BACKGROUND:
Grab a cuppa and please take a seat, this is yet another of my marathon advertisements!
Back in the dim mists of time (around 30 years ago) I had a "fun" time with some portable communications equipment which, for the day, was pretty sophisticated in both design and facilities even using SMD componentry throughout although on the downside, NiCd batteries.
Philips were one of the companies at the forefront of this "new technology" along with the likes of Motorola and the NZ designed and manufactured TAIT equipment which I used to also "dabble in"
These PRP73's from Philips were in widespread use by organisations such as the Defence Department and Law Enforcement, later (in the late '90s) along came the superb (again, for the times) Motorola equipment such as the XTS3000 series portables with fancy features such as the P.25 protocol. All of this equipment were the precursors to contemporary digital communication systems with modern features such as the X.25 protocol and rolling encryption techniques (that is why you cannot overhear on-air Police operations any longer, even if you had a "key", it keeps changing!)
So, moving back to the PRP73 in all it's glory ...
I had a number of these PRP73's for both "fun" and servicing purposes. Most of the "spare parts" found other owners, such as the RF and Control boards but I still retained some funny little bits and pieces over the last 35 years but "the clock is ticking" so I am now hoping to find new owners for these odd (meaning very difficult to find) bits and pieces for the PRP73 portable communications transceiver from Philips.
I am very big on sustainability (retaining and finding new uses for old but fully functional items) so this advertisement details individual items, all pertaining to the case of the PRP73 - bits that would be next to impossible to locate unless you acquired a complete PRP73 transceiver somewhere.
PHILIPS - Portable Communications Transceiver SPARE PARTS (ONLY - NOT a complete unit)
Model: PRP73 (Version 02)
All of these parts are from the PRP73 Keypad Version front case, this is the variation which has the 12 numerical keypad in addition to the six button function keypad.
Designed in Europe but some parts e.g the pots, look to have been locally sourced as these particular PRP73's were locally made in Australia (remember those days when Australia had a solid manufacturing base?)
Circa early 1990's
Each item is described below, if you have that "OMG! I have been hunting for one of those!" moments, just select the item in the checkbox on this page ... easy
1: PRP73 FRONT CASE ASSEMBLY (5322 447 40934) With Some Components
THERE ARE NO ELECTRONICS INSIDE THIS CASE, the side button actuators are fitted and some components do remain ... these being the following
a) Side thumb nut that holds the microphone connector to the side 15 way connector on the case
b) Side 15 way connector with Gold plated pads
c) Special M6 x 0.75 female antenna connector, often referred to as a MFX connector with associated Gold plated spring contact for the RF board (5322 268 90468)
d) 2x sub-miniature sealed "click indent" potentiometers, used for Volume and Program (or Channel). These are actually ALPS from Japan, due to the fact this PRP73 was locally manufactured here in Australia in those days. The Philips parts list shows these as 20% tolerance with a part number of 5322 100 20854. These pots have fluted shafts and no markings other than the manufacturer and country of origin. I have TESTED these pots and they are both 50K in a standard configuration of the track being across the outer pins and the wiper in the centre. Note the "click indenting" used, meaning that the pot has 10 distinct positions, not a smooth movement at all across the 270 degrees rotation. This pins on these pots are VERY short as they are connected to the Flexi cable that runs around inside the case.
e) 6 pad Silicone rubber conductive keypad which provides function control
f) 12 pad Silicone rubber conductive keypad which has the 12x numerical buttons
g) Very thin 35mm diameter 16 Ohm impedance loudspeaker (paper cone not mylar) 2403 99520229 511
h) Retaining spring clip and rubber O ring for the loudspeaker
i) Electret microphone capsule (WB-54B-T) with the rubber boot
j) Flexi cable remains connected to the various components above and the Gold plated edge connector has been retained.
k) Battery release plastic button with spring
l) Clear protective screen for the display
Please examine the photograph to see the components which are included, if you cannot see it ... you guessed it, it is NOT included.
2: PRP73 REAR COVER ASSEMBLY 5322 447 40932
Both the (a) and (b) options do have the thin weatherproofing sealing gasket fitted.
This part uses 6x screws to secure it to the rear of the front section ... note that although I have two rear cover assemblies, only ONE has the pack of 6x screws included
a) Rear cover assembly including the 3x Gold plated spring contact fingers (3 on one side, 3 the other) WITH the 6x screws
b) Rear cover assembly including the 3x Gold plated spring contact fingers but WITHOUT the 6x screws
3: PRP73 RUBBER ANTENNA (UHF)
Short (for UHF) and fat, measuring 168mm length x 15.1mm diameter! Fitted with the special MXF male mating screw connector.
4: PRP73 MXF Antenna Socket (Female) with hardware 5322 268 90468
This is the special case mounted RF connector for the antenna. A special top nut (slotted type, similar to those used with collet knobs) and a sealing O ring. Rear (inside the case) hardware is included.
5: PRP73 LOUDSPEAKER SPRING RETAINING CLIP with sealing gasket
6: PRP73 Electret (Condenser) Microphone insert with rubber boot
7: PRP73 12 BUTTON NUMERICAL Silicone Rubber Conductive Keypad
8: PRP73 REAR COVER GOLD PLATED SPRING CONTACT SET (3) both the rear and inside, with screws
9: PRP73 BATTERY RELEASE BUTTON with spring
10: PRP73 50K 20% SUB MINIATURE INDENTED POTENTIOMETER (ALPS Japan) with all mounting hardware
COSMETIC CONDITION:
ALL items are used but in good ~ very good condition
ALL items are clean
Where possible, I have actually tested components e.g the potentiometers, to check their functioning.
Each item is now packed into sealed clear plastic packets, ready to bring life once again to a PRP73 that is being restored to it's former glory!
