[ARC5] History of Ham Mods: Opinions?

[Jim Hill]

I was thinking of Dave Stinson's articles and emails when I said 
common sense mods - that info should be included 
(see 
http://www.mines.uidaho.edu/~glowbugs/DaveStinsonARC-5Article.pdf  . 
There is one topic that should be added - how do you connect the 
power connector?  Racks are difficult and expensive to find.  Someone 
told me to just solder to the connector.  The solder could be removed 
should a rack be found. I like Brad Hernlin's mini-banana plug pins, 
but you would need to check with him to see if they will be available 
on a long-term basis.

I'll keep an eye out for the converted BC-453 and let you know if I 
decide to dispose of it.

My first rigs were command transmitters.   I was in college when I 
got my license in 1949 or 1950.  I joined the radio club in the men's 
dorm (W9CLY).  They had a Meissner 150B, if I remember 
correctly.  The person who kept it running flunked out, and none of 
the other members knew how to keep it running.  I certainly didn't; 
all my knowledge could be found in the ARRL license manual.  They 
sold it and used the funds to buy a WRL Globe King, a crystal 
controlled 6L6-807 transmitter.  I wanted a VFO rig, so bought a 
BC-459 and used the Globe King as the power supply.  Almost everybody 
running low power used a command transmitter.

Jim

At 02:13 AM 12/29/2008, you wrote:
>On Sun, Dec 28, 2008 at 9:08 PM, Jim Hill <hro5-2 at cox.net> wrote:
>
> > If you have the time and space, I think it would be an 
> interesting addition.
>
>In my "new and improved" book on A.R.C., I'm planning just that, much
>to the horror and dismay of many.  Okay, a few.  Actually, only one
>really outspoken opponent.  Among the equipment to be set up for
>photographs and description will be a couple of "typical 50s-60s
>Command set conversion" rigs using different approaches.
>
> >  For example, there was the conversion of the BC-453 to an 80 meter SSB
> > transceiver, possibly written by Ed Mariner.  I still have the 
> unfinished rig and book
> > somewhere.
>
>If you happen to find them and need the space, I know a willing
>recipient who'd love to finish it. :-)
>
> > Avoid inappropriate modifications by including a section with common-sense
> > "mods" to get the equipment on the air.
>
>The best "mod" is pretty much none at all by following David's advice
>on getting them on the air.  After perverting a few 'back when, I
>wound up with the same conclusion after talking with a few AAF radio
>types who were pretty insistent I leave them alone and use them as
>built.  Most (but not all) of the ones I have now are converted but I
>should be able to get them back to something vaguely resembling
>original condition without a lot of Really Bad Words.  If I'm lucky
>and use those Really Bad Words just right. :-)
>
>BEst regards,
>
>Michael, WH7HG
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