[ARC5] Inspired hack job

[Robert Nickels]

On 3/6/2013 6:08 PM, Robert Eleazer wrote:
> You know it occurs to me that you would have considerable difficulty in finding a receiver that would do a better job over the 190 -550 KHZ range
I'm not sure about that, but I do think many hams missed out out a good 
opportunity in not using a BC-453 Q5-er (including me).    Two of the 
most important elements of any receiver are the stability of it's local 
oscillator and the selectivity of the IF - and the 453 scores very well 
in both.    I'll admit I thought it was a lot cooler to have a Heathkit 
Q Multiplier hooked up to my two-dial Hallicrafters than some old 
military-looking thing -  but if I'd had the chance to hear what one 
sounded like and how nicely it tuned the crowded CW bands, I'd have been 
convinced otherwise.

One guy who clearly appreciated the power of this combination was Don 
Stoner W6TNS, who wrote both the "Novice Q5er" and two "SSB Q5er" 
articles in the 50s.   (Stoner was a prolific author and builder who 
went on to start several businesses, including being the "S" in SGC).    
He measured the bandwidth of the 85 kc IF to be 2.7 KHz...a bit wide for 
CW but just right for you-know-what!   And while the term "Q5er" was 
often used when a BC-453 was simply tapped onto the IF of a receiver, 
his designs were standalone crystal controlled converters making a 
double-conversion receiver capable of tuning 80 or 40 meters.   They 
didn't look as jazzy as a commercial set with a fancy front panel and 
all the trimmings, but I'd say it outperformed about 90% of them selling 
for under $200 in actual amateur service.

In retrospect, it's too bad someone didn't come out with a cosmetic 
cover like CE did for the 458 VFO, adding a kit for the power supply and 
converter in one housing...but gee, I think I feel a new project coming 
on...

73, Bob W9RAN