The Signal Corps Radio (SCR) was a U.S. Army military communications component that comprised "sets". Under the Army Nomenclature System, the abbreviation SCR initially designated Set, Complete Radio, but was later misinterpreted as Signal Corps Radio.
Nomenclature The term SCR was part of a nomenclature system developed for the U.S. Signal Corps, used at least as far back as World War I. Three-letter designators beginning with "SC" were used to denote complete systems, while one and two-letter designators (such as "BC", for basic component, "FT" for mounting, etc.) were used for components. Only a few system designators were used: SCM Set, Complete, Meteorological SCR Set, Complete, Radio SCS Set, Complete, System
SCR radio sets The U.S. Signal Corps used the term "sets" to denote specific groupings of individual components such as transmitters, receivers, power supplies, handsets, cases, and antennas. SCR radio sets ranged from the relatively small SCR-536 "handie talkie" to high-powered, truck-mounted mobile communications systems like the SCR-299 and large microwave radar systems such as the SCR-584 radar.
SCS The SCS designator was applied to groups of SCR-numbered sets comprising an extensive system, such as multiple radio sets employed in a ground-based fighter direction/control center. The SCR designator could be a single transmitting or receiving set, or a full set of both transmitting and receiving equipment.
Additional designators An additional designator, "RC" was used for subsystems or groups of accessories. The Joint Electronics Type Designation System which came into use in 1943 absorbed or superseded the SC designations.
SCR communication radios by branch use This is only a general list, quite a few radios crossed over between branches.
Armor SCR-78 SCR-189 SCR-245 SCR-508 FM SCR-510 FM
Artillery SCR-109 SCR-136 SCR-161 SCR-178 SCR-179 pack SCR-194 SCR-608 FM SCR-610 FM SCR-619 FM
Infantry SCR-77 SCR-131 SCR-195 SCR-284 SCR-300 FM SCR-536 SCR-694
general use/command SCR-50 SCR-97 SCR-101 SCR-105 SCR-124 SCR-171 SCR-177 SCR-193 SCR-299 SCR-506
Cavalry SCR-44 mule pack SCR-49 mule pack SCR-127 mule pack SCR-130 mule pack SCR-179 mule pack SCR-203 mule pack SCR-511 pogo stick
Coast artillery/AAA SCR-162 SCR-543
Air Liaison (ground) SCR-54 SCR-108 SCR-188 SCR-197 SCR-237
Aircraft SCR-62 observation balloon SCR-64 SCR-68 SCR-80 SCR-90 SCR-91 SCR-100 SCR-133 SCR-134 SCR-135 SCR-183 SCR-187 SCR-274 SCR-283 SCR-287 SCR-522 SCR-542 SCR-729 Rebecca Mk IIA transponder
Radar SCR-268 searchlight and gun control SCR-270 mobile long range early warning, VHF SCR-271 fixed long range early warning, VHF SCR-277 radio range SCR-289 improved -270 SCR-527 medium range, VHF SCR-547 microwave radar/optical heightfinder SCR-584 gun control, microwave SCR-602 mobile, short range early warning SCR-658 weather balloon tracker SCR-784 light weight 584
See also Joint Electronics Type Designation System List of U.S. Signal Corps Vehicles List of World War II electronic warfare equipment
References
External links
http://sdr.lib.umich.edu/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015062770162 signal corps storage catalog 1920 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t01z43t27&seq=62 early systems (Radiotelegraphy, U.S. Signal Corps, 1914 edition, pages 56-113.) http://www.qsl.net/pe1ngz/army/army-us/us-comm.html