[Milsurplus] BC-342-(*)

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Barry,

The radio, whatever model and letter it originally was, is an earlier one as 
it has the neon lamp present.  I've only seen photographs of it, and it's 
difficult to say whether the RA-20 is parallel to the chassis plane or not.  I 
recently restored a BC-312-N for a customer, and at his request installed an 
RA-20.  

I never thought about there being any difference between the panel mounted 
hinges.  The ones for the original DY-17 may have been different, as new panel 
hinges are in the conversion kit.  But on this one, after I got it working I 
tried to slide it into its case for an overnight soak and it wouldn't go all the 
way in.  I actually tried a set of hinges from a "real" BC-342-N but they 
were the same.  Ended up having to slot the holes in the panel slightly.  One 
thing I do know, though, is that the threaded spacers used on the RA-20 are not 
the same as those used on the DM-21.  One is obviously much longer as it has to 
come all the way up from below the rectifier tube.  But the one at the other 
corner is also slightly different.  I seem to have misplaced my notes and 
don't recall whether it's longer or shorter, but it isn't the same.

In a message dated 12/8/2004 2:02:15 PM Central Standard Time, 
barry at hausernet.com writes: 
> Can't say as I've ever seen one quite like that.  Ask him if the rectifier
> unit is slightly askew (unless they used spacers).
> 
> As you know, you can swap in a BC-342 rectifier P/S in place of the
> dynamotor unit.  It generally mounts up on the same door hinge style mounts.
> My first boatanchor was a BC-312 Farnsworth, but has the rectifier supply.
> I don't recall if that one is square -- way up in the attic, so I'm not
> about to take a peek.  However, a more recently acquired converted BC-312
> has the rectifier in it.  It  fits, but it's at a bit of an angle.  I guess
> there were variations in the depth of those hinge-like mounts.
> 
> The unit in question may have some kind of Monmouth replacement tag used if
> they "rectified" some BC-312's post hoc.

Robert Downs - Houston
<http://www.wa5cab.com> (Web Store)
<wa5cab at cs.com> (Primary email)
<wa5cab at houston.rr.com> (Backup email)