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Signal Corps FT-243 Crystal Case Box BX-32A for the SCR-610 & SCR-509/SCR-510 in Excellent Condition

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MPN:
BX-32A
Condition:
Used
Shipping:
$18.00 (Fixed Shipping Cost)
  • Signal Corps FT-243 Crystal Case Box BX-32A for the SCR-610 & SCR-509/SCR-510 in Excellent Condition
  • Signal Corps FT-243 Crystal Case Box BX-32A for the SCR-610 & SCR-509/SCR-510 in Excellent Condition
  • Signal Corps FT-243 Crystal Case Box BX-32A for the SCR-610 & SCR-509/SCR-510 in Excellent Condition
  • Signal Corps FT-243 Crystal Case Box BX-32A for the SCR-610 & SCR-509/SCR-510 in Excellent Condition
$49.99
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Description

Signal Corps FT-243 Crystal Case Box BX-32A for the SCR-610 & SCR-509/SCR-510 in Excellent Condition

 This box has about 120 spots to insert FT-243 crystals. The top cover has the felt to hold them in place.

 
 
The Signal Corps Box BX-32A (labeled as "Box BX-32-A" or similar) is a military storage/transport case specifically designed to hold FT-243 quartz crystals. These Bakelite-cased crystals were the standard type for crystal-controlled frequency selection in many U.S. Army WWII and early postwar FM vehicular radios.This box was primarily used with the SCR-610 radio set (and closely related variants like SCR-509/SCR-510 in some configurations). These were short-range, low-power FM voice transmitter-receiver systems operating in the VHF band (typically 20–27.9 MHz for armor/tank versions or 27–38.9 MHz for artillery/infantry support variants), with ranges around 5 miles. They were commonly mounted in jeeps, tanks, armored vehicles, and other mobile units for tactical communications during World War II and into the Korean War.
  • Key component: The radio's core transmitter-receiver unit was the BC-620 (for SCR-509/510 series, 80 channels/crystals, 20–27.9 MHz) or BC-659 (for SCR-610 series, often 120 channels, 27–38.9 MHz). Both used FT-243 crystals extensively—up to 80 or more installed internally for preset channels, with spares stored in cases like the BX-32A.
  • The BX-32A served as a field spare/organizational storage box for these crystals (often holding dozens, with compartments for protection during transport or maintenance). It appears in technical manuals and parts lists for the SCR-610 family (e.g., referenced alongside crystal boxes like BX-40 in later updates, or as part of maintenance chests like CH-72/CH-96).
  • It supported quick channel changes or replacements in the field, as these sets relied on crystal stability for reliable FM nets (channelized to avoid interference).
Related equipment often included power supplies (e.g., PE-117), batteries, and other accessories. The similar CS-137 case (which holds up to 120 FT-243s and mounts in power supplies like PE-120/PE-117-C) was more commonly associated with SCR-509/510/609/610 jeep/tank radios, but BX-32A is documented in SCR-610 contexts as an earlier or alternative crystal storage solution.These items are popular with militaria collectors and ham radio restorers (many FT-243 crystals can be repurposed for vintage or amateur bands).
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