Radios & Communications Equipment

RADIOS AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

British Radios

Caracal (PRM 4740A) Secure Hand Radio: These British-made radios were sold to a Middle-Eastern nation (possibly Kuwait), and are rumored to be used by US Special Operations, British SAS, and British SBS units. They are possibly the smallest radios to incorporate frequency-hopping technology. 10 channels may be preprogrammed for quick frequency changing, and they are interoperable with US and allied frequency hopping radios. Weight: 1 kg; Price: $4,000

Cougarnet (PRC6515) Hand/Manpack/Vehicular/Ground Radio: This British-made radio is used by the British Army and Navy, civilian agencies in Great Britain and elsewhere, and has enjoyed some foreign military sales, most notably to the US Air Force. The radio is able to bridge communications using UHF and VHF, especially when acting as a repeater. Cougarnet may be powered by a battery, vehicular power, or a 1.5 kW generator. The radio is modular, plugging into a variety of amplifiers for hand (2km range), manpack (10 km range), or vehicular/ground mount use (20 km range). Only the vehicular/ground version may be used as a repeater, but all versions may send and receive VHF and UHF traffic. A scrambler may be added by use of a cable. Weight: (Hand unit) 2 kg, (Manpack) 16.5 kg, (Vehicular/ground) 20 kg; Price: (Complete system): $2,300

Jaguar-V Secure Manpack Radio: This British radio is used by that country and several NATO countries, Oman, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and an unnamed Latin American country; a total of 42 countries worldwide are using this radio. Use of this radio began in the Desert Storm. It is a frequency-hopping radio with considerable ECCM capability, resisting jamming by constantly shifting hopsets to unjammed frequencies. Security is further heightened by use of a scrambler. The Jaguar-V can also be used for data transmission at a rate of 16 kbps. The Jaguar-V may tolerate up to 50 radio nets, each with dozens of radios, at once, if each net is frequency hopping in a different sequence, and still transmit to all of them. Short range is 5 km with a whip and 20 km with a long antenna. Weight: 7.5 kg; Price: $4,200

Jaguar-V Secure Vehicular Radio: This is the same radio as above, linked to a mounting base, a longer antenna, and a high-power amplifier. Range is 50 km. Weight: 14.1 kg; Price: $23,000

Panther 2000-V Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This British radio is one generation advanced from the Jaguar-V set of radios, and was just beginning to be adopted by the British military and some NATO countries at the outset of the Twilight War. It is based on the Jaguar-V, but is much lighter. The Panther 2000-V is a frequency-hopping radio with antijamming ECCM capability, and also has a scrambler to further protect communications. If a Panther is captured, a signal can be sent from a secure radio to block the captured radio from the net, preventing it from broadcasting or listening to friendly frequencies. In addition, if an attempt is made to extract operating codes or hopsets from the radio without following the proper procedures, the radio destroys all codes and hopsets without revealing the data. The Panther may also function as a 16 kbps modem. The Panther is resistant to EMP from nuclear blasts, and thus may be one of the few digital radios operating after a nuclear battle. The radio may be remote-controlled from a range of 4 km. Short range is 5 km with a whip or 20 km with a long antenna. Weight: 6 kg; Price: $5,200

Panther 2000-V Secure Vehicular Radio: This is a Panther 2000-V Manpack Radio as above, with a Vehicular Interface Unit (VIU) and power amplifier. Range is 50 km. Weight: 8.69 kg; Price: $25,000

PRC/VRC 2000 Manpack/Vehicular/Ground Radio: This is an older British-made radio operating in the HF band. It entered service in 1981 with several African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries. Middle Eastern countries have mostly switched to newer secure radios, but the PRC/VRC 2000 may still be found in service with the African and Latin American countries. The radio is not secure, but can be used as a low-speed modem, with a speed of 600 bps. A scrambler may be added with a cable. Range is 4 km with a whip and 15 km with a long antenna for manpack operations, or 20 km on a vehicular or ground mount. A 1.5 kW generator is required for ground mount operations. Weight: 8.5 kg; Price: $1,550

PRM4021 Manpack Radio: This is a small, inexpensive, yet powerful radio in service with a number of armed forces worldwide. It is an AM radio operating in the HF band with special filters to clean up the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for very clear transmissions, and to read transmissions that would be unintelligible over normal radios. Unfortunately, the PRM4021 requires manual antenna tuning in addition to frequency tuning. Range is 10 km. Weight: 7 kg; Price: $835

PRM4041A Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is one generation advanced from the PRM4021 above. Improvements include automatic antenna tuning. The antenna may be detached and located up to 10 meters away by use of a cable. Short range is 15 km as a manpack and 20 km from a vehicle. Weight: 9.65 kg; Price: $1,800

PRM4720A Hand Radio: This lightweight radio is built by England and used by Belize, Denmark, Cyprus, Greece, and an unnamed sub-Saharan nation. It may be made secure by the addition of a scrambler, and may be used as a 16 kbps modem. Range is 1 km and cannot be boosted, even with the addition of an amplifier, though its signals may be rebroadcast via a repeater. It is generally used as a short-range squad radio. Weight: 0.6 kg; Price: $500

PTR349 Hand Radio: This radio was designed to be used by patrols and ambushing parties; the radio is capable of amplifying whispered communications to normal volume at the receiving end. It is small, but very powerful for a radio its size. Short range is 2km with a short 0.5m whip and 2.5 km with a longer 1m whip. The PTR349 is built by Britain and used by several countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Weight: 1.6 kg; Price: $1,250

PTR4402 Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This frequency-hopping radio is used by Canadian FALO teams and air controllers. The radio is highly resistant to ECM and ESM, hopping frequencies almost instantly to avoid jamming and surveillance. The PTR4402 may be used for digital, voice, and data communications. It may be remote controlled at a range of 15 meters. Short range is 5 km with a whip or 16 km with a long antenna in the manpack mode, or 50km with the vehicular adapter. The radio is tough, able to survive being immersed in water for 2 hours or dropped from a height of 1.2 meters without damaging it. Weight: (Manpacked) 4.75 kg, (Vehicular adapter and amplifier) 13 kg; Price (Manpack set) $3,500; (Vehicular set) $23,100

PVS1430 Vehicular/Ground Radio: This British-built radio is used by Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, and some African and Far Eastern nations. It is compatible with both Western and Eastern-Bloc vehicles. It may also be powered by both sides' generators with at least 1.5 kW power. It may transmit both voice and data (16 kbps). Short range is 3 km with a whip or 24 km with a normal antenna. Weight: 12 kg; Price: $2,800

PVS1850 (Smalltalk) Manpack Radio: This is claimed by the manufacturer to be the smallest radio in its class. It is designed to be used by patrols, ambushing parties, parachute drop zone communications, internal security, and other short-range applications. It can translate a whispered voice on its end into a normal-volume voice on the receiving end. Short range is 2 km. This radio is used by the British and by various armed forces in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as Iraq and Qatar. Weight: 3 kg; Price: $500

PVS2410 Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This British-built radio is used by armed forces in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. It is an FM radio operating in the VHF band, and is interoperable with other VHF radios used by the US, UK, and NATO. It may pass data at the rate of 16 kbps. The radio may be remotely operated at a range of 3 km, and may be used as a repeater. Range is 4 km as a manpacked radio, or 20 km in a vehicle mount. Weight: 8 kg; Price: $1,800

PVS2450 Vehicular Radio: This British-made radio has been exported worldwide. It is an FM radio operating in the VHF band, designed for command use at longer ranges than the PVS2410 (above), and is more compact then that radio. The PVS2450 is compatible with US and NATO VHF radios. Multiple radios of this type may be operated on the same frequency in close proximity (such as in a command post vehicle) without interfering with each other. A scrambler may be added by using a cable. Range is 4 km using a short whip or 50 km using a standard vehicular antenna. Weight: 6 kg; Price: $5,800

