[ARC5] OT - about the Collins TCS receivers

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leslie Smith" <vk2bcu at operamail.com>
Subject: [ARC5] OT - about the Collins TCS receivers


Hello, Leslie!
I will try to get some time between pressure-washing
my house to prep for painting, digging-in a new
moisture barrier etc. to weigh the set.

Damage: Depends on packing, and that has gotten
outragously expensive.  Priced "bubble wrap" lately?  
I think there's some price-fixing collusion going-on
in the shipping materials industry.  It's just nuts.

> I would like to hear from any-one who has 
>owned and operated and of the
> TCS series.
I have "revived" both TCS12 and TCS 13
receivers.  
First critical step:  Do NOT twist the band
switch willy-nilly before inspecting the switch.
They can bind after long disuse and one "twist" 
will at least bend- or break- a contact.
There is a procedure.

If one is willing to do the work of completely
refurbishing the set, one will be rewarded with
an excellent, stable receiver.  It will require 
breaking the rig down to its modules, but 
that's not nearly as bad as it sounds.  
Just takes time and patience.
One will also need to do some work on the 
anti-backlash gears, which have almost always
been contaminated with some cheap oil or 
"WD-40."  

It is "broad," but that can be addressed with 
any good 455 KC filter.  Some time ago 
(and with the generous help of our community) 
I published a simple, non-invasive method 
to build an adaptor that plugs into the first 
IF tube socket.  It was based on a Collins-made
 filter adaptor very generously provided
by one of our members,  which was intended
for, IIRC, an HRO.  Excellent results for both
SSB and CW.  Here is an example of what
it can accomplish during a CW "pile-up:"
https://goo.gl/photos/Dob3NvXhvfmtmv7i9

If you do decide to acquire the radio, please
let me know and I will work with you on 
a "step by step" to get it going.  I can help you
avoid all my silly mistakes, LOL.

Steve, KB4DMF may still have some TCS
receiver connectors.  Steve?
In the mean time, here are some photos that
may provide some insight:
https://goo.gl/photos/JsYPq8wTYMaZfRt2A

GL OM ES 73 DE Dave AB5S