[ARC5] Stromberg-Carlson Model D Aircraft Receiver (RFL, ARC, BRC)

[Mike Feher]

Ferris Radio was also in Boonton and made radios for the military during
WWII. I know, as I had the opportunity go through the remnants about 12
years ago. Came home with truck loads of stuff, but, since the owner died in
the last few years the rest is scattered all over. I even have one of the
original Ferris wheel signs made of aluminum. I went through every inch of
that place on numerous occasions and it really reminded me of ARC. It is
unfortunate that I was not able to get more due to space limitations at my
QTH. I especially regret not getting the original design note books. I hope
whoever did, is taking good care of them and will somehow be able to
disseminate it to the rest of us. One little room upstairs was just stacked
full of nice early stuff. Lots of stuff made for WE, and tons of tubes all
NOS in boxes. I heard rumors that a lot of it was sold by the owner's son on
ebay, but, there was just so much, including the machine shop, that I do not
think all of it could have been sold on ebay. Unfortunately, I bet, most of
it hit the dumpster. The Ferris sign is still hanging on the wall in my
basement. I got the smaller of the two. So, there is another one out there.
Of course, Ferris was more known for the test equipment they made and I
remember back in the 60's my first decent signal generator was a Ferris, I
believe a model 80. 73 - Mike 

 
 
Mike B. Feher, N4FS
89 Arnold Blvd.
Howell, NJ, 07731
732-886-5960
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Mike Morrow
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 10:04 AM
To: ARC5
Subject: Re: [ARC5] Stromberg-Carlson Model D Aircraft Receiver (RFL,
ARC,BRC)

Michael wrote:

>The original path was: Designed by RFL, built by S-C, then installed
>and maintained by A.R.C..   The Model B was an RFL design as was the
>initial work on the Model D.  With the transfer of engineering staff
>from RFL to A.R.C., which was a done deal by 1934, the design effort
>moved placing the entire effort in A.R.C.'s lap.

It would be interesting to see a chronology and outline of the relationships
between Radio Frequency Laboratories, Aircraft Radio Corporation, and
Boonton Radio Corporation, all located in Boonton, NJ.

I have an RFL Type B-3 aircraft range receiver, serial 218.  I don't know
when it was made, but I'd guess in the mid-1930s.  I also have a Boonton
Radio Corp. Type 185 aircraft range receiver, serial 33, made for the USN
[NOa(s) 2876], of WWII vintage.  Size, parts, and construction style of the
Type 185 are vaguely similar to the earlier RFL unit.

The RFL Type B-3 utilizes a brass seal (pin) to prevent outer case removal
without breaking seal.  A plate around this seal says:

             WARNING
   DO NOT BREAK THIS SEAL UNDER
          ANY CONDITION
IF FAILURE SHOULD OCCUR WIRE TYPE AND
SERIAL NUMBER IMMEDIATELY TO THE MAN-
UFACTURERS AND RETURN THE UNIT TO THEM
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  A NEW UNIT WILL BE
SHIPPED PREPAID ON RECEIPT OF WIRE
UNDER CONDITIONS OF GUARANTEE.

RFL's unit must have been considered a pretty high-tech, state-of-the-art
unit.  I guess they didn't want anyone messing with the hardware except
them, even for simple tube replacement.  That sounds like old telephone
company policy!  I wonder how long such requirements were issued or
observed.

>The Type K was completely an A.R.C. project with
>RFL uninvolved with the design at all.

I've seen picures of the Type K receivers that Mike Hanz uncovered, and the
system diagram on Mike's website.  It would be interesting if any components
of the Type K transmitter system still survive anywhere.

Mike / KK5F
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