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Post by cblackthorne on Feb 27, 2015 13:51:39 GMT -5
Hello, My latest project is to build some German field radios for our unit to use during larger tacticals. These will be working radios so the insides will be mobile handheld CB's. We will be using Cobra 38 WX ST radios inside the radio boxes. The project is based on this model field radio: So far I have built the main section of the boxes. I have also added the spines on the front and back. Next is to add the side doors and then the outside hardware. We plan on using the internal electronics from a Cobra handheld mic and put them in these: Wish me luck! Regards, Chris
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Post by deadcat7382 on Mar 1, 2015 11:27:06 GMT -5
That looks to be a good start. How heavy do you think they will be once complete?
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Post by luftwelle93 on Mar 1, 2015 11:40:20 GMT -5
Can't wait to see it completed.Its taking this hobby to the next step realism wise.Be cool to see an impression built over this.
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Post by brownien on Mar 1, 2015 12:10:38 GMT -5
Very cool! Any reason why you are going with CB over a FRS handset approach? I am currently trying to put an FRS handset into a BC1000/scr300, and I am considering possibly putting a CB inside as well, in tandem with the FRS
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 1, 2015 17:35:05 GMT -5
That looks to be a good start. How heavy do you think they will be once complete? Not sure on weight yet but The don't believe it will be unreasonable. I will be happy to weigh it for you when we are finished. Regards Chris
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 1, 2015 17:40:23 GMT -5
Very cool! Any reason why you are going with CB over a FRS handset approach? I am currently trying to put an FRS handset into a BC1000/scr300, and I am considering possibly putting a CB inside as well, in tandem with the FRS Ive seen most vehicle radios in reenacting in our area built on CBs so I wanted to be able to communicate with as many units as possible. I believe the range is better with a CB. The antenna will be functional and give a range of several miles. Overall I dont think you can go wrong either with a CB or FRS. Its probably six one way and half-dozen the other. Regards Chris
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 2, 2015 3:26:20 GMT -5
For my Bc 1000 replica radios I use GMRS radios which are placed inside the box with wire leads to a handset. Modern GMRS radios vary greatly as far as range but I find whatever they tout you can reduce by 9/10th in woods and normal terrain. Hence if they say 18 miles figure 1.8. I got a set that advertises 35 miles and it goes well beyond any venue we play at.
Your German radio boxes look fabulous and once finished, detailed and painted are no doubt going to be wonderful looking, functional props. Keep us posted.
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Post by deadcat7382 on Mar 2, 2015 14:45:55 GMT -5
As someone who humped a radio before, weight is a factor to me...lol
2nd batt- where did you get the cases for your radios?
Have you thought about FRS and CB combo? Best of both worlds...
I am toying with the idea of Brit Para radioman as an impression...
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Post by brownien on Mar 2, 2015 19:14:12 GMT -5
A FRS CB combo is what I'm shooting for in my BC1000. I can easily swap between either radios for either mode of communications. Gives you plenty more options.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 2, 2015 23:08:42 GMT -5
I bought two resin shells from a fellow who built a latex mold with the intent to sell them. They were expensive and quite heavy. I don't know what ever happened with his enterprise and have no way to get back in touch with him. I am quite delighted with them.
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 18, 2015 8:40:54 GMT -5
Update in field radios.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 18, 2015 12:46:59 GMT -5
Wow! fabulous work! I am definitely going to sticky this thread if that's okay? Radios add so much to events. We try to give the illusion of simultaneous action going on around our actual field units with distant sound effects, blank fire and vehicles and false radio traffic fills in what's "going on" which supports scenarios and action flow that effects our actual participants.
The quality of work on these is wonderful. Did the Germans have external speakers as our radios did? The reason I ask is thats a nice effect for the participants other than the RTO who are in proximity to the radio.
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Post by deadcat7382 on Mar 18, 2015 16:02:30 GMT -5
that is looking great!
From the photos i can find on the internet, no external speakers...
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 18, 2015 17:03:40 GMT -5
CBblackthorn,
How will you paint them. what sort of finish did they have. from the actual radio I couldn't tell if it was grey or an aluminum silver? also I assume these were rigged to be humped in the field using shoulder straps?
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 18, 2015 20:52:23 GMT -5
2ndBat,
They used headphones as far as I can tell. The Germans did have external speaker sets, but I have only seen them used at a stationary position like a bunker or headquarters.
Ive seen the radios in gray and ordinance tan. Im planning on using gray.
