http://www.remodeling-trade.com/classic-car-restoration-illinois/
Two-way radios used in 1950s by Illinois State Police?
Does anybody know what types of 2-way radios were used by the Illinois State Police in their squad cars back in the late 1950s, say ‘57 to ‘59? I know they were low-band VHF units, but I’m looking for the make and (if possible) the model.
I know in the 30s/40s they used GE or RCA, but by the 60s had pretty much standardized on Motorola. But the 50s eludes me.
Reason for asking: Restoring a classic ‘57 Ford to its glory days in the I.S.P., and want to install a proper, period-appropriate radio (control head at least) as part of the restoration. Gotta make it look “right,” y’know?
If you have a source for this or other I.S.P. historical information that would help with this project, that would be great!
Thanks!
I was a trooper in Indiana at that time and worked near the Illinois state line. I remember seeing Motorola equipment in their cars. The control heads were under-dash mounted with a separate small speaker, also under-dash mounted. The transceiver units were hybrid (part vac tube and part solid state) mounted in the car trunk. I remember 6146 tubes in the transmitter output stage. These would be some of the first solid state commercial equipment offered by Motorola. I can’t furnish model numbers, however, a commercial repair facility would know. I drove the ‘57 Ford Interceptor, on regular patrol, in Indiana for nearly two years. It was the first really good Ford to come along, for police work. I went from the ‘57 to a ‘59 model, which I didn’t consider to be as good…
BEAUTIFUL 1978 Trans Am
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