Russian Tank Radio R - 123M - MAGNOLIA

Soviet tank radio station R_123The R-123 is an FM radio station that was used in Soviet tanks until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. This was also one of the radio sets that was exported to all Soviet allies such as Iraq, Afghanistan, East Germany, North Korea, Cuba and Egypt. All R-123 units made for export were marked with English control labels. The US forces in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom faced Soviet vacuum tube technology. The unfortunate Iraqi army, was equippe...d with radio sets of enormous and unnecessary complexity, with no spare parts and not much repair expertise. Both in Iraq and Afghanistan, the tankers were relieved to trade in their R-123 sets for modern and reliable American units. Features:    1. FM, ultra short-wave radio station.    2. 20 Watt transmitter.    3. Simplex and half-duplex telephony operation.     4. Squelch control.    5. 20.0 - 51.5 MHz frequency range divided into two sections (20.0 - 35.75 MHz, and 35.5 - 51.5 MHz). 1261 distinct usable frequencies separated by 25 KHz.    6. Can be used with a 4 meter antenna at a speed of approx 20 MPH.    7. Range is 20 KM without squelch enabled, and around 13 KM with squelch enabled while in motion.    8. Stationary operation allows for a range of 40 KM during the day and up to 50 KM at night.    9. Motorized station presets, where 4 stations can be set up along with their antenna matching settings. As the stations are switched to, the motors spin the mechanics to tune that frequency both on the radio set and the antenna matching system.This radio station utilized 32 vacuum tubes of 5 different types: 1П24Б (2), 1Ж29Б (22) , 6Ж45Б (4) , 6Ж5Б (2), ГУ50 (2). Semiconductors are also utilized (transistors and diodes). Many design aspects were completely and unabashedly copied from German WWII designs (illustrated below). This unit was very complex, both electronically and mechanically. The set was comprised of 7 modules:    1. HF Stage    2. Heterodyne    3. IF Stage and AF Stage    4. Front panel    5. Antenna matching system    6. Motors    7. AF amplifier (duplex) and simplex/duplex systemThe most expedient way to repair a failed module was to replace it, but with no access to spare modules, no wonder, Soviet allies were stuck with a virtually unserviceable radio station.With the plethora of vacuum tubes in this unit, and the motors used for the station presets and the antenna tuner, the power supply had to deliver magic:    • The BP-13 power supply delivers 8 voltages     • U-13V .You can works with it from cars battery.    • The station is good conditions and working.    • Cable to switch antenna    • Weight is 42 kg     • .Shipping tu EU countries according to post prices To UK is 150 USD     • Schematic of the radio http://www.cqham.ru/sch_eng.html    • You can ask by mail.The radio is full working and tested.You need car battery -12V.Listing only EU and UK countries, because weight with packing is 45 Kg, and shipping cost to USA is about 350 USD. Post can take only 30 Kg.There are 4 fixed radio frequencies. Which are preset and automatically adjust to the antenna when driving. It's nice to watch the knobs rotate.Very nice radio.



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