[Collins] Restoring a Collins 32V-3

[Craig Roberts]

THAT'S NOT TRUE, BRUCE!!  Your cynicism is misplaced. Sometimes one of 
the transformers is good -- and some of the hardware is re-useable.

For your benefit, I've outlined the steps in restoring a Collins 
32V-series transmitter:

1).   Hire a piano moving company to haul the unit into your work area.

2)  Stare at the carcass for 4 to 7 months, vowing to start work on it 
"next weekend".

3)  After the appropriate waiting period, wrest the unit from its 
cabinet and begin removal of the 1/8" thick "patina" of nicotine that 
coats and permeates all parts and components.  This will require the use 
of chemicals that are far more harmful to health than the 197,462 
unfiltered cigarettes smoked by the previous owner of the radio.

4) After completion of the cleaning task (6 to 9 months), begin 
replacement of all passive components, excluding mica capacitors "which 
never go bad".  Allow 5 months for this process to be completed. 
Reassemble unit and test.

5) After repairing the hopefully localized house fire damage that has 
been precipitated by the testing process, disassemble unit and let it 
lay dormant on your workbench for 6 to 9 months.

6) Replace all the mica capacitors that went bad after all.  Reassemble 
unit and test.

7) Hire fumigating crew to clear house of odors precipitated by meltdown 
of transformer(s).

8) Negotiate second mortage to fund purchase of Peter Dahl replacement 
transformers.  They will arrive 2 - 3 months after order placement.

9) Place unpacked Dahl transformers next to transmitter on workbench.  
Allow 3 to 4 month resting and component familiarization period before 
installation.

10) Install replacement transformers.

11) Reassemble unit and test.

12) After failure of test (okay, almost all of the dial lights 
illuminate), plea for assistance from fellow correspondents on CCA 
Reflector.

13) Following the advice of CCA Reflector correspondents, completely 
disassemble unit and repeat steps 3 through 11.

14) Hire piano moving company to pack 32V- transmitter and transport it 
to Howard Mills.

73,

Craig
W3CRR