Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Edward Ganshirt, who writes:
This radio followed me home from a flea market and I am trying to find out what it’s mission was.
I think it is a surveillance radio from the Vietnam era because of it’s low serial number #7 R-902 (XE-2)/PRD.
I can’t seem to find anything on it. It tunes from 96 to 404 MHz FM AM CW is battery powered and is totally waterproof (this would be the radio to take white water rafting) .
I would like a schematic or manual for it.
Does anyone in SWL world know anything about it?
Wow! I’m afraid I would have taken that heavy metal home with me too, Edward! And it’s waterproof? What a bonus! 🙂 Actually, I imagine since it’s waterproof, the internals are likely well-preserved.
Post readers: If you can shed some light on this model R-902, please comment. If you have a service manual or schematic, I’m sure Ed would appreciate a link/copy!
Thanks for the report. looking at the dates, I just started first grade elementary school. That radio is a classic
I have tracked down the R-902 development report document from DTIC. I posted it on my page here: http://militaryradio.com/spyradio/R-902_XE-1_report.pdf .
I was hoping that the report would talk about the development of the R-744, but it does not… My real interest is in the CIA’s ASR-1 and SRR-4, which are ‘descendants’ of the R-744. See: http://militaryradio.com/spyradio/tsd.html .
Interesting! does it work I see some rewiring done for its application so there is no headphone jack. What is the serial# is it? Mine is #7. I have found zilch on it.
I just purchased a R-902/GR at an estate sale. The receiver is in excellent condition. The contract date is 1967 and it was manufactured by Servo Corporation of America. It appears to be the same as in your photos. Please let me know if you have found any data.
Wasn’t able to find anything on this particular receiver but I did a similar (it looks the same) http://www.cryptomuseum.com/df/r744/index.htm
I did initially contact them but they have no information about the R 902, only the R 744
I found a reference to the following document:
Design and Fabrication of Receiver, Radio R-902(xe-1)/prd
This is referenced on following web site:
http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0264345
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/24441797?versionId=29509008
I tried to view it on the second link, but got an error. Not sure if I need a login to view.
The DTIC site says: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
So maybe you can contact them for a copy.
Hope this helps.
Bill
Smithville, NJ
I got the same missing link error. sounds like a website problem. Not sure if that information is still retained seeing the release of the report was April 1961. Nothing really great about the radio as a radio itself. But this radio is starting to reveal a very interesting history since it, as far as I know, the only one to “surface” (bad pun intended) . A piece of Americana. I hope they fix the web problem.
Ed
Accession Number : AD0264345
Title : DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF RECEIVER, RADIO R-902(XE-1)/PRD
Corporate Author : MALLORY (P R) AND CO INC INDIANAPOLIS IND
Personal Author(s) : RIDDLE,M.M.
Report Date : 15 APR 1961
Pagination or Media Count : 1
Abstract : Design work and test results are described on the experimental model of radio receiver R-902(XE-1)/PRD. This receiver is a portable, low battery drain equipment covering the 100 to 400 mc range. Final performance of the experimental model of R-902 receiver and its major subassemblies is discussed. Problem areas and measures taken to improve the final receiver design are presented. (Author)
Descriptors : *DIRECTION FINDING, *RADIO RECEIVERS, AUDIO AMPLIFIERS, CRYSTAL MIXERS, CRYSTAL OSCILLATORS, INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS, MOBILE, OSCILLATORS, POWER SUPPLIES, RADIO EQUIPMENT, TUNING DEVICES, ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY, VERY HIGH FREQUENCY.
Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
There appears to be a book about the R-902 (XE-1)/PRD.
https://books.google.com/books/about/Design_and_Fabrication_of_Receiver_Radio.html?id=E-97NwAACAAJ
AN/TLQ seems to put it in the class of Electronic Countermeasures. This maybe a TSCM (technical surveillance counter-measures) receiver or part of a direction finder system.