Original WWII U.S. Signal Corps BC-1000-A Backpack Radio Receiver and Transmitter with Handset & Accessories

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great complete WWII example of the BC-1000 Walkie Talkie radio set. All pieces are original USGI issue WWII vintage. The case latches are all original WWII style, not post war spring loaded latches.

The tubes are intact and present. Knobs and jack covers present. Markings are in English meaning this is not a post war French version. The canvas is in good condition with just small signs of wear. The data plate reads:

SIGNAL CORPS U.S. ARMY
RADIO RECEIVER AND
TRANSMITTER BC-1000-A
SERIAL NO.

This example is not dated on the data plate.

This set retains the longer antenna, but it is broken at one of the bending points, and will not display the way it is supposed to. Also included is a S.W.141VFR box and cord set, and a JB-47 cord set. There is also a separate mic piece which connects to a PL-54 cord. The mic has a lift the dot snap for connection to the set.

The handset is included but appears post-war and in broken condition. The data plate reads:

SIGNAL CORPS U.S. ARMY
HANDSET H-23C/U
6129-PH-51 CONTELCO

This handset has a dual plug system and one of the plugs is broken, so it likely would not work. There is also a T-45 microphone, loose, and another T-45 microphone still in its original packaging bag. The bag is dated December 1957 and is in good shape, appearing to be an older repack bag from post-WWII.

This is an interesting set, no packboard and some broken parts but a good display or restoration set. Ready to restore and display.

History
In 1940, Motorola (then the Galvin Manufacturing Company) received a contract from the War Department to develop a portable, battery powered voice radio receiver/transmitter for field use by infantry units. The project engineering team consisted of Daniel E. Noble, who conceived of the design using frequency modulation, Henryk Magnuski who was the principal RF engineer, Marion Bond, Lloyd Morris, and Bill Vogel. The SCR-300 operated in the 40.0 to 48.0 MHz frequency range, and was channelized. It, along with mobile FM tank and artillery radios such as the SCR-508 (20.0 to 27.9 MHz) and the SCR-608 (27.0 to 38.9 MHz) marked the beginning of the transition from low-HF AM/CW to low-VHF FM for combat-net radio.

Although a relatively large backpack-carried radio rather than a handheld model, the SCR-300 was described in War Department Technical Manual TM-11-242 as "primarily intended as a walkie-talkie for foot combat troops", and so the term "walkie-talkie" first came into use.

The final acceptance tests took place at Fort Knox, Kentucky in Spring 1942. The performance of the SCR-300 during those tests demonstrated its capacity to communicate through interference and the rugged quality of the design. Motorola was to produce nearly 50,000 of the SCR-300 units during the course of World War II.

The SCR-300 saw action in the Pacific Theater, beginning in New Georgia in August 1943. Colonel Ankenbrandt informed General Meade that "they are exactly what is needed for front line communications in this theater". In his point of view, the main difficulty was keeping them supplied with fresh batteries.

The SCR-300 saw heavy use in the Normandy invasion and the Italian campaign. It also became "key equipment" that helped deter confusion in the Battle of the Bulge.