AOR/Annapolis/IRE/Iroquois/Mackenzie/St. Laurent Classes -
LF/MF/HF Receiver Systems
It is not clear why the RCN chose to list transmitters in amongst the receivers. The material was therefore transcribed identically as found. Some of the receivers that were in use are not shown here because they are part of a transmitting/receiving system so they are listed in the transmitters section. Pretty confusing, isn't it?
LF/MF/HF RECEIVER EQUIPMENT SUMMARY LISTINGS
The equipment is listed in the identical order to that of the source material.
Model  Description Comments
SB 5084  Receiving Antenna Patch Panel  Provides patching facilities from the various receiving antennas to the Active or Passive antenna multicouplers or direct to the receivers. In the photo, many of the BNC receptacles are covered with a dust cap. (Photo courtesy RCN)
SA 5046/U Electrical Switch Purpose - Antenna signal level sensing and switching device for use where transmitting and receiving antennas are in close proximity.
Frequency Range - 2 to 32 MHz
Threshold - 0.5 to 1.5 V
Used in conjunction with SB 5084 Antenna Patch panel  (Photo courtesy RCN)
SA 5054/U Active Antenna Multicoupler Provides 2 DB gain of incoming RF signals in the frequency of  2-30 MHz and distributes to 10 outputs.
(Photo courtesy RCN)
CU 5062/SRR Passive Antenna Multicoupler Purpose - To protect receivers from excessively high RF input by attenuating signals to approximately 2.5 DB then distributing to 8 outputs.
Frequency Range - 2 to 30 MHz  (Photo courtesy RCN)
CU 5032  Multicoupler   
     
AN/URR502A  LF/MF/HF Receiver System General purpose superhet receiver URR 501 fitted with CV5046 LF Converter and mounted in a rack or a cabinet. 
See photo below.
CV 5046 LF Converter  LF Converter for use with Racal URR-501 HF Receiver,.
See photo below
F 5066/URR Noise Limiter Four squelch channels designed to quiet audio lines in the absence of voice signals.
R1051B Receiver General Purpose Superhetrodyne receiver 
Frequency Range - 2 to 30 MHz
Stability - 1 Part in 10 per day 
Modes - LSB,USB,ISB,AM,CW,MCW,FSK,FAX 
See photo below
CV 5086 LF Converter for R1051 To extend R 1051 receiver down to 14 KHz 
Frequency Range - 14 KHz to 2 MHz
Stability - 1 Part in 10 per day 
Modes - CW, FSK14 KHz to 2 MHz
            - ISB, USB, LSB 65 KHz to 2 MHZ 
           - AM 300 KHz to 2 MHz.  See photo below
R5099/U  Collins 2050 Receiver  Just about to be phased in around 1988. [1] See description below.
K649 FM MuFax FAX Machine Purpose - To record weather maps transmitted on radio frequencies or landline.

Method - Audio frequencies of 1500 and 2300 Hz are converted to black and white signals. Black results in a current to flow through the chemically treated paper to turn black.
Index of Cooperation - 288 or 576 
Scanning rate - 96 Lines per inch. Helix speed - 60, 90 or 120 RPM. Picture Signal - AM or FM. See photo below 

CU 5013MC ?
400-216 PP
SRA 17 LF receiving Antenna Provides an antenna tunable in VLF and LF regions. 
Frequency Range - 14 KHz to 600 KHz 

Consisting of units 
- AT 924B/SR Antenna 
- TN 418/SRA 17C Radio Frequency Tuner
- C 6193/SRA 17C Antenna Control Unit
- Vintage 1961. 
- Manufacturer: Futuronics Corp, Port Washington NY. 

