[AMRadio] 51J-4 with S-line knobs

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 12:56 AM, Rick Poole <wa1rkt at arrl.net> wrote:
>
> What can you all tell me about the Collins 51J-4 that came with
> S-line knobs? Some research indicates that only the latest 51J-4s
> were so equipped, and the labeling on the front panel also uses a
> slightly different font from the previous models. So are these
> considered more or less desirable than the ones with the Dekaware
> knobs? Were they part of some special contract?

They're only better by virtue of using slightly newer components.
Unless you're a collector who needs one of each example, there's no
real benefit that I'm aware of to seeking one out as you'll still need
to check and replace out-of-spec components. Collins did a better job
here than most by using mil-spec components, but they're still 50 yrs
old. The late model J-4s were made into the early 60s.

Colors vary too. I've seen battleship gray, seafoam green(NASA and
AF), even hammertone gray built for Berkley Instruments and labeled as
such.

At the end of the day, they're still a 51J. I prefer the older style
knobs myself. The S-Line knobs with their smaller skirts look odd and
out of place to me.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4