[ARC5] [Milsurplus] "Mayday!" To Our Friends Down Under

[Andy Young]

Dave,

I see that you've found the errant item. But I was going to give you some
good news, those look like bog-standard Muirhead slow-motion drives made
here in the UK. If so, they do turn up regularly.

Here's a picture of one with an Air Ministry number, probably off a Gee
Indicator. Is it the same type?

Andy
M0FYA


-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Stinson
Sent: 27 January 2018 17:10
To: ARC-5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net;
milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Milsurplus] "Mayday!" To Our Friends Down Under

If you don't believe in the existence of "Screw Gremlins" and "Knob
Gremlins," you may wish to listen to this sad tale of woe.  I've been
working with the Australian AR8/AT5 set, with the goal of using it on 630
Mtrs.  I've had a short MF QSO with it already, but I need to "stiffen" the
TX supply to get rid of an annoying chirp.
The AR8 receiver MF tuning has some backlash, so I removed the front of the
tuning knob to look at it and try to puzzle-out how it works.  To take the
large knob cover off, one unscrews the center small knob.  And, of course.
I dropped it.  I followed it with my eyes.  It bounced once, then flew into
the dark and oppressive abyssal gloom we call "under the bench."  And there,
the Knob Gremlins found it and made-away with it.  I've spent an hour
crawling on my belly with a large work light and a vacuum hose.  I've found
lots of "stuff" and even a mummified mouse, but no knob.  

See the attached photo.  It looks sad.  I look sadder.  Name your price for
one of these.  I wouldn't give my first born, but I did think about it.

TNX OM ES 73 OM DE Dave AB5S

P.S. I often wonder if the term "Down Under" is objectionable to our
Australian and New Zealand brothers?  If so, is there a less objectionable
term for speaking collectively of your beautiful lands?

P.P.S.  Have any hints on curing backlash in this dial drive?