PVS5300 Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is a small radio designed for immediate tactical communications at platoon level and below. It can operate in whisper mode, meaning that a whispered communication from the user can be amplified by the radio to be received at normal volume by the listener. The PVS5300 operates in the HF band, so as not to interfere with higher-level communications. Short range is 4 km with a short whip or 20 km with a longer whip. The PVS5300 is British-made, but has been exported to every continent except the Americas. Weight: 3.8 kg; Price: $835

Scimitar Secure Manpack Radio: This is a new radio designed by England, and exported to Turkey, Nepal, Sweden, Pakistan, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is a frequency hopping radio with ECCM protection and versions that operate in the HF (Scimitar-H) and VHF (Scimitar-V) range are available; both versions use AM. Data transmission is up to 2.4 kbps. Short range is 20 km. Weight: 7.72 kg; Price: $6,700

Scimitar Secure Vehicular Radio: This version of the Scimitar adds a powerful amplifier and a faster-acting ECCM module. Short range is 100km with a normal AM Vehicular antenna and 400 km with a longer antenna. Weight: 12.6 kg; Price: $46,000

UK/PRC319 Secure Manpack Radio: This radio is primarily used by special operations units in Britain, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. It may transmit in both the HF and VHF bands, up to frequencies used by aircraft. Included is an Electronic Message Unit; this is a small alphanumeric keyboard that allows transmission of written words when any voice transmission would be dangerous, as well as data, coordinates, and direct communication with fire control computers and fire direction computers. The UK/PRC319 is also a burst transmitter, able to store messages for up to 500 hours before automatically transmitting them at a high rate of speed. The radio may be operated by remote control up to 50 meters away, and the radio may be used with Vertical Satellite Beamer (see below). The burst transmission feature allows considerable security, and to increase security, a scrambler/descrambler may be added. Short range without the satellite transmission gear is 5 km with a short rod antenna and 50 km with a whip. Weight: 10 kg; Price: $21,000

UK/PRC320 Clansman Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is part of the old standard British tactical radio range, and is also used by other NATO countries, and armed forces in Africa and the Middle East. It is still used for some longer-range communications roles. The radio consists of an HF transmitter and receiver, a battery, and a small hand generator to recharge the battery or power the radio when the battery is dead. With the proper antenna, the UK/PRC320 may also communicate with aircraft. The vehicle-mounted variant (the UK/VRC-320/2) adds an amplifier and uses a longer antenna for extended range. A scrambler may be added with a cable. Range for the manpacked version is 3 km with a short whip and 30 km with a longer antenna. The vehicular version has range of 30 km on a short antenna and 100 km with a long antenna. A scrambler may be added by a cable. Weight (manpacked): 8.5 kg, (vehicular) 10 kg; Price: (manpacked) $2,500; (vehicular) $11,000

UK/PRC344 Clansman Manpack Radio: This is a short-range member of the Clansman family. It is a UHF-band radio operating on AM, and is useable for ground-to-ground and ground-to-air transmissions. It is normally used by FALO teams, naval transports and landing parties and marines. The radio can be operated by remote control at a range of 3 km, and may be used as a repeater. A scrambler may be used with this device. Short range is 4 km in the ground-to-ground mode and 40 km for ground-to-air transmissions. This radio is used by Britain, and at least two other NATO countries, Bahrain, and the Dutch Marines. Weight: 7.5 kg; Price: $1,850

UK/PRC349 Clansman Hand Radio: This small member of the Clansman family uses a headset with a boom microphone or throat mike. It is normally used by squad leaders. It is signal-activated, meaning that the battery is kept in a low power-consumption mode until a signal is sent or received. This results in a split-second delay at transmission times, but contributes to a longer battery life (20 hours). A scrambler may be used with this radio. Short range is 1 km. The UK/PRC349 is used by the UK and Spain. Weight: 1.5 kg; Price: $500

UK/PRC350 Clansman Manpack Radio: This was the standard British tactical radio before the advent of the Jaguar, Panther, and Cougarnet series, and as they were produced by the thousands and widely exported, many are still being used. Knobs on this radio are large to allow for the wearing of extreme-cold weather mittens, and the entire radio will remain operating down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The radio can be used in whisper mode. A scrambler may be used with this radio. The UK/PRC350 operates in the mid-VHF band. Short range is 2 km. Price: $750

UK/PRC351/352 Clansman Manpack Radio: This member of the Clansman family operates in most of the VHF band, at a longer range than the UK/PRC350. Battery life is a full 18 hours, as opposed to the 350s 12 hours. The radio may be connected to another UK/PRC351 by commo wire to use as a sort of field telephone with links up to 3 km. The UK/PRC351 may be used with a power amplifier (in which case it is known as the UK/PRC352). A scrambler may be added by a cable. Short range is 4 km for the UK/PRC351 and 20 km for the UK/PRC352. Weight: (UK/PRC351) 7.5 kg, (UK/PRC352) 9 kg; Price: (UK/PRC351) $335 (UK/PRC352) $1,670

UK/VRC321 Clansman Vehicular Radio: This member of the Clansman family was designed to operate from armored vehicles, but can also be used as a ground station. It may communicate with ground and air units. A scrambler may be added to the unit. Short range is 5 km or 40 km, depending upon what length of antenna is used. Weight: 27 kg; Price: $4,600

UK/VRC322 Clansman Vehicular Radio: This is a longer-range, HF-band radio used in command, reconnaissance, and logistics vehicles. It can also be used to communicate with aircraft. It may be equipped with a variety of microphones, handsets, speakers, data transmission units, and scramblers. It may be operated by remote control at a range of 3 km. Short range is either 40 or 300 km, depending on antenna used. Weight: 72 kg; Price: $19,600

UK/VRC353 Clansman Vehicular Radio: This radio was designed primarily for fighting vehicles, but can also be used in fixed or mobile ground stations, running off a generator or vehicular power. It may transmit voice or data (at a speed of 20 kbps). It is a powerful unit that normally overpowers enemy jamming. It is easily and quickly set and operated. A scrambler may be used with the UK/VRC353. Short range is 1 km, 15 km, or 50 km, depending on antenna and amplifier used. Weight: 22.2 kg; Price: $5,770

Bulgarian Radios

R-33 Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This Bulgarian radio is in common use by Pact forces. It is an older, heavier radio with a short range of 5km with a 3-meter whip antenna, or 10 km with a 10-meter mast antenna. Weight: 40 kg; Price: $2,300

R-39 Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This Bulgarian radio is a more modern design, with digital readouts and push-button input controls. Included is a 256-bit encryption set. Short range is 1-1.5 kilometers, depending on terrain. This radio can be remote controlled at a range of 3 km. Weight: 12 kg; Price: $5,500

R-56 Manpack Radio: This is the standard tactical Manpack radio with Bulgarian forces, and is also used by other Pact forces and Bulgarian allies. It is a modern system, with digital readouts and push-button inputs. The radio has a short range of 3 km with the 2.7-meter whip antenna or up to 10km with the 4-meter mast antenna. Weight: 11 kg; Price: $1,500

Chinese Radios

10 W SSB Manpack Radio: This is a Chinese radio set that may also be used for telegraphy. Short range is 10 km when used for voice communications, and 8 km when used for telegraphing, if using the 15-meter antenna. The radio can be powered by batteries, a generator, or a hand generator. Weight: 9.8 kg; Price: $1,150

15 W SSB Vehicular Radio: This is basically a high-powered version of the 10 W SSB that requires vehicle or generator power. Short range is 50 km when used for voice, or 40 km when used for telegraphy. Weight: 7.7 kg; Price: $5,800

125 W SSB Vehicular Radio: This is an older Chinese radio for shorter-range communications. Short range is 7.5 km. Weight: 22 kg; Price: $865

200 W SSB Vehicular Radio: This Chinese radio can be used for voice, telegraph, and Teletype traffic. It has a very long range of 125 km (short), and can be remotely controlled at a range of 3 km. Weight: 28 kg; Price: $14,000

BWT-22B Manpack Radio: This is an older Chinese tactical radio. It is powered by internal batteries. Though an encryption module is not supplied with the basic radio, one may be easily added by means of a cable. The radio is resistant to EMP effects. Short range is 2 km with a whip antenna or 5 km with a mast antenna. Weight: 6.9 kg; Price: $1000

