American Radios Used by Iraqis

We speculated into the possibility of the Iraqi's use of captured equipment they had obtained during their earlier war with Iran. At the same time we asked the question, if this were the case why no U.S. equipment had turned up in their hands? Given that only a few years before both Iran and Iraq had been on friendly terms with the U.S. and supplied via various avenues with vast quantities of all sorts of U.S. equipment. Not to mention the fact that Iran has been domestically producing their own version of the U.S. PRC-77 since 1984 (four years after their disassociation with the U.S., and six years before Desert Storm).

We offered as a possibility for the non existence of this equipment the fact the U.S. Technical Intelligence teems, who are now known to have screened very large quantities of the captured Iraqi radio equipment, might not have allowed equipment of U.S. origin to be retained, or returned home. We sighted the pre-existence of this policy in Vietnam, and the possible political embarrassment as support for this assumption. We now have proof to show that our earlier assumption was indeed true. That Iraqi forces did indeed use equipment that they had captured from Iran, and that some of that equipment was of U.S. origin.

Harris RF-280

Harris RF-280 Last year I was afforded the opportunity to purchase a Harris RF-280. This is a most highly desirable (and expensive) radio that has seen service with the U.S. Military (as the URC-94V), NATO, and numerous other countries around the world. While the purchase deal fell through, and the seller disappeared, some valuable information was gained. The seller of this radio was a Gulf War veteran, and his radio had been brought home from that conflict. While it was strange to find it in the arena he did, it's significance went unnoticed until such time as he needed to effect repairs and he contacted Harris for the needed manuals and parts. Prompted by the markings on the top cover in both Persian, and Arabic, on his radio, he inquired with Harris into it's history. From it's serial number Harris records prove that this radio had been originally sold to the Shah of Iran in the late 1970's. Indisputable proof that Iraq did use captured equipment from Iran, and that at least some of that equipment was of U.S. origin. The Harris RF-280 is a multi purpose digitally synthesised transceiver intended primarily for base or mobile operation. Frequency selection is via 6 rotary knobs. Harris RF-280 Features: * Full 1.5-80mc frequency coverage, with 100cps resolution. * LSB, USB, AM, CW, FM modes. * 100 watts pep (1.5-30mc), 50 watts pep (30-80mc). * Fully Solid State. * Powered from 110/220vac, 12 or 24 VDC ( Via plug in modules ). * Size 7.65"H x 18"D x 19"W, Weight 75lbs. * Original US Navy cost, $26,400.

Harris RF-280 Specifications

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