2023 MRCA Gilbert Show/Field Ops Set Up! - Part 1

Each year hundreds of military vehicle and military radio enthusiasts (MRCA) get together at the Redball military vehicle show in Gilbert, PA. This video shows me setting up the Land Rover Defender for field operations at the top of Big Pocono mountain in PA.
1986 Land Rover Defender Tithonus
Harris RF-5800H/RF-5833H 150W HF radio system
Israeli Defense Forces HF AT-1743 dipole antenna
Harris RF-3184 antenna 30-512 MHz
SMC/Hilomast NVIS loop antenna.
For more information:
mrca.ar88.net/
redballonline....

[@jamesbrownmiller808]

In 1975 I had the pleasure of attending the United States Marine Corps Communications & Electronics School at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms California where upon completion of school I became Ground Radio Repairman ( MOS 2841 ). Trained on all of the ground radio systems that was in use during the time I was in.

[@w2hx]

Very cool! Was it the AN/VRC-12 family of radios? RT-524, RT-246, R-442 stuff?

[@larrybushman1]

Many thanks for that. Best wishes from the Uk.

[@milcommguy5927]

Good Job.

[@KD2GIY]

Great setup, I find great value in this video. Most of the stuff on military communication equipment on KZbin is 99% radios. I enjoyed the demonstration on the antenna because that's what I mostly search for. Definitely keep the content coming on the antennas. 73

[@w2hx]

thanks! 73!

[@slik560]

Terrific setup

[@w2hx]

Thanks! 73

[@aschlack8889]

cheers from vk2!!

[@w2hx]

Thank you!

[@Ken_K.]

Great job, thanks for sharing.

[@w2hx]

You bet

[@user-tr6sk4pd5g]

I have an ex Australian army land Rover FFR. I would love to deck it out like yours but getting the raven radios over here in Australia is next to impossible

[@w2hx]

Maybe find some UK Clansman equipment. Very good price/performance equipment. Good luck!

[@windsine]

looks like an old SGC tuner board inside that loopNVIS case

[@w2hx]

You are correct! SGC-239! But it does have some custom firmware from SMC...

[@johnward7619]

Hey there Eugene, great setup. Do you have any more info on that loop you are using? Interesting design. 73 de ZS1EQ

[@w2hx]

Thanks! The loop can be found here: uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bab5b56b1bf68bf9376dd2e/5c075fd28993e6006fee1536_Mobile%20NVIS%20Loop%20Antenna.pdf Thanks again!

[@VA7BC]

Nice set up. Can that magloop coupler be repaired? Or is it to far gone?

[@w2hx]

Thanks! I think so. I think I can simply replace the internal tuner (SGC-239) after a thorough cleaning...

[@LeopardAppaloosa755]

Sound level was way too low.🤦‍♂️

[@w2hx]

Yes, sorry about that. I left my lavalier mic in another state :( but I bought a new one so they should be better.