[ARC5] More SCR-183 Trivia

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of David Stinson
> The receivers listed on the right are early -183.
> This also explains the external "BFO" rig that is
> mentioned (but not by name) in the manual.

The top one on the left is from the SCR-AA-183 as well.  But note that there
is a BC-AD-199 and a BC-AD-219, two different receivers that are marked as
being for the SCR-AD-183.  Memory serving (i.e., without looking at notes),
that wasn't quite how they were used but that's incidental.

I've stared a few times at the picture of the radio operator's position in
the B-15 bomber (of which there was only one) and there is still a mystery
box I've not yet figured out.  Kinda sorta.  There are two SCR-A*-183
receivers aboard, one associated with a matching transmitter and the other
with the BC-AA-191 in what I think was the SCR-185.  The latter receiver has
a second box having about the same form factor to its left and connected to
it via an extension of the tuning shaft.  The "mystery box" has its tuning
mechanism on the left rather than the right and has a three position switch
on it plus two connectors on the bottom of the front panel.  An antenna lead
goes into the mystery box with a second lead going between it and the
receiver.  Since the BC-**-183 is on the operator's desk, I'm assume this is
some other BFO unit specifically intended for this installation.  

Both receivers are locally tuned however above the operator's desk where all
the control heads are is an MC-125 (I think) tuning head which implies a
third receiver somewhere off camera.  The control heads I see are for two
SCR-A*-183 receivers and one matching transmitter plus one which I assume is
for the BC-AA-191 so the extra tuning head is somewhat a mystery in itself.
Or it is to me.  

By the way, I'd love to find/make one of the desk lamps they used on that
airplane and to acquire one of the keys to make my installation a bit more
... ummm .. timely?

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!