[Boatanchors] Riveting in Collins radios

[Greg Mijal]

I used to run the FRC 93 system too.  In Viet Nam at a base camp in order to 
talk back to Bien Hoa Air Base.  Used the shack and kack code wheel to 
encrypt voice messages. The rigs we had were pretty beat up and had lots of 
crunched phono connectors from rough use.  Not one of them crapped out 
electrically but I still used to complain to HQ radio maintenance that the 
set was SNAFU again.  So HQ would have me fly back on the re-supply 
helicopter and exchange it for another beat-up KWM2A and I could stay the 
night in Saigon.  Of course I knew where all the good hot tub places were 
and had a blast drinking Beer LeRue AKA Bami-Ban (the only beer with a 
Formaldihyde head) and playing submarine with my all female sub crew.
73's
Greg
WA7LYO
Kinston NC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "D C *Mac* Macdonald" <k2gkk at hotmail.com>
To: <gzook at yahoo.com>; <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 1:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Riveting in Collins radios


>
> We had probably over 40 of the AN/FRC-93 or AN/FRC-153 (IIRC)
> suitcase stations in the 3d Combat Comm Sq when I was the OIC.
> The transceivers were used with the PM-2 (?) power supply that
> mounted on the back of the transceiver. They were connected
> and disconnected all the time and were somewhat of a problem.
>
> I would definitely recommend a few feet of RC-58 w/ RCA plug
> on one end and PL-259 plus PL-258 (double female barrel) to
> reduce that strain on the transceiver's connector.
>
> I believe I have seen reports published stating that the ceramic
> type RCA phono jacks have virtually no more loss than either the
> PL-259 or BNC connectors.
>
> * * * * * * * * * * *
> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
> * (Since 30 Nov 53) *
> * Oklahoma City, OK *
> * USAF, Ret (61-81) *
> * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>
>
>> Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 09:26:31 -0700
>> From: gzook at yahoo.com
>> To: yonglee at yonsei.ac.kr; jbrannig at verizon.net; collinsradio at comcast.net
>> CC: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Riveting in Collins radios
>>
>> That raises the question as to why the connection is constantly being 
>> connected and disconnected. In most amateur radio installations of the 
>> Collins S-Line that I know of, the equipment is set in place and usually 
>> stays there for years.
>>
>> Even when the UHF series is used (PL-259 / SO-239), repeated connecting 
>> and disconnecting is going to result in problems. Usually, the center 
>> connection on the SO-239 loosens and doesn't make good contact. However, 
>> over the years I have seen numerous occasions where the insulation on the 
>> SO-239 has been broken. In most of these I am pretty sure that a large 
>> diameter cable, like RG8/U or RG213/U has been connected and then the 
>> cable is moved around. I see this mainly on receivers.
>>
>> In the case of the RCA connectors, if someone uses an adapter (like the 
>> Radio Shack BNC or UHF to Motorola which definitely works with RCA 
>> connectors) are used, then it is pretty easy to break the insulation 
>> because of the leverage when the cable is moved. But, when a proper RCA 
>> phono plug attached to RG58/U coaxial cable is used then there is not a 
>> problem.
>>
>> Again, the problems with the insulators of RCA jacks is normally caused 
>> by trying to use cables with some sort of adapter.
>>
>> Glen, K9STH
>>
>> Website: http://k9sth.com
>>
>>
>> --- On Wed, 4/6/11, David Knepper <collinsradio at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Glenn, the problem with the RCA connector as you well know is that the 
>> porcelain cracks from constant abuse - in and out. Then, where are you as 
>> they say.
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