R-388/URR Contract Info Page

• Please send me e-mail with additions, corrections, more info, etc.  
• Back to Main Navy HF Receiver Page
•  
• I am attempting to compile info that will help identify what R-388/URR receivers were used by the US Navy.
• If you have a photo of an R-388 actually being used in Navy service, please let me know.
  The only thing I have found is the drawing below showing an R-388 used as a monitor at a shore station  receiver or transmitter site - most likely drawn from a photo. See also the 1957 photo of two R-388's used as part of a music system at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
• AHA! - The USMC AN/MRC-47 transportable station for air-control comms included 4 ea. R-388/URR receivers plus TCK and TCS transmitters. I haven't found a photo yet....
• Another AHA - an eBay R-388 included a 1963 Marine Corps Supply Center repair record
• Has anyone ever seen an R-388A/URR ID tag?
• Has anyone ever heard of an R-388B/URR? - It has a separate Federal Stock Number and 1961 price of $1240.
• Hollow State News w/ R-388 articles
• Many thanks to all who have contributed info, photos, etc.
•        Nick K4NYW   nick@navy-radio.com 

1963 MCSC Albany repair card

R-388/URR Serial Numbers

Why do Collins serial numbers and contract numbers and models seem to be mixed up sometimes?

From Collins historian Bill Carns - Collins built all equipment under a line (MCN) number and then put it in inventory. All equipment including the A-4 was not serialized until it had been purchased or scheduled for shipment to a distributor and then it went through an outgoing QC step and was serialized upon passing the QC check. After the war, and for many years, the fellow doing that function was named Gurney. The process of outing a radio became known as "Going to Gurney". Long after Gurney retired, and to this day, the process of pulling, checking and serializing a radio is known as "Going to Gurney"......even though he is long gone.

The other thing that happened (from Dennis Day and Gene Senti) is that, if there was a need for a receiver in the engineering lab (working on service bulletin issues or the like), the engineers would pull a receiver from inventory (un-serialized) and take it to the lab and use it for however long they kept it, which could be a long time. It then was returned to inventory, got pulled for an order, and then was serialized in the current numbering system and shipped. This resulted in early units being shipped much later in the serialization string.

There is another factor that aggravated, or confused the issue. Collins did not use a FIFO (First In First Out) inventory control system like many companies did. If things moved around or got in a corner they could be there a long time.

So, ... all of this makes our life a little more interesting when we try, for instance, to date a radio by component date code - They did not use FIFO on their components either.

From Dick K9ULW -  I can probably answer the question about the serial numbers more accurately than most, since I spent 15 of my 30 years in test engineering, was a member of the change control board and worked directly with the factory floor in those 15 years. 

Collins (CR) had two numbering systems for all equipment. MCN number (manufacturing control number) and S/N (serial number). In manufacturing every product had an MCN number (starting with 100 and up). An accurate log was kept in the factory of MCN/date of manufacture (rubber stamped on the back of the chassis at final inspection). This was the number used by the change control board to determine units to get mandatory revisions. Pilot line build had MCN numbers from 001 to 099. Usually only 10 to 25 were actually pilot line quantity.

Most units were put in finished goods with only MCN numbers. Serial number plates were installed when shipped. I recall occasional contracts where the factory final inspection installed serial plates, but that was not common. When units were shipped, then serial number plates were installed in sequence within a contract. With government contracts, there were often "initial quantity" shipped with a specific "future quantity" to be shipped. Therefore, all S/N s were pre-assigned for a specific contract - even though months to years might be between shipments. Therefore, two consecutive S/N units might have a big gap in the stamped MCN numbers and when they were manufactured. MCN numbers were always consecutive with build dates/sequence. Hope that helps. Also, in relation to using date codes on things like IF cans, filters, transformers, etc. Those date codes represent a "relative time frame" - remember, the date code on a part is when the part was manufactured. It could be in the vendors stock for a period of time and might have been in Collins inventory for a few months before it was actually installed in a production unit. I believe Collins stock attempted to exercise "first in, first out" policy, but there was no particular guarantee of that. 

