Kfz70 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 (edited) I thought you might like to see some items of German communications kit and equipment owned by myself and others in our group. Some are fairly mundane, others are slightly more interesting!! http://www.fgtrupp82.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/Genny08.jpg[/img] This Generator is a version of the early war KL100 designed by Auto-Union (now Audi) and DKW. The Swiss army acquired this particular one during, or shortly after World War II and, at some point it was overhauled and partially modified by the Swiss-Swedish company Brown-Boveri (whose data plates can be seen on certain parts). The motor, dynamo, ignition assembly and many other parts still bear the four interlinked circle logo of Auto-Union (now associated with Audi). The fuel filter under the petrol tank has a DRP (Deutsches Reichs Patent) number indicating wartime era construction. Similar markings are also to be found on the carburettor. The original generator had an output of 210 volts at 600 watts; the new system is similar, but also has the facility for outputs of 12 and 24 volts. The original pull strap type starter has been upgraded, in this later model, to a rotating starting handle. All in all, the generator seems to be a slightly later version of the one shown in the manual with some additional tweaks by Brown-Boveri. The original, German, example would originally have been cased in a wooden box with power output from a small power takeoff board underneath the petrol tank. The Swiss rebuild, resulted in a slightly larger generator being fitted along with a new power takeoff board; the entire assembly was then mounted in a metal frame with a loose canvas cover Also with the Generator is the complete tool and spare parts set, contained in the three original parts tins that would have been mounted in the original wooden case. All of these parts (including tins and containers) are marked "Auto-Union", "DKW of Zschopau" or with the interlocked circle logo and everything has a part number. Something to note is that this company ceased to exist as Auto-Union-DKW in 1945 when the Russian Army overran the factory. The spare parts in their tins - there is only 1 item missing from the whole set. This is our second generator. This one has not been altered and is still operational (as is the one above). It has two outputs 1000V at 0,3A and 12,5V at 8A. It was designed to be used with signals equipment, the lower voltage for most of the field sets and the higher voltage for larger truck mounted sets and the 100 Watt sender unit. Tornisterfunkgerät d2 - This transceiver is a backpack radio set consisting of 2 boxes - the radio itself and the battery/accessory box. The operator carried the battery box, with an assistant carrying the battery box. They were connected together by means of a 2,5 metre cable. Each box weighs around 20 kilograms. The radio has provision for a microphone, a morse code key and 2 sets of headphones. When used in the field, it requires a 2 metre antenna, which breaks down into 6 sections (these are stored in the lid of the battery box). Despite its size, the range of this set is very limited - approximately 9 miles. It requires 2 sets of batteries - a 2 volt storage battery for sending and a 130 volt HT battery for receiving. It operates in the frequency range of 33.8 to 38 MHz. Feldfunkgerät f - This is another transceiver backpack radio set, but of a more compact design. The case is made of moulded resin and it is designed to be attached to the Y straps. The set weighs around 13 kilograms and has provision for 2 sets of headphones and a microphone. It has a small remote control device which can be removed from the set and attached to the belt (though this is connected to the set by a wire). This allows the operator to adjust the volume and tuning of the set without needing to gain access to the dials etc on the main panel. The antenna is a 1 metre fixed rod. Again this set has a very limited operational range - only around 2 miles, and the operator must have a clean unobstructed line between his set and the receiving radio. It requires a single type 2.4 battery and operates in the range of 27.2 to 33.3 MHz. Wehrmacht-Rundfunkempfanger 1/P - This is essentially a radio receiver unit operating on 3 low frequencies (0.150 - 0.425 MHz; 0.517 - 1.54 MHz and 5.9 - 15.5 MHz). It also had provision for telephone equipment and other radio sets to be plugged into it so as to act as a loud speaker. A microphone could also be inserted thus allowing it to be used as a crude PA system (or karaoke machine!) Lautsprechergerät (Funk) b - This is a simple speaker contained inside a metal box - these were usually issued with signal equipment which was either in a fixed emplacement or was vehicle mounted. Fu 22 SE 20 - This combination is made up of separate units - a Torn Eb and a 20 watt sender unit (20 S.W.d). http://www.fgtrupp82.