[Boatanchors] RAL schematic question

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Ian,

I don't have any manuals on the RAK-5 but I do have the final NAVSHIPS 
900,480 on the RAK-7/RAL-7 (reprint $27.40 plus shipping).  I haven't looked inside 
either an RAK or an RAL in more than three decades but looking at the 
schematics I can see how you would be confused.  According to the theory write-ups on 
the RF Amplifiers in the manual, the RAK-7 has a single unit SENSITIVITY 
control (R102) and another pot (R132) connected to the main tuning dial.  The RAL-7 
has a dual SENSITIVITY control (R132A and R132B) and nothing connected to the 
tuning dial.  The SENSITIVITY control knobs on both models are on the lower 
part of the front panel to the left of the bandswitch knobs.  At least they are 
on the -7 models.  

As you may or may not know, the Navy was infamous for incrementing the radio 
set model number whenever a new contract was let, whether there was any change 
in the radio or not.  Worst example I think is the LM, followed closely by 
the TCS.  The five-digit Navy Type Number, however, is an indicator of change or 
no change.  If the radios in two different model number sets have the same 
Type Number, then the only differences are the nameplates.  If the numbers 
differ only in the later one having a suffix letter, the differences are minor.  If 
the Type Numbers are different, the differences are probably major.  The 
RAK-7/RAL-7 Type Numbers are 46155 and 46156.  If the RAL-5 you have is also 46156 
it's the same as the RAL-7.

In a message dated 9/22/2008 2:46:51 PM Central Daylight Time, 
ianmwilson73 at gmail.com writes: 
> The schematics for RAK-5 and RAL-7 show a continuously
> rotatable pot that adjusts the gain with rotation of the tuning
> control. (Actually, the RAL schematic shows two pots,
> one for each of the first two gain stages).
> 
> Looking inside a RAL-5, I see no sign of the pot(s) or of
> any missing hardware that might have driven such pots.
> 
> I do recall seeing this pot inside a RAK.
> 
> Are there other such circuit differences within the RAL
> series?
> 
> Is there a more complete manual for the RAL than the
> 'Instructions' online at BAMA?
> 
> 73, ian K3IMW
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480