[Boatanchors] Boatanchor Advice Needed

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 11/30/06, Carole White-Connor <carolew at bellatlantic.net> wrote:

> I have a chance to pick up a Racal RA17L (in working condition) for a fair price. What's everyone's opinion on this set? Are parts and schematics available? Is it difficult to repair?
> Anything else I should know before forging ahead?

It's a real double-edged sword, Joe. They are lovely receivers but are
also a p.i.t.a. to service if you need to get inside. Think of it as
an R-390 except the modules have cables and wires solder into place
that need to be removed to get a specific module out. The modules are
also cast aluminum as I recall. Nice construction, but not meant to be
serviced by the weak of heart.

They also suffer from bad caps, not unlike the actual black beauties
that split and leak in American radios of the same period.

I had one with a cold solder joint on a tube pin. It required jiggling
the tube just right to get it to work. When I looked at what was
required to get inside and fix it and then looked at my schedule, I
opted to use it as-is and later sold it to Roy Morgan. Yes, I told him
about the intermittent connection.

So having said all of that, I'll add that a good working RA-17 is a
true wonder to behold. Instead of the usual slide rule tuning dial
with moving needle, it utilizes a moving 'film strip' dial, spring
loaded, that tune across a stationary needle from side to side.
Flywheel tuning is smooth, and that dial really zips by. FAR easier on
the wrists than the R-390. Triple conversion as I recall, can't
remember which bands or if all. It uses the Wadley Loop design to
cancel drift, and it works well. Wonderfully quiet, sensitive, and
stable when set up properly. Interesting method for holding the knobs
in place, too.

The last be thing I used mine for was receiving Radio St Helena's
final (until until a few weeks ago) broadcast back in.....99? With
just a whip antenna attached to the back, it pulled in the signal FB
for the duration. Someday I'll find another one.

The story is something along the lines of this: the British gov't was
looking for receivers and had decided to purchase 51J's from Collins
through a license to build them in the UK. They went to Racal with the
proposal, but Racal asked instead to design their own receiver. The
rest is history. Other than a slight resemblance through the tuning
escutcheon, I can assure you that they are very different receivers.

So, I'd suggest asking the seller about the service history and go
from there. Also check the tag on the back for model and manufacturer
info. A fair number were manufactured in Maryland for US agency use. I
won't speculate on price here, but it's obviously worth more if it's
been serviced and is in good working order. As well, some models have
more utility than others. Search the web and you'll find plenty of
good info, mostly in the UK of course.

Now, hopefully a Racal aficionado will step in and correct my statements....


~ Todd,  KA1KAQ