[ARC5] SCR-274-N Changes and a tip on dial restoration

[Robert Eleazer]

I have a tuning dial for an ATA 520-1500 KHZ receiver that appears to be brass plating over aluminum.  How common was that?

Also, here is a tip for restoring dials, especially of the BC-348 variety.  If you have a dial that is looking faded, first clean it off well with Windex, Fantastic, etc,.rinse it off, dry it and then hit it with a light mist coat of model airplane clear gloss spray lacquer (e.g, Testors 1261).  You will be astonished at the results.

The problem with these dials is not that the color in the paint is faded but that they have has lost that top smooth layer that makes the paint shiny.  The rough layer at the surface causes a reflection of the light in multiple directions, making it look faded.  Replacing that top layer of gloss restores it to like-new condition.

By the way, this technique also works great on those "yellowed" or "frosted" plastic headlight lenses on cars.  Of course, the clear lacquer wears off after a while on the car headlights but you can can just clean them and recoat them every few months.

Wayne WB5WSV