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The
TRC300
is a 20watt SSB synthesized transceiver, and is part of a
"family" of portable units developed solely for military use.
The lightweight, waterproof set is enclosed in a sturdy aluminium
alloy case, and provides short and medium range HF communications
facilities under the most severe operational conditions. It
can be used by unskilled personnel, and compatability with
amplitude modulated networks is achieved at the turn of a
switch.
There
are 3 different versions TRC300-2 with a 1kHz stepped frequency
control, TRC300-3 with an additional 8 preset frequencies,
and TRC300-4 with stepping at 100Hz. All units can without
modification be immediately integrated into a 100watt vehicle
installation.
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| This
particular piece indicates that it was made under Licence by
Industries Argentine presumably under supervision by Thompson
personnel on site...nothing is certain other than it is a relic
of the 1984 Falklands conflict. |
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The
TRC300 consists of 3 units, transceiver body, automatic ATU,
and Battery unit 4Ahr (14VDC).
The battery unit is readily detachable and includes internal
charger to enable operation / charging from 10 - 30VDC. The
asymetric control switches can be used in complete darkness
without the need for illumination. |
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| Manufactured
by Thompson-CSF / France, units 1st entered service
in 1972 and are in service in Africa, Australia, The
Middle East, and South America. |
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| In
my prolonged search for technical papers, I had to learn a
smattering of French, and "clandestiny" took me back to the
Falklands where this piece originated, having been a trophy
from that conflict. Eventually I acquired a mass of information
(Tech Manual) comprised of something like 600 pages, and at
some time in the future intend to donate these to the RSM
at Blandford. |
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Modes
J3E USB/LSB. H3E R/Ton TX / A3E on RX. J2A on CW R/T.
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Frequency
Range / 2 - 30 mHz continuous.
Stability. +/- 1X 10-6
Ants.2-4M whip/ 7-19M wire + 50ohm Coaxial (BNC).
TX PEP Normal 20w / Reduced 6w
RX sensitivity >0.4uV(12dB(s+n)/n)
Height 421mm Width 212.5mm Depth 92.5mm Weight 7.5Kgs.
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My
fully operational TRC300 suffered a breakdown of the
main 14.5VDC supply switching transistor, due in part
to my own stupidity in handling a failed battery pack
situation. This has now been re-instated, and the original
Nicads renewed with Cyclon SLA cells, which are more
reliable in many ways.
The
set performs faultlessly under manpack and portable
conditions and returns Global communications (HF conditions
permitting) although some of the time, it's quite happy
chattering away to old timers on the 40 or 80 metres
Ham Bands, where it's unlikely to be used in anger again!
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all
images taken with my Packard Bell DSC-1 cheap chinese
webcam
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