[ARC5] Hallicrafters receivers...Collins stuff

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 4:02 PM, Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:

>
> 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.)
>

Nothing irregular at all if you're at all familiar with the FRC-93 station.
Part of its utility was to use the portable 'strap on' power supply at
slightly reduced power. This required connectors that would easily fit into
place behind the KWM-2A with minimal intervention.

Another point that was made to me was the need to keep it simple, as radio
ops weren't necessarily trained to some high level of proficiency. Think
back to the set up and tuning procedures for the BC-375 as an example. RCA
plugs are much easier to operate, no barrels to cross-thread. (o:

A final note about the amateur market and pricing/quality: Art got his
start there and built his company at a time when many or even most
engineers were also hams. He believed the amateur gear was good advertising
for the company's other products which quickly dwarfed the amateur line.
It's recorded in numerous places that he actually sold the amateur gear at
or below cost in many cases just to keep it out there. One this is certain,
Rockwell dispensed with it pretty fast after taking over. A fellow in NH
who worked for Evans showed me a letter once that said something along the
lines of 'effective immediately, all amateur prices will be doubled' after
Rockwell took over.

I can tell you one thing - having both the Collins and RELiant(ex Eldico)
versions supposedly built to the same mil spec, the Collins gear is bullet
proof compared to the latter. That's probably why the military liked it so
much. Simple, durable, easy to operate. Collins was well entrenched thanks
to WWII and the products they provided. LeMay and Goldwater had more to do
with SSB over AM, a position Collins was in the best position to fulfill
over others. Numerous photos out there show Eldico (pre 'clone') gear
installed in Air Force planes for testing along with Collins. Art was in a
far better position financially to throw more money at it and make a better
product. Eldico failed financially and was bought up by REL.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4