[Collins] COLLINS R388/51J-3 SSB CONVERSION OR USE A MODIFIED CE SIDEBAND SLICER?

[Park, Ted]

Gentlemen

Thanks for all the replies and info re frequency alignment procedures =
for the R-388..especially the detailed information from Jerry =
Johnson......I have followed your advice and almost all bands are now =
within +/- 2 KHz accuracy and I only need to replace one crystal. =
Jerry's advice worked perfectly.

I am now trying to decide whether to a.) modify the BFO circuit =
(currently a 6BA6) to a product detector by replacing the 6BA6 BFO with =
a 6BE6 pentagrid converter plus a few wiring changes and additional =
parts for improved SSB reception, or b.) retune my Central Electronics =
SIDEBAND SLICER from its current 455 KHz capability to work with the =
R-388   500 KHz intermediate frequency. I would prefer option b.) if =
possible as it will not require any major modification to the R 388 and =
it will provide both improved SSB reception and a Q multiplier.

Have any of you done either a.) or b.) and if so could you please give =
me your advice and recommendations? I believe there was an April  1961 =
CQ article (page 50) that described a "simple" product detector =
conversion for the R 388 as in option a.) above  but I have been unable =
so far to obtain a copy of the article. My belief is that there are =
probably a number of later articles but I have been unable to locate any =
by surfing the internet so far except for an article describing a major =
modification of an R-388 done by a Japanese ham which requires the use =
of a 500 KHz crystal (not what I had in mind).

 I suspect that there are a number of simple agc modifications that =
should be made as well. It appears that the simple BFO to product =
detector conversion is/was a very popular conversion for Collins R-388 =
receivers...and early 75A series receivers...is anyone aware of someone =
who may make/sell  "conversion kits" and/or instructions?=20

Thanks for your help and advice, Ted, K6XN