The BC-342 was a

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high frequency High frequency (HF) is the ITU designation for the band of radio waves with frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz (MHz). It is also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as its wavelengths range from one to ten decameters (ten to one ...

radio receiver In radio communications, a radio receiver, also known as a receiver, a wireless, or simply a radio, is an electronic device that receives radio waves and converts the information carried by them to a usable form. It is used with an antenna. ...

. It was used primarily as part of field installations such as the SCR-188A, but could be used with mobile sets such as the -ton mounted SCR-399. First designed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, it was built by various manufacturers including RCA. Many of the later units that are encountered today were manufactured by the

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. Variants include the low frequency coverage BC-344 receiver, and the battery or dynamotor powered BC-312 receiver.http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/bapix/BC342.htm BoatAnchor Pix, Signal Corps BC-342N Receiver

Specifications

The BC-342 could be operated from fixed and mobile positions. *Power - An internal RA-20 AC

rectifier A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The process is known as ''rectification'', since it "straightens" t ...

power supply A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. The main purpose of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, electric current, current, and frequency to power ...

unit is fitted providing 250 volts DC and 12 volts AC for the receiver tube filaments (three pairs of the 6 volt tubes are wired in series and three in series / parallel). *Manual Reference: TM 11-850 *Components: RA-20 Power Supply *Weight: 58 lbs. *Frequency Range: 1.5-18 MHz *Power Input: 110 VAC 60 Hz *Part of: SCR-197, SCR-237,

SCR-277 The SCR-277 was a mobile, trailer mounted radio range set for radio guidance of aircraft. It was standardized by the U.S. Army in June 1941. Specifications The SCR-277 was used as a navigation aid. It included the BC-467 transmitter with an RF ...

, SCR-299, SCR-399, MRC-1 10

vacuum tubes A vacuum tube, electron tube, thermionic valve (British usage), or tube (North America) is a device that controls electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric voltage, potential difference has been applied. It ...

included: * RF

amplifier An amplifier, electronic amplifier or (informally) amp is an electronic device that can increase the magnitude of a signal (a time-varying voltage or current). It is a two-port electronic circuit that uses electric power from a power su ...

s - 6K7 (2) *Mixer - 6L7 *Local

oscillator Oscillation is the repetitive or periodic variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. Familiar examples of oscillation include a swinging pendulum ...

- 6C5 *IF amplifiers - 6K7 (2) *CW oscillator (BFO) - 6C5 *Detector/1st AF - 6R7 *Audio output - 6F6 *Rectifier - 5W4 The BC-342 was similar to the BC-348. Heavy chassis design was employed to minimize drift and oscillator instability due to temperature changes and vibration.http://www.nj7p.org/cgi-bin/millist2?mode=normal&name=BC-342J7P Military List Database

BC-312

The BC-312 was similar to the BC-342 but was designed to be directly powered by DC battery supply or dynamotor. *Power input: 12/24 volts DC power requirements. 6 volt tubes (Valves) connected in series with filament strings. *Frequency Range: 1.5 to 18 MHz *12A6 audio output tube in series with a resistor. * Dynamotor B+ supply.

BC-344

The BC-344 was similar to the BC-342 but was designed to cover low frequency bands. *Power input: 110 VAC 60 Hz *Frequency range: 150 kHz to 1.5 MHz

References

External links

*
Repairing a BC-342

BC-342 Data Sheet
{{DEFAULTSORT:BC 342 Military radio systems of the United States World War II American electronics Telecommunications equipment Radiofrequency receivers

Specifications

BC-312

BC-344

See also

References

External links