Maganvox Stealthcomm + GPS

[devicelab]

Did anyone ever use one of these? I guess there was Generation I and also a Generation II. See the ad from Army magazine, circa March 1996.

Patent information: STEALTHCOMM Trademark of MAGNAVOX ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS COMPANY - Serial Number 74354956 - Alter

 

[PACNWDude]

Looks a little like something I saw in Afghanistan in 2004. However, that was Garmin's take on a Rino based Search and Rescue Radio (SAR). Was metal cased, CARC green and looked like the guts of a Garmin Rino in a metal case. It could transit line of sight and to UHF Follow On (UFO) satellites.

Never saw this Magnavox version though. Looks like a possible predecessor of what I saw. The Garmin unit, I have never seen a new or current version fielded. Lots of advance prototypes were fielded for testing over the years, many that never led to any contracts or widespread fielding. I recall the Garmin representative trying to get "lost" units back to the support base I was passing through. At that time, Harris and Thales were also working on "meshed" Iridium interface modules to use the Iridium constellation, and ad hoc mesh networks for search and rescue, as well as casualty evacuation mission comms.

 

[devicelab]

Thanks PACNWDude... yeah this was mid 90s I guess. Oddly it was used in a movie and it looked like some kind of mock-up radio but caught a good screengrab and started down the bunneryhole...

 

[devicelab]

Here's that screen grab:

 

[eorange]

Wow! Magnavox makes me think of only one thing: mediocre TVs. Never knew they had a defense electronics group that was sold to Hughes Corporation.

 

[devicelab]

Wow! Magnavox makes me think of only one thing: mediocre TVs. Never knew they had a defense electronics group that was sold to Hughes Corporation.

You never heard of the SEAL Magnaphone?

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Popular-Communications/90s/Popular-Communications-1993-10.pdf

 

[eorange]

No! Geez. I feel like you're opening a portal to another dimension that I never knew existed!

 

[prcguy]

I've had lots of Magnavox military radios from the PRC-68 to the PRC-68B, PRC-126, PRC-128 and a couple of variants of the PRC-113 series. When I worked for Hughes Aircraft and we purchased Magnavox in the 90s, some software guys in my group got tasked with building up a SINCGARS waveform for the Magnavox/Hughes PSC-5 radio.

No! Geez. I feel like you're opening a portal to another dimension that I never knew existed!
[/QUOTE]

 

[eorange]

Cool stuff & love hearing this history.

 

[KevinC]

No! Geez. I feel like you're opening a portal to another dimension that I never knew existed!

And you’re the “2022 RR Forum Trophy Winner”. Jeez!!!

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

You never heard of the SEAL Magnaphone?

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Popular-Communications/90s/Popular-Communications-1993-10.pdf

Didn't Steven Segal have one of those in a movie? Was that the same movie where he blew up a microwave oven? Putin sure needs his skillz..

 

[chrismol1]

It was real and they actually used it to make calls? That wasn't just a dummy prop

 

[eorange]

And you’re the “2022 RR Forum Trophy Winner”. Jeez!!!

Glory is occasionally saddled with a gap. And yes, the movie was 'Under Siege', which now I have to FF through.

 

[devicelab]

Glory is occasionally saddled with a gap. And yes, the movie was 'Under Siege', which now I have to FF through.

Be sure to watch Under Siege 2.... it was goofy in places but still a decent popcorn flick.

 

[eorange]

Oh I saw both in the theaters when they were released. Re-watched the first one way more.

 

[PACNWDude]

I've had lots of Magnavox military radios from the PRC-68 to the PRC-68B, PRC-126, PRC-128 and a couple of variants of the PRC-113 series. When I worked for Hughes Aircraft and we purchased Magnavox in the 90s, some software guys in my group got tasked with building up a SINCGARS waveform for the Magnavox/Hughes PSC-5 radio.

No! Geez. I feel like you're opening a portal to another dimension that I never knew existed!

[/QUOTE]
Used some PSC-5's even after getting some Harris AN/PRC-117F radios in 1998. The PSC-5's eventually went away around 2007 from my military unit (great satcom radio).

 

[PACNWDude]

You never heard of the SEAL Magnaphone?

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Popular-Communications/90s/Popular-Communications-1993-10.pdf

1993 does not feel like that long ago but seeing some of the now old technology in that magazine link, wow I feel old now. Still use the Pro-200x series scanners now though, and some Optronics gear too.

 

[TDR-94]

There is an L3Harris tactical satellite handheld, the RO-X Tactical, which is a much more modern take on the concept.It has a GUI that is almost identical looking to that of the XL portable public safety radios.

https://www.l3harris.com/sites/default/files/2021-11/RO-X-SATCOM-Radio-Brochure-sas.pdf