They attached to the y-straps via 2 D-rings on the top and a waist belt on the bottom. I have seen a pic that showed one mounted on an A-frame.
I will keep you posted as it progresses.
Regards, Chris
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 18, 2015 22:50:45 GMT -5
Speakers seemed a near certainty to me as in a headquarters they just make so much sense. It seems whenever I see pictures of German RTOs they have headsets on however along with a hand mike.
Really looking forward to seeing these all done up.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Mar 19, 2015 0:13:37 GMT -5
This looks great, but this begs the question: Do reproduction head and hand sets exist? Or were you planning on making those, too?
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 19, 2015 11:13:05 GMT -5
Dracul,
Good question.
For Germans the handsets are difficult to find. I have found only one vendor that makes reproductions and they are in Japan. We placed an order 2 months ago for the one in the photo above in the original post, but nothing has arrived. Sometimes you can find originals on eBay, but they can be very expensive.
The headsets are a little easier to come by but they will need to be rewired to work with the CB equipment.
Regards, Chris
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 29, 2015 19:12:15 GMT -5
The first radio is coming along. Almost finished.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 30, 2015 13:05:51 GMT -5
very nice. thanks for the update. An under appreciated aspect of WW2 was the tremendous advantage the US had over all other belligerants with regard to communications. We had ready and state of the art communications down to the Platoon level where the Germans, Italians and Japanese were lucky to have working radios at the company level. They relied most heavily on AM where our radios were primarily FM.
AM was more prone to static and outside interferrence and was decidedly more tempermental. Radios now weighing a few ounces are far more capable than radios back in WW2 that weighed 45 pounds!
Our reliance and widespread use of radios however was somewhat problematic as the Germans were very good at direction guiding on signals and did an amazing job of pinpointing headquarters locations and determining when offensive operations were about to commence. field phones, flares and runners were the AXIS armies primary means of communications.
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 30, 2015 15:25:37 GMT -5
very nice. thanks for the update. An under appreciated aspect of WW2 was the tremendous advantage the US had over all other belligerants with regard to communications. We had ready and state of the art communications down to the Platoon level where the Germans, Italians and Japanese were lucky to have working radios at the company level. They relied most heavily on AM where our radios were primarily FM. AM was more prone to static and outside interferrence and was decidedly more tempermental. Radios now weighing a few ounces are far more capable than radios back in WW2 that weighed 45 pounds! Our reliance and widespread use of radios however was somewhat problematic as the Germans were very good at direction guiding on signals and did an amazing job of pinpointing headquarters locations and determining when offensive operations were about to commence. field phones, flares and runners were the AXIS armies primary means of communications. That is some very insightful information 2ndBat. Thank you for sharing. Regards, Chris
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 30, 2015 15:43:08 GMT -5
You are doing a gorgeous job on these. You will have a Battalion (Abteilung) worth of radios when you are done! Very, Very cool!
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Post by deadcat7382 on Mar 30, 2015 16:41:31 GMT -5
excellent work so far!
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Post by cblackthorne on Mar 30, 2015 20:18:46 GMT -5
You are doing a gorgeous job on these. You will have a Battalion (Abteilung) worth of radios when you are done! Very, Very cool! Yeah, we may end up with too many to practically use. I may sell the extras.
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Post by cblackthorne on Apr 11, 2015 15:37:17 GMT -5
Radios are finished!
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Post by luftwelle93 on Apr 11, 2015 15:40:40 GMT -5
They are beautiful and crafted to the mark!You've done well!Stuff like this adds a whole lot to the hobby.
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Post by cblackthorne on Apr 11, 2015 15:42:07 GMT -5
Thanks Luftwelle.
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Post by insterburger on Apr 11, 2015 15:59:08 GMT -5
They are beautiful and crafted to the mark!You've done well!Stuff like this adds a whole lot to the hobby. +1
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Post by luftwelle93 on Apr 11, 2015 16:19:23 GMT -5
No prob.You might also make a good penny making these for events on here.I'm sure there would be guys that would love to have that in their squad.Plus it also gives the NCO something more to do
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Post by cblackthorne on Apr 11, 2015 16:26:26 GMT -5
No prob.You might also make a good penny making these for events on here.I'm sure there would be guys that would love to have that in their squad.Plus it also gives the NCO something more to do I have two others about 50% complete. I plan on starting them soon. I already have the radios and antennas. Do you think people would want with working CBs or empty so they can set up the electronics themselves?
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