[Boatanchors] Collins kwm-2/-2A

[rbethman]

Perhaps I just got a 75-S3 that was made on a Monday.  It fried three 
different times.  It was part of the whole S-Line that was 312B4, 516F, 
32-S3A, 75-S3, and the SM-1.

I never was happier to see one station go!

I've never had ANY hollow-state gear go "south" as frequently as that 
line-up.  It was ALWAYS the receiver too.

I've never had a 6146 go bad no matter what it was in.  Maybe just plain 
luck!  The TS-820S still had the S2001As in it as I went about thinning 
the herd.  Around here, the dumpster route won't work!  Anything with 
"solder" *MUST* go as hazardous waste!  Yet they don't say squat about 
CFLs or regular fluorescent bulbs. Can't figure that one out.

The R-390As, SP-600, and two Beastly BC-610s have done far better.  I've 
had exactly "one" tube go in the R-390A with a plate that shorted.

Too many times I came in from work and smelled that "roasted" resistor 
smell from the S-Line.

I fixed it *one* more time, let it cook to be sure it was staying 
functional, and out the whole station went!

That experience over around 10 years, caused me to *never* want another 
one in the shack!  Someone could offer me an entire S-Line to include 
the 30S-1, and I wouldn't touch it.

Different experiences with different pieces, lead folks to paths that 
they prefer!

Bob - N0DGN


On 7/5/2014 3:22 PM, Glen Zook via Boatanchors wrote:
> For SSB, the KWM-2- series work fine.  But, do NOT even think of using one on CW!  The KWM-2- series, as well as the Collins 32S-1 and 32S-2 transmitters, use sidetone CW generation which generally produces 3-signals and sometimes even 5-signals!
>
> The 32S-3 and 32S-3A transmitters use true CW generation and there are no problems with multiple signals.
>
> As far as reliability, all of the Collins S-Line and KWM-2- series are VERY reliable!  I have several pieces of Collins equipment and a number of other "hollow state" equipment.  I have had virtually no problems with the Collins equipment.  I have had my 32S-3 transmitter for over 40-years (acquired it in 1973) and, last week, was the very first failure that I have had in it.  One of the 6146A/8298 final amplifier tubes finally "gave up the ghost".  I had to put in a new pair!
>
> In general, my Collins equipment has been more reliable than any other of my tube-type equipment.
>
> http://k9sth.com/uploads/Equipment_at_K9STH-9_January_2013.pdf
>
>   
> Glen, K9STH