Panzer III radio

[Nick Komiya]

Here is how they are shown on a circuit diagram

[Funksammler]

I think the Panzer III at Bovington camp is still fitted with the "Bordsprechanlage Z". this had a 10 channel "Schleifringuebertrager". I think indeed that the black object on the final photograph is indeed the "Schleifringuebertrager". On the original photograph I can just make out the "10" on the type plate and a 1940 date.

regards,

Funksammler

[Funksammler]

I found another picture of the early type of "Schleifringuebertrager":

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=Schleifringuebertrager.jp g" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/Schleifringuebertrager.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I also found a picture of the Funker at work in a Pz III:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=PzIII.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/PzIII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

regards,

Funksammler

[Hue]

I'm not seeing how this distributes the circuits as the turret rotates. The Sherman tank i see from drawings, has something like a slip ring commutator around the circumference of the turret, which looks like a totally different approach. Also what means "if radio unconnected" ? I could understand "radio not installed" but installed, not connected, i do not understand. Also in the PzIII photo, is that fellow holding a cigarette in his hand????

[Yuri D.]

You've got a cylinder with copper rings around it, and rotating paddles that are connected to a flex conduit which connects to the 5c box in the turret. As the turret rotates, the 5c box drags the flex conduit with it, rotating the paddles on the copper rings.

[Nick Komiya]

Radio installed, but not connected is what I mean. The radio units are all in place but all cables pulled out and the raidos get protective panels over their face panels. For operation of the tank in this condition were there the plug holders. They anticipated this as a frequent enough occurrence to install those holders. Why would they often run like that is what I don't understand.

[Funksammler]

A tanks spends only a fraction of it's time in combat, for a lot of time it would be in in depots, in transport, under repair etc. To avoid damage to the radio sets and to ensure absolute radio silence, the radio's were disconnected and their lids were put on, with the power cables plugged into the storage recepticles. If nescessary, the "Funkwart" radio mechanic would remove the radio's for maintenance or repair.

Once in the combat zone the radios were prepared for use and the Funkers were ordered to monitor their command freqeuncy. Radio silence could only be broken once contact with the enemy had been made. In defensive positions, on approach marches, while forming up or during retreats radio silence was to be maintained.

Especially with the later "Z" intercom installation using the "Gelbstreif" sets for amplfiication, the Funker had to take great care to avoid accidental transmission as the radios had to be switched on to operate the intercom. With the later "Bordsprechanlage 20" this problem was largely solved by having a separate intercom amplifier. To operate the intercom, one of the receivers would have to be connected and switched on to provide the power suplly for the "Kasten Pz. Nr. 20" intercom amplifier.

Regulations prohibited smoking in armoured vehicles, as you can see these regulations were often flouted. I guess when you are being ordered to risk your life under enemy fire, causing a fire hazard by smoking seems pretty trivial!

regards,

Funksammler

[Nick Komiya]

Thank you for the informative response. So there must have also been a designated place to keep the other removed cables like those between the Kasten 20 or acessories like the morse key. Was there such a radio acessories box in a tank, and if so what did it look like?