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write your own review of the Datron-Transworld PRC-1099.
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KA4KOE
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 27, 2007 09:58
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Quirky but Nice
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Given the prices of most surplus HF manpacks, ie PRC104, PRC132, PRC74, etc., a used PRC1099 is a good deal at around 1700 if you can find one.
Datron now sells a PRC1099a. The 1099 versions are nearing 20 years old, and as such, are sure to have minor problems. But given their modular nature, are imminently repairable if you have the skill. Datron still repairs these rigs.
Most of these rigs have an FMing issue that is easily solved by a mod outlined by Mark KI0PF.
True, the mechanical construction is not up to par with top of the line US Military standards, but this rig is not meant for that use. You'll find it in third world nations, AND also being used at McMurdo Station, South Pole.
A LOT of manpacks other than US issue are using the PRC nomenclature in some manner or other.
Most of all the radio is ham friendly at 12V.
I love mine because it is convenient, green, and waterproof.
If you are wanting Harris PRC150 quality then be prepared to spend 20K upwards for one. Most of use cannot afford that kind of money.
Of course, the Vertes Standard 1210 is a good alternative, but isn't green.
It all depends on what you like. These radios are hard to come by. I highly recommend any contemplating purchasing a green radio get Mark Francis' KI0PF Book, Milspec Rados for Amateur Use by CQ Magazine.
Philip
KA4KOE
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AC5XP
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Rating: 1/5
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Dec 12, 2006 10:59
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Not worthy to carry a military nomenclature.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Many years ago I bought the PRC-1099 from one of the well-known outlets here in the US. I'm sorry to say that it is a terrible radio.
The receiver is about the worst I have ever experienced; very "nervous" in its behavior, bad AGC action, lots of intermod and a lot of hissing and cracking, not to talk about the terrible synthesizer action.
I returned it immediately to the dealer and was glad to see he refunded me my money.
I have owned more Transworld (now Datron) radios, they all were a disappointment.
I have owned the TW7000F "Fly-away" suitcase radio which has no sensitivity in the higher bands, as well as the RT-100 which has the same kind of "nervous" receiver as the PRC-1099.
The latter is also from a construction standpoint a very bad radio (actually its innards look very much like the PRC-1099)
My conclusion after these bad experiences is that Datron is a "military wannabee" manufacturer, which targets third-world customers on a budget. But no serious army would equip itself with radios like these.
To be fair, the TW7000F that I once owned came with the AT-100 automatic antenna tuner, which is a very good tuner that I have kept and still use today. But as said, do not waste your hard earned dollars on the PRC-1099.
If you want a good man-pack radio that behaves and is built like a real tactical radio, buy the Philips-MEL PRC-2000, or the Rockwell Collins PRC-515 (same as RU-20) instead.
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KA4KOE
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 16, 2006 20:04
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Nice little manpack
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I traded in my Philips-MEL PRC-2000 manpack and got one of these. Be advised the PRC-1099s are difficult to find in the used market: I looked a year and a half and one showed up at Murphy's Surplus.
The rig has some quirks that are common. One in particular is FMing in SSB mode. There are some fixes as outlined by Mark Francis KI0PF in his excellent treatise on military radios for ham use, as sold by CQ Magazine.
The main advantages over the PRC-2000, in my opinion, are as follows:
1. About 1/2 the weight.
2. The antenna tuner is broadbanded and will load up random wires fairly easily, as long as one uses an in-line doorknob cap of about 50-75 PF.
3. Parts and service are still available from Transworld.
4. The radio uses standard family US connectors.
5. The radio runs off of "ham friendly" 12 VDC.
6. Microphones, headsets, etc. designed for the PRC-25 or PRC-77 will work with the PRC-1099/PRC-1099a.
Not a bad manpack at all. Be prepared to troubleshoot, as they can be troublesome before all the kinks are worked out of them.
Philip
KA4KOE
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