[ARC5] BC-779 mods

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 21 Oct 2012 at 18:45, Richard Knoppow wrote:

>     My main experience with modifications was my BC-779. 
> When I got it I found that the RF section had been modified 
> according to a CQ article.

Yes. I have that article "The Ultimate Super Pro". Ye gods, what an abortion. 
I have a completed example of that thing. I bought it, along with an 
untouched one, from a fellow some time ago.

> About the only really 
> useful mod was to add a voltage regulator to the oscillator 
> and _that_ was not in the article.

Hammarlund some time later recommended soldering a 3 pfd N-750 cap 
directly across the oscillator section of the tuning cap. Made a BIG difference 
in stability.

> Unmodified the receiver 
> works very well other than using rather noisy tubes for RF 
> amps and mixer.

Actually, in my experience with my NIB BC-779 back in the late 1960s, 
changing the detector to a single-triode product detector made a MAJOR 
difference. 

That receiver has two RF stages, and there is plenty enough gain to mask 
the mixer and RF amp noise.

>I still have this receiver but I think 
> now it needs all new caps.

Probably does.

I think I have at least 3 BC-779s here. One is complete and untouched, 
another was the unfortunate subject of that CQ mag article I mentioned 
above (complete with hacked out audio section), and the third one, although 
pretty much complete, is really good for nothing but parts...I think. At least it 
is pretty ugly looking...we'll see just how bad it is when I can get to it.

Ken W7EKB