1914 Radio Tractor
white manual
The Signal Corps has designed and built two sizes of automobile radio sets, or tractor sets, as they are called (a) a "divisional" tractor of 1 k. w. size; (&) an "Army" tractor of 2 k. w. size. The 1 k. w. set, complete with supplies and detachment of seven men, weighs about 6,700 pounds, and on an average road is capable of making a speed of from 20 to 25 miles per hour. It carries a 60-foot sectional mast, which can be raised in a few minutes by means of guides on the roof of the tractor. The antenna is of the umbrella type, with 16 radiating wires each 75 feet long. The counterpoise is likewise of the umbrella type, laid on the ground with 8 wires, each 75 feet long. The transmitting set is of the quenched spark type, with inductively coupled circuits adjusted to radiate waves of 600, 800, 1,000, and 1,200 meters. The receiving set is of the statically coupled type similar to that in use in the 1915 radio pack sets, but of larger size and capable of reception of much longer wave lengths. The 2 k. w. set, complete with supplies and detachment of eight men, weighs about 9,000 pounds, and on an average road is capable of making a speed of at least 15 miles per hour. It carries an 80- foot sectional mast, which is raised in a manner similar to that in the 1 k. w. set. The transmitting and receiving sets are likewise similar to those in the previous set, but capable of using much longer wave lengths.