ATR4 Transceiver

ATR4 Transmitter Receiver

Click to view Circuit in a new window.

General Description

RC16B (Radio Corp)
ATR4B (RAAF) - Ident No:Y10D/70429

The ATR4 is a low power portable equipment to provide both AM and CW transmission and Reception. The units were produced by Radio Corporation (Victoria) during WW2 for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The units were supplied with a haversack for one man operation. The radio itself weighs 20lbs, appx 9kg.(This unit is based on the RC-16 which was first produced in 1939 for use by the Forests Commission of Victoria.)


Technical Data

The receiver is a superheterodyne, tuning 3.0 - 7.0MHz.

The valve line-up for the receiver is as follows:
ATR4B plate

1D5GRF Amp
1C7GConverter
1D5GIF Amp
1D8G1st Audio/det/BFO
1L5GAudio Power Output

The IF frequency is 455kHz.

The transmitter is a crystal controlled oscillator followed by a plate modulated power amplifier. The transmitter can only be operated on one frequency per band.

The bands are 3 - 4.8 and 4.8 - 7 MHz.

The speech amplifier and modulator consists of a pentode valve driving a class B amplifier stage, the later being the modulator.

The transmitter valve line-up is:

1L5GMicrophone Amp
1J6GClass B Modulator
1J6GRF Power Amp
1H4GCrystal Osc.

The battery supply voltages are: A 3v, B 180-130v, C -7.5 to - 4.5.
The following currents are drawn:
SEND: A 2v @ 0.78A,B 180v @ 46ma (unmod) 56ma (mod)
RECEIVE: A 2v@0.58A, B 135v@16ma

These sets were popular for use as portable rigs by radio amateurs. Many went into commercial service with government agencies, the Forestry Commission of New South Wales being a case in point.

Note: This set was replaced after WW2 by the TRP-1.


Illustrations of the set

ATR4 Top view ATR4B bottom view

ATR4B open view ATR4B case


Back to Top or Go to Home page.

© Ian O'Toole, 2009. Page created: 1/7/03 Last updated: 4/12/2009