AN/PRC 77 Radio Set is a manpack, portable VHF FM combat-net radio transceiver manufactured by "Associated Industries"[1] and used to provide short-range, two-way radiotelephone voice communication. In the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), AN/PRC translates to "Army/Navy, Portable, Radio, Communication."
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History
The AN/PRC 77 entered service in 1968 during the Vietnam War as an upgrade to the earlier AN/PRC 25. It differs from its predecessor mainly in that its final power amplifier stage is solid state and not vacuum tubes. Today the AN/PRC-77 has largely been replaced by SINCGARS radios, but it is still capable of inter-operating with most VHF FM radios used by U.S. and Allied ground forces.[2]
Technical characteristics
The AN/PRC 77 consists of the RT-841 transceiver and minor components. It can provide secure voice (X-mode) transmission with the TSEC/KY-57 voice encryption device, but is not compatible with the SINCGARS frequency hopping mode.[2]
| [3] | |
|---|---|
| Channels: | 920 channels across two bands using 50 kHz steps |
| Frequency Ranges: | 30.00 to 52.95 MHz (Low Channel); 53.00 to 75.95 MHz (High Channel) |
| Estimated Range: | 8 km (5 mi) Dependent on conditions |
| Power Output: | 1.5 W to 2.0 W |
| Power Source: | BA-4386/U, BA-398/U or BA-55984 or a nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery cassette. |
| Antenna: | AT-271A/PRC 10 ft multi-section whip "Static" Whip-a-way, or AT-892/PRL-24 3 ft semi-rigid steel tape "Bush-whip", |
| Type of Service: | 30K0F3E Manpack field radio |
| Weight: | 13.75 lb (6.2 kg) |
| Note: | A modified version of the AN/PRC-77 is available and is designated AN/PRC-1177. This version has been enhanced to allow a smaller channel step of 25 kHz and to reduce voice bandwidth to 6 kHz. These features combine to double the number of available channels to 1840. |
Users
The AN/PRC-77 set is used by the Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Air Force Cadets. The Australian Army is phasing out the AN/PRC-77, which is being superseded by the RAVEN series. Because of a shortage of the Raven sets due to the extensive overseas commitments, the Australian Army still has AN/PRC-77 sets in service. Eventually, both the AN/PRC-77 and RAVEN will be completely replaced by the Thales MBITR in active service.
The only army still using the AN/PRC-77 as a main source of radio communication for regular forces is the Norwegian Army, but a radio set called MRR (Multi Role Radio) is being used by special forces and prioritized units like Telemark battalion
The Austrian Army still uses the AN/PRC-77, though it seems as if it is only used for training cadets in radio communications. For border patrol the Austrian Army now uses a new device called "TFF-41", which is capable of frequency-hopping and digital encryption. The Austrian Army also uses the AN/PRC-1177 for example the Austrian AN/PRC-77 have a special switch for a 25 kHz mode, which reduces the bandwidth of the selected channel by 25 kHz and therefore doubles the number of available channels.
In the Swedish Army the radio system goes under the name Radio 145 and Radio 146 (Ra145/146), predominantly the Homeguard (State militia) is issued the Ra145/146.
The Pakistan Army has also used the set for the past 25+ years. Purchased from different sources including the US, Brazil and Spain, it is scheduled to be replaced in the next 5 years.
The Finnish army uses this radio as a "battalion radio", using it as a common training device. The radio is designated LV 217 'Ventti-seiska' (ventti being the Finnish word for blackjack [21] and seiska is the slang term for seven).
The Canadian Forces replaced the AN/PRC-77 (known as the "77 set" in Canadian service) with modernized equipment starting in the late 1980s. It may still be in service with the cadet corps.
Per www.haaretz.co.il, the Israel Defence Forces are retiring the AN/PRC-77 about August 2009, though some are still in use.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: PRC-77 |
References
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