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 with an external automatic antenna tuner (TURF) that mounts on top of the radio.
Power levels are selectable at 5W or 50W. Modes are CW and USB (There is a LSB Modification in the "Files" section). The radio can withstand immersion in water, is EMP resistant, and rated from -31C to +55C. There were only 350 sets produced. It was built using mixed technologies; SMT, Hybrid, Through Hole and Flex Circuits. The 319 has 150 IC's and around 2200 electronic components not counting the internal parts in the Hybrids and TCXO .
The weight is 20 pounds with small NiCad 1.2 AH and 25 pounds with 4 AH NiCad battery pack.
It has a 10 channel receive and 10 channel transmit memory for fixed frequency operation. It has no VFO, but this is generally not a problem because most of the HF back packers operate on known fixed frequencies.
Most HF USB operation is on 18157.5, 14342.5, 7296.0 and 5371.5 kHz. This group is intended to be a forum for exchange of information about the PRC319. See the 319 FAQ's in the "Files" Section of this Yahoogroup for more technical information.
The PRC319 Yahoogroup email posting is controlled, no spam will be forwarded.
If you don't want any PRC319 email just deselect 'Individual Email' on your 'Edit Membership' page.

There is a new article about the 319 in the Practical Wireless Magazine,
January 2009, by Ben Nock, G4BXD.
The current picture (at right) is the 319 with a modified EMU case, that has an audio amplifier, speaker, squelch, CW Keyer and clock.
There is a new "For Sale" listing area under "Applications" at the bottom of the left side bar.
Data on this site is being archived by Jeremy 2E0JEM, and Gerald G7HNM.

Paul w0rw