[ARC5] Rear connector question/need sage advise

[Jack Antonio]

On 6/23/2014 10:09 AM, tbs50a--- via ARC5 wrote:
> I have a fairly desent BC-459 that I'm consitering put it back on the air.
> But it does have a few issues one being the rear power connector is
> an octal plug. I have a number of parts sets which I could harvest the
> proper connector but I'm not sure how I could recrimp it or if there is a
>   better way to reattach it? I don't mind spending a bit of affort to achieve
> this goal as my p/s is all set up to use the original set up.
> Tnx Much
> Terry N3GTE


One issue will be the hole size. The SCR-274N transmitters use
the small size 7 pin rear panel connector, and to fit an octal
socket probably required the hole to be enlarged. So when you
find the right rear connector, the hole will be too big. The
T series ARC-5 transmitters used a larger connector, and an
octal could be placed there without enlargement, and the proper
connector replaced. Something I've done.

I picked up an R-24/ARC-5 some years ago(from Henry Engstrom, so that
should tell the oldtimers on the list how long ago it was). It was a
good looking unit, with good paint,  but it did have typical ham mods. 
One of which was
the replacement of the rear panel connector with a 4 pin Jones plug. But
the hole wasn't enlarged. I pulled a connector off a parts unit and 
replaced it, using a larger sized pin punch and a small ball peen to
recrimp. It looks terrible, but when all the proper parts were put
back in, the awfulness is hard to see. The only external evidence is
two small half moon holes on either side of the connector, that are hard
to see unless you know what to look for. Note that the connector and
its mounting hole have indexing keys provided to insure proper rotation.
The index keys are small, but they are there.

I tried using a die from a Greenlee chassis punch and a C clamp to
recrimp, but that didn't work too well.

Good luck with the BC-459 project.

Jack Antonio WA7DIA/4