Triffid - Tactical radio relay for the 80s

The Triffid Radio Relay Equipment (UK/TRC 471) has been designed to meet the requirements for a new generation of radio relay equipment for the British Army. It is required to operate initially as a replacement for the existing radios used in the Bruin system, and then to be easily converted to form the main trunk radio bearer in the Ptarmigan system which is to be introduced in the early 80s. The Triffid equipment has been designed to handle data rates of 250, 256, 500, and 512k bit/s, thus meeting both Bruin and Ptarmigan requirements by simply setting a front panel switch. A description is provided of the Band III R.F. Head covering the frequency band from 1350 to 1850 MHz. This is the most recently designed unit extending the frequency coverage above the maximum 960 MHz provided by Band II. The Triffid equipment has been subjected to extensive field trials, and the experience gained during these trials has been very encouraging.