Military Radio Specifications

Radio Set AN/PRC-138

The AN/PRC-138 is a self-contained, manpack or vehicular mounted, HF and VHF radio

set. The heart of the HF radio communication system is founded on the Harris
FALCON™ series of tactical communication products.

Capabilities include frequency coverage of 1.6 to 60 MHz in SSB/CW/AME and FM in the

VHF band with 100 preset channels. Tuning is in 10 Hz increments. DC power to the
radio set is either from the rechargeable 24 VDC batteries (BB-590/U) or from the
equivalent Lithium batteries BB-5590/U. Charging of the BB-590/U batteries is supplied
from an internal battery charger. In the manpack configuration, RF power output from the
AN/PRC-138 is selectable from 1, 5 or 20 Watts in SSB mode or 1, 5 and 10 Watts in FM
mode. The AN/PRC-138 is a manpack companion to the RF-5000 series (HFQRT) of
equipment and offers interoperability features such as ECCM, ALE, plain or cipher voice
and data.

In the data mode, the AN/PRC-138 offers a variety of compatible modem waveforms
which allows it to be integrated in existing system architectures. The built-in modem
allows for MIL-STD-188-110A Serial Tone mode of operation from 75 to 2400 bps, the
Robust Serial mode at 75 bps, a 39-Tone modem and the standard FSK mode of
operation for bit rates up to 600 bps.

Major components of the system include the Harris RT-1694(P)/PRC-138 manpack

transceiver, and for the vehicular version (RF-5200V-150A) the RF-5033PA-150 150
Watt RF linear power amplifier, the RF-382A-02 (CU-2397A/G) fast tune antenna coupler,
the RF-5055-PS AC/DC power supply and the RF-5211-VSM Vehicular Shock Mount.

PUBLICATIONS

Harris P/N CF Publication No. Description

AN/PRC-138
AM-####/U Power Amplifier
Power Supply
10208-5003 CU-2397A/G Antenna Coupler
RF-382, CU-2397 Antenna Coupler
10515-0008-4300
Intermediate Maintenance
PRC-138 Operation and Programming 'sheet card'
ALE Operation and Programming 'sheet cards'
Installation/System Configuration 'sheet card'
 Harris AN/PRC-138 with Amplifier (Shelter Mounted)

AT-1011/U Shelter Mounted Antenna System

Valcom NVIS Whip Tilt

Valcom VBA-9638 Antenna Base
Adapter