[ARC5] Transistorized ARC-5 Receiver

[Phillip Carpenter]

I started this thread with the intent that someone on here could give me one or more citations for an article related to transistorizing a Command receiver.

I simply wanted to read and study the article and was very much interested in what, if any, performance improvements such experimentation might offer.

I'm always interested in improving my vintage radio gear. Yes stock original readies should not be modified so Collectors and Museums can keep them for show. Previously modified vintage gear is always open for further experimentation. I use gear that has been modified by previous Amateur Radio operators and it is widely known that the ARC-5 mixers are very noisy. I actually use my gear and the internal added noise is a nuisance when trying to pull out a weak contact.

My goal was to see who had tried a solid state replacement for the 12K8 mixer and learn how well it worked out. I intend to try a solid state mixer and any other modification aspect that might improve the receiver's performance.

One more point. Eventually tubes and transistors are going to be gone for good. Digital technology is rapidly taking over the whole world. Even the ARC-5 equipment will eventually be unusable some date in the future. It is best that we all keep an open mind as the future will surely replace the distant past.

Respectfully,

Phillip W4RTX 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 2, 2017, at 5:12 PM, Kenneth G. Gordon <kgordon2006 at frontier.com> wrote:
> 
>> On 2 Jan 2017 at 12:39, George Babits wrote:
>> 
>> Yes, some tubes are becomming hard to find, but there are other tubes, while 
>> not identical, can almost always be used with an adapter.  I wonder how many 
>> 1L6 tubes I have in my box of battery tubes?
> 
> Maybe.....one?
> 
> Those had been selling, NIB, for $75.00 each the last time I bothered to look for them. 
> 
> I bought one for a bargain at $50.00 just to have a spare for one of my R-1004s. 
> 
> The 1L6 is not a very reliable tube either.
> 
> And strong signals input to the receiver pull the HFO off frequency.
> 
> Zenith Transoceanic receivers use them, and TO owners need them. I see several on eBay, 
> but an NIB one is being offered for around $90.00. Used ones are much less, but in my 
> experience, used 1L6s are only good for the garbage can.
> 
> Edward's solid-state plug-in replacement for the 1L6 works many times better, and is far 
> more reliable. It also cost $6.00 less than the NIB 1L6 I bought, and still have.
> 
> Ken W7EKB
> 
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