[Boatanchors] Speaking of Breting 14......

[Al Klase]

Hi Scott,

I have a Breting 14 that I've restored.  As you point out, it's hard to 
beat it's appearance.  I haven't used it for CW operation, but it 
previous owner did without serious complaint.  This is a good radio, 
with some interesting design features.  It's probably in the same class 
as your NC-101X.

According to Raymond Moore's "Communications Receivers", it was designed 
by Ray Gudie, who had previously designed the Patterson PR-10.  There's 
some documentation here:  
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/405/M0002405.htm

Behind the mirrored front panel, you have a slide rule dial that shows 
only the band in use.  The dial mechanism is gear driven, so the 0-100 
band-spread scale (8 turns per band) can be used to return to a 
frequency accurately.  The tuning knob has a further 5:1 reduction.  The 
whole thing is very smooth.

There are seven 167pF gangs on the tuning capacitor.  These are doubled 
up by the band switch to allow 550-1600KC to be tuned in one band, while 
the short-wave bands cover a more manageable 2:1 frequency ratio.  
(Shades of the Hammarlund Super-Pro)  There is a second tuned RF 
amplifier that is active only on the 16-32MC band where the added image 
rejection is welcome.

The 432KC crystal filter (How did they arrive at that number?)  is 
similar to the one in the National.  The second IF amp is a 6L7 that's 
the gain control element in a Lamb noise silencer.  I'm sure that was 
helpful in the days of unsuppressed automobile ignitions, but doesn't 
count for much in the 21st century.

The audio output is push-pull triode-connected 6F6's driven by a third 
6F6.  It's good for a clean 10-14 watts.  (Again, shades of the 
Super-Pro.)  The output transformer has an extra 200-ohm winding, and 
the "communication" (send-receive) switch allows the audio section to be 
used as a speech amp or modulator for the transmitter.

This is a pretty cool radio, and it does a great job of bridging the gap 
between the entertainment and communications roles.

OK, I'm convinced.  I guess I need to bring it out for some serious 
listening.

Regards,
Al



whitebear1122 at comcast.net wrote:
>
> Dave N7RK was mentioning his Patterson PR-16, Breting 12, and Breting 
> 14 during a crystal filter discussion.
>
>  
>
> How well does the Breting 14 work?  I know they were a West Coast 
> outfit, so few probably made it east past the Rockies.... 
>
>  
>
> I saw a Breting 14 in person when a buddy took delivery of one at the 
> AWA convention a couple years ago.  It was the first Breting that I 
> had seen in person.  Oh my, what a stunning looker!!  The mirrored 
> dial was classy beyond description. 
>
>  
>
> What I don't know is how well did (does) it perform.  It looks like a 
> million bucks but is it a decent cw receiver for a well appointed 
> 1930's station?
>
>  
>
> I have a real 1930's station on the air, consisting of a Gross CP-100 
> transmitter from the mid 30's and a National NC-101X from the earlier 
> 30's.  I love running that classic 30's station.  I also was able to 
> find a 1930's ARRL Logbook which I now log QSO's with that station.  
> This ole stuff is so cool!
>
>  
>
> 73, Scott WA9WFA
>
>  
>
>  
>
>
>  
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
>   
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com 
> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.16/1843 - Release Date: 12/11/2008 8:36 AM
>
>   

-- 
Al Klase - N3FRQ
Jersey City, NJ
http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/