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/ger2.jpg[/img] Torn Eb - this is a back pack receiver set which comprises 2 boxes - one for the set and one for the batteries and accessories. These boxes lock together so they can be carried. The combined weight is around 16 kilograms. The radio has provision for only 2 sets of headphones. In the field it uses a 2 metre trailing wire antenna, though the longer this is, the better reception. The range is dependant on the power of the transmitting unit, and the length of the antenna (with the right antenna, it was possible for troops stationed in France and Russia to listen to German home service boradcasts). As with the d2 set above, it has 2 sets of batteries; a 2 volt wet storage battery and a 90 volt HT battery. It operates in the frequency range of 0.10 - 7.095 MHz. 20 S.W.d - This set was originally used in Panzers in conjunction with other receiver units (normally the Ukw.E.d1 set), however it was not uncommon to find them used in radio vehicles and in semi fixed locations. The set is not designed to be carried in the field, and therefore requires a larger antenna and either a generator and power inverter, or batteries and a dynamotor for its power. The set itself weighs about 16 kilograms and has provision for microphone and morse key only. The antenna is a minimum of 2 metres tall, though the larger the entenna, the further the range it will transmit, to a degree. Its range is typically 50 miles for morse and 15 for voice, however with an 8 metre mast antenna, it can be trebled. This set operates in the range of 42.1 to 47.8 MHz, though it could be recalibrated to operate on either 24.9 to 27.3 MHz or 27.2 to 33.3MHz. Gleichrichter - This is a mains power regulator unit which takes an input of between 90 and 220 volts AC (either from a generator or mains supply grid) and converts it to a regulated 12 volts DC suitable for running radios. This is used to power the Torn Eb and 20W sender unit. Kleine klappenschrank zu 10 leitungen mit amtszusatz 33 - This switchboard enabled 10 lines to be connected to a single phone. The case is wooden with a bakelite top. When an incoming call was received, a flap would drop to indicate that someone required a connection. The plug underneath that caller would then be connected to one of the other 9 lines by inserting it in the upper hole (in the photo, a call has been connected to the recipient at line 1). On top are 10 connectors for the incoming lines. The box on the left with the rotary dialler made it possible to connect the military phone system into a civilian phone system - as can be seen here it connects by sliding the 2 bars across to the exchange. Feldfernsprecher 33 - This is a general purpose battery operated telephone. It has a bakelite case and weighs approximately 4,5 kilograms. It operates off a 1,5 volt dry cell battery. In order to call another phone, the user simply cranks the handle on the end which causes the magneto to generate sufficient current so as to cause the other phone to ring. Most of this kit is usually housed in the back of the Kfz68 Antenna Vehicle. This particular vehicle was produced in mid to late 1944, after the Citroen Javel plant had been liberated. It was built to Wehrmacht (1942) pattern and is largely just as the factory photograph here illustrates. The pre-war T-23U was, most noticeably, produced to a shorter wheelbase. They also tended to have more curved - ford type - front wings. Flat fenders began appearing just prior to WW2. There were numerous versions and many were supplied to the French Army, both at home and in the Colonies. The conquest of France by the Wehrmacht resulted in the 'remaining' T-23's being absorbed by the German war machine. During the war the T-23 and it's larger sister the T-45 were kept in production and, at some point in 1942, an upgraded longer wheelbase version was produced for the Wehrmacht. During The war some 6000 trucks of the T-23/45 family were produced and they are very common in soldier’s photographs from the period. Most, though, made their way to the Russian Front where they were noted for their rugged reliability, but were fated never to return. Edited February 15, 2012 by Marmite!! photo links repaired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Awesome! Thanks for sharing mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Blimey Dave! Great work, thanks for taking the time for posting - has that gear have great value? Was a lot of it used after the war? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfz70 Posted October 12, 2006 Author Share Posted October 12, 2006 The Fud2 set is probably about £4000 with the battery box. These were not used after the war, but some of the Russian and Czech sets were based on German technology. The Feld Fu f back pack set is about £1800 at the moment - a Czech set (I forget the designation) is based on this technology. The Fu 22 pair is about £1700 for the two. The only item used post war was the telephone and exchange - I believe Denmark held a large number of these in war reserves util about 3 years ago, when the market became flooded! The generators were used post war - the first set was used in a carpenters workshop until about 15 years ago. Mine (the second one) was used by a guy in Germany until I bought it off him earlier this year - it just needs a voltage inverter to give it a 240 V output from the 12 V socket (funnily enough I don't have much use for the 1000V output!). Here's acouple of it set out: http://www.fgtrupp82.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/FN-FG02.jpg[/img] Fort Nelson, 2006 http://www.fgtrupp82.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/FN-FG04.jpg[/img] Fort Nelson, 2006 http://www.fgtrupp82.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/FN-FG03.jpg[/img] Fort Nelson, 2006 http://www.fgtrupp82.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/FN-FG01.jpg[/img] Fort Nelson, 2006 I can post pictures and details of other items of equipment if you'd like to see them - most are totally non-MV related!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Most certainly post more Dave! Dam good stuff! I quite often think if one day you can switch your brain off and listen to the past conversation on such radio equipment............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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