Description
The F.10 radio-controlled fuze consists of a rectangular receiver case and a rectangular battery case, each 14 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 10 inches high. The two are connected by an electric cable and are usually placed in a rubber bag when installed. The receiver unit consists of a receiver, amplifier, decoding device, clockwork mechanism, antenna socket, and circuit-closer switch.
The antenna may be either a straight or spiral wire; the wiring in a building or even telephone wires may be used. The straight-wire antenna is about 100 feet long and is laid either under ground, under water, or under the foundations of a building. The F.10 may receive at a much greater range with a straight antenna than with a spiral antenna.
The battery life is about 4 days if the set operates continuously. Its life can be lengthened up to 60 days by incorporating a clockwork time switch in the receiver. This switch turns the set on for a 12-to 15-second period every 2 1/2 to 5 minutes.
A standard Soviet Army or commercial type transmitter is used for sending the detonating signals. A modulator “Zalma” and a tuning device “Vozvol” are used in conjunction with the transmitter to tune it accurately.
German experience in World War 2 revealed that almost all of the F.10 fuzes were booby-trapped.
Functioning
Coded radio signals are transmitted at a specific wave length by a controlling transmitter. Each set has a code number painted on its case, indicating the radio frequency to which that set has been tuned. The antenna of the F.10 picks up the coded signal, which is amplified by the receiver unit and then transmitted to the decoding device. When the received signals correspond to the prearranged code, the circuit of a mine-firing relay closes, detonating the charge or charges attached.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
Physical Data
No additional physical data available.
See Also
Source(s)