US Navy AN/URR-23A = R-388 + cabinet + speaker

Contract NObsr-52527 (22 June 1951) for 280 systems (R-388/URR + LS-199/U + CY-1235/U)
Manual NAVSHIPS 91678

Distinguishing Characteristics? Speaker Jack  - no "Break-In" switch 1 tag

Photo from NAVSHIPS Manual

System ID tag on cabinet

R-388/URR Tag from NObsr-52527 note - receiver also has holes for a second tag

R-388/URR Contracts - Info originally compiled by Tom Marcotte

With ** notes added by Nick England

• Collins NObsr-49134 (AN/URR-23): 91 units
  • ** note: R-381/URR-23(51J-1) or R-381A/URR-23 (51J-2), not R-388/URR
• Collins NObsr-52527 (22 June 1951) (AN/URR-23A): 280 units
• Collins TCG-38466 (for USCG): 28 units** s/n 45 exists
• Collins 19624-PHILA-50: 1,000 units ** s/n 1005 exists
  • note: see B&W R-388 manual photo below
• Collins 1908-PHILA-51: 845 units
• Collins 3096-PHILA-51: 8 units ** s/n 148 exists
• Collins 3131-PHILA-51: 919 units
• Collins 3131-PHILA-51-01 **
  • ** note: see Hallicrafters R-388 manual photo below
• Collins 3135-PH-51: 1,175 units ** s/n 1363 exists
  • note: see B&W R-388 manual photo below
• Collins 3155-PH-51: 1,379 units
• Collins 3164-PH-51: 153 units ** s/n 184 exists
• Collins 3167-PHILA-51: 498 units ** s/n 710 exists
• Collins 3167-P-51-01-C: 812 units **
  • ** note: see Hallicrafters R-388 manual and cabinet photos below
• Collins 3357-PHILA-52: 1,672 units ** (s/n C 25 seen?)
• Collins 3362-PHILA-52: 109 units ** s/n 225 exists
• Collins 3469-PHILA-52: 20 units ** s/n 140 exists
• Collins 3470-PHILA-52: 1,449 units
• Collins 25635-PHILA-53-36: 2,319 units - contract included "Break-in On-Off" switch
• Collins 25067-PH-54-55: 436 units ** s/n 560 exists
• Collins 21318-PH-56: 88 units ** s/n 138 exists
• Collins 30951-PH-57: 121 units - contract included R187 ** s/n 211 exists, includes Break-in switch
• Collins 37003-PC-62: 171 units - contract included AGC/DIODE jacks, R187 ,and "Break-in On-Off" switch ** s/n 300 exists
• Raytheon AF 30 (635)-778: 7 units? - USAF R-645/GPQ-3, part of ionospheric backscatter measurement system (COZI) 
• Raytheon NOm72847: at least 109 units? Marine Corps Overhaul Contract, not new production
•  
• Total known production: 12,735 units ** note: this is probably low in light of new evidence

Navy contract summary -

• NObsr-49132 (date ?) - AN/URR-23A? - this seems too early for R-388 -  probably AN/URR-23 (R-381 or R-381A)
• NObsr-49134  (15 May 1950) - AN/URR-23 - includes R-381/URR or R-381A/URR receivers (Collins 51-J and 51J-2)
• NObsr-52527 (22 June 1951) - AN/URR-23A - includes R-388/URR receiver
   - Manual NAVSHIPS 91678
• NObsr-69046 (16 Nov. 1956) - R-388A/URR (Collins 51J-4)
   - Manual NAVSHIPS 92324 (Collins 51J-4 manual reprinted by Govt. Printing Office with NAVSHIPS number added)
• NObsr-71045 - R-388A/URR (Collins 51J-4)
• NObsr-75379 (June 1958) - 51J-4 - 10 units
• NObsr-81258 (April 1960) - R-388 - 201 units
• NOm72487 - Marine Corps - Raytheon Co. R-388 Overhaul contract (1962?)
• MIPR-881-47159 (date?) - possibly an inter-service transfer of R-388/URR receivers from Army to Navy

