[Milsurplus] USN RBM vs. RBS Questions

[Hue Miller]

----- Original Message ----- 
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] USN RBM vs. RBS Questions

> A couple of comments about the RBM and probably the RBS as well, I never
> fired up my RBS receiver, but did play with the RBM sets quite a bit.
> 
> First, selectivity.  The front panel switch should be labled broad and broader.

Or, maybe "Hi Fi" and "Extremely Wide".

> Second, I don't share Hue's comment about dial calibration.  Unlike some military
> receivers of the era, like the BC-348 and BC-312, the RBM has adjustable oscillator
> coils as well as trimmer capacitors.  About an hour of tweaking on my HF RBM brought
> the calibration in remarkably well. Much better than any of my BC-348s. I do agree that
> the dial tuning is too fast for comfortable ham use.

Did i use the term "calibration". I don't recall. However, calibration - resolution is what i 
mean, is just, "poor" and no ways around it, on the top band. On the 348, even if it's off
a bit, the dial resolution is still much more useful, than on the RBM, isn't it? I have not used
one of my 348's very recently, but if i recall, if i have to find a frequency, like say 15420,
it's much easier on the 348. I'm saying i think the overall resetability, i would call it, is
better on the 348.
> 
> Third stability.  Not quite good enough for long term SSB monitoring, and prone
> to mechanical instability, not quite as good as the BC-348s.  But then none of these radios
> were ever designed for SSB operation.

But then, the RBM was intended for CW also. 
I do keep in mind that these receivers were produced under wartime conditions. Not with
years of development work. The manufacturers actually did quit nicely, considering.
-Hue Miller