[Milsurplus] Longest Serving U.S. Military Radio Set: AN/VRC-12 - The Winner!

[Mike Morrow]

Recently there was a thread here about the longest-serving radio sets used by the US
military.  I was sure that the AN/VRC-12 series deserved top honors.

Today there's an auction for the Operator's Manual TM 11-5280-401-10 for the AN/VRC-12
series at:

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/390221998959

The manual is dated 20 December 1961, which indicates that the AN/VRC-12 series was in
service from that time (or earlier), 50 years ago!

A US Army website article from November 20, 2008, describes the final phase-out of the
AN/VRC-12 series in US Army service:

  http://www.army.mil/article/14412/legacy-radio-system-retired-from-army-guard/

The AN/VRC-12 series (RT-246*/VRC, RT-524*/VRC, R-442*/VRC which make up the AN/VRC-12
and -43 through -49) thus seems to clearly win honors as the longest serving radio set
in general service.  That record doesn't rely on a few isolated old installations (like
citations for the TCS-*, R-23*/ARC-5, AN/ARC-2*, AN/ARC-8, RDZ, BC-639/640, etc.) to
claim the record.

With these two data points, at least 47 years of service is demonstrated.  That is an
amazing record for any electronic system, military or civilian.  Doubtless its designers
will never get the cult-ish admiration that the designers of old Collins or A.R.C. gear
have received.

Mike / KK5F