[Collins] KWM2 help n cab 4 it

[Bill - KK4XI]

Hi Everyone,

I have recently discovered this Collins mail server
and figured out how to send just plain text. I have
subscribed to the CCA server for a while and like me,
others have subscribed to both. So hi to those that do
not. I have posted this query on the CCA and figured I
would post here also.

I have managed to procure my first guinea pig rig. It
is a old KWM2 but with Teflon wires hanging all over
the place, rust here and there, and dust and grime
every where. WHY? The last SK (God rest his soul and
give him a new complete Collins station with no QRM )
that owned it apparently did not have a cabinet and it
must have sat in a humid basement for a long time. Why
do I know this? He installed feet on the chassis.

Anyway, I am going to attempt to resurrect it as my
first guinea pig rig restore project rather then start
on my other old stuff. So I have a few questions and a
need (i.e.HELP :-).

1. The CCA web site has a KWM-2A manual I downloaded
and printed. Trying to compare the pix in the manual
to the rig is driving me nuts. The pix are a lot newer
then the my rig configuration.
 
Q? Would an older just KWM-2 manual be better to see
what is what and if so where can I get one? Some one
suggested the WB7SSN CD.

2. The open phone relays appear to be in rough shape
and I think he was trying to fix them but failed.
Wires are loose all over them and trying to read the
schematic/pix in the manual does not help. It appears
he even tried to change the RCA connectors on the back
to do something other then what they were labeled.

Q. I saw a Relay Conversion Kit for sale from Surplus
Sales for $135 (plus a bunch of great parts). Would it
be wise to get this rather then fight the open relay
problem? 

3. As I said earlier no cabinet and very cruddy. I was
going to put the dreaded "Help with Cleaning Again" on
the subject line but did not want to cause a "OH
NO!!!" panic. I have read all the ins and outs and
dooos and don'ts of everyone that contributed to the
questions in the CCA archives, the CRA archives (now
that I found them) AND the Boatanchors archives. I
have learned this...

a. After cleaning with whatever, you can rinse it all
off with distilled water only (due to stuff in our
drinking water and the things fish do and leave in it
;-)

b. You can waste electricity and put it in your oven
for a week @125 degrees or living in pair-of-dice I
can put it out in the Florida sunshine (and remember
to bring it in if it rains). Maybe on the AC fan
outside mmmmmmm??? Same as a hair dryer.

c. Everyone uses different things and ways to clean.
Many spoke highly of CP-43 but that is hard to obtain.
I have found that Green Kleen is a substitute without
some chems in it and I think I can get it at Graingers
along with Simple Green, another suggestion.

Q. Has anyone found a better and reliable cleaning
solvent to use?

d. The valve covers and the final cage top appear to
be a bronze color and not the aluminum dull silver
color. I have not applied anything other then a 91%
alcohol damped cloth to it and it stayed the same
color although cleaner.

Q. Is this the original color or are they really that
discolored?

5. I have blown off and gently wiped the sticker with
the S/N and I still can not read it.

Q. Does some one know of a way to read it without
taking it to CSI and have them do it :-)

6. Last but not least I need something to eventually
slide it into so I do not drool on the 6146's as they
glow and get elec-trickle-cuted and to protect it.

Q. Does anyone have something I can buy (I am trying
to save my $ to buy a nice KWM2)? 
The dimensions of the M2 chassis are +/-  6" X 14.25"
X 12.25". Maybe it does not have to be a M2 cab. Will
it fit in a old S-line cab with some mods? I think the
M2 was just a little longer is all.

The cabinet does not have to be in any great shape
other then to protect the rig. If it is bent or has
holes or painted pink does not matter. A hammer, piece
of wood, file, and paint remover is all I will need.

Okay, enough letters and numbers and spaces. I thank
all of you that have helped me out in the past queries
on the other lists and who knows, I might be able to
answer other queries when it comes to KWM2 questions
and rebuilds. I think that if it does not get passed
on and used.... it gets lost forever... and that is a
long time.

God bless to all and have a happy forever.
73 es GLITC,
Bill

P.s. You can reply off-server if you do not want your
comments kept forever... but if it helps others later
on, go through the server.


       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Need a vacation? Get great deals
to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
http://travel.yahoo.com/