If communication is what you want, the current models of VHF hand-held
radios are the hands-down choice. These radios are all solid-state,
very light weight, and highly reliable. They operate in the VHF "high
band", approximately 150 to 165 MHz, which accounts for the shorter
antennas as compared to the old military stuff you mentioned. These
radios are powered by rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries which are
MUCH smaller, lighter, and more economical than the humongous disposable
dry cell battery packs required by the old mil radios.
On the other hand, if simulated military operation is what you want, the
AN/PRC-6 or AN/PRC-8, -9, or -10 would be appropriate for the Korean War
to early Viet Nam era.
The AN/PRC-6 is a hand-held (you need a BIG hand) which operates on one
crystal-controlled chanel within the 47 to 55.4 MHz frequency range
portion of the VHF "low band". It is a vacuum tube radio and uses a
battery pack which, as far as I know, is unavailable from any source.
People have cobbled up battery packs using commercially available
batteries, but that becomes very expensive due to the short operational
life of the batteries.
The AN/PRC-8, -9, and -10 are back-pack sets which have a greater
distance range than the PRC-6. The PRC-8 operates in the frequency
range 20 to 27.9 MHz, the PRC-9 operates in the range 27 to 38.8 MHz,
and the PRC-10 operates in the range 38 to 54.9 MHz. Each set is
continuously tunable within its range. These sets are also vacuum tube
equipped and use unavailable battery packs.
All of the AN/PRC-x sets dicussed are wide-band FM units, i.e., wide
frequency deviation when modulated by speech. Wide-band FM is passe
today for communication use. They also could only be LEGALLY operated
by licensed amateur radio ("ham") operators in the ham band falling
within the particular set's frequency range. Further, vacuum tube
equipment is inherently much less reliable than solid-state equipment.
Hope this is of some help. If further technical info about the military
radios is needed, let me know. I collect those critters (lovingly
called "boat anchors") and have some of the original army TMs for them.
Ed Greeley
Mobile, Alabama