Illustrative photos

Navy contract NObsr-52527 note - this unit also has holes for a second tag - THIS MAY BE A REPRODUCTION TAG -	Navy contract NObsr-52527 note - this unit does not have holes for a second tag	Order 19624-PHILA-50 showing both tags Order 1908-PHILA-51 with 2 tags	Order 3096-PHILA-51
Hallicrafters R-388 manual Order 3131-PHILA-51-01 Order 3131-PHILA-51 showing 2 tags	Hallicrafters R-388 manual Order 3167-PHILA-51-01-C	Hallicrafters contract - Collins unit 3167-PHILA-51	Hallicrafters R-388 cabinet CY-1260/G - these R-388's have rollers at the rear corners to fit into the cabinet slides.
Hallicrafters cabinet CY-1260/G 51J-3 case with tall rear cutout	Hallicrafters cabinet CY-1260/G	B&W contract 19624-PHILA-50	B&W contract 3135-PHILA-51
75A series case with shorter cutout	Order 3357-PHILA-52 showing 2 tags - this Signal Corps unit also has USN inspection stamps. Order 3357-PHILA-52 Serial C 25 - what does that mean?	Order 3470-PHILA-52 Order 3362-PHILA-52	Order 25635-PHILA-53-36 Order 25635-PHILA-53-36
Order 25067-PH-54-55 tag and Signal Corps stamps Order 21318-PH-56 s/n 138 (also has "138" stamped on rear) - thanks to RJ	Order 30951-PH-57 Order 37003-PC-62 USCG Order TCG-38466	51J-3 ID tag - is this original or a repro? 51J-3 inspection tags 51J-3 part number is 505-2193-035	Early 51J-4 ID tag? But I think it is actually a reproduction, not an original. Later 51J-4 ID tag
USMC overhaul contract NOm72487	USMC overhaul contract NOm72487	USMC overhaul contract NOm72487	USMC overhaul contract NOm72487
R-388 with Navy anchor inspection stamp (behind missing ID tag) - but with Signal Corps second tag Navy anchor inspection stamp overlaid by Signal Corps stamp	Collins production # ink stamp under ID tag and Signal Corps stamp USN inspection stamp on crossbar (s/n 6109)	Navy anchor inspection stamp (s/n 6109)	Collins production # stamped on rear    1956 inspection stamp Order 21318-PH-56
speaker jack  (3096-PHILA-51) break-in switch ( 25067-PH-54-55)	Field Change break-in switch (s/n 6109) Note different "O" lettering	R-388 showing Collins production # 6626 stamped behind missing ID tag	R-388 rear showing MFP stamp and Collins production # stamped into metal
R-388 reworked per 1953 MWO with flat finish, new lettering, and break-in switch	R-388 with Navy ID tag and break-in switch - this seems wrong as the break-in switch didn't appear until later	R-388 with two missing tags and speaker jack	R-388 contract 37003-PC-62 showing FCC Part 15 certification stamp in center, yellow AGC jack, and green DIODE LOAD jack - MFP treated
Order 37003-PC-62 serial 294 almost the last R-388 built?	R-388 contract 37003-PC-62 showing FCC Part 15 certification stamp in center, yellow AGC jack, and green DIODE LOAD jack - not MFP treated	R-388 contract 37003-PC-62	R-388 contract 37003-PC-62 s/n 168 with "0035" and winged logo stamp on rear
R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3) s/n 7 Collins production s/n 9151 "Look, ma, no handles...."	R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)	R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)	R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)
R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)	R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)	R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)	R-645/GPQ-3 (51J-3)
R-388 with USAF markings
51J-3 rear panel with MFP, production # 6027	Early 51J-4 - no FCC stamp, no AGC or DIODE LOAD jacks, "313" ink stamped serial number - not MFP treated	Later 51J-4 rear showing FCC Part 15 certification stamp in center, "457" ink stamped serial number, yellow AGC jack, and green DIODE LOAD jack - not MFP treated	Later 51J-4 rear closeup
51J-4A - Westrex Corp.  - thanks to KA0JW Please e-mail with any additional info	51J-4A 51J-4A rear	51J-4A stamped "225" Australian 51J-4	51J-4 Collins test unit - s/n 105 Collins production # 048
51J-4 gray test unit with R-388 ID tag
Type 51J-4 Serial AF61- 6 USAF Contract Number Please send email if you have any info!			Late model with S-line type knobs
JK1VXE's interesting site with photos of  several R-388 models (in Japanese)   Info on Reproduction R-388 ID tags
REMOTE STANDBY CONNECTIONS. - Break-in relay connections are available at terminal strip E101 at the rear of the chassis. Terminals are marked 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 1 is connected to receiver ground. Terminals 2 and 3 are connected to the break-in relay coil, which is rated at 8.5 DC volts minimum and 135 ohms DC resistance.      During operation, terminals 2 and 3 are usually connected in series with a source of voltage and a set of normally open contacts on the carrier control relay of a transmitter in order to silence the receiver during transmission. Refer to figure 3-4.      When the break-in relay coil is energized, one pair of contacts shorts the antenna to ground; another pair, connected in series with a section of the OFF-STANDBY-ON switch, removes plate voltage from the three IF amplifier stages.      When using the remote relay, place the OFF-STANDBY-ON switch in the ON position. When this switch is placed in STANDBY position, it also removes plate voltage from the three IF stages and thereby silences the receiver, however, no protection is given the RF stages since the antenna is not shorted to ground.

