Voice of Victory - The BC-610 Story

In the early 1940s when the U.S. military sought a high-powered mobile radio transmitter, there was no time to reinvent the wheel, so the Hallicrafters HT-4 amateur transmitter was chosen as the basis for the BC-610, the transmitter in the SCR-299 "mobile communications unit". In 1944, this film was produced by the Jam Handy Organization and sponsored by the Hallicrafters Company detailing how the HT-4 transmitter was adapted for military service and dramatizing its use by the U.S. military during World War II.
The Antique Wireless Association owns a BC-610, and puts it on the air as W2AN.
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[@souta95]

"By the way Herb, what are you doing working 20m phone? I thought you always worked CW."
LOL some things never change in ham radio 🤣

[@eugenesaltz8327]

I have had experience with the BC-610 (and the BC-348 receiver). In the late 60's, I was a cadet member of the Wheaton Silver Spring (Maryland, USA, but a unit of the National Capital Wing) Civil Air Patrol, cadet squadron. I was also a ham, advance licensed. For the CAP 4.585 Mhz frequency, we had a military surplus BC-610 transmitter. I have some vague memories of tuning it, but I do remember it generated a lot of heat. I also recall the "clank" of the TR relay every time the mic was keyed. The unit weighted a ton! It seemed to me the ceiling lights dimmed every time it transmitted.

[@walterbrown8694]

The BC-610 was still in use by the Marine Corps in 1957 when I was stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. I was in a radio maintenance/repair unit and worked on these transmitters at times. During voice transmission, we could hear the audio directly by listening to the modulator transformer.

[@dennisyardn1ten238]

I was interested to see the make up of the Hallicrafters staff. Men, women, white and black. All contributed to the war effort. It was a whole of the nation effort.

[@arthurhunt642]

How cool is this? Wa cool and heavy duty setup! I just bought an IC7300..What an interesting set of steps we've made since the 1940's..My General class license expired about 20 years ago and I'm going to retest to get back on the air. I still love HF and although my speed for CW is only about 20 wpm, it's still my favourite mide.. I love the videos that you have on here!!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Aren't you glad the 7300 isn't as large at that BC-610! Try taking that antique out on Field Day!

[@vtradio]

I enjoyed the video very much. As a youth, I listened to my father's BC-312M. Currently, I have a working BC-348-Q and a non- working BC-342-M. The 342 is similar to the 312, but different power requirements. I have some boat anchor transmitters here that look small to that BC-610. What a beast!
I have considered joining the AWA in the past. I may consider it again.
73 Paul AA1SU

[@larryhagemann5548]

Great video. Thank you for offering this.

[@2ballous]

At 4:10 into the video is a shot of the speaker. Is that an ashtray on top? If so, it's just as stylish as everything else in that shack! :)

[@delavalmilker]

Just wondering what was the intended target audience for a film like this? The speech by the General at the end seems to indicate it was motivational film for Hallicrafter employees?

[@F.E.Terman]

@@WirelessMuseum Hey yes, they did, didn't they? I even seem to remember ads for aluminum foil, needed in the war effort but how it would be available to the public soon.

[@everettcatlin4328]

Would make a great FD setup

[@Steve-iy5eq]

4:31 ham radio was boring back then... signal and weather reports 😂

[@janreznak881]

The real war criminals.