Radio cabin
The transceiver radio system installed in the left hull, consisted of:
1 on-board transmitter of R.A.400 / 1 type with short and long waves of Allocchio Bacchini construction
1 receiver on board A.R.5 of Allocchio Bacchini construction
1 square of maneuver
1 radiogoniometer medium and long waves Telefunken type Spez 173 N. with rotating frame of shielded type
1 plane [antenna] for short and long waves fixed from the wings to the triangle helm
1 aircraft [antenna] 100 meters yarn with lead weight on winding tambourine for long waves
1 generator on the R.A.400 wing with self-regulating reel
1 accumulator battery in Marelli buffer of the type 5 XCM 9 / TV
on the apparatus of the 8 squadron heads, 1 radio signaling device for the transmission of orders to the other apparatus of the R.A 351/1 type formation built by SAFAR on the specifications of the Guidonia DSSE; consists of a tiny transmitter to which, for the small size, cruise passengers gave the name radiobalilla.
On board transmitter R.A.400 / 1
Dimensions: 40.4 x 42.4 x 26.3 cm
Weight kg 23
Filament power supply power 40 watts, anodic power 400 watts
Antenna power over 150 watt long wave, on short wave 80-90 watts
Variable short wave range wave field with continuity from 26 to 60 mts, variable long wave range with continuity from 550 to 1130 mts
Long waves in telegraphy km 1200, in phonogram 400 km short waves - variable according to the wavelength and according to the transmission hours
Valves: Telefunken
Receiver A.R.5
Range: 21 - 1800 m in 5 sub-systems
Valves: Marconi S22, Philips 424, Philips 443
Circuit: jet
Telefunken Spez Radiogoniometer 173 N
Range: 400 - 1700 m
Valves: 9 x RE144
Circuit: direct amplification
1 radio signaling device of the type R.A 351/1
Technical data:
1 transmitter hood that used 3 valves and operates on 3 ranges (long waves from 300 to 1000 kHz, medium waves from 850 to 1500 kHz, short waves from 3.5 to 8.5 MHz) with telegraphic and telephone modulation, or with carrier interrupted telegraphy;
1 receiver hood that used 4 valves working on 6 ranges (from 7.0 to 15 MHz, from 3.8 to 15 MHz, from 1.8 to 4.1 MHz, from 0.85 to 2 MHz, from 350 to 890 kHz, from 160 to 420 kHz)
Following some images; click to enlarge
View of the radio booth and the Telefunken radiogoniometer |
R.A. 400 radio transmitter |
R.A. 400 generator for R.A. 400 radio transmitter with self-regulating reel |
A.R. 5 radio receiver |
Electric schema A.R. 5 radio receiver |
Telefunken Spez 173 N radiogoniometer |
Electric schema of Telefunken Spez 173 N radiogoniometer |
Radiotelegraphist on board. Taken from the film Luce. |
On-board radiotelegraphist using the key. Taken from the film Luce. |
A.R. 5. radio receiver taken by film Luce. |
On-board radio operator using the receiver A.R.5. Taken from the film Luce. |
On-board radio operator who turns the crank to pick up the antenna wire. Taken from the film Luce. |
The antenna wire is retiring. Taken from the film Luce. |
Radiotelegraphist using the button. Taken from the film Luce. |
On-board radiotelegraphist who records a reception in the logbook. Taken from the film Luce. |
On-board radio receiver on board. Taken from the film Luce. |
On-board radio receiver on board. Taken from the film Luce. |
R.A.400 generator in action. Taken from the film Luce. |
On-board radiotelegraphist using the radiogoniometer. Taken from the film Luce. |
Radiotelegrafista a bordo che utilizza il radiogoniometro. Tratto da filmato Luce. |
External antenna in flight. Taken from the film Luce. |
Radiotelegraphist on board. Taken from the film Luce. |
Balbo's North Atlantic Flight in 1933 
