Joined: Oct 31, 2016 Posts: 126 Location: Houston, Texas
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 9:38 am Post subject: Radio installations
What is/was the most common radio combination of parts/equipment installed in M38 Jeeps? Did the M38 with radio equipment require a higher output Generator?
I have researched all the manuals and diagrams on this website but it is somewhat overwhelming as I can't boil it down to what equipment was the most common in most M38(s).
Also, is there any one supplying these parts in good to very good condition?
Thanks in advance! _________________ Trip
Houston TX
51 M38 MC 25423
52 M38
M38 recently acquired Some parts only, roller
67 CJ5
51 CJ3A
49 CJ2A
Joined: Oct 31, 2016 Posts: 126 Location: Houston, Texas
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 2:03 pm Post subject:
Brian,
That is a hard question to answer as I am not yet sure what all I am looking for!
I am prepared to pay what ever is quoted for the correct parts hopefully in very good condition.
Trip _________________ Trip
Houston TX
51 M38 MC 25423
52 M38
M38 recently acquired Some parts only, roller
67 CJ5
51 CJ3A
49 CJ2A
For one of the smaller radios I would think 500 bucks gets you a nice cosmetic set of the radio, the fender mount, antenna base, antenna mount and whip sections.
They go up from there by weight _________________ '52 Dodge M37, '42 GPW, '48 FrankenJeep CJ2A/M38, '50 CJV-35(U), '51 M38, '42 WC-57 Command Car, '44 WC-51 Weapons , (2) M1941 Sperry 60" Anti-Aircraft Searchlights, John Deere M-gator, '44 White M3A1 Scout Car
I doubt there is anyone here that answer your question:
Quote:
Which radio set was the most commonly used in the M38?
Different needs of individual units, different needs of different military branches, different needs of Active vs Guard/Reserve units. coupled with the odds of someone being very familiar with all of those installations, in all those services, active /reserve/guard makes that one person impossible to find.
Also the M38's active military life was largely a very short span of time. The Army was very quick to standardize the comm jeep on the M38A1 chassis as soon as the A1 came on line because of it's greater Hp and weight carrying ability.
Your best yardstick for what would have been most common is what is still readily available from the surplus market's down the stream parts availability.
Use a simple checklist for your decision process. For example:
1 - Which service do you want your jeep to represent?
2 - Which unit or branch of that service do you want your jeep represent?
3 - What is the primary mission of your selected unit?
4 - For the Army, you will have to determine which of the Big 3 Frequency ranges your unit will be using. The spectrum was divided between Armor, Artillery and Infantry.
Quote:
is there any one supplying these parts in good to very good condition?
There are several suppliers. Try to stay with suppliers who are primarily comm equipment suppliers.
For static display radios, and light radio sets your stock 25 amp is fine.
I would avoid the 100 amp system the Army used back then. It was expensive, difficult to maintain and still hard to find parts for.
The Army's 60 amp alternator is the best all around beef up for your original 25 amp jeep. It is a one wire Alternator with built in voltage regulator. A wee bit expensive going in but very reliable and more than adequate for the radios. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Midwest Military also has radio sets, mounts, antennas, accessories, brackets etc. Quite familiar with what was used in the M38. Just another option.
John
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