[ARC5] looking for an in tact BC-451 tx control box

[Mike Morrow]

Ken wrote:

> In constantly searching eBay for ARC-5 stuff, I have seen exactly two 
> FT-260s in the past 5 years and more.
>
> Extremely rare, and go for a lot of money when they are there.

I have obtained only one FT-260-A and one C-24/ARC-5 local control panels in 50 years of ollecting.  This scarcity doesn't cause me much problem...I am only intetested in these sets as they were employed by the military.  Only the locally-controlled liaison receiver systems RAT plus RU-11, RAT-1 plus RU-12, and RAV were normally used with the local control panels installed.

Unfortunately, I have no RAT/RAT-1/RAV receivers.  :-)

> In addition, the only original "local" TUNING controls I have routinely
> seen are those "tuning keys" ... that were included with some receivers
> inside the top lid along with a small dial which was meant to be attached
> to the remote tuning control, BC-450 (?) or such.

The tuning key you describe is the A.R.C. 9554 key that was supplied ONLY with the R-25, R-26, and R-27/ARC-5 communications receivers.  Those were usually stabilized (yellow S-in-circle stamp) receivers that would be set to frequency using the 9554 key, after which the key would be turned around and screwed on over the tuning shaft port.  A lock-tuned receiver would be operated from a C-27/ARC-5 single lock-tuned remote control, or more commonly from a C-38/ARC-5 multi-locked-receiver and R-4/ARR-2 control.  The controls allowed no remote tuning nor any mode other than VOICE.  The navigation receivers R-23* and R-24/ARC-5  if used at all were remote tuned with the C-26/ARC-5,,,they were normally not issued with the 9554 key.  (None of this paragraph applies to systems before the AN/ARC-5.)

> However, those have very, very noticable and annoying back-lash.

They were intended only for on-the-ground setting of a receiver in lock-tune service.

> There are, of course, those very few "crank-handle" type tuning knobs (type 
> 6743?)

Yes...A.R.C. 6743.

> For "local control" tuning, I much prefer my simple piece of 1/4" brass
> tubing with a knob attached.

That's what I used on my first command receiver in 1965 (a BC-453-A).  I preferred to put the RF gain/MCW-CW switch/Phone jack on the home-made power supply, rather than kludging something on the receiver front panel.

Mike / KK5F