The PRC319 is a British Special Forces HF manpack transceiver designed by MEL (Mullard Electronic Labatories), A Division of Philips, in 1988.(It is part of the Clansman family). It is a microprocessor controlled radio. It covers 1.5 MHz to 40 MHz. Power levels are selectable, 5W/50W. Modes are CW and USB (There is a LSB Mod in the "Photos" area). It's EMP and water proof but won't float. The temperature range is -31C to +55C. There were only 350 sets made. It has mixed technologies; SMT, Hybrid, Through Hole and Flex Circuits. The 319 has 150 IC's and about 2200 passives not counting the internal parts in the Hybrids and TCXO. It also has about a 90% BITE capability for the radio and modem.
The Radio + TURF weight is 10.5 pounds (4.8 Kg) without a battery pack.
The dimensions are 9 x 15 x 4 inches with the TURF and 4AH battery.
It has a 10 ch. receive and 10 ch. transmit memory for fixed frequency operation. It has no VFO, but this is not a problem because most of the HF back packers operate on known fixed frequencies.
Most HF USB operation is on 28327.5, 21437.5, 18157.5, 14342.5, 7296.0 ,5371.5 and 3996.0 kHz.
The external 'wide range' automatic antenna tuner (TURF) has memory and has 30 latching relays in it. It tunes the Rx & Tx for each channel and remembers the settings.
This group is a forum for exchange of information about the 319.
Please read the 319 FAQ's in the "Files" area on the leftside bar.
PRC319 email posting is controlled, no spam will be forwarded.
The current picture (at right) is a 319 that is mounted on a US ALICE Pack. It has a modified EMU case that has a clock, audio amp, speaker, CW keyer and squelch.
The historical message file has an excellent search engine. If you want to see every message on LSB, Just search on 'LSB'.
Archivists: Jeremy 2E0JEM, and Gerald G7HNM. They back up everything.
Repair: Scott, W7SVJ, has volunteered to be the TURF repair guru.
Paul w0rw