BWT-133 Manpack Radio: This is a newer Chinese tactical radio that may be powered by a battery or hand generator. It may be used for voice or telegraphy. Short range is 4.5 km with a whip antenna or 15 km with a mast. Weight: 13 kg; Price: $2,250

HF 100W Power Amplifier: This unit may be attached to Chinese radios to boost range by 600%. It must be powered by a vehicle or generator (but not a hand generator). Weight: 6.8 kg; Price: $9,000

XD-D2B 15/25 W Manpack Radio: This is one of the more modern Chinese designs. It may be powered from a battery, generator, or hand generator. Short range is 8 km when using a whip or 15 km when using a mast. Weight: 10 kg; Price: $4,000

French Radios

350H Secure Manpack Radio: This is the standard manpack radio in French service. The communications are secured by means of frequency hopping, both for security purposes and to defeat jamming. The frequency switches among any of 285,000 possible channels several hundred times per second. It was designed to work in networks and to act as a modem for computers, and may be remotely controlled. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 5.9 kg; Price: $2,000

353H Secure Vehicular Radio: This is one of the standard vehicular radios in the French military. It is basically a version of the 350H listed above equipped with a power amplifier. Short range for this radio is 20 km. Weight: 8.85 kg; Price: $9,200

354H Secure Vehicular Radio: Another standard vehicular radio in French service, the 354H adds a second power amplifier and relay equipment for other, shorter range radios. Short range for the 354H is 100 km. Weight: 20 kg; Price: $46,000

TRC331 Vehicular Radio: This is an older French radio most commonly found in older French-made armored vehicles. It is without security features or data transmission capability. A scrambling module or telegraph set may be added via cables. Short range is 20km. Weight: 9.4 kg; Price: $2,300

TRC340 Manpack Radio: This is an older French-made radio for use at platoon level and above. Short range is 2 km with a 1.2-meter whip, 15 km with a 2.4-meter whip, or 20 km with a 7-meter mast. Weight: 7.9 kg; Price: $1,000

TRC342 Vehicular Radio: This French-built radio is a combination HF/AM device. Telegraph operations are also possible. This radio has a short range of 20 km with a whip and 100 km with a mast. Weight: 25.8 kg; Price: $11,500

TRC-344 Vehicular Radio: This is a French-built radio using the FM and AM bands. Telegraph operations are also possible. Short range is 100 km with a whip and 400 km with a mast. This radio is normally used by upper-echelon command and reconnaissance elements. Weight: 54 kg; Price: $46,000

TRC350 Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is a French-built radio designed for use at company level and by patrolling elements. In vehicles it is typically paired with an amplifier for longer range (and is then known as the TRC353), though it may be found without one in vehicles. The TRC350 may transmit voice and data, and features easy to change frequencies. Short range is 10 km. Weight: 9.6 kg; Price: $5,000

TRC353 Vehicular Radio: This is basically a TRC353 with an amplifier and automatic matching unit to allow for quick frequency changes. The amplifier may be separated from the radio up to 40 meters by use of a cable. Short range is 50 km. Weight: 31 kg; Price: $5,800

TRC354 Vehicular Radio: This is a TRC350 with a more powerful amplifier than the TRC353. Short range is 200 km. Weight: 64 kg; Price: $23,000

TRC374 Hand Radio: This French radio was designed for difficult conditions such as jungles, deserts, and mountainous terrain. Short range is 5 km. Weight: 2.5 kg; Price: $2,500

TRC570 Vehicular Radio: This radio is built in France and is used by that country and several overseas forces. It is designed to defeat jamming and can transmit for a Teletype machine or act as a modem at a rate of 16 bps. It can also be connected as a field telephone through the use of commo wire. Short range is 30 km. Weight: 8 kg; Price: $3,500

TRC950 Vehicular Radio: This is a long-range French radio used by that country's FAR and several Middle Eastern countries. It incorporates a scrambler and frequency-hopping technology. Communication with computers is possible via a 16 Kbps modem, and this modem can be used to program the radio or an attached weapon system. Short range is 50 km. Weight: 12 kg; Price: $23,000

TRC9100 Secure Hand Radio: This is a small, yet powerful French radio that allows immediate secure tactical communications. It uses frequency-hopping technology in the 33-88 MHz band as well as scrambling. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 1 kg; Price: $4,000

TRC9200 Secure Manpack Radio: This French radio combines frequency hopping and transmission scrambling to provide excellent security for communications. It has built-in 4800 bps modem. Short range is 4 km. Weight: 7 kg; Price: $8,000

TRC9300 Secure Vehicular Radio: This is a modular radio designed for long-range communications. It is primarily found on French command and reconnaissance vehicles. It incorporates frequency hopping and scrambling, and can be used as a repeater for other radios. Short range is 50 km. Weight: 26 kg; Price: $23,000

TRC9500 Secure Vehicular Radio: This is the standard radio for newer French vehicles (such as the Leclerc MBT), and has been retrofitted to many other vehicles. It too uses frequency hopping and scrambling. Short range is 40 km. Weight: 13 kg; Price: $18,500

German Radios

HRS 7000 Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This German radio was designed for the reconnaissance and special operations missions. It is a small, yet powerful radio that contains a keyboard for data transmission and frequency input as well as a conventional radio. Short range is 30 km when manpacked and 200 km when used on vehicular or generator power. The radio has ECCM features and a scrambling module. Weight: 8 kg; Price: $14,000

SEM 52-S Hand Radio: This small radio is in use by German armed forces and has been widely exported. It may also be used as a modem, with a data transfer rate of 16 Kbps. A scrambler may be added by use of a cable. It may also be used as a loudspeaker. Short Range is 2 km. Weight: 0.95 kg; Price: $1,000

SEM 52-SL Hand Radio: This is a more advanced version of the SEM 52-S hand radio listed above. It has twice the channels available, and a keyboard may be plugged into the radio for data transmission and to program the stored channels in the radio. Data transfer rate is 16 Kbps. This radio is interoperable between military, police, and civilian radio nets. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 0.95 kg; Price: $1,500

SEM 173 Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This German radio is in use by that country and has been exported to several countries. Controls are all push-button and digital, and the control panel may be used as a modem (16 Kbps) or handset, or a regular handset may be plugged in. The radio has ECCM features. The smart handset may also be used to remote control the radio at a range of 15 m. The SEM 173 is equipped with a loudspeaker. This radio is a frequency-hopping radio, and also incorporates a scrambler. Short range is 5 km. Weight: 5.2 kg; Price: $5,800

SEM 183/193 Secure Vehicular Dual Radio: These are basically two SEM 173 radios combined in one unit with an amplifier added. These radios may be remote controlled at a range of 4 km. One radio may transmit at a range of 5 km, and the other at a range of 50 km, if both are transmitting or receiving at the same time. Otherwise, the amplifier is automatically slaved to the transmitting or receiving radio. Weight: 24.7 kg; Price: $12,700

Iranian Radios

PRC-105/A Manpack Radio: This radio has been use by Iran since the 1987. It is a compact yet powerful radio that unfortunately has a narrow range of operating frequencies (40MHz total). Short range is 0.6 km with a short rod antenna, 2.5 km with a whip, and 5 km with a mast. It is otherwise unremarkable. Weight: 4.6 kg; Price: $1,350

PRC-122 Manpack Radio: This radio began to replace the PRC-105/A in the Iranian military shortly before the Twilight War, and was thus never fielded in any large numbers. It increases the number of channels available by 400, incorporates some ECCM protection, has a lower power setting for listening silence, and channel presets. Displays are digital and designed for low-light operation. A scrambler may be added via a cable. Short range is 0.6 km with a short rod antenna, 2.5 kg with a whip, and 5 km with a mast. Weight: 4.65 kg; Price: $1,360

RTX-5051/IR Hand Radio: This is an Iranian radio operating on a narrow band (10 MHz total), for immediate tactical communications. The radio can be used as a modem. Short range is 1 km. Weight: 0.87 kg; Price: $500

