[ARC5] ARC-2 on Ebay

[Jack Antonio]

On 9/13/2020 11:17 AM, J Mcvey via ARC5 wrote:
> eBay item number:
> 174281303585
> 
> Unfortunately, it was left out in the rain for 20 years...
> 
> I was reading the earlier post about the ARC-2 and was looking for more 
> specifics on it's performance, thinking I may want one.
> The radio and information  are very had to come by.
> However I get the impression that, it too, may be as broad as the ARC-5 
> radios.
> How narrow is the CW mode?


IMHO, way, way, way overpriced. Although, it has the
spanner wrench on the back, which is used to remove
the vent screens, needed to take the radio out of
the case.  Biggest question is whether or not the
dynamotor is inside.

The mount and remote control box are hard to find,
but are not necessary for basic operation. The
rear panel plug is also hard to come by, but also
not really necessary. The only external connection
needed is power, and that can be accomplished with
brass tubing. I can't remember if a jumper is needed
between a couple of pins to wake up the receiver or
not. If so, again, this can be done with brass tubing.

Price aside, the external cosmetics may not be too
much of an issue. I had one which had set outside,
and the front panel was completely bare. However,
it woke up electrically without too much trouble.

The unit in the auction has been modified with an
coax output, but don't expect it to load a coax fed
antenna without some kind of external help(such as a
series 100pf or so capacitor) or internal modifications.

Performance? Transmit wise, it is what you expect from
a 20-30 watt AM transmitter. It does have good transmit
audio.

Receive wise, broad as a barn. The IF is not fixed,
it varies as the receiver is tuned. The selectivity
does not change in CW mode. The receive frequency
scheme is unusual, best explained by reading
the manual. I doubt the radio was very often in CW.

Fair has the manual, but it may be available on line.

And, if it has the dynamotor in it, it is HEAVY.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Jack Antonio
WA7DIA

PS The AN/ARC-2 has been discussed before on the
either or both the milsurplus or ARC5 list, browsing
the archives will turn up more information.