German WWII Kriegsmarine Military (Naval) Radio Receiver Lo6K39a in Operation

This short wave receiver was manufactured for the Kriegsmarine by the Lorenz company. It weighs 65 kg (143 lbs). It was used on battleships like the Prinz Eugen or the Bismark, and it was used in u-boats. Many coastal ground stations also used this receiver. Rommel's Afrika Korps used the Lo6K39a as well because of its incredible sensitivity to intercept enemy transmissions. This is one of the most sensitive short wave receivers ever built, and it must have cost the Germans a large sum per unit. Like with many other radio sets produced specifically for the military, the amount of intricate hand assembly and precise engineering used here is unequaled for that time period. The purpose for this receiver's design is very unique. It is a Tuned Radio Frequency receiver for a reason. On superheterodyne receivers, the oscillator generates a weak signal at the required intermediate frequency. There is a danger, however small, that this signal escapes the receiver through the antenna, and will be triangulated by enemy direction finders.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• WWII
• german
• radio
• war
• kriegsmarine
• technology

[caddydave]

Yuri! That is very impressive! Do you have any idea how many of these radios were built? How many are still around? Will it fit in a Panther?

[ydesyatnik]

Thanks Dave! There were probably less than 1000 of them built. Not many around - I've seen no more than 10 in peoples' hands.

And it WILL fit in a Panther :-) - but you won't be able to talk to other Panthers with it. You'll be able to hear marine traffic though.

[Suzuki750E]

Why was the photograph on the radio case?

[ydesyatnik]

The person who sold me this radio said that the radio operator in the photo significantly resembled him in his youth, so he placed the photo in the frame. I have not removed it, for the very same reason.

[bestafaro]

This is an excellent CW-receiver. Not so good on telephony. Used it as a young ham in the 1950s. Norway had more than it's fair share of Nazi-Germn radios !

[chicamuxenroad]

You are correct. My commit removed.

I spoke too quick. Frequency displayed in

MHZ was SOP in Germany. As I have found out.

The in the US we started using MHZ some time in the 1960's I think, then We stopped using MC and KC on our Radio dials I stand corrected. I Learn something new.

Thanks. By the Way, Great Radio!

[ydesyatnik]

Every single WWII German radio that I have states the frequency in MHz.

[JohnsonJay00]

That's a very nice radio....haven't seen one of those before. Nice video though, you'll have to make another video when conditions are better! Thank You for sharing. 73's SSB-139L

[umajunkcollector]

most facinating.

I once had a Hammerlund Super Pro 600, but it needed some work, I heard it was a great radio too. I'd like to have one in tip top shape to mess around with, and it would be really kewlto compare the two side by side.