"ARGONAUT" VHF Marine Transceiver

SPECIFICATIONS:

Type:   FM radiotelephone.
Mode: FM voice only. Simplex or duplex
Frequency range 156 to 163.4 MHz

Channels: 50. The standard configuration used fifteen  crystals to permit operation on each of forty 40 channels.  A further ten channels became available by adding another crystal plus a 4.5 MHz converter.
Peak deviation: +/- 15 KHz at 1,000 Hz
RF Power: 20 watts. In reduced power mode, the RF output is 0.5  watts.
Mains Power input - 110/220 VDC or 115/230 VAC 50/60 Hz
Alternate designator NTS403
Succeeding variants: .Argonaut S and SP

argonaut_radio.jpg
Argonaut radio system. Shown here is the transmitter (right) , control unit (top left) , local/remote switching unit (lower left) and the dual watch  unit (left middle) . These components have been mounted in this manner for display purposes. In practice, the control unit can be sited anywhere within 300 feet of the transmitter.  The transmitter/receiver cabinet measures 36.75" x 20.25" x 7.5". (Courtesy Marconi Mariner magazine)
/argonaut.jpg
Control panel:.  It measures 10.25" x11.5" x6.5" This unit can be used for local or extended control of the transceiver..  Download image to enlarge. (Photo courtesy Internal Fire Museum)
Left: Dual watch unit. A dual watch unit can be added to the normal control units to allow the simultaneous monitoring of two independently selected channels.
Right: Local/remote switching unit. By the addition of a local/ remote switching unit external to the transmitter, full control can be switched over to one of two control positions.   (Courtesy Marconi Mariner magazine)

Contributors and Credits:

1) http://www.rnmuseumradarandcommunications2006.org.uk/MERCHANT%20SHIPS%20AND%20RFA%20FITS.pdf
2) Internal Fire  Museum http://www.internalfire.com/index.php?loadf=93
3) Ross Bradshaw [ross.bradshaw@mypostoffice.co.uk]

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Mar 31/20