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."

Example of a Signal Corps Radio set: the SCR-300-A

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 The Joint Electronics Type Designation System which came into use in 1943 absorbed or superseded the SC designations.

SCR communication radios by branch use

This is only a general list, quite a few radios crossed over between branches.

Armor SCR-78 SCR-189 SCR-245 SCR-508 FM SCR-510 FMArtillery SCR-109 SCR-136 SCR-161 SCR-178 SCR-179 pack SCR-194 SCR-608 FM SCR-610 FM SCR-619 FMInfantry SCR-77 SCR-131 SCR-195 SCR-284 SCR-300 FM SCR-536 SCR-694general use/command SCR-50 SCR-97 SCR-101 SCR-105 SCR-124 SCR-171 SCR-177 SCR-193 SCR-299 SCR-506
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 stickCoast artillery/AAA SCR-162 SCR-543Air Liaison (ground) SCR-54 SCR-108 SCR-188 SCR-197 SCR-237Aircraft SCR-62 observation balloon SCR-64 SCR-68 SCR-80 SCR-90 SCR-91 SCR-100 SCR-133 SCR-134 SCR-135 SCR-183 SCR-187 SCR-274 SCR-283 SCR-287 SCR-522 SCR-542 SCR-729 Rebecca Mk IIA transponder

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-547 microwave radar/optical heightfinder
  • SCR-584 gun control, microwave
  • SCR-602 mobile, short range early warning
  • SCR-658 weather balloon tracker
  • SCR-784 light weight 584

See also

External links

  • signal corps storage catalogue 1920
  • early systems (Radiotelegraphy, U.S. Signal Corps, 1914 edition, pages 56-113.)