AN~PRC-126

The AN/PRC-126 is susceptible to adversary jamming and friendly co-site interference. Alternate frequencies must be identified for use in case of jamming, and leaders must ensure that Soldiers are trained to recognize, overcome, and report jamming activities.

The AN/PRC-126 enables small unit leaders to adequately control the activities of subordinate elements in accomplishing the unit’s mission. It is a short-range, handheld, or vehicular mounted tactical radio, used primarily at the squad/platoon level. Vehicular power requires connection to an OG-174, amplifier power supply. It’s key features include—

• Lightweight,militarized transceiver providing two-way voice communications.
• Frequency range of 30–87.975MHz
• Frequency separation is 25kHz
• Nominal range for reliable communications over rolling, slightly wooded terrain is
  • 500 meters (1,640.4 ft) with the short antenna, or
  • 3,000 meters (9,842.5 ft) with the long antenna
• Standard battery (lithium) operating time is 70hours
• Capable of operating with SINCGARS in the fixed frequency mode.
• Capable of providing secure voice operation when used with the TSEC/KYV-2A secure voice module
• Digital communications for passing TACFIRE data are possible when connected to the OG-174. (Refer to TM 11-5820-1025-10 for more information on the AN/PRC-126 and FM 6-50 for additional information on transmitting TACFIRE data with the AN/PRC-126.)

In the light infantry platoon, the rifle squad has two AN/PRC-126 radios: one for the squad leader and the other for the A-team leader. Air assault and airborne infantry squads have only one AN/PRC-126 each. If tasked to conduct a patrol, the dismounted section of a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle mechanized infantry platoon, should task organize its radio equipment in the preparation phase to ensure teams will have communications.

Images

• 

Programming Interface

Unverified Modification or Procedure

This section/article contains information or processes that have not been 100% verified to work.
Take due caution when using this information

Translated Information from External Source
This is a translation of a document found on the web that was originally in Japanese, although special care has been taken to fully understand the intent of the writer the information is somewhat incomplete. The translation was completed by a native Japanese speaker, but if you have more to add please let us know.

The PRC-126, 128, and 68B Series radios can be manually programmed by using the buttons on the front of the radio, however this gets cumbersome when you have lots of frequencies or lots or radios. These radios have the capability to be programmed with a computer. The following are details on developing an interface for this.

Communication protocol

The communication protocol shown below is the result of the read from a PRC-126. The order of the channel data, is out of order "ch1 → ch2 → ch3 → ch4 → ch5 → ch10 → ch9 → ch8 → ch7 → ch6". Each character is open for an interval of 47msec and each channel 1.5sec.

Initially, in order to adjust the timing, I made a one-chip microcomputer PC Programming the timings with a chip was easier, but manufacturing this was difficult. By using the API function "timeGetTime ()" in Windows, I was able to greatly simplify programming without the IC chip.

Adding a 12.5kHz step in the PRC-126

If you set up a PRC-128 with channels that are 12.5 kHz steps read it into a PC, then send this file to a PRC-126, you will be able to have 12.5 kHz step channels on the PRC-126.

Related Files

TM 11-5820-1025-10MX-63-114B

Operators Manual

Radio Set

AN/PRC-126 (5820-01-215-6181)

1 February 1988

MX-63-114B

Operation and Maintenance Instructions

with Illustrated Parts Breakdown

Radio Set

AN/PRC-126

Magnavox Part No. 707608-821

1 May 1987

TM 11-5820-1025-24&P

UNIT AND INTERMEDIATE DIRECT SUPPORT AND

GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL

(INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS AND SPECIAL TOOLS LIST)

RADIO SET

AN/PRC-126 (NSN 5820-01-215-6181)

1 September 1988