[ARC5] LM and BC-221 adventures

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

Hello, Bill:

Your adventures sound somewhat similar to mine. I have two BC-221-AK 
models, both with homebrew power supplies. 

One has a more reasonably sized transformer, but the construction was 
really bad. I completely redid the power supply, and the BC-221 functioned 
very well indeed for a long time.

The rectifier was originally a 5Y3. Suddenly, the rectifier tubes began to 
literally burn out or short internally, one after another. I had a stash of 5U4s 
and started using those, and the same thing would happen. After losing two 
5Y3s and then two 5U4s, I unplugged the unit and haven't used it since, as I 
have not had time to troubleshoot it.

The other BC-221 had a power transformer in it capable of supplying a 
multistage 100 watt transmitter. In fact, it would make a prefectly acceptable 
and capable power transformer for a Heathkit SB-101 transceiver. The 
filament leads were made of #12 wire, as an example, and the transformer 
weighs almost 14 lbs.

However, the construction practices were quite good.

I'll get back to both of those units sometime, but for now, they are 
paperweights.

Ken W7EKB