AN/GRR-5
Contents
Images
Power Hookups
The AN/GRR-5 Radio has an exceptionally flexible power input specification. This radio can operate on 6, 12, or 24 Volts DC as well as 115 Volts AC. The voltage is determined by a switch on the front of the power supply or automatically in the case of 115 Volts AC.
hookups for each power range is made by different pins on the J103 Power plug. They are as follows:
- 6, 12, 24 Volts DC
- Pin C - Ground
- Pin B - 6, 12, 24 Volts DC
- 115 Volts AC
- Pin D - AC
- Pin A - AC
The AN/GRR-5 and similar era radios have a tendency to have voltage on the radio case when powered by AC sources. This is due to the lack of a ground lug on the factory power cord, and filter capacitors inside the radio that are connected to the radio case. This voltage can cause an uncomfortable shock, although its usually not fatal. Solutions can be found below in "Recommended Modifications" to remedy this.
Recommended Modifications
The AN/GRR-5 is an excellent radio, however during the time of its manufacture, some safety features we come to expect were not implemented. The following items are recommended enhancements that will make the device safer to use with modern electrical systems. All of these recommended procedures are fully reversable should you wish to return the radio to its factory condition.
Add a Grounded Power Cable
Replace the factory 2 conductor plug and cord with a modern 3 prong grounded plug. To do this, unsolder the factory plug from the power cord and replace it with a modern, 3 plug type. Use the following pinout for hookups:
- 115 Volts AC
- Pin A - AC
- Pin C - Ground
- Pin D - AC
Replace Defunct Selenium Rectifiers with modern components
There are a couple key components that are often defunct that can be replaced with modern equivalents. Rectifiers and Diodes of the time used Selenium. This material easily degrades and is often the cause of a non-working radio. If they are not working they should be replaced with modern components. Modern components are often not a direct replacement. Selenium components often had high resistance, the voltage that the downline components saw was often designed with this in mind. The resistance in modern components is minimal, and it may be necessary to install resistors to simulate the same characteristics as the old ones.
Power Supply
Factory Power Supply (Red arrow shows selenium rectifier)
Modified Power Supply
Additional Files
- Radio Receiving Set
- AN/GRR-5
- August 1952