Military Communications & Electronics

The modern military is heavily dependent on electronics and computers. Although the telegraph and telephone had already revolutionized military communications, World War II started an explosion of applications of electronics to military needs. From crude crank telephones and heavyweight radios in the 1940s to today's Internet-enabled battlefield, the use of electronic devices has become embedded in warfare.

SCR 188 operator at Station NYU Dobodura, New Guinea 1943. Click photo for larger image.

Military Communications and Electronics

Specific military electronic and communications equipment are featured on these Olive-Drab.com pages:

• JETDS Mil Electronics Naming System
• Radio Set SCR-194 (WW II Backpack Walkie Talkie)
• Radio Set SCR-300 (WW II Backpack Walkie Talkie)
• Radio Set SCR-536 (WW II Walkie Talkie)
• Radio Set SCR-578 (WW II Gibson Girl)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-6 (Korea/Vietnam Handy Talkie)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-68 (Family of Squad Radios)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-10 (Korea/Vietnam Backpack Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-25 -77 (Vietnam and later Backpack Radio)
• Radio Set AN/GRC-9 (Korean War era tactical radio)
• Radio Set AN/VRC-12 (Vehicle mounted tactical radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-90 (Family of rescue radios)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-112 (Survival Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-125 (Rescue Swimmer Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-148 (Team Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-149 (Rescue Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-150 (HF/VHF Manpack Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-152 (Handheld Radio)
• Radio Set AN/PSC-5 (VHF/UHF Manpack Satellite Radio)
• Combat Survival Evader Locator CSEL
• Radio Set AN/PRC-113 (1990s Manpack radio)
• Radio Set AN/PRC-117 (1990s Manpack radio)
• Field Telephone EE-8 (World War II and Korea)
• Field Telephone TA-312 (1950s to current)
• Mine Detector SCR-625
• Mine Detector AN/PSS-14
• SINCGARS
• GPS
• Mobile Electric Power

Internet Resources for Military Radio, Communications and Electronics

The electronic equipment built for the U.S. military are very popular with reenactors and collectors due to their rugged characteristics and tie to military history. There are many websites and forums devoted to military electronics in general or specific models of radios, phones, test equipment, etc., some of the best collected on the linked page.

Find More Information on the Internet

There are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there.

For good results, try entering this: military electronics OR radio. Then click the Search button.

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