The Ukw. E. h is a radio receiver used almost exclusively in the Sturmgeschütz self-propelled howitzers. It operates in the frequency range of 23.1-24.95 MHz, or roughly the 12 meter band.

This is a heterodyne receiver and originally designed and advertised by Telefunken. Most of the existing examples have the SABA mark on them. Receiver chassis is contained in a strong case, and has a cover that clips to the front panel. There are no lugs or projections since mounting hardware is built into tanks. On top of the case are a pair of brass stripes for grounding purposes. Two cables provide the necessary connections between transmitter and receiver - one for side tone, and the other for the antenna.

Translation from Die deutschen Funknachrichtenanlagen bis 1945 - Band 3 "Funk- und Bordsprechanlagen in Panzerfahrzeugen" by Hans-Joachin Ellissen

With the 10-Watt radio configuration 16, were the Sturmgeschützes equipped, as well as some Paks, self-propelled guns, ammunition trucks and vehicles of the order police. The configuration is comprised of the 10 W. S. h, the Ukw. E. h, one loudspeaker LSG (Fu), umformers EUa and U10a, cable connections and a 2 meter whip antenna. Both radio devices operate on a different frequency range from the 10 W.S.c and Ukw.E.e (Fu 5). The technical and structural details of the 10 W. S. h, the Ukw. E. h are almost identical to those of the 10 W.S.c and Ukw.E.e (the Fu16 devices do not have the "yellow stripe" modifications). The scale is divided into 39 channels from 241 -280, while on the Fu5 devices the scale is segmented by 50 kHz markers. The Sturmgeschütz uses a standard 2 meter whip antenna. This antenna is electrically too short for the 12-13 meter wave length of the Fu16 system. As measurements in 1943 have shown, the 2 meter whip antenna was tested against the 3 meter test antenna (~λ/4) and it delivers lower power by approximately a 2-4 factor in field strength (6-10 dB). The 3-meter recommended antenna was not installed, instead, a loading coil was installed in the antenna connection box Kasten 2a. The range for the 2 meter rod antenna for telephony between vehicles is 2-3 km, with CW is about 3-4 km, and a 3 meter rod antenna would have added about 1 km to both (depending on terrain).

The Sturmgeschütz - motorized and armored self-propelled large-caliber howitzers, introduced relatively late by the Wehrmacht. The low, turretless and fully tracked vehicles were designated as a support weapon for the infantry (Heer). After tests with chassis from Panzer II, Panzer III and IV (1936-1938), in 1939 at Herbst, a production batch was created of 30 Sturmgeschützen III (Ausf. A) (Sd.Kfz 142) with the short 75 mm cannon (L/24). The chassis of the Panzer III was chosen as a basis. The radio equipment was one UKW receiver (probably a Ukw.E.c1)

The Panzer III chassis enjoyed rapid development and improvements through 1941, and the Sturmgeschütz naturally benefitted from these changes. During the years of 1939 through 1941, Sturmgeschütz models A-E were developed. Versions B-D were equpped with the Fu 16 SE 10 U (Ukw.E.h and 10W.S.h) with the frequency range of 23.1 to 24.9 MHz. At this time there was no on-board intercom system, even though there was a 4-person crew - commander (also radio operator), gunner, loader, driver - radio operation was monitored over a 4-Watt speaker (L.S.G. (Fu)b). Driving orders were communicated from the commander to the driver through an acoustic tube. The platoon commander, artillery chief and detachment commander led their units from a le.gep. Beob.Wg.Sd.Kfz. 253 (SPW).

These procedures were fundamentally changed in 1941 with the delivery of the Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. E. All new manufactured Sturmgeschütze had the Fu 16 + Fu 15 (Ukw.E.h) configurations, along with the on-board intercom systems with the amplifier and intercom box Pz.Nr. 24. Platoon and battery command vehicles were equipped with this configuration, while the standard Sturmgeschütz only had the Fu 16 set-up.

Externally, the command Sturmgeschütze had two 2-meter rod antennas, each on the left and right sides of the motor separation bulkhead. In the right section of the interior, the loader operated the Fu 16 equipment with its own antenna, while in the left section, the commander operated the Ukw.E.h, also with its own antenna. While interaction with the Fu 16 occurred though the on-board intercom box, the Fu 15 receiver could be heard through the loud-speaker.

In 1941, previously manufactured Sturmgeschütze of the Type A-E could be converted configuration established by the Ausf. E radio and intercom concept, whereby any additional radio equipment was installed in the rear wall because of the lack of the right extension in brackets to the crew compartment.

During the course of the war, the task of the Sturmgeschütz changed. Initially designated as a mobile piece of artillery, the Stug got a longer cannon, more penetration power and accuracy were now possible with the Sturmgeschütz Ausf. F/8 and G (Sd.Kfz. 142/2) models. More and more the Sturmgeschütze were being used as tank destroyers. The cannons had major sighting modifications made, along with the entire vehicle to adjust to its new role.

The latest deveopments of the heavier guns and the stronger armor of the vehicle required heavier-duty chassis, so in 1943, the Sturmgeschütz IV was produced for the Panzer Artillery (Sd.Kfz 163) and in 1944 the Panzerjäger IV/70 (Sd.Kfz.162/1) and the Jagdpanther (Sd.Kfz. 173) and the Jagdtiger (Sd.Kfz. 184 and 186).

The radio equipment had to be modifed to conform with the new task of the Sturmgeschütze. As a mobile artillery vehicle, the Fu 16 and Fu 15 configuration was the one used. As a tank destroyer, the Fu 5 and Fu 2 configuration was the appropriate one for stand-alone detachments or in Panzer regiments, with the proper on-board intercom systems for a 5-man crew of the Jagdpanther, or the 6-man crew of the Jagdtiger. With the smaller Sturmgeschütz IV/70, the four-person crew was supplemented by a radio operator who sat in the front of the Sturmgeschütz and also manned the built-in machine gun. There is currently no information available about possible additional radio equipment and the type of on-board intercom system.They probably corresponded to the equipment of the Jagdpanther command vehicles or Fu 8, Fu 7 and Fu5 and Bordsprechanlage 11 (and from 2/45 all vehicles standardized to the Bordsprechanlage 20).

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