[ARC5] ARC-5 Mods

[Kevin Berlen]

Hello Dave,

My original BC-455 came from Fair Radio, and was in far from pristine
condition. The top cover for the tube compartment had several studs
missing, and much of the paint had been beat off it as well. I had
a great disappointment when it arrived, because it looked like a
pile of junk, even though I had ordered one in the "used-excellent"
category. By 1975 their stock of new units was depleted.

Despite it's poor looking condition, and with the help of my Elmer
it sprang to life. This is when I really developed an admiration for
these sets. Minimal mods were done to get it running. I cut a piece
of circuit board to cover the front adapter opening and mounted the
local controls and earphone jack on it. The most invasive mod was
re-wiring the filament string. Over the time I used it several of the
.05 potted caps shorted, and had to be replaced, along with several
resistors.

I used it for about a year with good results on 40 meters. I traded it
locally for something when I got a Tech license. Don't know what
became of it, but would like to have it back. I once heard someone
describe the receivers as having "no perceivable selectivity". That
may be true, but they still work remarkably well.

I certainly hope that the recent QST articles have not prompted the
destruction of some of the last remaining un-modified sets that are
still out there. I had not stopped to consider that possibility.

Thank you for your welcome to the reflector. The knowledge I have
regarding these sets would fit into a thimble, so I may not contribute
often. 73,

Kevin, K9HX