[Collins] Question about Collins and Eldico Clones

[David Thompson]

Most were sold to MARS stations.  Tom W4UOC bought my last S-119 as it
brought back memories of his Air Force days.

The most common problem was that either the transmitter or receiver would
have a bent in top as they were stacked at MARS stations with even heavier
equipment on top (this is a problem with KWM2's also).  Beside the
capacitors going bad the tuning becomes very tight.  This is because Eldico
used their version of the Collins PTO that REL had acquired.   The mechanism
grease just dried up.

They do work well and unlike the S line they could be used over a large
split without losing sensitivity.

As to Collins mechanical filters, they have log been sold as OEM items.
Even some of the recent rice boxes use them and I just finished writing an
interview with Frank Lester W4AMJ on his Hammarlund experience for Electric
Radio. Hammarlund once modified the the Super Pro 600 to use the filters for
the Navy.

Don't know about the Heath line.  I would assume they came up with their own
PTO/VFO the same as did Drake.  Collins have always been the head of the
class in PTO's however.

Yes, DOD has stepped on patents from time to time.  The best example was at
in the late 30'S a small company came up with the jeep design.  As WW II was
about to start, DOD handed the design to American Motors and the small firm
tried to sue but finally gave up
and disbanded.

73 Dave K4JRB