R-388 Data Base - please send me more info

- contract s/n is on ID tag and started over with each contract
- Collins production # is stamped into metal on rear and/or inked behind tag - continuous numbering
- info gathered from web photos, email submissions, & personal observation
- note "FC" means obvious Field Change switch installation

R-388 Listed by Order Number (Contract Number)

R-388 Listed by Collins production serial number (with contract when known)

51J-4  Data Base - please send me more info
  - note no R-388A/URR tags seen yet
  - units appear to be commercial, not military - only a few with MFP treatment
  - what's with the FCC Part 15 compliance stamp?
  - Click here for black 51J-4 mystery photos

Here's a story from W4OKW about R-388's used in Navy service.

   "I was enjoying a couple of days off in Athens and after seeing the Parthenon, etc, managed to find myself in an incredible flea market area quite close to downtown. Much to my surprise there were a number of electronic stores including some that were devoted to surplus, mostly US stuff.  Way in the back of one store was a pile of R-388s that made me think I had stumbled into "Fair Radio East"!
   Most of these were in pretty sad shape, having been "de-milled", but probably salvageable.  Some had missing meters, no tubes, but no outright ball peen hammer damage, i.e., the dials and knobs still turned reasonably easily.  The owner of the store was a ham and said that he had resurrected a couple by combining parts and they were nice receivers (I think the kids would say "Duh!" at this point).
    He claimed that the receivers came from the NAVCOMMSTA at Nea Makri and the USAF station at Helinikon AB near Athens, as well as the San Vito/Brindisi Italy stations.  They were all "spook" stations, so I am sure were involved in surveillance somehow.  
   I did see a couple at the Weather Det. at Rota, Spain being used for HF Weather Fax links.  They had the nicest field of Rhombics and Log Periodics at Rota in a field across the runway from the hangars and base proper.  They had HF links from Rota to Sig to Nea Makri, etc.
    I still regret not buying a bunch of them and sticking in the C-130 for the ride home to Rota!  Boatanchors were just so much junk to me in those days!"

Major mystery questions

• Does anyone have a photo of an R-388()/URR actually being used by the Navy?
• Did the USN procure any R-388/URR receivers other than as part of AN/URR-23A systems?
• Has anyone ever seen a definite R-388A/URR? With a tag that says so?
• Has anyone ever seen a 51J-4 with MFP?
• Has anyone ever seen an R-388() with non-magnetic sides?
• Does an anchor inspection stamp mean it was a Navy procured unit?
• Why do some units have white anchor stamps on the front panel (behind the ID tag) and other units have black anchor stamps on the sides?

• Please send me e-mail with additions, corrections, more info, etc.
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