[ARC5] RU-16 Receiver On Ebay (Just Right for the ZB/YL)

[Mike Morrow]

> Reference ebay item 131396461122

It's always easier on a reader, especially when using
a smartphone, to click on the full URL:

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/131396461122? 

> He also says he has a couple of other items that may
> be related but he does not know.

He pictures the remote tuning unit, the CW-23012.  That goes with
a full RU-16 set.  Unlike many MC-125-A tuning units used with the
SCR-A*-183/-283, it was never provided with a dial calibrated
directly in frequency (only the 0 - 100 scale).

His description states:

"Dual Coil Set for Model RU-16, Low Range "O" and High Range "F."

There was NEVER any dual-band coils sets made for Range O and F.

What he actually saw was the CW-47204 coil set for Range Q and F,
standard issue with the GF-11/RU-16.

Range Q covers 540 to 830 kHz, provided to exactly match the output
of the ZB-2 or -3 VHF Homing Adapter that could be used with the
YE/YG/YL 246 MHz homing beacons.  (The ZB-* unit is designed to mount
in place of the tube cover on the RU-* receiver, and it gets its power
from the RU-* junction box.)

Range F covers 2040 to 3000 kHz.  One could easily imagine that
this receiver was used in one of those "Marine-use" installations,
for which this range of frequencies would be likely.

Such a setup could also have employed a ZB-2 or -3 to receive
246 kHz homing signals beamed toward shore from a shipboard YL
homing transmitter system.  Unlike the signals from rotating YE
or YG beacons broadcasting a different letter for each 30 degree
segment of rotation, the YL beam was stationary and beamed toward
a designated shore landing point.  A ZB-*/RU-16 Range Q receiver
system aboard a landing craft would receive a Morse "A" on one
side of the beam, a Morse "N" on the other side, and a solid tone
when "on the beam" (similar to aviation Adcock beacons).  Then,
for communications, the dual band coil could be switched to
Range F.

The unit in this auction likely never did any of this...but it's
interesting to "just suppose", since that's why the CW-47204
coil set was designed, used with the GF-11/RU-16, ZB-*, and YL.

Mike / KK5F