WIX Brain Trust: AN-104 Antenna Question

[Taylor Stevenson]

Ok, the Stinson L-5G Sentinel has an AN-104 Antenna mast similar to the mast used on P-51s etc. Also, the L-5G has a wire antenna that goes from the tip of the vertical stab. to just above the pilots head and breaks down to a cone insulator on the roof of the litter bay. I know that a copper wire with ceramic insulation beads runs from the BC-442 Antenna Relay Unit to that cone insulator. My question is, where the heck does the wire / wiring from the AN-104 antenna go? There is a cannon plug on the bottom of the mast, but where do the wire lead? Does it go to somewhere on the SCR-274N Radio Command Set? Anyone have any clues? Below is a diagram I drew of my problem and a photo of the mast on my aircraft. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[mlenoch]

To the radio, directly.
I use mine for my #2 comm radio.
VL

[K5DH]

The AN-104 antenna is definitely not part of the SCR-274N, which was an HF radio set that used only single-ended wire antennas. Did the L-5G have the SCR-522 VHF radio set installed? If so, I suspect it was part of that set. We have two AN-104s on Chuckie, and we (like Vlado) have them connected to our Comm radios.

Cheers!

[Taylor Stevenson]

Hmm... no i have no records of the L-5G having the SCR-522... There had to be some reason they installed these on the aircraft. The SCR-274N is the only thing I can think of that would have used an antenna... The L-5G had mounting rails for the SCR-610 jeep radio set, but that had it's own antenna that suck nearly 10ft out of the top of the a/c... could it have had to do with that? We're kind of at a loss...

[Taylor Stevenson]

What were they originally used for on P-51s and B-17s? That may give us a clue.

[carseneau]

Hi Taylor
On the P51-H and other Mustangs as Vlado said, the AN-104 antenna connected to the AN/ARC3 radio set used for communications with other aircraft or with the ground.
By the way, we are looking for an AN-104A antenna for our Mustang project if anyone knows where we might find one.
Curt

[omega7]

As mentioned, SCR-522 VHF sets used attached item 14, AN-104-A “Axe Handles” (later AN/ARC-3’s typically used 104-B’s, but some “A’s” were interchanged). Attached is a typical cabling diagram for SCR-522 and attendant components as of 20 June ‘45. If ARC-3 is correct for that airplane, let me know; I likely have that diagram around here someplace. -Adrian

[Taylor Stevenson]

Nope, the ARC-3 was not correct for the L-5G, the ARC-5 / SCR-274N was. I have heard that OY-2 (The navy version of the L-5G) may have used SCR-522s, but what would have the antenna been hooked up to on an AAF bird is my question? This will cause me many sleepless nights... does that mean I have a problem

[K5DH]

The WW2 SCR-522 was the predecessor to the AN/ARC3. Both sets operated in the 100 to 156 MHz VHF band. The Navy had its own version of the SCR-522 also (T-23/ARC5 and R23/ARC5, as I recall).

Taylor, could your ship have had a VHF set (either ARC5 or ARC3) retrofitted as a field mod? Perhaps a previous civilian owner fitted the AN-104 antenna to be used with a modern VHF comm radio?

Cheers!

[Taylor Stevenson]

The AN-104 is not a field mod. It has a mount welded to the airframe and is shown in the factory blueprints, but the blueprints leave out where the heck the wire goes! AHH!!

[CAPFlyer]

Taylor,

My guess is that the antenna was factory installed on airplanes to be available for the installation of an AN/ARC 3 in the field if needed. I know that on the C-47 they had several "spare" antennas for radios that the AAF had said they wanted provisions for but didn't always install because they weren't always needed. This is probably a similar situation. With the need to weld it to the frame for mounting (most likely for grounding considerations), the decision was made to install it at the factory on a certain number of aircraft (or all aircraft) so that it would be available if the unit which was assigned the aircraft needed the radio associated with the antenna installed.

[Robbie Roberts]

AN-104 is part of the SCR-522 set, as specified in TM 11-227 Signal Communication Equipment Directory Radio Communication Equipment 10 April 1944

Have a nice one I just picked up for the WWII aircraft radio display... (Nice antenna, and nice TM 11-227)

Robbie

[Lightning]

Howdy All

Any one know where I could obtain a AN-104A ?

Thanks

Lightning

[carseneau]

Hey Lightening,
We are also looking for an AN-104-A. If you find too many, let me know!
I'll do the same.
Curt

[Taylor Stevenson]

Talk to Lance Aircraft Supply and see if they have one. Also, just keep a lookout on eBay, they show up every now and then.