C6193/SRA 17C Controller LF Antenna Group
AN/URA-38  Coupler  
AN/SRA-34  Coupler  
CU1169 P/OSRA
AN/URA-64  Antenna Switch  
CU 5055 BMU
AN/SRA-22  Coupler  
OE 5006  Coupler  
AN/URC-32 Multimode Transmitter Phase-out in evidence by 1985
AN/SRA-502    
AN/SRC-505 (3 or 4 Tx) Transmitter  
AN/SRC-508 (3 Tx) Transmitter  
OT 13/SRC-23 Transmitter  
 
OA 8012/SRC-23  Tx/Rx   
AN/URC-505  Tx/Rx  
AN/SRC-512   URC-505 with BRA
RF-505 (Harris) Receiver  10KHz to 30MHz Receiver. Made from 1974-1981. Modes: ISB, USB,LSB, AM and CW.Tunes in exact 100Hz steps. Dimensions: 19"x5.25"x13.825". Weight: 33.9 lbs, 16.3kg  (Photo courtesy Oldradios.co.nz)
RF 601  Coupler  
AN/SRT-502 Tx   
Parkhill  HF Crypto Voice Encryption Device aka KY-75
NOTES:

[1] The R5099 Collins receiver appears in the Equipment Holdings listing but there is nothing to indicate quantity. This suggests that the receiver is about to be phased in.

EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS PER SHIP (1985) 
List 14 List 15 List 16 List 17
LEGEND:
ISL= Improved St. Laurent Class
IRE= Improved Restigouche Class
MACK= Mackenzie Class
ANS= Annapolis Class
TRIBAL = 280 Class
AOR = Supply ships 
SUB= Submarine

FEATURED EQUIPMENT

K649 MuFAX

1980s_rxtx_k649_mufax.jpg
K649 MuFAX. The machine appears to have produced a test pattern. Note the sign on the front lip of the machine " DO NOT LIFT MACHINE BY THIS BAR". (Photo courtesy Canadian Navy)

R1051-B RECEIVER

1980s_rxtx_r1051_5086_sra17.jpg
Top - C6193/SRA 17C Antenna Control Panel for LF Probe
Middle - CV 5086/URR LF Converter
Bottom -  R1051B/URR Receiver 
(Images courtesy Canadian Navy)

The RCN used the 'B' model of this receiver. HMCS Huron DDH 281 and the other ships in her class had twelve R-1051's aboard according to an RCN inventory list circa 1985. .

Later variants such as the R-1051G and  R-1051H, are fully solid state and look somewhat different.

Specifications:

* Frequency Range : 2.0 to 29.9999 MHz in 0.1 khz increments, or 2.0 to 30.0 MHz with continuous vernier
   tuning between 100 Hz increments.
* Receiver Type : Superhetrodyne (triple conversion)
* Frequency Stability : 1 part in 10 to the 8th per day
* Frequency Accuracy : plus or minus 0.5 Hz at 5 MHz
* Type of Frequency Control : crystal controlled synthesizer referenced to a 5 MHz internal or external standard.
* Modes of Operation : LSB, USB, ISB, AM, CW, and FSK
* Sensitivity : 1 uV for 10 dB (S + N / N) in SSB mode ; 2 uV in CW and FSK modes ; and 4 uV in AM mode
* Receiver IF : first, 20 or 30 MHz ; second, 2.85 MHz ; third, 500 KHz
* Bandwidth : SSB, 3.2 KHz ; AM, CW and FSK 7 KHz
* Recommended antenna : 50 ohm impedance
* Power consumption : 55 watts
* Primary power requirements : 115 VAC plus or minus 10%, single phase, at 48 to 450 Hz
* Weight : 70 lbs
* Dimensions without mounting brackets or shockmount : 17 3/8 inches wide ; 7 inches high ; and 19
   inches deep
* Manufacturer: Originally designed by Bendix.
* Vintage: March 1968
* Reference: NAVSHIPS 0967-970-9010; RCN C-51-158-000/MS-000 and MC-000
* RCN Stock #5820-00-948-3408

BRIEF TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Signals received from the antenna are coupled to the antenna tuning circuit in the RF amplifier module by an impedance matching network. Two stages of RF amplification combined with four digitally tuned selective circuits, provide an amplified RF signal in the 2.0 to 30.0 MHz range.

The Translator/Synthesizer module performs the translation from the RF to the IF utilizing injection frequencies provided by the synthesizer, and locked to the frequency standard with a stability of one part in 10^8 per day.

The Mode Selector module contains the diode gates for switching the USB, LSB, and AM (double sideband) mechanical filters for the desired mode of operation. This module also contains the BFO circuitry required for CW reception.

