[Collins] New Power Switching Accessory

[David Knepper]

We are appreciative that a fellow CRA member,  Bob, W1CNY, offered the
following suggestion:

Bob writes: I would like to recommend that you and Advanced Optics look into
a power switching accessory.  Guys like me who are short on power supplies
but a bit long on rigs, may want to be able to use one 516F-2, and switch it
to whichever rig one wants to operate at any given time..

We believe that Bob has an idea worth exploring.

Advanced Optics Ltd. may market such an accessory piece - if there is
sufficient interest.  What do you guys/gals think about such a unit to
switch your 516F-2 power supply  to each of your S-Lines or KWM-2, etc. Your
feedback would be most appreciated.

In my opinion, having one 516F-2 as the master power supply to supply
several Collins has merit.   The unit, to be manufactured by Advanced Optics
Ltd., would be available in winged or round emblem versions and would be
housed in their 516F-2 cabinets with a switching arrangement and multiple
female 11 pin outlets on the rear.

The interconnecting power cabling would be supplied  by RF Connection
(www.thrfc.com)  that is also offering the connecting cables between the 75S
and 32S units, including the 30L-1, etc.   We are very pleased to endorse
this company and its owner Joel, W3RFC.  Please mention the CRA when you
email or telephone.  They are an excellent company to deal with.

Incidentally, the reproduction 55G-1 unit is still stalled for lack of
production coils.  However, one manufacturer may be able to supply the
tuning coils (there are three slug tuned coils in the unit) in the very near
future.  At that point there will be a kit of all the small pieces to
assemble your unit or have us make one for you.  The cabinets are now
available with tuning capacitor, frequency band switch, and speaker but
without the coils, resistors, wiring, transistor, etc.  If interested,
please make your inquires to me.  So many of you have expressed interest and
you can be confident that the unit will be available before the end of the
summer.

Until now, thank you for your support of the CRA and Advanced Optics, Ltd.

Dave, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
www.collinsra.com