VRC/GRC-105 Vehicular Radio: This is a PRC-105/A radio coupled with an amplifier and a software-controlled matching unit, in a frame. It has been in use by the Iranians since 1990. Other statistics are the same as the PRC-105, except that short range is 30 km. Weight: 10.5 kg' Price: $3,500

Israeli Radios

PRC-624 Hand Radio: This radio is in common use in Israel. It is light and compact, yet powerful for a radio its size. The radio can be used as a modem with a speed of 20 Kbps. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 1 kg; Price: $1,000

PRC-2200 Manpack Radio: This is an older-generation radio used by the Israeli military (an Israeli-made version of the US Sincgars radio, called the PRC-730, began replacing it in the late 1980's). It is still in use by second-line, home defense, and police units. Short range is 1.5 km with a rod antenna, 11 km with a whip, and 20 km with a mast. Weight: 8 kg; Price: $17,000

VRC-2200 Vehicular Radio: This Israeli radio is the vehicular-mounted version of the PRC-2200. The VRC-2200 adds an amplifier, a vehicle mounting rack, and an antenna-matching unit. Short range is 30 km. Weight: 24 kg; Price: $3,500

Italian Radios

Commando Hand Radio: This is the standard hand radio of Italy. It operates in a narrow band range (18 MHz total) in the VHF range. It is of very rugged construction, and simple to operate. Short range is 1 km. Weight: 0.7 kg; Price: $500

ERC-321 Secure Manpack Radio: This radio has been produced in large numbers for the Italian military and also exported to many Italian and former Italian allies. It is a lightweight, compact radio that uses frequency-hopping technology for security and ECCM. Short range is 3 km. Weight: 4 kg; Price: $3,000

GTR-100 Ground Radio: This Italian radio was designed for use as a base station, to be run from a generator. Features include digital controls and an ability to preset up to 30 frequencies. A 1.5 kW generator is required to power this radio. Short range is 125 km. Weight: 21 kg; Price: $14,400

PRC-738 Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This Italian radio is used in heavy electronic warfare (EW) environments due to its ECCM capabilities. The PRC-738 is a frequency-hopping radio that automatically hops to an unjammed frequency set. Short range is 2.5 km on the short whip, and 20 km on the long whip. Weight: 6.6 kg; Price: $5,800

PRC-638 Manpack Radio: This radio fills the same niche in the Italian military as the PRC-447, but operates in the VHF/FM band for shorter-range but clearer transmissions. It is also half the weight of the PRC-447. Short range is 2 km with a whip or 4 km with a longer whip. Weight: 3.5 kg; Price: $1,170

PRC-447 Manpack Radio: This is a previous generation Italian radio, superseded by the ERC-321, but not until just before the Twilight War. It is still used in large numbers. It is used to transmit in the HF band using AM, for longer-range tactical communications. Short range is 4 km with the 2.3-meter whip or 20 km with a long antenna. Weight: 7 kg; Price: $1,700

PRC-677A Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is a newer Italian radio than the PRC-638. It is also used by the British military (where it is known as the MEL-8677A). This radio may be made secure by adding a scrambler, and may be used as a modem with a speed of 16 kbps. Short range is 3 km. Weight: 4.5 kg; Price: $875

RV-2/400 Hand Radio: This is a small radio that can also be used as a transponder in case of emergencies. It is standard equipment among Italian platoons (sometimes down to the fireteam level) and FIST teams. Short range is 1 km. Weight: 1.2 kg; Price: $500

Polish Radios

Dracena-R Vehicular/Ground Radio: This Polish radio can be run from vehicular power or a 1.5 kW generator. It may be used for voice, telegraph or data transmission (the latter with a speed of 16 kbps). The radio used a 2-meter bar antenna, which may be mounted on a 10-meter mast for extra range. Range is 6 km with the bar antenna, or 30 km with the antenna mounted on a mast. Weight: 20 kg; Price: $3,500

Russian Radios

AKVEDUK 5UN-1 Manpack Radio: This is small radio in use by Russian forces, including frontier troops and national guard units. It operates in the UHF band, unlike most military radios, and can also be used as a relay device, to transmit Morse code, and to transmit data at a speed of 32 bps for download to an attached computer. It may be operated by remote control at a range of 10 meters. Short range is up to 8 km, depending on terrain. Weight: 5.6 kg; Price: $4,000

R-111 Vehicular Radio: This is a huge, old radio still used in Category 3 and Mobilization-Only units in Russia and the Warsaw Pact. Some third-world countries that were Soviet client states may also have them. The R-111 has a short range of 9 km with the short 3.4-meter antenna or 13 km with the antenna mounted on a mast. The radio may be remotely controlled at a range of 500 meters. Weight: 100 kg; Price: $1,500

R-112 Vehicular Radio: This is another ancient Russian radio, used in low-priority units. It has a longer range than the R-111. The R-112 has a short range of 6 km with a whip antenna or 25 km with a mast. Weight: 90 kg; Price: $2,900

R-113 Vehicular Radio: This is one of the oldest Russian radios still in service, but is still often found in Russian and Pact armored vehicles. It must be run from vehicle power or by a generator. It has a short range of 5 km, using a 4-meter whip antenna. Weight: 17 kg; Price: $575

R-123M Vehicular Radio: This Russian radio is used in armored vehicles, primarily the 2S1 howitzer and SNAR-10 self-propelled radar system. It is roughly equivalent to US radios of mid-1970s vintage, using a variety of dials and knobs to set it. Short range is 5km with a 4-meter whip antenna, or 14 km with a 10-meter telescopic antenna (usable only when the vehicle is stationary). Weight: 45 kg; Price: $1,600

R-130 Vehicular Radio: The R-130 is primarily installed in Russian command vehicles. It has a short range of 13km with a 4-meter whip antenna, 19 km with a 10-meter whip, or 88 km with a mast antenna. Weight: 44 kg; Price: $10,000

R-148 Manpack Radio: This small radio is issued to Russian company commanders and staff officers in airborne and motorized rifle units. Controls and readouts are simple and easy to read and use quickly. Short range is 1.25 km. Weight: 3 kg; Price: $625

R-154-2M Vehicular Radio: This Russian radio is primarily issued to reconnaissance and command vehicles. It consists of an HF radio, an AM long-range radio, and Teletype transmitter. The radio is described as "unusual and complex" to operate, but in the hands of an experienced RTO, gets good results. Short range is 12 km in the HF or Teletype mode and 100 km in the AM mode. Weight: 90 kg; Price: $6,500

R-159 Manpack Radio: This Russian radio is widely issued throughout Pact armed forces, and can even be found in some Category 3 and Mobilization-Only units. It operates in the UHF band, and has a short range of 2.5 km with a whip antenna or 12.5 meters with a mast. The radio is also capable of passing data to computers at a speed of 16 Kbps. Weight: 9.2 kg; Price: $1,150

R-163V (Arbalet-1V) Secure Manpack Radio: This is a more modern Russian radio, used at all levels and all categories of the Russian and Pact military. It has digital readouts and push-button controls. Radio traffic from this unit is encrypted, and the radio can download information to a computer at a rate of 32 Kbps. Short range is 2 km with a whip or 5 km with a mast. Weight: 8 kg; Price: $4,000

R-163-10V (Arbalet-10V) Secure Vehicular Radio: This is the vehicular counterpart to the R-163V listed above. It has all the features of that radio, and can also transmit Teletype information, and has limited ECCM ability (making it harder to jam). Short range is 18 km with a whip antenna and 60 km with a mast antenna (usable only when the vehicle is stationary). Weight: 35 km; Price: $8,300

R-163-10K Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This Russian radio is for tactical command use. It can be used for voice and telegraph operations. Range is 2.5 km when used manpacked, or 7.5 km when used in vehicular mode. Information may be downloaded to computers at a rate of 32 Kbps. Weight: 13.5 kg; Price: $5,000

R-173 Secure Vehicular Radio: This modern radio is primarily employed by Russian and Pact Tanks. It operates in the VHF band, and has a range of 10 km with a whip and 30 km with a mast. Weight: 43 kg; Price: $9,200