Independent side band reception is provided by the use of two separate IF / Audio modules. Each of these units provides IF amplification, detection, and audio amplification. The incoming signal is processed by the one module appropriate to the particular signal mode except when both sidebands of ISB are being received.

The frequency range of the R1051 can be extended down to the VLF band by using  the AN/SRA-17 low frequency probe antenna  (14 - 600 KHz) and the CV-5086/URR low frequency converter ahead of the receiver.
 

1980s_rxtx_cv5086_converter.jpg
CV-5086/URR Frequency Converter.  (Image courtesy Canadian Navy)

BRIEF TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The RF signal from antenna is filtered and applied to an antenna overload circuit which shorts the RF signal to ground whenever the amplitude exceeds a preset value. The output from the antenna overload circuit is amplified and applied to Diode balanced modulator circuit which also receives the 5 MHz standard frequency from the associated R1051B receiver.
In the balanced modulation circuit the required frequency conversion (from f to f+5 MHz) takes place. Since the circuit is balanced with respect to the 5 MHz signal, adequate suppression of that frequency is provided. .

Physical: Height 5-7/32 inches; Width 17-3/8 inches; Depth 18-7/8 inches
Weight: 27 pounds
Power Consumption 15 watts.
Manufacturer: Instronics Ltd., Stittsville Ont 
                      or  Elmer, Pomezia, Italy 
Manufacturer's part number: SP263-N
RCN Reference Manual: BRCN 4416


 

R-5099/U (Collins HF 2050) RECEIVER

1980s_rxtx_2050_rx_s.jpg R-5099/U receiver. Click to enlarge. The serial number on this unit is 86-0777. (Photo courtesy Toronto Scientific and Surplus) 

Designed by Rockwell-Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and built by Rockwell-Collins Canada (Toronto) for the Canadian Department of National Defense, the HF 2050 was  known by the following military designators: R-5099/U, R-5099A/U, and R-5104/GRC-508. Made between 1984 and 1991, it was the last receiver built by the Collins plant in Toronto before shutting down and was also the world's first DSP receiver. In many ways, it was far more advanced  than anything available at the time.

The R-5099 units have a gray front panel while the R-5104 Army version was destined to have a beige panel.  No examples of this variant were ever seen on the surplus market. The Canadian Navy  was one of the end users of the receiver and the remainder were used by other military customers such as the Canadian Army.

According to Walter Salmaniw of Victoria, BC., "the total production run was somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1,154 units, with virtually all of them going to the Canadian military. There were efforts made to sell abroad and  four receivers made it to Israel. I was on-board HMCS Huron DDH-281 just as the navy was transitioning from the HF-2050 to the Harris RF-590 receiver.  The radio room had a stack of seven or eight  2050's, and as I recall there were a couple more elsewhere on the ship. The only problem with the 2050 is the lack of proper power supply cooling.  Without a fan retro-mounted on top of the chassis, the temperature inside the chassis can easily reach over 180 deg F. Overall, the 2050 continues to be an incredibly reliable machine as long as the power supply is kept cool with fans".

Other users have reported less-than-optimal tuning rates. A photo of an acceptance tag indicates a date of Feb 25, 1988. The DND stock number for the R5099/U is 5820-21-895-6263.  Collins identified this receiver as part #622-6577-002.

Gus Davidson provides some figures which illustrate the deployment of the R-5099 receiver in the RCN.
"The Met shack and EWCR also had a couple and I know the 280's and  IRE's had more than their share of anyone else. The table below provides details on deployments on 26 ships and submarines subs, 2 shore stations including transmit sites, 3 nodes, 2 concentrators, 2 training schools and 2 Command HQs. The rest went to the Army for their HF Comms, and Comm Squadrons and some were deployed to the RCAF for use aboard the Aurora aircraft".
 

