[ARC5] RCH receiver - bath-tub caps

[Meir WF2U]

The SLR-F, the civilian labeled RCH equivalent receiver is one of the 2 receiver options, used interchangeably, as listed in the Federal FT-102 marine radio console parts list. The other receiver is the RMCA AR-8506B. The transmitter in the FT-102 is the MacKay 167BY HF transmitter. These consoles were contracted by the US Maritime Commission to add HF capability to the originally LF only equipped Liberty ships. Due to the front panel dimension differences between the two receivers, Federal supplied 2 sets of front panel trim/filler plates to fit the receivers in their place in the cubbyhole under the transmitter - one plate fit the top of the AR-8506B front panel, which is lower and wider than the SLR-F. The SLR-F front panel height fills up the vertical space, but needs a filler plate on each side.
My FT-102 came with the original CW key mounted in the space under the receiver, manual for the console and the transmitter, parts list, the LF system upgrade instructions with the addition of the HF section,  mechanical drawings of mounting the console in the radio room. There is also the factory calibration chart of the Master Oscillator of the transmitter (serial number on it matching the transmitter). The AR-8506B that came with the console was in terrible, hacked condition  As I removed it to troubleshoot it, I found the set of side spacers for the SLR-F taped on the side of the receiver cubbyhole.
I just restored an RCH at that time, with new caps mounted inside each bathtub and resealed. It works beatifully. Using the filler plates, I mounted it in the console , but it is incorrect for the FT-102.
Recently I acquired a nice SLR-F which I have yet to turn on and evaluate for faulty caps, etc.
Once that is done, it'll replace the RCH in the Liberty Ship console. 
I like the RCH, it is stable, sounds great - both CW and AM, and has more than adequate sensitivity, especially on the lower bands. To deal with its very mediocre selectivity, I use a dual active audio filter for CW, when the band is crowded. It makes all the difference!

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC

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On Mar 8, 2019, 5:56 PM, at 5:56 PM, Richard Knoppow <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>    I think it was a general purpose shipboard communications 
>receiver. It covers the MF and HF bands used by ship to shore and 
>by the Navy. Very few of the old receivers designed for ship 
>board use were very selective, they were mainly intended to be 
>extremely reliable and hard to break.
>
>On 3/8/2019 2:37 PM, Jim Haynes wrote:
>> On Fri, 8 Mar 2019, Kenneth G. Gordon wrote:
>>>
>>> Although the RCH/SLR-F is kinda klunky, I've always like it. I 
>>> had one many years ago. The tuning mechanism is really superb, 
>>> and includes a big flywheel. Very smooth.
>>>
>> I have one that I should never have bought - no place to put it, 
>> no need
>> for it, and no time to work on it.  But it called out, "take me 
>> home with
>> you."
>> 
>> I've not been able to learn what the purpose of the thing was.  
>> Seems
>> unlikely it was for troop entertainment, considering it lacks the AM
>> broadcast band.  But doesn't really seem like a communications 
>> receiver
>> either, though it has a BFO.  Maybe it's meant as a backup for more
>> specific communications receivers like the RBA, RBB, RBC family.
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>
>-- 
>Richard Knoppow
>1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
>WB6KBL
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