AN/PRC-77

File:PRC-latrun-exhibition-1.jpg

AN/PRC-77 radio

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.

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

PRC-77 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.