Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. These radios were usually carried in canvas bags and used by Navajo Code Talkers and in some cases were used as back up units on PT boats. This example is missing its canvas carry bag. The data plate reads:
TYPE CRI-43044
33.7 POUNDS SERIAL 842
A UNIT OF MODEL TBY-6 RADIO EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURED FOR
NAVY DEPARTMENT-BUREAU OF SHIPS
BY CONTRACTOR
COLONIAL RADIO CORPORATION
BUFFALO NEW YORK
CONTRACT NXSS-20570
Receiver has not been tested so it is unknown if it is in working condition. The green paint is well preserved and only exhibits minor blemishes. The manual exhibits tarnishing, the staples in the binding have rusted, but the pages are well preserved. Overall very good.
The TBY as used by the USMC and Navy during WWII. When carried in its canvas backpack it was slightly splash proof but still not up to the task of amphibious landings unless the individual operators provided additional waterproofing. This era was before MFP – Moisture Fungus Proofing – so we would imagine their life expectancy in a humid Pacific island jungle would be rather short before rain, humidity, fungus, rust, sand and salt water corrosion destroyed them, meaning a pristine example such as this unit is exceptionally rare.
It is known that they were used aboard PT boats as a backup to the TCS sets. After action reports from PT Boat squadrons in the South Pacific / Rendova AOR indicate that TCS comms between the boats and from the boats to base were generally “satisfactory”. Enemy jamming was noted and was effective at times on 3785 kc, one of the operational frequencies in use. When HF radio problems occurred, the reports noted that TBY’s were used to good effect between boats. However weak batteries, beyond their “use by” dates, were a constant problem.
Operating over a frequency range of 28 – 80 MC with about a half-watt output, it provided short range CW and AM voice signals. Between assault troops on the beach and a supporting destroyer the transmit range would be a few thousand yards. In the jungle, not much. The frequency stability was rather poor but the regenerative receiver was relatively wide so they apparently worked reasonably well together – with significant operator training and experience. Using what is essentially a modulated oscillator in the transmitter, they also produced significant frequency modulation as well. Just be sure you don’t have to change frequencies often – in the dark – in combat – in the rain – in the jungle.
There is a fair amount of information on the internet about these radios in technical detail plus a few photos of them in use by the Marines and Navy. Primarily, they were used by the Marines at Guadalcanal, Bouganville, Tarawa, Iwo Jima and other places; and notably by the Navajo Code Talkers who were organic with the Marine Divisions in those amphibious operations.
TYPE CRI-43044
33.7 POUNDS SERIAL 842
A UNIT OF MODEL TBY-6 RADIO EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURED FOR
NAVY DEPARTMENT-BUREAU OF SHIPS
BY CONTRACTOR
COLONIAL RADIO CORPORATION
BUFFALO NEW YORK
CONTRACT NXSS-20570
Receiver has not been tested so it is unknown if it is in working condition. The green paint is well preserved and only exhibits minor blemishes. The manual exhibits tarnishing, the staples in the binding have rusted, but the pages are well preserved. Overall very good.
The TBY as used by the USMC and Navy during WWII. When carried in its canvas backpack it was slightly splash proof but still not up to the task of amphibious landings unless the individual operators provided additional waterproofing. This era was before MFP – Moisture Fungus Proofing – so we would imagine their life expectancy in a humid Pacific island jungle would be rather short before rain, humidity, fungus, rust, sand and salt water corrosion destroyed them, meaning a pristine example such as this unit is exceptionally rare.
It is known that they were used aboard PT boats as a backup to the TCS sets. After action reports from PT Boat squadrons in the South Pacific / Rendova AOR indicate that TCS comms between the boats and from the boats to base were generally “satisfactory”. Enemy jamming was noted and was effective at times on 3785 kc, one of the operational frequencies in use. When HF radio problems occurred, the reports noted that TBY’s were used to good effect between boats. However weak batteries, beyond their “use by” dates, were a constant problem.
Operating over a frequency range of 28 – 80 MC with about a half-watt output, it provided short range CW and AM voice signals. Between assault troops on the beach and a supporting destroyer the transmit range would be a few thousand yards. In the jungle, not much. The frequency stability was rather poor but the regenerative receiver was relatively wide so they apparently worked reasonably well together – with significant operator training and experience. Using what is essentially a modulated oscillator in the transmitter, they also produced significant frequency modulation as well. Just be sure you don’t have to change frequencies often – in the dark – in combat – in the rain – in the jungle.
There is a fair amount of information on the internet about these radios in technical detail plus a few photos of them in use by the Marines and Navy. Primarily, they were used by the Marines at Guadalcanal, Bouganville, Tarawa, Iwo Jima and other places; and notably by the Navajo Code Talkers who were organic with the Marine Divisions in those amphibious operations.
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