AN/PRC-77
The AN/PRC-77 is a portable VHF FM manpack radio first introduced in 1968 during the Vietnam War. It served as the primary squad-level radio for US troops up to and including the Gulf War, after which it was phased out by the AN/PRC-119 SINCGARS system.
Contents
Note for mission makers
The PRC-77 can only be carried in backpacks. Attempting to add one to a unit without a backpack or with insufficient room will fail.
Specifications
Frequency Range | 30 to 75.95 MHz |
Output Power | 5 W (in game; in reality varies from 1.5 to 4 watts depending on frequency and radio) |
Antenna | 3 foot (90 cm) steel tape |
Default Frequency | 30.00 MHz |
Frequency Spacing | 50 kHz |
Range | 8 to 10 kilometers, depending on frequency and line of sight. |
Operation
Interface
The Radio Interface is opened using the ACRE 2 Open Radio Interface key (default ALT + CTRL + CAPSLOCK). Unlike the other combat net radios in ACRE, the PRC-77 is an analogue device without any menus or screens or keypads.
Mode switch
This is the primary function switch of the radio; it has five settings:
- OFF
- Turns radio power off. Be warned that the PRC-77 always starts in the OFF position and will be unusable until you turn it on.
- ON
- Turns radio power on. The radio will now transmit and receive.
- Squelch
- Like ON, but enables 150 Hz subtone squelch (Not implemented).
- Retrans
- Enables retrans mode (Not implemented).
- Lite
- Momentarily lights up the frequency display (Not implemented).
Volume switch
Sets the receive volume of the radio. Be warned that the volume knob always starts at 0; you have to turn it up in order to hear anything.
Tuning knobs
Two knobs, one for 1 megahertz increments and another for 50 kilohertz (0.05 MHz) increments. The selected frequency is shown in the display between the knobs.
Upper/lower frequency band switch
This switch toggles between the upper and lower frequency bands that are available. The lower, default, position lets you tune the radio to frequencies from 30.00 MHz to 52.95 MHz, and the upper position is for the 53.00-75.95 MHz range.
Preset buttons
You can save two presets on the PRC-77 by using the two buttons above each tuning knob. Right-click on the button to save the preset, and left-click to recall it.