Signal Corps Radio

Signal Corps Radios were U.S. Army military communications components that comprised "sets". Under the Army Nomenclature System, the abbreviation SCR initially designated "Set, Complete Radio", but was later misinterpreted as "Signal Corps Radio."^[1]

Nomenclature

The term SCR was part of a nomenclature system developed for the U.S. Signal Corps, used at least as far back as World War I. Three-letter designators beginning with "SC" were used to denote complete systems, while one and two-letter designators (such as "BC", for basic component, "FT" for mounting, etc.) were used for components. Only a few system designators were used:

SCM Set, Complete, Meteorological

SCR Set, Complete, Radio

SCS Set, Complete, System

SCR radio sets

The U.S. Signal Corps used the term "sets" to denote specific groupings of individual components such as transmitters, receivers, power supplies, handsets, cases, and antennas. SCR radio sets ranged from the relatively small SCR-536 "handie talkie" to high-powered, truck-mounted mobile communications systems like the SCR-299 and large microwave radar systems such as the SCR-584 radar.

SCS

The SCS designator was applied to groups of SCR-numbered sets comprising an extensive system, such as multiple radio sets employed in a ground-based fighter direction/control center. The SCR designator could be a single transmitting or receiving set, or a full set of both transmitting and receiving equipment.

Additional designators

An additional designator, "RC" was used for subsystems or groups of accessories. The Joint Electronics Type Designation System which came into use in 1943 absorbed or superseded the SC designations.^[2]

SCR communication radios by branch use

This is only a general list, quite a few radios crossed over between branches.^[3]

Armor

Artillery

Infantry

general use/command

Cavalry

SCR-44 mule pack
SCR-49 mule pack
SCR-127 mule pack
SCR-130 mule pack
SCR-179 mule pack
SCR-203 mule pack
SCR-511 pogo stick

Coast artillery/AAA

Air Liaison (ground)

Aircraft

Radar

SCR-268 searchlight and gun control
SCR-270 mobile long range early warning, VHF
SCR-271 fixed long range early warning, VHF
SCR-277 Radio range
SCR-289 improved -270
SCR-527 medium range, VHF
SCR-584 gun control, microwave
SCR-602 mobile, short range early warning
SCR-658 weather balloon tracker
SCR-784 light weight 584

References

^ Getting the message through: A Branch History of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Government Printing Office. 1996. pp. 172–. ISBN 978-0-16-087281-5.
^ Mote, Ray. "World War Two Nomenclature Systems". Electric Radio Magazine, June/July 1995. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
^ "TM 11-227 RADIO COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT APRIL 1944". Retrieved 8 January 2016.

External links

http://sdr.lib.umich.edu/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015062770162 signal corps storage catalogue 1920
https://earlyradiohistory.us/1916sc.htm early systems
http://www.qsl.net/pe1ngz/army/army-us/us-comm.html

[1] Getting the message through: A Branch History of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Government Printing Office. 1996. pp. 172–. ISBN 978-0-16-087281-5.

[ER-2] Mote, Ray. "World War Two Nomenclature Systems". Electric Radio Magazine, June/July 1995. Retrieved 8 January 2016.

[TM11227-3] "TM 11-227 RADIO COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT APRIL 1944". Retrieved 8 January 2016.

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