[ARC5] RME-69, anyone using one?

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 30 Sep 2010 at 0:00, K1LKY wrote:

> Today in the storage unit I unearthed an RME-69, apparently in good
> shape.  This dates from the late 1930's, "6 Bands, 9 Tubes" was the
> origin of the number.
> 
> I wonder if anyone on the list is using one, and invite comments or
> experiences.

I have always had a soft spot (either in my head or my heart....maybe both) 
for the RME-69. For one thing, the dials are really neat looking. For another, 
it is historially pretty important as it was pretty much the first of its kind in 
many ways.

The only one I ever had in hand belonged to a widow and I had to sell it. I 
wish I hadn't.

Due to its "bleeding edge" technology, it has multiple flaws in both the design 
and the implementation.

I have an article I scavenged out of an old QST on making the front end 
much hotter and MUCH more stable, this last having a lot to do with the 
grounding methods employed in its construction.

If I can find it in short order, I'll e-mail you either the date/page/author or the 
entire article. It is a PDF.

In the meantime, adding a DB-20 makes a big difference. You can see 
several photos of stations with that combination in old QSTs.

Undoubtedly, the addition of a BC-453 or R-23/ARC-5 "Q-5er" would also be 
a very significant help. An audio filter, like an FL-*, wouldn't hurt either.

Ken W7EKB