[Boatanchors] ID'ing an AR-88 Variant

[Richard Knoppow]

-----Original Message-----
>From: W2HX <w2hx at w2hx.com>
>Sent: Nov 19, 2013 11:21 AM
>To: Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>, Doug Hensley <w5jv at hotmail.com>
>Cc: "boatanchors mailman.qth.net" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>, "rca at mailman.qth.net" <rca at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] ID'ing an AR-88 Variant
>
>Here are some pix of mine...
>http://www.w2hx.com/x/RCA-CR-88/
>
>the rounded thing atop the radio is just a part of the car that can be pulled over any cargo in the rear.
>
> 
>73 Eugene W2HX
> 
      Yours is the version intended for use in the DR-89 diversity system, note the IF gain pot on the front.  There are some additional changes to the circuit to get a somewhat different AVC action than in the standard and both AVE and diode load connections are brought out the back. Diversity receivers normally do not have meters since there is a separate meter panel as a part of the system.  My AR-88F was originally a diversity receiver.  I modified the AVC back the the original and have left it that way because I prefer the action and think its overload handling is better.  Its a matter of a couple of resistors so can be restored easily.  The IF gain controls are to balance the gain of the three receivers in the diversity system so that switching will be dependent only on signal strength.  
     The AR-88 in a table cabinet weighs in at just about 100 lbs. The chassis alone weighs around nearly 90 lbs.  I had a neighbor help carry mine when I got it. 
     These are remarkable receivers especially considering their age. They are very sensitive and very stable.  Because of low loss materials used in the high band coils and tube sockets, etc, the sensitivity stays right up there even at 10 meters and image rejection is very good for a single conversion receiver.  Measured S/N ratio on mine is better than the specs.  The diversity version is very slightly quieter than the standard version because the delay bias on the AVC is less, that is the RF tubes are running with less bias and somewhat higher Gm.  Beside the performance these are just a lot of fun to use.  Mine will hear anything my Drake T4XB will hear, or, for that matter, any other receiver I've compared it to.