A.A.C.V.M.

UK/PRC319 HF/VHF Tactical Radio
The UK/PRC 319 is a microprocessor-based 50 W
HF/VHF tactical radio. The radio is claimed to give up
t o five times more transmit power per kilogram weight
t han any other portable in-service radio.
Four detachable units - a transmitter/receiver,
electronic message unit and two antenna tuners -
have been combined with a standard Clansman
battery.
Six deployment options are available ranging from
a 50 W voice-only station, using pre-cut resonant
antennas, to a 50 W voice and burst data station
capable of matching simple wire or rod antennas. The
total system size is slightly less than 300 x 200 x
110 mm. A 50 W transmitter extends the groundwave
coverage out towards the first sky-wave hop.
Extension of the HF band, up to 40 MHz into the VHF
band, gives a close support VHF voice communications capability using SSB -as well as providing
skywave channels under unusual ionospheric
conditions.
Low probability of intercept is enhanced as a result
of using semi-duplex transmission and burst data,
and dispensing with the constant intermediate
frequency in the receiver.
The integral pocket-size electronic message unit
(EMU Mk III), weighing 0.7 kg, is also removable from
the radio for independent operation. Powered by a
built-in battery, it is capable of storing messages for
up to 500 hours. The EMU Mk III also contains a
forward error detection and correction system to
STANAG 4202. Received messages are called from
the memory store and displayed on a two line LCD.
The UK/PRC 319 can receive and store messages into
memory even during unattended operations.
In addition to the numeric only EMU Mk III, a newly
developed alphanumeric unit has built-in crypto,
EDC and data interleaving. This EMU Alpha has
r
independent 2000-character receive and transmit
memories and a range of user definable fixed format
messages.
The UK/PRC 319 can match a variety of antennas
and features a high speed fully automatic antenna
tuner (TURF) which permits the use of a remote
antenna for covert operations. The TURF can be
operated remotely up to a distance of 50 m from the
radio through a single coaxial cable.
Operator control is carried out through a keyboard
and mode select switch. All control information is
displayed on an LCD along with a range of user
confidence checks.
Ten pairs of channels can be preset and stored in
the UK/PRC 319's electronic memory; switching to a
new pair of channels is effected by the depression of a
single key.
Status
I n production for Specia Air Service Regiment,
Special Boat Squadron an used in four overseas
countries, including the U and, reportedly, New
Zealand.
Technical Specification
Frequency range: 1.5-40 MHz
Channel storage: 10 receive/10 transmit
Power output: burst greater than 50 W; CW (Morse)
and voice (SSB) greater than 50 W PEP, low power
between 2-5 W
Temperature range
operating: -31 to + 55°C,
storage: -46 to + 70°C
Humidity: 95% at 40°C
Immersion: to 2 m
TURF tuning time: < 220 ms, remote operation: up to
50 m through the coaxial cable
Manufacturer
MEL Communications Ltd, Crawley.