MACKENZIE 14
SASKATCHEWAN 14
QU'APPELLE 14
YUKON 14
Total =56
GATINEAU 18
KOOTENAY 18
RESTIGOUCHE 18
TERRA NOVA 18
Total=72
NIPIGON 14
ANNAPOLIS 14
SKEENA 14
FRASER 14
OTTAWA 14
SAGUENAY 14
Total=84
PROVIDER 12
PROTECTEUR 12
PRESERVER 12
Total=36
HURON 18
ATHABASKAN 18
IROQUOIS 18
ALGONQUIN 18
Total=72
CORMORANT 6
SUBS 3-4 EA
Total=16
MARPAC OPS COMMCEN 8
MARCOM OPS COMMCEN 10
Total=18
CFFS (E) 8
CFFS (H) OPERATIONS TRAINER 10
CFFS (H) TECHNICAL TRAINER 10
Total=28
ALDERGROVE/MATSQUI-20
MILL COVE/NEWPORT CORNERS 20
Total=40
2 Concentrator Sites:
NANAIMO 10
EAST COAST /(CARP?) 10
Total= 20
Each ship that had 2050's fitted also carried at least one complete unit as an onboard spare. Add another 22 for ships (no subs). 3 Node Sites:
DEBERT, PENHOLD, TRENTON. 10 at each site
Total=30
NAVY GRAND TOTAL = 500

SPECIFICATIONS:

Modes of operation: CW, AM, USB or LSB, (ISB optional), and FSK (with external modem)
Frequency range: 14 KHz to 29.999 99 MHz in 10 Hz increments.
Frequency stability: Less than +/- 1 x 10E-8 at 0 to + 50 degrees C. Drift rate of not more than 3x 10E-8 per month.
Channeling speed: 50 ms maximum
Preset channel memory: 30-channel capacity initially. Each channel contains frequency, mode, bandwidth, AGC, and BFO information. Later versions of the software permitted the expansion of preset memory from 30 to 100 channels.
Sensitivity (SSB): 14 KHz to 500 KHz: 2.5 microvolt for 10 dB (s+ n)/n. 500 kHz to 29.999 99 MHz: 0.82 p V for 10 dB (s+ n)/n.
Image rejection: 80 dB minimum.
Speaker: 2.5 watts peak into 8 ohms; maximum 5% distortion
Bandwidths: 2.80-KHz USB/LSB/ISB;  0.3-KHz, 1.0-KHz CW; bandpass filters 3.2-KHz; 6.0-KHz AM bandpass filters.
Antenna input impedance: 50 ohms nominal, unbalanced 2:1 VSWR  maximum for 2.0 to 29.999 99 MHz

Power requirements: 115 V ac +/- 10%, 47 to 63 Hz, single-phase ac; 100 W nominal
Enclosure: 19" rack is standard. It can also be mounted in a desk-top enclosure or in a console.
Environmental Temperature: Full performance: 0 to +50 degrees C (+32 to +122 degrees F).
Physical Size: 5.25 in  high x 19 in. wide x 19. 6 in deep  with handle
Weight: 17.2 kg (38.0 lb) maximum.

RACAL URR-502A (R 5032)

1980s_rxtx_racal_urr502a.jpg
Racal URR-502A LF/MF/HF Receiver with the CV-5046/URR LF converter above it. The URR502A is a basic URR501 fitted with the CV 5046 low frequency converter and both in a common cabinet.(Photo courtesy Canadian Navy) 

BASIC RECEIVER SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Range - 980 KHz to 30 MHz (will tune down to 500 KHz with a slight reduction in sensitivity).
Stability - After warm-up period of two hours, overall frequency drift shall be less than 50 Hz.
Modes -AM, CW, MCW, FSK, FAX.
Power Requirements: 100/125 VAC or 200/250 VAC 45/65 Hz. 85 watts . Single phase.
RCN stock #5820-21-804-2324

TERMINOLOGY FOR THIS RECEIVER

R 5032  is the basic  HF Receiver
CV 5046 is the LF Converter.
AN/URR 501 - R5032 HF receiver mounted in a rack.
AN/URR 501A- R5032 HF Receiver mounted in cabinet
AN/URR 502 - R5032 HF Receiver and CV 5046 LF converter mounted in rack.
AN/URR 502A- R5032/URR  HF Receiver and CV 5046/URR LF converter mounted in cabinet CY-5099/URR.
Dimensions: 16" H x 20.5 "W x 22" deep.
Weight: 100 pounds
Applicable manuals : BRCN 4265

The Racal name derives from the receiver's two designers who were RAymond Brown and George CALder (Jock) Cunningham.

