(c) 2000,2022 Peter McCollum
The TAR-224 Transceiver
The TAR-224 is a complete radio transceiver. Although it is housed in a single case, the major components are described as the RT-224 transmitter, the RR-224 receiver, a TYPE-224 battery, and the crystal selector CS-224. The manual for it is dated 1 July 1970, and was updated 15 September 1971. The set was produced by AVCO Corporation, Electronics Division, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since the “TAR-xxx” nomenclature does not match the known CIA standards, and the manufacturer’s ID plate is on the sets, it is likely that “TAR-224” is an AVCO designation.
The set is mentioned in a CIA memo from March 1973, where a commo officer travelled with a TAR-224 set and one-time pads. Another memo mentions that 392 sets were being tested in February 1975, and there is mention of needing to identify a repair source for those that failed. By August, a contractor was on duty to work on the repairs. The set appears on a list of equipment used in Angola in 1975, and a former user reports using a TAR-224 in the field (in Europe) as late as 1981. An October 1976 memo mentions that KE/M-8 keyers [a modified version of KE/G-8], were about to be shipped with TAR-224 sets.
The time of the TAR-224, the 1970's, represents the beginning of a transitional period for U.S. Clandestine radios. Custom-designed agent radios for long-range communications are being replaced by more commercial-oriented devices and communication networks. CW and Morse code is about to be replaced by complex digital modulation schemes. There is less interest in hiding the origin of the equipment, as seen in this case by the manufacturer's name being included on the ID plate.
This set shows some influence from the military community in the design, and CIA memos indicate that part of its intended role was in paramilitary operations. The audio connectors mate with U-229 plugs, making them compatible with various military phones and mics, such as the H-251A/U headset. The power connector is a MIL-standard type. These connector choices do not allow “field expedient” hookups, as most of the earlier sets did. The inclusion of the AM transmitter mode may also be a military influence. Clandestine users would normally only require CW, particularly in combination with a burst keyer. A cable-type connector that mates with the 3-pin male POWER connector is the Amphenol PT06A-8-3S. This type of connector is still being made, and sold through electronics distributors.
The TAR-224 set
includes a motor-driven auto-tune system for the transmitter antenna matching.
Gabriele (IK6QNE) reports that the system does not work well with a tuned HAM
antenna. His theory is that the auto-tune is not suitable for a high-Q antenna
– it cannot react fast enough during the scan process, so it fails to stop on
the “peak”. The system may be intended only for simpler antenna systems, such
as a long wire.
The predecessor to
the TAR-224 was the RS-101 and RS-100 – see the “Other CIA Sets” section.
There is also a
“TAR-224A” set, but the differences are unknown. Observed serial numbers show
that the “A” version was NOT the higher serials, as would be expected:
001
106 “A”
193
232
306
315 “A”
328 “A”
359 “A”
382 “A”
398 “A”
410 “A”
437 “A”
444
549
576
583
A
couple of theories to explain the “A” models:
·
There
were two versions of the set made at the same time, with different features or
specs, and the customer could choose. So, an “A” model was not ‘better’, just
‘different’ in some way.
·
Sets
that were reworked had new ID plates attached indicating “TAR-224A”, and the
original serial # was preserved. The rework could have been “MWO 170-1” (see
the picture of the MWO sticker below), or it could have been the repairs made
by WES (see the next paragraph).
Norris D. reports
the following interesting information, and provided the 4 documents linked
below:
I had the dubious fortune to work on
scores of [TAR-224] when I worked for WES Industries in Dumfries, VA in
1971-1972. Evidently, AVCO had run out of resources when the time came to
ship, with the result that the TAR-224 units were shipped without final
testing; and as a consequence most of them didn’t work. WES Industries
must have been the low bidder to put them in working order; we were frequently
the low bidder on security projects of this kind. I was one of two techs
tasked with bringing them to operational condition. [The other tech] and
I disassembled each of the units, made modifications to improve/attain
reliability, fixed the known problems, troubleshot where necessary, and ran
burn-in tests before returning them to the customer.
The most frequent reliability issues
related to solder connections to the ground plane on the back of the receiver
PC boards. Although plated-through holes were a known technology at the
time, AVCO made the through-board connections with eyelets. I don’t know
what those eyelets were made of, but they wouldn’t take solder. We often
resorted to soldering a short length of wire through the holes to pads on each
side of the board.
I used to keep a big, black
shingling hatchet on the wall above my bench, engraved with “TAR-224 Final
Test.” I have that hatchet to this day.
Many thanks to
Norris for these interesting historical documents:
TAR-224 Modification and Assembly Notes
TAR-224 QC and Test Data Sheet
|
TAR-224 Transceiver Specifications |
|
|
Weight |
13.2 lbs, including battery and CS-224 |
|
Dimensions |
7-1/4 x 12-1/4 x 4-3/4 inches |
|
Modes |
AM, CW, keying up to 300 wpm. |
|
Frequency Bands |
2-12, 12-24 MC. Transmitter frequency control options: Individual CR18 crystal installed in the front panel, or CS-224 module provides 30 xtal-controlled channels; or there is an optional synthesizer module. Rcvr is tuned by VFO, or is spotted against xmtr. The xmtr includes a motor-driven auto-tune capability to match the antenna. |
|
Power Input |
12 VDC, transmit 4.3 amps nominal, 5.9 amps maximum; receive 50 ma. A rechargeable NiCd battery pack (TYPE-224) mounts in a compartment on the front edge of the case. |
|
Power Output |
20 watts RF nominal, 2 mw audio into 500 ohms |
The TAR-224 transceiver.
A TAR-224 transceiver with the CS-224 crystal selector installed. The plastic lid is visible in the background.
The AC power supply for the TAR-224 set, model W12-6, made by RO Industries. Note that the designation and manufacturer is marked on the set, and it is not a military designation. Image courtesy of Gabriele IK6QNE.
A view of the ID plate. Note that it names the manufacturer.
It is unknown what was changed for MWO 170-1.
A complete TAR-224 set was found in Belgium, with
all components in the case shown here, which has a U.S.-made lock/latch. In
addition to the radio, the case contains an AC power supply (see the picture
above), crystal selector module, battery, antenna, headphones (standard
military H251/U), handset (H250 type), and a device which may be a burst keyer. See the following four pictures. Many thanks to Tonny for these images! Tonny
reports that many (more than 20) TAR-224 transceivers have appeared in Belgium
a few years ago.
The CS-224 Crystal Selector module.
The Type 224 battery. It fits in the battery
compartment in the back of the transceiver.
The wind-up antenna.
This device was also with the set from Belgium. It
may be a burst keyer.
This view shows auto-tune motor, the antenna-matching variable inductor (left), and the tuning capacitor (rear center).
The ball-chain is part of the bandswitch mechanism.
The following 3 pictures are believed to be of a prototype frequency synthesizer for the TAR-224 set. The synthesizer is mentioned in the manual, but no details are given. The unit shown here was constructed using the case and panel of a CS-224 crystal selector. It was clearly professionally made, and the smaller chips have date codes from late 1982. Gabriele IK6QNE reports that the synthesizer is functional, however it outputs a signal at all times, even when the transmitter is not active, so it causes a beat frequency in the receiver. Images courtesy of Gabriele IK6QNE. Tonny in Belgium also has one, and his is also built into a modified CS-224 Crystal Selector case.
