW HF shore station xmtr
manuf by TMC - GPT-40K-F

 

manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY
AN/FRT-55 urt17-01.jpg (197921 bytes) 750 w SSB/AM/CW
includes
   AM-1703/URT-17 amp (TMC RTF)
   AN/URA-28A exciter (TMC SBE-3)
   PP-1768/URT-17 p/s (TMC RTP)
manuf TMC GPT-750-E
manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY
AN/FRT-56 1 kw 2-32 mc - requires external exciter
manuf TMC SBT-1K-Q
          (PAL-1K + SWR-1K)
manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY
AN/FRT-57 frt57-001.jpg (848108 bytes) 1 kw 2-32 mc - SSB/AM/CW
manuf TMC SBT-1K-L
  • PAL-1K
  • SBE-3
  • VOX-5 
  • SWR-1K

Later version was SBT-1KAB with SBE-9 instead of SBE-3

manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY
AN/FRT-62
(TMC GPT-200K)
bouk-pag-03.jpg (51458 bytes)
FRT-62 at Bouknadel Morocco 1970
(thanks to Darian Paganelli)
200 KW HF shore station xmtr
manuf TMC GPT-200K

frt62-gpt-200k_overall.jpg (699327 bytes)

  thanks to K4OZY

 

AN/FRT-70 FRT-70's at Guam
Guam Communications Station 205.jpg (588091 bytes)
1 kw 2-32 mc AM/CW/SSB or FSK

with synthesized exciter (AN/URA-30)

(synthesized version of AN/URT-19)

manuf TMC SBT-1K-E

manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY

AN/FRT-83(V) - 1 KW
AN/FRT-84(V) - 10 KW
AN/FRT-85(V) - 40 KW
AN/FRT-86(V) - 200 KW

Manuf by CRF (joint venture of Continental & RF Communications)
- some info on this contract

2-30 mc, 4ISB, autotune, optional remote control of frequency, etc.

The -83 and -84 (made by RF Communications) use the same 1KW amp and p/s. The -85 and -86 (made by Continental) have a different low power section

AN/FRT-83(V) manual is NAVSHIPS 0967-292-9010

KY-655/FRT manual is NAVSHIPS 0967-292-9020

MD-777/FRT manual is NAVSHIPS 0967-292-9030

AN/FRT-84(V) manual is NAVSHIPS 0967-293-0010

AN/FRT-85(V) manual is NAVSHIPS 0967-293-1010

AN/FRT-86(V) manual is NAVSHIPS 0967-293-2010

AN/FRT-85 configuration
frt85-sys-01.jpg (2663133 bytes)

AN/FRT-86 configuration
frt86-sys-01.jpg (2357722 bytes)

Contract Production -

  • 85 ea. AN/FRT-83
  • 140 ea. AN/FRT-84
  • 130 ea. AN/FRT-85
  • 17 ea. AN/FRT-86

AN/FRT-84
frt84-1311-01.JPG (368101 bytes)

frt83-ad-01.jpg (49346 bytes)

 

AN/FRT-83 connections

FRT-85 power supply and exciter - driver and final are in two bays to right. Just-for-fun photo of Nick K4NYW (at NESTEF 1971)
frt85-01.JPG (17193 bytes)

Another just-for-fun photo with Harold W3NET and FRT-85 power supply. FRT-84 (2-bay) and FRT-83(1-bay) are in background to left
AN/FRT-85 (29025 bytes)

frt85-tag-1807.jpg (53695 bytes) 4CX35,000 final tube used in FRT-85
4cx35000-02.jpg (19675 bytes)
L20 output coil from FRT-86 - about 18"  dia., vapor cooled - used with 4CV250,000 final tube
frt86-coil-02.jpg (70975 bytes)
FRT-83 system configuration
frt83-sys-01.jpg (556622 bytes)
FRT-84 system configuration
frt84-sys-01.jpg (656402 bytes)
AN/FRT-85 Block Diagram
frt85-sys-02.jpg (1261773 bytes)
AN/FRT-86 Block Diagram
frt86-sys-02.jpg (1258003 bytes)
FRT-83's at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 182.jpg (870168 bytes)
FRT-85 at NPN Guam
Guam Communications Station 193.jpg (718796 bytes)
== ==
MD-777/FRT 
4-channel ISB Exciter ("Modulator-Synthesizer") used in all models (manuf by National Radio)

md777-frt-1807-01.jpg (240086 bytes)

md777-frt-front.jpg (449534 bytes)

md777-frt-block.jpg (580085 bytes)

md777-frt-rear.jpg (562426 bytes)

MD-777/FRT external connections

md777-frt-top.jpg (999570 bytes)

MD-777/FRT manual  

md777-frt-bottom.jpg (889297 bytes)

KY-655/FRT
FSK Keyer for use with all models

ky655-01.jpg (359372 bytes)

ky655-02.jpg (1703446 bytes)

C-7709/FRT 
Remote Control for use with all models

frt85-remote-01.jpg (1455190 bytes)

 

AN/FSQ-98

A later version remote control system for FRT-83, -83, -85, -86

Please send me e-mail if you have any additional info

 

fsq98-1311-01.JPG (103751 bytes)
AN/FRT-96
frt96-01.jpg (13525 bytes)
10kw HF 

1990's vintage

Collins HF-8151A

-- --
AN/URT-2
AN/URT-3
AN/URT-4
See URT-3 page shipboard use primarily -
some used ashore?
See URT-3 page
AN/URT-17, AN/URT-17A
Transmitter

