Military AM/FM radio

[m16ty]

I've got a '74 CJ5 that I've "militarized" and I've been thinking about a AM/FM radio so I could hear some tunes but want to stay with the military theme.

Not being very familiar with military radios, I'm wondering if I could buy some sort of military radio and replace the "guts" with a civilian AM/FM and make it work?

 

[papakb]

The only military radios I'm aware of that would do what you want are some of the surveillance sets like the GRR-8 and I don't think anyone is willing to destroy one of them to listen to crappy mono audio.

Kurt
KG6KMJ

 

[Artisan]

I too have been trying to keep my eyes peeled for something cool.
If not then I am wondering if there is something that is real small that
uses a smart phone for a head unit.

 

[m16ty]

I did a search for AN/GRR8 on Google and this site and didn't come up with much. I did find a Youtube vid of somebody listening to some sort of music on one, it didn't sound half bad. What's the frequency range on one of them?

 

[SCSG-G4]

A buddy has a regular AM/FM radio mounted inside an RT-524 case in his HMMWV. One has to look carefully to see it's been modified.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I would think a PRC25 or PRC77 case would be good candidates for a guts swap. Should be plenty of inop radios to be had.

 

[bikeman]

heck, you could mod a speaker and just put the guts of a radio in there... as long as you don't need to change stations much...

 

[Those Military Guys]

I too have been trying to keep my eyes peeled for something cool.
If not then I am wondering if there is something that is real small that
uses a smart phone for a head unit.

our over heads use a setup that you can use your phone or our upgraded setup uses a phone or usb thumb drive

 

[Artisan]

our over heads use a setup that you can use your phone or our upgraded setup uses a phone or usb thumb drive

Thank you but till I get my A/C squared away the roof needs to remain virginal.
Feel free to post up pics for others benefits if you want though...

 

[Artisan]

I would think a PRC25 or PRC77 case would be good candidates for a guts swap. Should be plenty of inop radios to be had.

I'll check those out THank U!

 

[rchalmers3]

Ty if you want a radio that does not alter the look you have created, how about hiding a regular old receiver (with remote capability) under the seat or under the dash and running one of those infrared eye extensions from the head to an inconspicuous location on the dash? Then you can control the hidden radio with a small remote that fits in your pocket.

I didn't want to cut the dash on our antique car, so I put the radio head under the rear seat. It works well and I thought you may want to consider it.

Rick

 

[Recovry4x4]

Rick, along those lines, if I ever put sounds in one of my CUCVs, it will be just an amp and speakers fed by line jack. I can pipe FM and my tune stash from an ipod. I will miss AM talk.

 

[Artisan]

Rick do you have some examples?
I am so far removed from car stereos it's funny.
I worked for CRAIG when I was a kid, I had an 8 Track. LOL

I wish I could find "something" that would play what is on my IPHONE

I am just radio lame anymore, tired of learning new professions, I just want to ask Q's for now HA!

 

[Those Military Guys]

I'm going to see if we can build something that will fit your needs our electrical engineer has been looking for something new to build.
Does it need to be in the form of a radio or would something that blends into the cab that you might not even notice work?
Thanks
TMG

 

[m16ty]

I'm going to see if we can build something that will fit your needs our electrical engineer has been looking for something new to build.
Does it need to be in the form of a radio or would something that blends into the cab that you might not even notice work?
Thanks
TMG

Well anybody can hide a remote controlled radio under the seat or dash so I'd it's needs to be in the form of a radio. Personally, I'm not really looking for a exact look-alike to a real military radio, just something that fits the style.

 

[Piper Cub]

I've seen a self contained radio mounted inside and sticking out the top of a 60mm ammo can. That way it could be moved from vehicle to vehicle. It does need a battery that would have to be removed and charged. It's smaller than a lawnmower battery though, so its pretty light. It looks like he used a regular car radio. Every time I see it I forget to ask the owner to open the lid so I can see how its wired and what brand and model of radio it is. Searching "ammo can radio" on Google seems to bring up a lot of different designs.

 

[Those Military Guys]

That is what I mean't was something that looks like it belongs in the truck I'll see what he comes up with and we will post pictures and get peoples input
Thanks
TMG

 

[Artisan]

TMG,


No promises from me but.

I would love a simple AMMO can w/ a radio in it that plugs into a 12V Cig-Lighter type power outlet.
A couple of speakers in it AND the ability to plug in a permanently mounted AMP and bigger speakers
so I could move it from truck to truck kinda deal

I bet ya if you designed a radio w/

AM/FM
A jack to plug in a smart phone or pair(?)
Maybe in an AMMO Can, loose the handle?
Put a marine cover over it so spills will not kill it.
Put some anti smash bars on it left and right like you would see on a Mil radio, do the same for speakers.
Give it a 12V cig lighter cord to plug into an aux 12V outlet.
A couple of speakers AND the ability to remote an AMP and bigger speakers

you might have sumthin.

 

[papakb]

Depending on the tuner that's installed in the AN/GRR-8 it will receive from .5 - 512 mhz. This receiver is part of the AN/PDR-11 direction finding systems made by Watkins Johnson. You can find info on them at www.radionerds.com.

Years ago I wanted a nice military looking radio that would cover the broadcast bands and bought a small AM/FM radio and installed it in an old R-744 receiver. This worked out well because I out the speakers where the original battery covers were on each end of the radio.