Everyone of us, despite the age, has weak points. One of mines, if we talk about radio, is low VHF manpacks. So, it didn’t surprise me, this morning, when we got downstairs to check if Santa had been here, and found – among other presents – a huge dark green pack. It revealed a Tesla RF-10 trasnsceiver. Santa well know kids all around the world, and what they have a crush on!
The story of this manpack is pretty simple. Italian hams can find it on November’s issue of “RadioRivista”, told by mil radios diehard William They (IZ4CZJ). For everyone else, I’ll try to give you a peek. This RTX has been requested to Tesla by Czech Army in 1976, to have a “proprietary” radio for their troops (it seems that, as Germany with NATO/US equipment, they couldn’t stand the idea of having to rely on russian gear). It has been used, until 2000, by Border Guards and Advanced Pioneer Corps.
For the era it got built, the RF-10 had absolute pros in a very lightweight (3 kilograms including battery, antenna and headset) and compact (30 x 20 centimeters) setup, and in its advanced technology. Ancillaries include two whip aerials (one of around 120 centimeters, and the other half that lenght), as well as a couple wire ones, to increase its coverage performance. There is also a green plastic rucksack, to carry the radio on the chest, or on the back, and a couple straps for a quick shoulder, or waist, transportation.
As for technical specs, the RF-10 can cover range between 44,00 to 53,975 MHz, with 25 kHz step (so, perfect for the 6 meters amateur band). Power is 1,3 W, and mode narrow FM. On the front panel, further than frequency and volume regulations (rtx features the auto squelch circuit with medium and low levels that Clansman users will be familiar with) there are the two antenna connections (balanced Kulikow and BNC at 50 Ohm).
I love this kind of transceivers because they’re wonderful for use in pedestrian mobile configuration. However, this one looks like a global taker, as the ones I used so far are all in the name of weight. PRC-351 is a master of performance, but we’re around 10 kilograms. PRC-350 is less heavy, but more than the Tesla. Also, it has to be considered that first test showed encouraging results: the RF-10 sounded to my ears, in terms of audio reproduction and of modulation quality, as the best manpack of this “specie” ever. Another pro is the fact that supply needed is not the odd 24 volts, but a value between 4,5 and 7 volts, that can be provided through commercial batteries.
If you’re now willing to know more about this Czech radio, be aware of a couple sites can tell you litterally everything. The first is named “Vojenskà radiostanice RF-10″ and it’s here. It’s in original language (but can be easily translated with the auto Google system), and you can download all the documentation relating to the radio (manual and schematics). Other one is in English, and it’s a very in-depth look at this manpack by Brooke Clarke. Enjoy the reading, and consider including this manpack in your next Santa letter! Meanwhile, look for me on 50 Megs!

73 de Chris