[Collins] Question about a KWM-2

[Gerald]

On Sun, 2005-04-17 at 16:31 -0500, Dave Meitzen wrote:
> I have come into position of a KWM-2 with a serial number tag but no serial
> number. Anybody out there see this before? I can't believe Collins shipped
> an unit without a serial number.
> 
> Thanks
> Dave
With unit serial numbers sometimes randomized, (S-line for sure,
probably KWM-2) you have to look for date codes and MCN numbers to
determine age. Crystal and original tubes as well as electrolytic
capacitors all have date codes. Generally also the mechanical filter.
Very likely the choice of mechanical filter changed with time, going
from the cylindrical metal case to the rectangular plastic case.

Besides the serial number stamp being washed off the SN tag, I know some
were built by hams who worked at Collins and bought parts from
engineering stock (we could buy anything in stock for our own use) and
they then wired them at home. By late in 1963, the powers that were,
noticed the practice and made PTOs expensive and hard to get. They could
only be bought by buying the console with PTO, no longer could be bought
as a repair part.
-- 
73, Jerry, K0CQ, Technical Advisor to the CRA
All content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer