[ARC5] Hallicrafters receivers...Collins stuff

[Geoff]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Morrow" <kk5f at earthlink.net>
To: <Arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 4:02 PM
Subject: Re: [ARC5] Hallicrafters receivers...Collins stuff


>
>> Collins always catered to the market for deluxe and
>> expensive equipment.
>
> Collins was even able to "coax" people into paying the
> very top dollar for radios using RCA phono plugs for
> RF coax connections (like the entire S-Line).  It still
> seems impossible to me that the KWM-2A got accepted as
> the RT-718/FRC-93.  Just because something works OK for
> USAF MARS doesn't mean it meets requirements for regular
> military field service.  Something was a bit irregular there,
> I think...maybe standards are lower for FRC gear. (Yes,
> I know it was used in tactical situations in SEA.)
>
> OTOH, there *is* something very professional about the
> KWM-1, especially one of the rare variants that had
> two aircraft-radio-style  L-clips on the front for
> fastening into the mounting rack, as seen here:
>
>  http://www.radioing.com/collins/tr02.html
>
> When the KWM-380 came out a third of a century ago, it
> was obvious that the ham/Collins game was over.  The
> contemporary Drake TR-7 series was as modern, yet far
> more attractive for ham service, IMHO.  So was the
> TS-820S.
>
> Mike / KK5F


Collins got accepted thanks to Senator Barry Goldwater and Curtis LeMay, 
both USAF Generals and very active/influential hams. Im sure Art paid the 
price of their lobbying all the way to the bank....

Collins replaced Hallicrafters at K1USA also.

Carl