[ARC5] [Milsurplus] Intercom amp (AM-26/AIC)

[David Stinson]

-----Original Message-----
>From: Kludge <wh7hg.hi at gmail.com>

>What about restuffing the cap or replacing the resistor,
>especially if it's on one of the terminal boards?

Generally, if the resistor isn't burned-up or otherwise
physically destroyed, or the cap blown open and/or
leaking corrosive goop,  I prefer to leave it in place
and tack-solder in a replacement around it.
Sometimes, I tack a resistor across a "gone high"
one to bring it back in spec.
Often this happens far away from the physical location
of the bad part.  For instance- the three-section 
electrolytic can in the audio stages of 
the ATB transmitter has its wires clipped and curled.
The replacement electrolytics are tack-soldered 
in at the other end of those wires.   
IIRC, one on a tube base, one on a terminal board 
and one between a point and the nearest ground.  
That way, if the next steward is one of the 
"display only" guys, he can remove them, 
reconnect the wires and he's "good to go."
This doesn't work out 100% of the time, 
but far more often than not.

>What about equipment that's already hacked?
>Some is restorable but some isn't.  
>Should that which is restored be restored 
>or should it remain hacked
>and become fodder for further conversion?  

IMHO, it depends on the scarcity of the item.
Noone with good sense is going to spend a ton
of money restoring a common high-wing Cessna
but they'll spend money and time by the railcar
to get every rivet correct on a P-38.
If I have a hacked RAT (and I do), 
I'd spend lots of time and effort to get it
back as close to "real" as possible.
But a hacked n' whacked, unpainted BC-457?
Break out the chainsaw.  Have a big time ;-).

73 Dave S.