[Boatanchors] Fw: just acquired Collins 51J-4

[Henry Mei'l's]

My main point here is I'd like to hear if there's any good ideas, tips, warnings, recommendations about the 51J-4, (don't dare mention improvements/mods) especially any such that may be unique to this receiver -- could imagine something in the mechanical band and tuning mechanism the and mechanical filters-- which do seem to function quite well on my unit  --  haven't examined the schematic as yet  but I know a danger in the R-390A is a leaky or shorted cap feeding the mechanical filters.
(My R-388 was a nice receiver but didn't rate alongside my R-390A, which of course is no surprise when you look at the design difference-- the long slide rule dial does have its advantages though.)

Re the/my 51J-4: Too bad the dial zero adjust is right next to the antenna trimmer and has the same small diameter size knobs BUT only the ANT TRIM knob has an extended pointer -- I can always replace one of the knobs it if becomes a problem.

So now I'll have to extend my life expectancy again if I'm going to do this project too.  Where do I apply? 


HM / Cph.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Henry Mei'l's 
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2011 1:29 PM
Subject: just acquired Collins 51J-4


Any consoling words? Couldn't fight my addiction to BA receivers / overrode my resolution to NOT
buy anymore of them . Gave up on loose women so I guess I'm entitled to this lesser vice;0). 
Got it for about  $75 (the rcvr) -- works on the lower bands (not well) and will obviously
demand band-switch contact cleaning, big time alignment and probably some tube and cap replacements. 
Luckily, I have most if not all tubes in stock. Had an R-388 many years ago which had much the same panel
appearance.(Downloaded the 51J-4 manual from BOMA -- looks pretty conventional for the 1960's.)

Henry
OZ3O N2NR