[ARC5] BC-342-N

[Glen Zook]

Up through the BC-312J series the BC-342 and BC-312 were the same receiver except for power supply.  After that, they were not!  The later BC-312 receivers did not have the crystal filter.
I don't have a BC-342 but do have an BC-312M with the RA-20 AC power supply which was the power supply used in the BC-342.  The receiver was so badly "hacked", when I got it, that it was impossible to restore it to original condition.  As such, I changed the physical "looks" considerably.  
http://nebula.wsimg.com/4d0f27dd0e881a991f594c3efe68b87e?AccessKeyId=5DDC3F25F0398F58962E&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

When compared to my BC-348, the BC-312M has a slight edge in the 1500 kHz to 18 MHz range.  The BC-348 does have the 200 kHz to 500 kHz range which the BC-312M does not.  Especially the vernier frequency control makes "fine tuning" of the BC-312M easier than the BC-348.  However, I don't have the BC-312M at my main operating position because of weight of the unit.  I do have the BC-348 located there especially to use it for the 200 kHz to 500 kHz range.
http://nebula.wsimg.com/4298c6e0cf22eac24332ea19c7d81f98?AccessKeyId=5DDC3F25F0398F58962E&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

My BC-453 is slightly more sensitive than the BC-348 in the 200 kHz to 500 kHz range.  But, again, I don't have the BC-453 located on my main console for several reasons including the fact that the BC-348 is definitely easier to tune. Glen, K9STH 
Website: http://k9sth.net
    
Well, as David says, it will certainly hold your house down during a hurricane. It is quite 
heavy.

>From the reading I have done on it, it is a very good receiver, quite stable and fairly 
sensitive. The only "issue" that might occur is that the crystal-filter is somewhat odd, and 
alignment by the book is also odd.

You will find this site particularly helpful.

http://www.tuberadio.com/robinson/museum/BC-312/

The BC-312 is the DC version, while the BC-342 is the AC powered version. The receivers 
are otherwise identical.

I have two BC-342s here in the queue to be restored.