The Signal Corps Radio (SCR) was a U.S. Army military communications component that comprised "sets". Under the Army Nomenclature System, the abbreviation SCR initially designated Set, Complete Radio, but was later misinterpreted as Signal Corps Radio.[1]

Nomenclature

The term SCR was part of a nomenclature system developed for the U.S. Signal Corps, used at least as far back as World War I. Three-letter designators beginning with "SC" were used to denote complete systems, while one and two-letter designators (such as "BC", for basic component, "FT" for mounting, etc.) were used for components. Only a few system designators were used:

SCM
Set, Complete, Meteorological
SCR
Set, Complete, Radio
SCS
Set, Complete, System

SCR radio sets

The U.S. Signal Corps used the term "sets" to denote specific groupings of individual components such as transmitters, receivers, power supplies, handsets, cases, and antennas. SCR radio sets ranged from the relatively small SCR-536 "handie talkie" to high-powered, truck-mounted mobile communications systems like the SCR-299 and large microwave radar systems such as the SCR-584 radar.

SCS

The SCS designator was applied to groups of SCR-numbered sets comprising an extensive system, such as multiple radio sets employed in a ground-based fighter direction/control center. The SCR designator could be a single transmitting or receiving set, or a full set of both transmitting and receiving equipment.

Additional designators

An additional designator, "RC" was used for subsystems or groups of accessories. The Joint Electronics Type Designation System which came into use in 1943 absorbed or superseded the SC designations.[2]

SCR communication radios by branch use

This is only a general list, quite a few radios crossed over between branches.[3]

Armor

Artillery

Infantry

general use/command

Cavalry

Coast artillery/AAA

Air Liaison (ground)

Aircraft

Radar

See also

References

  1. ^ Getting the Message Through: A Branch History of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Government Printing Office. 1996. pp. 172–. ISBN 978-0-16-087281-5.
  2. ^ Mote, Ray (June–July 1995). "World War Two Nomenclature Systems". Electric Radio Magazine. Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "TM 11-227 RADIO COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT APRIL 1944". Retrieved 8 January 2016.