[Milsurplus] Swap BC-342N "Dial lock" for "Fuse caps", other BC-342N comments.

[Philip Atchley]

Hi all,
I have the BC-342N ensconced in the listening post (sand cabinet right now)
and it seems to be doing quite nicely.  I think that I have all the little
bugs but one (including filament fuse problem which was an intermittent
short on pin 7 of the first mixer tube) taken care of.  Even on 40M SSB it
is more stable than my newer circa '55 Hallicrafters SX-71!  The old gal is
doing pretty good for her age.

The one "bug" that I haven't fixed yet is the crystal filter.  I can do a
pretty good job of nulling a signal with the Xtal phasing, but there is
absolutely no effect on selectivity and I can't seem to find a "crystal
peak" anywhere in the IF bandpass (which tested to be "nominally 470KC).
While I had the filter apart to repair the variable capacitor I thought I
might "open and clean" the Xtal, but that puppy ain't gonna come apart, the
screws and case must be welded with superglue!

Anyway, I digress from the subject at hand.  While cleaning knobs, panel etc
I pulled the "dial lock" off and haven't re-installed it yet.  I kind of
like the set without it (shame on me).  HOWEVER, I do NEED 3 fuse caps for
the front panel as I had to "borrow" some from a couple of other pieces of
gear that I have here (which belongs to a friend) to get this set going.  As
the old wallet is empty and I don't want to buy new style fuseholders for
this set anyway, I'll swap the dial lock for three fuse caps (black or
brown, I don't care) that fit the front of this set.  They are the typical
military style "push and twist" and I would imagine that "most" of the
military gear of this vintage (WW II) used the same type fuse cap.  (I have
some newer twist lock caps that DON'T fit).

73 from the "Beaconeers Lair".
Phil, KO6BB

DX begins at the noise floor!
Merced, Central California
37.18N  120.29W  CM97sh