South Korean Radios

PRC-999K Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is a South Korean frequency-hopping radio. It can be made further secure by the addition of a scrambling module on a cable. When not using frequency hopping, the radio is interoperable with the PRC-77 and PRC-1077; in frequency-hopping mode, the radio is interoperable with US and US allies frequency hopping radios (such as Sincgars). Short range when manpacked is 0.3 km with a rod antenna and 5 km with a whip. Vehicular range is 25 km. Weight: 5.8 kg; Price: $9,200

US Radios

AM 1077 VHF Power Amplifier: This device, when linked to an AN/PRC-77 (the standard manpack/vehicular radio in the Twilight: 2000 Version 2.2 rules), PRC 1077, or AN/VRC-12 (13 km vehicle radio in the rules), boosts range by up to 400%. To achieve this range, a standard US 3.084m whip or its equivalent, or a better antenna, must be used. (This is a normal antenna for most US vehicles.) Weight: 3.6 kg; Price: $2,900

AM-4677B Power Amplifier: This amplifier may be connected to an AN/GRC-125, AN/GRC-160, AN/VRC-53, AN/VRC-64, AN/PRC-77, or AN/PRC-25 to boost the range of these radios by 400%. There is an AM-4677C version, designed to support certain European radios. This device includes a speaker for the radio installed. This amplifier must be run from vehicle or generator power. Weight: 2.4 kg; Price: $2,900

AM-4700 Power Amplifier: This amplifier can work with a wide variety of radios, including most VHF radios used by US, NATO, and allied countries. It must be powered by a vehicle or generator. This device boosts range by 400%. Weight: 2.5 kg; Price: $3,200

AM-6987/GR Power Amplifier: This amplifier is designed for AM-band UHF radios (such as those used to communicate with aircraft by FALOs). It boosts range of these radios by 770%. Weight: 38.56 kg; Price: $5,800

AM-7175/URC Power Amplifier: This amplifier is used by FM or AM UHF radios to provide a large boost in range. It is a modern device that includes a speaker. It is normally used by aircraft and ships. This device boosts range of such radios by 15 times. Weight: 9.98 kg; Price: $11,500 (C/-)

AM/7209()/VRC Power Amplifier: This device can amplify the signals of most VHF radios, including frequency-hopping radios like the US Sincgars and radios equipped with scramblers such as the US AN/VRC-89. Hookup is simple, with few external controls and only a single cable connection to the radio and antenna. Signal is boosted 770%. This device requires vehicle or generator power. Weight: 7.5 kg; Price: $7,000

AM-7238 Filter/Power Amplifier: Designed for VHF radios on standard NATO tactical frequencies, the AM-7238 combines the filtering of crosstalk between two co-located radios, and an amplifier that boosts range by 400%. This device has been produced for the US Singcars radio since 1991, and variants for European radios have been made since 1994. Weight: 5.4 kg; Price: $3,600

AN/GRA-39A Radio Set Control Group: A normal radio transmitter must be located within a few meters of its antenna; the antenna, the actual source of the broadcasts, is easily located. Thus develops a major problem for radio operators -- keep moving, requiring a short antenna and reduced range, or take the chance of having an enemy artillery barrage sent your way, ruining your whole day. The US Army came up with a solution—the AN/GRA-39A.

This unit consists of two pieces: one is attached to the antenna and the other to the radio, connected by WD-1. This system allows both the radio and its human operator to be up to one mile from the antenna, thus removing them from danger.

To set up the AN/GRA-39A requires WD-1 along with a successful Electronics: ESY task completion. Use of this device is Electronics: ESY task. Wt: 7.5 kg Cost: $1000

AN/GRC-103(V) Radio Relay Set: This Canadian system is in use by Canadian, US, NATO, and other armed forces. It is used to relay radio communications over longer distances than normal radios are able to communicate. This relay set is able to pass communications over a range of up to 180 km, depending on terrain and antenna used. By itself, it cannot be used to hear or send radio calls, but instead passes calls to other radios. Weight: 61.5 kg; Price: $20,800

AN/GRC-106A Vehicular/Ground Radio: This radio is normally employed in a fixed station, but may be mounted in a vehicle. It operates in the low HF-range, and ground-to-ground communication is 20 km. Ground-to-air communication is 600 km. The radio requires a 4.57-meter antenna and either vehicular or generator power. It can be coupled with a scrambler. Weight: 51.7 kg; Price: $10,000

AN/GRC-206(V) Vehicular/Ground Radio: This radio is normally used in a ground station, but may be vehicular-based. Functions and controls are monitored by a microcomputer. The radio operates in either HF, VHF, or UHF ranges and in the FM or AM bands. The radio was specifically designed to be mounted in a Jeep or M-113 APC, but is adaptable to other vehicles with ease (in the US Army, they are often mounted in HMMWVs). Two persons may use this radio at once. The AN/GRC-206(V) may be remote controlled by wire from up to 3.3 km away. A scrambler may be added by use of a cable attachment. This radio is often employed by US special operations units and on US Air Force special operations aircraft. Short range is 30 km, 35 km, or 150 km, depending on antenna used. Weight: 14 kg; Price: $8,300

AN/GRC-213A Vehicular Radio: This radio was first issued to US units in 1983, and is based on the HF AN/PRC-104 manpack radio. The AN/GRC-213 adds an amplifier and a vehicle mounting rack. The radio is capable of burst transmissions and data transfers at the rate of 15.3 kbps. Short range is 20 km. Weight: 19.5 kg; Price: $2,300

AN/GRC-233 Special Operations Communications Assemblage V1 (SOCA V1): This is a large radio meant to be powered from a vehicle, portable generator, conventional generator, or commercial power outlets. The radio set includes a lightweight portable generator, a scrambler, a vertical satellite beamer (SATCOM), a fax machine, and connections to transmit voice, data and video transmissions (the latter two at a rate of 16 kbps). The radio includes interface equipment for commercial telephone networks, field telephones, military and civilian fax machines, military and civilian keyboards, computers, and antijam equipment. The set can be configured by a competent operator for any mode in less than five minutes. Operation is in the UHF range, and either the FM or AM bands. Range for ground-to ground communications is up to 30 km short range, depending on antenna used, and range for ground-to-air communication is 600 km. Satellite transmission range is potentially infinite. The assemblage comes in 4 cases. Weight (each case): 31.5 kg; Price (Complete): $145,000

AN/GRC-226 Vehicular Radio: This is an older Canadian-built radio in use by NATO forces and several other allied countries. It has a short range of 10 km when using a mast antenna. Weight: 36 kg; Price: 1,150

AN/GRC-238(V) Vehicular/Ground Radio: This radio combines two AN/PRC-139 hand radios, an amplifier, and an interface box into a single radio able to communicate over longer ranges than the base radios. The lid of the container contains an input panel with push-button controls, LED readouts, and a speaker. A handset and a headset come with the radio. Short range is 5 km, 16 km, or 40 km, depending on antenna used, or 2 km without an antenna. The AN/GRC-238 (V) may use either the VHF or UHF band. A scrambler is included with the AN/PRC-139s. The component AN/PRC-139 radios may be removed and used separately if desired, but the amplifier will not function unless both radios are in the interface box. Weight: 6.3 kg; Price: $1,820

AN/GRC-512 Vehicular Radio: This radio has ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) features to allow it to continue operating in an environment where radio communications are being jammed. It is a frequency-hopping radio, and can also be used to allow computers to communicate with its built-in modem. The AN/GRC-512 can also be used as a relay set and may be operated by remote control. Short range is 15 km. Weight: 27 kg; Price: $8,500

AN/PRC-104 Manpack/Vehicular/Ground Radio: This is an HF radio used for communicating with ground units and air units. It is a small, yet powerful radio that marked the first use of Large-Scale Integrated (LSI) circuits in a military radio. The radio has a short range of 8 km ground to ground and 100 km ground to air in the manpack mode; in the vehicle-mounted version (known as the AN/MRC-138) with a range of 50 km/300 km, and a ground-mounted generator-powered base station (known as the AN/GRC-193) with a range of 400 km both ground to ground and ground to air. These radios may be used with a scrambler. These radios are used by the US Air Force, Navy and Marines (Reserve forces), as well as New Zealand, Sweden (reserve forces), Spain, and some countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Far East. Weight: (AN/PRC-104) 6.4 kg, (AN/MRC-138) 10 kg, (AN/GRC-193) 15 kg; Price: (AN/PRC-104) $670, (AN/MRC-138) $4,200; (AN/GRC-193) $7,100

