The R-123 “Magnolia” (Р-123 «Магнолия») is a Soviet military HF/VHF radio transceiver designed for use in tanks and other armored vehicles. Manufactured at the Ryazan radio plant, this device was integral to armored vehicle communications for the Soviet Union and its allies.
Deployment
The R-123 set was commonly used in conjunction with the R-124 intercom system in armored vehicles. Introduced in the early 1960s, the R-123 set was adopted not only by the Soviet armed forces but also by other Warsaw Pact members. Additionally, it was exported to countries such as Finland, Egypt, and Iraq, demonstrating its widespread utility and reliability in various military applications.
Technical Specifications
R-123 Radio Transceiver
- Type: FM, superheterodyne radio transceiver.
- Circuitry: Consists of 32 valves and various semiconductor devices .
- Tuning System: In addition to manual tuning, up to 4 preset channels can be selected using a motorized servo system .
- Frequency Range:
- Band 1: 20.00 – 35.75 MHz
- Band 2: 35.75 – 51.50 MHz
- Channel Spacing: 25 kHz .
- Total Available Channels: 1,260
- Transmitter Power: 20 W.
- Range: 20 km
- Antennas:
- Tank rod antenna: 4 m
- Telescopic antenna: 6 m
- Operating Temperature Range: -40 to +50 °C
- Dimensions: 428 × 225 × 178 mm
- Weight: 25 kg
BP-26 Power Supply Unit
- Type: Transistorized inverter
- Input Voltage: 26 V
- Output Voltages: +1.2 V, +6.3 V, +150 V, -150 V, +250 V, and +600 V .
- Dimensions: 210 × 164 × 218 mm
- Weight: 7 kg
References
- “Soviet R-123 Radio Station”. www.kriegsfunker.com. Retrieved 27 July 2018.