[Milsurplus] BC-348

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 4/26/05, John Page <k4kwm at hotmail.com> wrote:
>      I have a question for the list. A while back i bought a BC348Q. It
> looks great and works very well. Has a built PS in place of the dynamotor.
>      Someone in the past has removed the AVC-OFF-MVC switch and put in an RF
> gain control with off/on switch.

John - 

This is one of those 'caught between the devil and the deep blue sea'
topics, there really is no correct way or answer. If you wanted a
museum piece, you'd of course want to restore it to stone-stock. If
you want to use and enjoy it, you might leave it as-is, or as Hue
pointed out - swap out the dimmer control instead. I would think the
AVC control has more utility.

The good news is, being your radio, you get to decide of course. I
have an R model that is stock w/dynamotor, power connector, and
shockmount. Currently can't use or enjoy it, but it's all there and it
looks nice. I have a Q model that has been modified only to include
the AC supply, no holes or irreversible mods and no control changes. I
have it plugged in and can enjoy listening to it from time to time. If
I ever want to restore it to original, all I need to do is find a
dynamotor and reverse the AC supply. It works amazingly well for the
few controls it has, reminds me a bit of the Collins 51S-1.

So long as you can easily reverse the mods and have the necessary
parts to do so, I'd say enjoy it as-is (or with the changes Hue and
Bob suggested) and know that if/when the day comes that you want to
install it in a working aircraft or accurate working display, it
wouldn't be difficult to un-mod.

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