[Milsurplus] Whatizit? CU-168/FRR?

[Richard Brunner]

Re:
".... watch it when lightning is around. I took a
> near hit to a tree in the back yard and it fried my M-50-8, powers up
> but nothing being fed thru, totally brain dead. Haven't looked at it yet
> to see if it is repairable or not. If I can't fix it, I will get
> another, I like it that much."
>
Mine died too, perhaps due to a lightning-induced surge.  Inside there is
one 2N4427 transistor, ($2.07 ea. at Mouser) and eight surface-mount
amplifiers.  The 2N4427 is the likely culprit, and is easily replaced.
There is one caveat, per Ford:

"The transistor would be the most likely place for damage. When you replace
it, please be sure to check for system noise - put an RF millivoltmeter on
the output with no input signal. If you get a measurable signal out, you
will have to ground the transistor case thru a small capacitor. Not normally
a problem with Philips xstr's, but Motorola seem to be prone."

Mine worked fine without an additional capacitor.  Ford will also repair it
if you wish.

Richard Brunner, AA1P