Mainly shore use - some used shipboard

750 w SSB/AM/CW
includes
   AM-1703/URT-17 amp (TMC RTF)
   AN/URA-23A exciter (TMC SBE-2)
   PP-1768/URT-17 p/s (TMC RTP)

manuf TMC GPT-750-D (URT-17)
                    GPT-750-D2 (URT-17A)

manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY

urt17-01.jpg (197921 bytes) urt17-2110.jpg (2883119 bytes) urt17a-02.JPG (26282 bytes)
ebay URT-17A w/ homebrew exciter
urt17-bn-1806-03.jpg (107476 bytes) urt17-bn-1806-04.jpg (98075 bytes) urt17-bn-1806-01.jpg (110125 bytes) urt17-bn-1806-05.jpg (134495 bytes)
AN/URT-18 Transmitter

Collins KWT-6 exciter plus AM-2374/URT linear (Collins 204F-1)
2.5kw 2-30 mc

Components & specifications

AM-2374/URT Manual

More AM-2374 info and photos

urt18-02.jpg (229572 bytes)

am2374-1802-01.jpg (40823 bytes) am-2374-urt18-2204.jpg (112961 bytes) am2374-1802-03.jpg (32164 bytes)

am2374-1802-04.jpg (44478 bytes)

am2374-1802-05.jpg (67624 bytes) am2374-1802-06.jpg (84621 bytes) am2374-1802-07.jpg (22100 bytes) am2374-1802-17.jpg (60597 bytes)
am2374-1802-09.jpg (10513 bytes) am2374-1802-10.jpg (20210 bytes) am2374-1802-11.jpg (22029 bytes) am2374-1802-18.jpg (53227 bytes)
am2374-1802-13.jpg (19796 bytes) am2374-1802-16.jpg (56617 bytes)
AN/URT-19(V) AN/URT-19 1 kw 2-32 mc AM/CW/SSB or FSK

non-synthesized exciter - synthesized version is AN/FRT-70

manuf TMC SBT-1K various configurations
          SBT-1K-A, SBT-1K-B,
          SBT-1K-C, SBT-1K-D

manual & spec sheets thanks to K4OZY

AN/URT-22
URT-22_p1.jpg (606658 bytes)


URT-22_p4.jpg (573854 bytes)

Spec sheets thanks to W2KRM

5 kw HF 2-30 mc SSB, AM, CW, FSK - prototype by National (never went into production)

National project leader Ron Kohn wrote (AWA OTB August 1992) - "The AN/URT-22 was a 5-kW PEP, 2.5-kW average HF transmitter, designed for highly linear operation on independent-sideband ground-to-air circuits. The set was automatically tuned and remotely controlled, employing vapor-phase cooling of an Eimac tetrode with an integral boiler-anode.
The cooling system used distilled, de-ionized water supplied to the boiler from a Lexan tub. Steam exited "vapor up" from the boiler into the condenser input via a telescoping Teflon tube, condensed within the radiator and returned to the tub by gravity flow from the output manifold. A Rotron propeller fan pulled air through the radiator front-to-rear; PA filament and RF driver cooling was provided by a small centrifugal blower."

 

 

 

Prototype at National's bankruptcy auction - July 1991

urt22-national-9107.jpg (327258 bytes)

URT-22_p2.jpg (513489 bytes) URT-22_p3.jpg (512771 bytes)
AN/URT-25 -- need info
manuf by National
-
AN/URT-42 

1KW HF transmitter

Harris "Pacer Bounce" AN/URC-119 family

  • T-1588/URT-24 exciter
    - basically an RT-1446/URC (Harris RF-350K) transceiver with receive function disabled
  • AM-7494/URT-42 1kw linear
  • PP-8377/URT-42 power supply
Manual EE150-WE-MMC-010 ==   I Need Photos   ==

MD-209/UC Phase Modulator
md209-01.jpg (499326 bytes)

md209-02.jpg (80448 bytes)

Download 1955 manual pdf

md209-04.jpg (565357 bytes)  md209-03.jpg (1426572 bytes)
The MD-209/UC is a device for electronically shifting the phase of a radio frequency signal at an audio frequency rate. Its use permits audio frequency transmission by an A-1 emission type transmitter. Audio frequency modulation signals used for this purpose must be in the frequency range 250 to 6000 cps.

The modulator is designed to phase modulate an RF signal in the range 2 to 5 mc. It is intended to be used with transmitters whose output frequency is in the range 4 to 20 mc. A "MODULATION RANGE" control is provided to reduce phase shift in proportion to the frequency multiplication used. The RF input is terminated in a 51-ohm resistive load. An RF input level between 1 to 20 volts is required. The nominal maximum modulation capability is ±1/2 radian of RF phase shift at all modulating frequencies within the above limits. Audio modulating signals should be between -20 dbm and a +10 dbm to satisfactorily modulate the RF signal. The audio output circuit matches a line of 600 ohms impedance.

TEF
(part of AN/FRC-10 & AN/FRC-10A)

tef-block-01.jpg (961717 bytes)

tef-front-01.jpg (1458747 bytes) tef-rear-01.jpg (1730203 bytes) 2 kw HF 4.5-22 mc SSB/AFSK
Western Electric D-15600

Manual

 

T-265/FRC-10
(part of AN/FRC-10B)
  4 kw HF 4-23 mc SSB/AFSK
manuf by Western Electric
NAVSHIPS 92152 
T-409/FRC-30     4 kw HF 4.5-28 mc SSB/AFSK
manuf by Western Electric
NAVSHIPS 92152

Post-War Shipboard Transmitters

WW2 Shipboard and Shore Station Transmitters