Cold War Era 1950 To 1973, General Issue Tactical Radios
Special Purpose or Mission Radios
The post-war generation of radio sets were noted for the higher performance
characteristics. They featured high telegraphy speed and searches method of tuning to the
desired radio centre, which required no trimming and which made it possible to reduce by
an order of magnitude the duration of contact and thus make communication less vulnerable
to countermeasures. A typical model of such radio sets was called Electron. It could
operate both from the AC mains and storage batteries and had a transmitter delivering the
output power of 50 W. The weight of the set that used the AC mains as a power source was 8
kg and the weight of the set powered by storage batteries was 10 kg. The set could
transmit 250 to 500 groups per minute over a range of up to 3,000 km. This radio set was
successfully used for radio communication from Japan.
In addition, such radio sets as R-350 ( Orel ), R-353 ( Proton ), R-354 ( Shmel ) were developed and adopted for service. At first, the Orel radio set was used most extensively. The performance characteristics of this radio set permitted its use in establishing communication with frontal reconnaissance communications nodes that were outfitted with the appropriate equipment.
The equipment of the communications nodes could automatically retune transmitters and receivers to 10 pre-set frequencies. This considerably reduced the time of radio sessions and accelerated information transmission. The information was stored on a standard 35 mm film. The message was transmitted at a rate of 150 groups per minute.
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R-309 Short Wave Receiver This set seems to consist of two units, the receiver and the power supply. The technical data supplied by my Russian ham friend indicates it covers 1 to 36 MHz, is a double conversion receiver. The 1st I.F. " has several meanings" 2585 MHz and 5595 Mhz. I think this means that you can switch from one to the other. The 2nd IF is 465 MHz. It has a variable XF at 0.3 to 6 KHz. It has a strong resemblance to sets made during WW 2 and was probably made from the components left after the war. The set appears to be for monitoring the short wave transmission of signals, probably by hostile forces. With the R 309 designation, it fits in this category. According to information supplied by my Russian ham friend, this R-309 ( Yachmen ) was patterned after the German WW 2 E-52 SW Receiver. |
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 R-309 Inside View |
 R-309 Inside View |
R-310
This set is very similar to the R-309 but was patterned after the WW 2 German E-52 SW set.
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R-350 R-350 "Orel" is a predecessor of R-350M. It uses larger tubes, as in R-105...R-109. And quad-formed band modules, while the R-350M are round "canned" ones. I think the RX and TX will fit into the R350 M-cabinet. They should fit. The set is of 1959 origin. R-350/OOAB The set is completely self contained in a stamped aluminium case with a hinged lid. It is 34.2 x 31.5 x 15.2 Cm and has a weight of 11.35 Kg. The top cover unfolds to reveal the antenna rods, the ten plug in transmitter coil units, the key, the headphones, a swing out lamp and a maintenance kit. The set consists of the rechargeable accumulator, providing 4.8 VDC, the power converter, and the transmitter / receiver unit. The accumulator has a heating coil around it for use in sub zero weather conditions. The set is capable of CW transmission and can receive AM/CW/MCW. It operates in the frequency range of 1.8 to 12 MHz. for transmitting and 1.8 to 7 MHz in receive. It has continuous tuning and the RF Power output is 10 watts. In the search mode the RF power is 2.5 watts. It is now obsolete, having been replaced by the R-350M and later versions. |
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 R-350 Internal View |
 R-350 Internal View |
| R-350M/OOAB An updated version of the R-350/OOAB set and its Spy Code Generator Device. Attached is a photo of a Russian code generator which belongs to spy radio. It consists of a Morse key, a special code board with numbers with an electrically leading "pencil", and with a reading instrument for a coded 35mm-film for burst transmission. For the letters there is a crank. |
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 R-350 Coder |
 R-350 Code Tape Recorder |
 R-350 Coder |
 Granit Radio Set |
The Granit Radio Set
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 Granit Radio Set Accessories |
 R-855 Pilots Rescue Radio |
R-855 Pilots Rescue Radio
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Other Sets ( Numbered sets that were patterned after German or US sets )
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R-671 "Khmel" Marine/Naval short wave receiver for CW and AM. Frequency range 1.5-25 MHz. Four preset crystal controlled channels are possible within the ranges of 1.5-12 MHz. There are four sockets for 4 plug-in crystals with a selector switch. Two IF bandwidths, 2500 Hz and 7500 Hz. Sensitivity CW- 1.5-2 uV on 75 Ohms input, AM- 6 uV. Receiver Sizes 317*360*485mm, weight 58 kG, Power Supply size 290*230*242mm, weight 15 kG. Power sources 110-220VDC and 90-240VAC.
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R-673 PRV, Melnik after BC-779, Navy version after EO Lorenz KM RX |
R-675 Onix Navy synthesised SW. "May be an original Russian design."
R-251 after E-52 SW.
R-252 after E-51 LW-MW.
R-310 after E-52 SW.
R-309 Yachmen after E-52 SW.
Amur LW-MW synthesised, 1950's.
Kalina SW synthesised, 60's. "May be an original Russian design."
R-352. This is the crystal controlled version of the R-126. It covers 44-50 MHz and puts
out 0.8W. According to Fietsch's book the R-352 was used by parachute troops.
Radio
sets based on U.S. Lend Lease sets or captured U.S. Sets
Krot ( KGB after E-52C ) The E 52 was a German late war radio.
KV ( After BC-779 )
KV-M ( After BC-779) 1,5 - 12 MHz. Nickname Dahl
KV-YA ( Direction Finder )
RAT radio truck basic component
Purga ( After BC-779 )
Purga-45 ( After BC-779 )
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