AN/PRC-112 A Secure Transponder: This radio is more a survival radio than anything else; it operates on only 8 frequencies on the UHF/AM band, including the international emergency band. There is a newer version, the GPS-112, which adds a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. Short range is 4 km. Weight: 0.8 kg; Price: (AN/PRC-112) $1,300 , (GPS-112) $3,300

AN/PRC-117A Secure Manpack Radio: This is a first-generation frequency-hopping radio, first fielded in 1982 by US special operations forces. It has since been superseded by the Sincgars radio, but is still used by reserve special operations units. It may be used with a scrambler. The frequency hopping also adds ECCM capability. In clear net mode, it may communicate with all other US, NATO, and allied VHF/FM-band radios. The AN/PRC-117A may also be used as a repeater. Short range is 10 km. Weight: 5.8 kg; Price: $3,300

AN/PRC-117B(C) Secure Manpack Radio: This is an AN/PRC-117A with an integrated Vinson scrambling module. Weight: 6.9 kg; Price: $5,300

AN/PRC-117D(C) Secure Manpack Radio: This radio is a VHF/UHF AM/FM version of the PRC-117B(C), used by FALO teams and to communicate with other aircraft. This radio is also used by the CIA, NSA, and other clandestine government agencies. Range is 10 km in ground-to-ground mode and 80 km in ground-to-air mode. Weight: 6.86 kg; Price: $9,300

AN/PRC-119 Singcars Secure Manpack Radio: This is the standard manpack radio of US forces and some allied countries, such as Israel. This unit has a built in frequency-hopping unit. Any radio can communicate with any other by means of a special frequency-hopping unit that changes frequency (all 2300 of them) at 30-second intervals so that it is almost impossible to listen in on a conversation for any long period of time. However, both radios must be on a same link to be able to communicate. The AN/PRC-119 may also be used as a modem, transmitting and receiving data at a rate of 16 kbps. The Singcars Manpack may be combined with a Vinson scrambler for maximum security. This radio has a maximum range of about 8km as a manpack radio. Wt: 7.5kg; Price: $4000

AN/PRC-126 Hand Radio: This is a VHF/FM-band squad-level radio. This radio normally operates in the 30-88 MHz range, but the US Air Force version, the AN/PRC-128 Scope Shield, can use either the 30-88 MHz range or 130-174 MHz range. It is used by security teams at US Air Force bases. Short range is 1 km. Weight: 1.17 kg; Price: $500

AN/PRC-130 Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is an HF radio with a frequency-hopping module and an optional encryption module (not included with the basic radio). Short range is 5 or 20 km with the manpack version, and 50 km with the vehicle mounting. This radio is in limited use by US forces, used to fill the gap when Singcars production could not meet demand after the Twilight War began. Weight: (manpack) 6.4 kg, (Vehicle mount) 10.4 kg; Price: (Manpack) $6,700; (Vehicle mount) $16,700

AN/PRC-132 Manpack Radio: This small-but-powerful radio was designed for US Navy SEAL teams, Special Forces, and Delta units. 80 channels may preprogrammed into its memory, and add-in cards may be used to give modem capability or to expand available frequencies. A scrambler may be added with a cable. Range is 5, 10, 20 or 50 km depending on antenna used. Weight: 5 kg; Price: $1,770

AN/PRC-139 Hand Radio: This radio operates over either the 30-88 MHz, 136-174 MHz, or 403-470 MHz bands, depending on what transceiver is installed. (Changing transceivers is a task requiring a Phillips screwdriver and no special skills.) It features an embedded Vinson (scrambler) module. The radio may also function as a modem, at a data rate of 16 kbps. This radio is in use by most US forces, particularly the US Army and Air Force. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 1.35 kg; Price: $1,000

AN/PRC-140 Saturn Secure Manpack Radio: This radio is the replacement for the Singcars system, but as production had just begun as the Twilight War commenced and production facilities were not in full operation, it is relatively rare. The radio features fast frequency hopping, and can be used with a scrambler to provide extra security. It may also transmit in the UHF and VHF bands, in both the AM and FM mode, to ensure a wide variety of applications. It is virtually impossible to jam the Saturn or break into its nets, since frequency hopping is so fast and the radio may send out signals to block out other radios if they are captured. Hopsets and codes can only be retrieved from the radio with a special procedure; if that procedure is not followed exactly, the radio destroys any hopsets and codes programmed into it. Short range is 2 km with a short rod antenna or 10 km with a whip. Weight: 5.85 kg; Price: $4,000

AN/PSC-5 Manpack/Vehicular SATCOM Terminal: This device, when linked to a portable satellite downlink subsystem or a vertical satellite beamer (see below), allows communications via satellites in orbit. Normal transmission mode is voice, but a keyboard may be attached for text, as can a fax machine or a computer. The device may also be used as a regular radio, with a short range of 18 km. It may be used as a beacon for rescue or other homing operations. Weight: 7.5 kg; Price: $6,000

AN/TRC-199(V) Tactical Repeater: This is a radio repeater based on two AN/PRC-139 radios in a case with an amplifier and rebroadcast equipment. The two component AN/PRC-139 hand radios may be removed and used as normal, but the rebroadcast feature of the device will not work unless both AN/PRC-139s are in their cradles. Short range for rebroadcast is 2 km, 10 km, or 40 km, depending on antenna used. A scrambler may be added. Weight: 25.4 kg; Price: $4,300

AN/URC-101 Manpack SATCOM Radio: This is a self-contained satellite communications system (terminal, antenna, and transmitter are contained in the same unit. The unit transmits either AM or FM voice or data and in the high VHF or standard UHF bands, and can also be used as an emergency locator beacon. It may also be used as a normal radio, with a range of 5 km in the VHF band and 20 km in the UHF band. The AN/URC-100 is scrambler-compatible. The radio transmits in a 60-degree arc using a hand-held antenna. Weight: 7.26 kg; Price: $6,700

AN/URC-111 Manpack Radio: This radio was designed for point-to-point transmissions. It uses a hand-held antenna to transmit in a 60-degree cone, providing the enemy less chance to intercept the signal. It is otherwise similar to the AN/URC-101 radio listed above, but was designed to operate in the standard NATO VHF tactical band (30-88 MHz). It may also use the 225-400 MHz UHF band for communication with aircraft. Range is 5 km in the VHF band and 20 km in the UHF band. A scrambler may be attached to this radio. Weight: 7.7 kg; Price: $6,250

AN/URC-120 Manpack Radio: This is the HF counterpart to the AN/URC-111 listed above (though it is not merely a modified version of that radio). It is used for long-range directional communications, with a short range of 100 km. Weight: 8.6 kg; Price: $31,000

AN/TLG-17B Radio Jamming System: The AN/TLG-17B is a high-powered radio and radar jamming system. It is capable of jamming multiple frequencies of radio waves. In order to successfully use this equipment, the operator is required to pass an Electronics: AVG task check. The operator of the jammed radio or radar must then pass a Electronics: DIF task in order to continue operating on the same frequency. This unit requires 550 watts of power to operate and has the effective range of 50 kilometers. Wt: 100 kg (including generator) Cost. $25,000

AN/VRC-86 Vehicular Radio: This is an HF-band radio used for long-range communications from wide-ranging vehicles or by command elements. It entered US service in 1985. The radio may be combined with a Vinson scrambler or a GPS system to receive or transmit position updates. Special transmission filters allow it some ECCM protection. Short range is 150 km. Weight: 27.2 kg; Price: $17,300