BASIC OPERATION

The Receiver R-5032A/URR is a triple superheterodyne receiver employing electronic band-switching in steps of 1 Mc. Fine tuning is accomplished by means of a very stable interpolation receiver covering a spectrum of 1 Mc. A 60-inch film scale is provided, accurately calibrated in 1 kc divisions (kilocycles dial). A number of audio and IF outputs are provided and a small loudspeaker is fitted for monitoring purposes.

Input signals are applied through an antenna attenuator to the RF amplifier; they are amplified and passed through a low pass filter to the first mixer. Here the input signal is mixed with the output of the first VFO which may be tuned between 40.5 and 69.5 Mc. The output of the first mixer is a 40 Mc first IF which is fed through a band pass filter to the second mixer. At the second mixer the 40 Mc IF is mixed with a 37.5 Mc frequency to produce a 2 to 3 Mc second IF. Harmonics from a 1 Mc crystal oscillator are mixed with the first VFO output and passed through a filter to obtain the 37.5 Mc frequency. The second IF is applied through filters to the third mixer where it mixes with the output of the second VFO to obtain the third IF which is 100 kc. The signal is amplified in a 100 kc IF amplifier strip and then demodulated in a detector stage. The demodulated signal is further amplified by an AF amplifier and then fed to the various receiver outputs.

A crystal calibrator, controlled by the 1 Mc crystal oscillator, provides 100 kc check points for the second VFO.
Noise limiting, AVC and VFO stabilization circuits are incorporated; and a BFO is provided for CW reception. The receiver is operated locally, or may be operated remotely by a suitable remote control unit.

CV-5046/URR LF CONVERTER

Frequency Range - 10 to 980 KHz
Stability - After warm up period of two hours,  overall frequency drift shall be less than 50 Hz.
Modes - AM, CW, MCW, FSK, FAX
Power Consumption : 100/115 VAC or 220/250VAC, 45/65 Hz. 11 watts (for tube heaters)

The components of the converter are mounted on a front panel and main chassis assembly which is suitable for rack mounting, or mounting into cabinet CY-5099/URR.
All operating controls are located on the front panel. External cabling is connected at the rear of the main chassis.

The equipment measures 3-1/2 inches high by 19 inches wide by 13 inches deep and weighs 13 lb.

BRIEF TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The RF Converter is basically a frequency convertor which raises the frequency of incoming signals by 2 Mc. Wide band or tuned amplification may be selected. Internally , the circuits  an RF amplifier and filter, a harmonic generator and filter, a mixer stage and a cathode-follower output stage.

Incoming signals are amplified by the RF amplifier and fed to the mixer. A 1 Mc frequency from the receiver R-5032A/URR is used to excite the harmonic generator which provides an output of 2 Mc. This 2 Mc frequency is mixed with the received signal in the mixer stage. The output of the mixer is a signal in the frequency band from 2.010 to 2.98 Mc. This signal is fed to the cathode-follower output stage. The output from the convertor is fed to Receiver R-5032A/URR. When operating in the VLF/LF Band the convertor replaces all stages of receiver R-5032A/URR prior to the second IF amplifier. The converter requires an antenna system separate from that provided for the associated receiver.

Applicable  Handbook: BRCN 4265


Contributors and Credits:

1) RCN's AOR/TRBL/ISL/265/IRE/MACK Class Equipment Handout. September 1985.
2) Tom Brent <tgb(at)telus.net>
3) R1051B Specs. http://www.acadiacom.net/nlee/r-1051_specs.html
4) Toronto Surplus and Scientific http://www.torontosurplus.com/hf2050/hf2050.htm
5) Walter Salmaniw <salmaniw(at)shaw.ca>
6) http://bryant.ceat.okstate.edu/collins2.htm
7) http://www.w8zr.net/vintage/receivers/hf2050.htm
8) Gus Davidson  <Gus.Davidson(at)phoneexperts.com>
9) RF-505 photo http://www.oldradios.co.nz/forsale/radios/rf505a/harrisrf505a_5_hires.JPG
 


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Dec 19/08