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

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of David Stinson
>> 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? ;-)

Cripes, you don't have at least one of everything made since the dawn of
time?  *sigh* ... I am so disappointed.  ;-)

>>....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.

Okay, BD-87-? strapped for the AE (rather than AF) set, whatever Rx & Tx
pair I can get with coils that go on 80 & 40m, Rx & Tx shock mounts,
mounting plates for everything else, homemade junction box, the control and
tuning heads in storage, BC-**-183 (not really part of the system but needed
for CW), a T-17 (don't have) and key (do have though not the right vintage),
antenna relay (will negotiate with Clare for his), connectors (don't have),
cable (need to find period wire), a "remanufactured" tuning cable or two,
radio shelf, place to mount the control heads, at least two large cans of
coffee (dark roast), 2-3 pounds of rolling tobacco with a box of papers, my
augmented first aid kit, and something else I'm sure I'm forgetting.  

> If it could be plugged-together and turned on without
> blowing fuses, you can bet it was installed that way.

You mean we're supposed to use fuses too?  :-)

>> 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.

As mentioned before, I need to get to the shelves to create a list of what
will be surplus to my needs and its condition.  I know I have an SCR-274-N
(I think - might be ATA) Tx that has about half the variable cap insulators
adrift and a few missing, a well and truly grunched Type 15 converter
(B-13-something) that will provide parts for something ignoble, some Type
K-derived equipment that needs to be deconverted and probably other fine
elegant pieces.  This isn't to say it's all junk but a goodly part will
require work.  

What am I keeping in Type K and Type 12?  What's needed to upgrade the
SCR-274-N to as close to Grade A as possible, the ATA modulator and
transmitters, a Type 11 (presuming I can find the bulkhead mount control
boxes) and the FES-1240 which were the first and last pure postwar ARC
NavCom sets, a few Type 12 setups including one for which I still need
another TV-10 (CV-431/AR) and some VHF transmitters (I'm cutting a corner by
using a T-21 in place of two T-11s although I still need a schematic to see
how it switches crystal banks.), a few mounts and the usual assortment of
connectors etc.  

Some I'll keep long enough to photograph like a T-23/ARC-5 that started life
as a BC-950 and, if I can get a C-30A/ARC-5, it will get shot next to a C-30
and the SCR-274-N version.  (Okay, I can't remember *everything*!)  The
C-131/AR equipped R-26/ARC-5 will also be lens candy racked next to an
electrically tuned R-4A/ARR-2.  (A similarly equipped R-27 would be nice in
a triple rack but then so would finding the appropriate control heads.)  I
think there are others but these are what come to mind at the moment.
Anyway, after I've got them all shot and stuff, they'll be available for
trade.  

A few more heavily perverted ones I'll keep to repervert into some of my
more favorite conversions.  The quick 'n dirty DSB Tx conversion is one I
like since I can use one of my stripped Tx chasses for the modulator.  There
will also be my take on a "typical 50s - 60s command set conversion rig" and
maybe a modernized hybrid version.  We'll see about these after the good
sets are running.

> Be sure to check the continuity of the neutralization coils
> in your transmitter coil sets.  

I probably will need someone to do the rewinding if it's needed.  The way my
hands shake now, I doubt that I could manage anything delicate like that
anymore.  

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
I am me.  I’m the only one who’s qualified.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!