AN/VRC-87C Singcars Secure Vehicular Radio: This is the standard vehicular radio of US forces and some allied forces, such as Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This radio has a short range of about 50km from a vehicle only. This unit has a built in frequency-hopping unit. Any radio can communicate with any other by means of a special frequency-hopping unit that changes frequency (all 2300 of them) at 30-second intervals so that it is almost impossible to listen in on a conversation for any long period of time. However, both radios must be on a same link to be able to communicate. A Vinson scrambling module may be added for maximum security. Wt: 12kg; Price: $3500

AN/VRC-91A Singcars Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio: This is a version of the US Singcars radio. This radio has a short range of 8km/35km. It can be man portable or mounted in a vehicle. This unit has a built in frequency-hopping unit. Any radio can communicate with any other by means of a special frequency-hopping unit that changes frequency (all 2300 of them) at 30-second intervals so that it is almost impossible to listen in on a conversation for any long period of time. However, both radios must be on a same link to be able to communicate. A Vinson scrambling module may be added for maximum security. Wt: 7.5kg; Price: $3000

AN/VRC-92A Singcars Secure Vehicular Radio: Vehicular powered, dual channel (two radios in one) radio that can hold two separate conversations at the same time. It has a short range of 50km. This unit has a built in frequency-hopping unit. Any radio can communicate with any other by means of a special frequency-hopping unit that changes frequency (all 2300 of them) at 30-second intervals so that it is almost impossible to listen in on a conversation for any long period of time. However, both radios must be on a same link to be able to communicate. A Vinson scrambling module may be added for maximum security. Wt: 20kg; Price: $5000

AN/VRC-94A Secure Vehicular Radio: This radio comes from the generation of frequency hopping radios one generation before the US Singcars family of radios. Total frequency range available in this radio is 30-90 MHz, but the radio may conduct frequency hopping receiving and transmitting only when in the 30-60 MHz range. The base receiver/transmitter of this radio is the same as in the AN/PRC-117A manpack radio. This radio may be made further secure by the addition of a scrambler/descrambler. Short range is 50 km. Weight: 21.3 kg; Price: $23,000

AN/VRC-94D Secure Vehicular Radio: This is a version of the AN/VRC-94A (see above) that can operate in the VHF or UHF band, in AM or FM mode. It allows communication with other ground units, ships, and aircraft. Weight: 21.3 kg; Price: $24,000

F-200 Co-Site Filter: This small device prevents crosstalk caused by having more than one radio in close proximity to each other (such as in the same vehicle) in the same frequency band and operating frequencies close to each other. Each F-200 may insulate two radios. Weight: 2.93 kg; Price: $400

Joint Advanced Special Operations Radio System (JASORS) Secure Manpack Radio: This is the next-generation radio, slated to replace Singcars with US special operations units and agencies like the CIA, NSA, and DIA. The JASORS radio has a short range of 24 km and can be used with portable satellite uplink subsystem (see below). It is a frequency-hopping radio, and a scrambler may be added for additional security. Other devices that may be attached include keyboards, a digital camera, fax machines, computers, and various amplifiers. The JASORS includes a modem with a speed of 24 kbps, a transponder, and an optional directional antenna that transmits and receives only in a 60-degree cone. The JASORS has the ability to lock out of a radio net radios that have been captured. Few of these radios were produced before the factory was torched by rioters in 1998. Weight: 6.8 kg; Price: $8,000

KDT-882A Ground-To-Air Radio: This Chinese radio is used by airborne and airmobile troops to communicate with aircraft. It is also used by Chinese FALO teams to coordinate air strikes. It consists of an AM and FM radio. Ground to air short range is 9km, and short-range ground-to-ground communication range is 6 km. Weight: 9 kg; Price: $2,100

Leprechaun Secure Hand Radio: This is the squad-level member of the Singcars radio family. It is a frequency-hopping radio with an integral Vinson scrambler/descrambler module, includes a 16 kbps modem, and a GPS receiver may be added via a cable to transmit and receive instant location updates. The Leprechaun is derived from the AN/PRC-139 (see above). Short range is 5 km. Weight: 1.4 kg; Price: $2,500

Miniature Secure Hand-Held Radio (MSHR): This pocket radio uses a scrambler to provide secure communications. Used by the FBI, the MSHR is interoperable with military UHF radios. It will continue working even if immersed in water. Short range is 2.5 km. Weight: 0.28 kg; Price: $1,250

MP-25 Manpack Radio: This simple radio operates in the low HF range using the AM and FM bands. It is not used by US forces, but is instead exported to several Asian, African, and South American countries. It can use a large variety of headsets and handsets, and accessories such as solar battery chargers and encryption modules. Short range is 25 km in FM mode and 10 km in AM mode. Weight: 4.3 kg; Price: $2,100

PH-26 Phantom Secure Hand Radio: This radio is designed for shot-down aircrews to contact rescue forces. It gives the pilot over 4,000 frequencies to work with, and secure communications by means of frequency hopping. It operates in the UHF FM band. Short range is 5 km. Weight: 0.59 kg; Price: $2,500

PR 1605 Hand Radio: This radio is waterproof, and functions (to a limited extent) underwater. Range underwater is in a 100-to-1 ratio: 1 meter underwater uses the equivalent of 100 meters of signal strength above water, so that an operator 10 meters underwater would use up 1 km of range just to get the signal out of water. Naturally, diving gear with special facemasks and voicemitters must be used when underwater to use this radio. It operates in both the VHF and UHF bands, and thus ground radios, ships, and aircraft can be contacted. This radio is used by US special operations forces, the US Marines, the Portuguese Navy, and other unnamed foreign forces. Weight: 1 kg; Price: $2,000

RC-292 Antenna System: The RC-292 is a 10-meter-tall radio antenna. The radio attached to this antenna has its broadcast range tripled in normal mode or multiplied by six in high-power—thus highly detectable—mode. The antenna is non-mobile and takes one man-hour to assemble (i.e., one man takes one hour, two men take one-half hour, four men take one-quarter hour, etc.). In addition, it takes one-half man-hour to disassemble. Both assembly and disassembly require a successful Intelligence: ESY task completion. This antenna broadcasts in 360 degrees for purposes of reception and detection. Wt: 10kg; Cost $1000

RC-585 Antenna System: The RC-585 is identical to the RC-292 except the RC-585 only broadcasts on a 90-degree arc—thus making it harder to detect. It takes an additional one-half man-hour to erect. Wt: 13kg Cost: $1500

SB-22/PT Field Switchboard: This switchboard is designed to be a compact, rugged battery-operated, self-contained unit capable of handling up to 22 separate telephone lines. Setting up the unit requires WD-1 to be run to serviced telephones and a successful Electronics: ESY task completion. An Intelligence: ESY task is necessary each period to successfully operate this unit. Wt: 7.5 kg Cost: $600

TA-1 Field Telephone: Requires commo wire to link it to other field telephones. Secure unless the wire is tapped. Includes 30m of commo wire. Sound-powered. Wt 3kg; Price $100

TA-312/PT Field Telephone: This small, rugged, battery-operated, field telephone is quite common in US Army field organizations. It is used, for the most part, in areas where units are planning to stay for an extended period of time. The field telephone unit consists of a handset, as well as a box-like base that has a hand crank.

