[ARC5] BC-342-N

[DSP3]

There's nothing wrong with the BC-342( ) receiver. Yes.. they are very 
heavy for their size, arguably twice that of a BC-348.  I have both and 
find that the BC-342 has a much nicer tuning setup.  Its very smooth and 
feels solid.  There are a couple of items to be considered regarding the 
BC-342.  Its now pushing 75 years old and it will need a certain amount 
of re-capping.  Yes, you may very well get one that's functioning well 
but... in time you will need to do the deed.  Unlike the BC-348, the 
'342 and '312 utilize bathtub capacitors.  In one place, they're stacked 
up like the stern of a container ship.  It takes some engineering to 
remove and replace them with modern types.  Oh, it absolutely can be 
done.  It just takes some thought and doing.  Although not quite as 
troublesome as the variable trimmer tuning capacitors in the BC-348, the 
ones in the BC-342 and '312 are showing up defective.  Replacing them is 
also a chore, more difficult than the BC-348.  Obviously, though, it can 
be done.  Another item is the dial cursor.  The plastic versions are 
generally pretty warped as the materials in the 1940's are not what they 
are today.  Its a good idea to check that item out as they are not 
(generally) replaceable in the field.  Ebay pictures are not sufficient 
to make some critical judgements! But, once you have a stable receiver 
and have addressed the above items, the BC-342 or '312 are great 
receivers for a MIL vintage station. They represent some fine 
engineering that came out of Monmouth.

Jeep - K3HVG



On 11/9/2015 10:33 PM, kg4kgl at gmail.com wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I was wondering what the common wisdom is regarding this particular receiver? There is one for sale. My use for it would be copying CW on the 80and 40m bands.
>
> I see it was powered from 115v mains, so no hacking should be needed for amateur use.
>
>
> Tnx,
>
> Robert
> KG4KGL
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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