[Boatanchors] Beckman Berkeley 7700 Collins 51J-4?

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

John -

Later models are often seen in gray, although I understand the Collins
made them in different colors for different users (like the Air Force
or NASA green models). I once heard that all of the late/last
production models were a smooth gray panel, but I cannot confirm this
not having seen enough to believe it.

As far as the name engraved in the top, this may be as simple to
explain as a property tag of sorts, just more permanent. I have a nice
Teledyne R-390A with a property tag on it from Parametrics Inc. of
Morrisville, VT. It is mounted where the manufacturer's tag normally
resides, but the giveaway to me that it wasn't a yet-to-be-discovered
new manufacturer was the model (R390A) followed by the serial number
(R3901).

Lastly, unless your particular example was manufactured to different
specs using different portions of the bands, the dial overlay should
work fine. Try to find one that doesn't require an overspray after
application as the numbering will run if it ever gets wet and if you
overspray it, cracking is likely further down the road. Someone made
permanent ink overlays, but I can't remember who.

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

On 10/19/05, flood at krohne.com <flood at krohne.com> wrote:
> Greetings old wise ones,
>
> Picked up a Pile O' Stuff this AM and was delighted to see what I think is
> a 51J-4.  However, this unit has a grayish flat front panel with engraved
> Beckman Berkeley  name along the top.  If this is common variant /
> subcontract that I "should know about" I'll apologize in advance.  I am
> interested in the history of this radio.  I'm hoping that the 51J-4 dial
> drum label will work here?