[Milsurplus] BC-342N is "on-line".

[Barry Hauser]

Yeah, Phil...

They're pretty tough birds.  You can get away with a lot on most of them and
they'll work -- after a fashion.

My first was a Farnsworth BC-312N, emblazoned with the "Farnsworth
TELEVISION and Radio tag."  Always got a kick out of that.  I could imagine
the Sig Corps guys looking at it and thinking "When this war is over and I
go home, gotta get me one of those Farnsworth televisions in '48 so I can
watch Uncle Miltie.  Poor Philo T. didn't win his court case against
Sarnoff/RCA until after his patent ran out.  Those rigs are a big
black-wrinkle reminder of that episode.

Anyway, bought the 312 from a local surplus dealer when there was such a
thing around here -- in the 70's.  It was actually a hybrid -- BC-312 with a
rectifier unit from a BC-342.  I think I paid $20.  When I got it home, it
didn't work.  Opened it up, and even with my limited knowledge, I could see
that someone had replaced the electrolytics in the power supply -- and wired
them backwards.  Fixed that and she worked -- with those caps.  Used it for
many years, but it's been up in the attic for the last 16 and probably due
for some more P/M.  I suppose it could use an alignment, too.  Never did
that, so I'd guess it's been 50 years or more.

Does yours have the all-important "snorkel" on the front?  Or did BC-342's
have those?  (The funny right angle downward-facing elbow connector.)  I
have a BC-342 one around here somewhere.  Most all of my BC-224, 312's, 342,
and aircraft cousins (348's) still work.  Couldn't say that about the 10
year old 35 inch Mitsubishi TV I just tossed  -- NWF -- not worth fixing.

They're not the prettiest, but very serious looking radios -- down to
business, and still compatible with most of the "software" that comes over
the airwaves.  Might even get DRM.

You should be OK with those bathtub caps for a while, as long as they're not
leaking PCB's into your BVD's. ;-)

Yup, bathtub caps, toilet seat jack covers and snorkels -- and about 60 lbs.
of heavy metal "plumbing."  Don't make 'em like that anymore.  A Secret
Service radio -- would take a bullet for you, if it came to that.

Barry




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Philip Atchley" <beaconeer at elite.net>
To: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 5:09 PM
Subject: [Milsurplus] BC-342N is "on-line".


> Hi,
> Just a little while ago I completed the preliminary alignment/calibration
of
> the BC-342N.  The bands were already pretty close, setting the upper band
> limits per the manuals alignment instructions the dial was accurate within
> 10KC across the bands, most of the time within 5KC.  Not bad for a 61 year
> old (1943 contract) analog receiver!
>
> Anyway, I ensconced it in one of the SWLing positions, sans cabinet to run
> it for a few days to see if anything changes or needs further attention.
I
> "usually" do a COMPLETE recap replacing all electrolytics and paper/oil
caps
> etc.  However, this time there are a couple "harder to get to" bathtubs
that
> I didn't replace, primarily to keep from tugging and pulling on 61 year
old
> wires etc too much.  It doesn't "appear" to be a problem as the set is
> purring along happily with no crackles or noise typical of failing
> components.
>
> 73 from the "Beaconeers Lair".
> Phil, KO6BB
>
> DX begins at the noise floor!
> Merced, Central California
> 37.18N  120.29W  CM97sh
>
> _______________________________________________
> Milsurplus mailing list
> Milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/milsurplus
>