To set the unit up requires WD-1 telephone line (commo wire), run to a switchboard or destination phone, and an Electronics: ESY task completion. Wt: 2.5 kg Cost: $250 (C/S)

TA940B Power Amplifier: This device may be attached to British-designed, US, or NATO HF-band radios to boost range by 770%, or to boost AM radios by 200%. It must be powered by a vehicle or generator. Weight: 8.6 kg; Price: $5,800

TA944 Power Amplifier: This newer amplifier superseded the TA940B in NATO service. It has the same capabilities as the TA940B. Weight: 5.9 kg; Price: $6,000

TA4044B Power Amplifier: This amplifier is used in the same way as the above two amplifiers, but adds support for VHF radios (the normal band used by most military radios, such as those listed in the Twilight: 2000 Version 2.2 rules). It cannot be used for AM radios, but will boost range of HF and VHF radios by 770%. Weight: 15.5 kg; Price: $5,800

Generic Radio Equipment

Antenna, 500km: A wire antenna used to rig field-expedient antennas and a half a dozen resistors and insulators. Rigged from trees or other supports and grounded, the antenna alone will triple the radio's range. When used in conjunction with a generator, the full range may be reached. Weather and terrain will affect the range of the radio when using these antennas. Wt 3kg; Price $100

Commo Wire: Has a myriad of other uses other than for communications. 300-meter roll. Wt 3kg; Price $25

Cellular Telephone: A portable cellular phone allowing access to cellular communications networks. Wt: 1 kg; Price: $800

Expendable Jammer: This is a compact, disposable electronic jamming unit. Once activated, the jammer operates continuously for 2 hours, overpowering any transmitter or receiver within 20 meters and requiring operator checks within 40 meters. Once set, the jammer can be programmed to delay activation for up to 100 hours, in one-minute intervals. Weight: 2.25kg; Price: $4000

Field Sound Processor: Roughly the size of a small briefcase, the field sound processor (FSP) is packed with electronics, allowing the user to record audio inputs and perform real-time analog processing at the same time. Capabilities include a high-gain/low-noise amplifier, speech passband filter, compressor, and equalizer. Essentially, this means the unit is able to take in a weak signal and boost it to within a set range to filter out all noise beyond the human speech range, and to improve the quality of the sound within that range. To work properly, this requires the skill of Electronics

Current Tech: Current tech FSP gear is as described above. The unit runs on a set of rechargeable 9.6V batteries, with duration of seven hours before recharging. This item must be custom built. Wt: 7kg; Price $850

Hi-Tech: No new features, aside from smaller size and manufacture from government contractor. This unit is available only to government personnel. Wt: 5kg (about the size of a handbag).

Frequency-Hopping Radio: This radio resists jamming and interception by shifting among several preset frequencies at preset intervals (usually several hundred per second). Unless a listener knows the frequencies and intervals, he cannot remain locked onto the signal. All sets in a system must be synchronized in order to communicate, but this can be accomplished by any of the radios in the loop at a predetermined time using an electronic key coder. Weight (radio) 5kg (coder) 0.5kg; Price (radio) $800 (coder) $500

Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver: This is a small, handheld, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver featuring selective availability/antispoofing and antijam capability. It provides precise positioning and timing solutions based upon signals received from the GPS satellite constellation. It is a five-channel receiver, capable of Precision Code (P-Code) and Y-Code (encrypted P-Code) reception. Positioning solutions can be displayed in latitude, longitude, military grid reference system, Universal Transverse Mercator, British National Grid, and Irish Transverse Mercator Grid coordinates. It contains 49 map datums, and can be programmed to support navigation. The GPS has a built-in test feature, and is night-vision goggle compatible. The GPS is accurate to within 10 meters. Note: In T2000, satellite availability is spotty at best, since many have been shot down. Weight: 1.3kg; Price $3000

GPS, Commercial: This is a civilian version of the military GPS described above. It has no encryption or antijam capability, widely varying map availability (some are actually better in this regard than military versions), and are accurate to within only 100 meters. Weight: 0.3kg; Price $2000

Individual Tactical Radio: A small radio of limited range (one kilometer) designed to be used by small groups who require precise coordination and hands-free operation. The radio consists of a voice activated throat mike (strapped in place over the larynx), a headset with bone-conduction earphones, and a battery case (usually carried in a shirt pocket). This radio is hands-free and allows the wearer to hear more-or-less normally when in use. The set also incorporates a manual "beeper" button; enabling Morse signals to be sent if the sender does not want to speak. These are relatively sophisticated radios and are more expensive than the normal walkie-talkie. Wt: Negligible; Price: $550

Portable Facsimile Machine: Connected to a radio, this enables recon photos, situation maps and other reports to be sent and received by units in the field. Wt: 6 kg; Price: $1800

Portable Fax Machine: Connected to a phone, portable phone, computer or satellite downlink system, this enables documents to be sent and received (or just printed out in the case of the computer) in remote locations.

Wt: 6 kg; Price: $1800

Portable Satellite Downlink Subsystem: An antenna system permitting radio communication via geosynchronous satellite with practically any location in the world when linked into a proper radio in place of the normal antenna. It requires five minutes to erect and align, and two minutes to completely dismantle. Wt: 4 kg; Price: $12,000 (R/S).

RF Emitter: The RF emitter can create RF emissions at frequencies set by the user. This is most commonly used for jamming other devices, especially communications devices. However, the RF emitter has several advanced uses—

DIF: Electronics to succeed—such as jamming microprocessors, video screens and microprocessor-controlled equipment. Success means that the equipment is jammed and inoperable. Range for such jamming is limited to the strength of the emitter, but for the models shown below is 200 meters.

This is a hand-held unit with an integral transmission antenna and an LCD display showing current frequency. This device is available to any civilian in a Western nation, but spraying RF emissions without regard for radio communications guidelines is illegal in all jurisdictions. Wt: 1 kg; Cost: $200.

RL-37 Reel Unit: This sawhorse-looking device allows the rapid and mobile deployment of the one-mile reel of WD-1. This unit can be stationary mounted, drawing the wire out from the central location, or mounted on the back of an open vehicle, allowing the laying of lengthy segments of wire rapidly. Wt: 8 kg; Cost $100

Scrambler/Descrambler: Used with a telephone or voice radio unit, this scrambles conversation to seemingly random noise at the transmitter and back to conversation at the receiver. A sophisticated computer analysis can descramble a particular conversation within hours and, once the scramble pattern is known, can be used to program a scrambler with a similar pattern. Wt: 1 kg; Price: $2000

Trail Bug: This is little more than a powerful hidden microphone. The trail bug is silver-dollar-sized and 13mm thick, and is normally hidden on a vehicle in order to track it. Once activated the device will function for 10 weeks, and can be tracked at a range of 8km in an urban or mountainous environment, or up to 30km in open country. A character with skill can read the trail bug at 12km/40km (AVG: Electronics) or 15km/50km (DIF: Electronics). Weight: 0.5kg; Price: $300

Transponder: Special radio transmitter designed to broadcast a specific signal at a specific frequency to provide a homing beacon for pickup aircraft, radiation homing missiles, etc. The device has a one-kilometer range without an antenna, which extends to 10 kilometers with an antenna. Its internal battery will power the broadcast for 18 hours and can be started with an internal timing circuit up to 72 hours after emplacement. Wt: 1 kg; Price $1800

Transponder, Encrypted: As the above, with encrypted burst-mode transmissions and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) interrogator. The US AN/PRC-112(V) is an example. Weight: 0.2kg; Price $2500

Vertical Satellite Beamer: This device resembles a portable satellite downlink system, but is an infrared laser transmitter, allowing transmission only to orbiting satellites equipped with laser-receptors. The transmission beam is only visible to IR vision gear. It takes five minutes to set up and two minutes to take down. Wt: 12 kg; Price: $35,000

WD-1 Telephone Line: This line is highly useful for a wide variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, the laying of telephone lines. It is also used in wiring remote electronic detonators, claymore mines, or trip wires—or simply stringing something up. The cost of the wire includes a linesman set—a leather belt pouch containing a set of wire cutters/strippers, a roll of electrical tape, and a pocketknife. The WD-1 comes in three size reels—one mile (1609m), one-half mile (805m), and one-quarter mile (402m). Weight: (1 mile) 22 kg (1/2 mile) 10 kg (1/4 mile) 5 kg; Cost: (1 mile) $200 (1/2 mile) $75 (1/4 mile) $35 (all)

Wind-Up Radio: Though first placed on the US market in the mid 1980's, sales of these items took off only in the mid-1990s as may models came to the worldwide market. It is a standard commercial radio that can be used to pick up commercial radio stations, weather stations, and civil defense broadcasts. This radio gets its power from a wind-up magnet, the mainspring charging a Nickel-Cadmium battery. 200 cranks will run the radio for an hour, or the built-in flashlight for 35 minutes. These types of radios are not likely to be damaged by EMP. Weight: 0.8 kg; Price: $70