[ARC5] [Milsurplus] SCR-A*-183 mixed systems

[David Stinson]

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

>In looking for bitzenpieces for an SCR-A*-183, I find myself in a 
>quandary,
>that being that I won't have everything from the same version....

My goodness; who does? ;-)

>....what can I get away with mixing with what and remain
> within the realm of something that could have been found in a war
> "experienced" airplane?

Darn near everything.  A lot of 1930s aircraft remained in service
throughout the war and long after.  "New" supplies of parts for
the painted sets ended in 1941 and for the rest in 1943.
If it could be plugged-together and turned on without
blowing fuses, you can bet it was installed that way.
I'm had many SCR-183 radios come through here.
Very few had "matched" coils or mounts on them,
including mixed painted and unpainted items.
Like you, I'd prefer to match everything to one model.
But don't expect to actually accomplish it in just one lifetime ;-).

> Also, once I can find the boxes, what are the
> chances of doing a little equine exchange (hoss tradin', for those 
> who
> prefer the traditional version) to make a complete SCR-A*-183 system 
> and/or
> a GF-11/RU-16?

Well I have asked several times over the years
that people compile a list of "traders."  I did one
for coils but got almost no response, so I hope you
have better luck.  I've got to update my -183 "trade" list.
Will try to do that in the next couple of days.

Be sure to check the continuity of the neutralization coils
in your transmitter coil sets.  They are made of very fine
wire that becomes brittle and opens.  Write me if you
need to rewind them because if you don't do it right,
you'll destroy the fragile coil form.  It's thin as
an eggshell and breaks as easily.

73 Dave S.