[Milsurplus] WWII Japanese 94-5 Rcvr Raises Again.

[Hue Miller]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Stinson" <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
Subject: [Milsurplus] WWII Japanese 94-5 Rcvr Raises Again.

> I've heard people say these WWII Japanese radios were not
> built well.  From a mechanical standpoint, I must
> disagree concerning this radio.  It's hand-crafting is
> at least as good as any early war Allied ground set
> I've seen, and better than some.
> It looks quite well made to me.
>.....

-Well, is yours well used? Is it well used and everything still fits, the door closes
and latches correctly? The chassis pulls smoothly out of the box? Could you 
stand on it? I am pretty sure you could stand on the case of a BC-131, BC-474,
BC-186, BC-611, BC-745, and then pick up the radio and still use it. Do you think
you could do that with the 94-5 receiver? How about use it for a step exerciser
for a while? Could you stack a bunch of RBB/ RBCs on it?

-I'd say: it compares favorably with any U.S. Forest Service radio of the same era.

> Band #1 does not work, but the rest function well.
> Is an open in the band #1 section of one of the coils common?

-I seem to recall seeing a schematic for one of these receivers that 
showed no coils in the band 1 position of the bandswitch. When i 
saw that, my thinking was, the military had decided from experience 
that the low band was just not very useful in field communications
and so was simplifying the receiver by having it built without the  low
freq coils.
> 
> Are these original tubes 1.2 volt, or 1.5 volt? 

-I think the schematic and the set box both call for 1.5 volt.
BTW, these seem actually pretty advanced tubes for 1934.
( "94" = 1934 C.E. )  I think our stuff at this date were still only
up to the 2 volt tubes such as 30, 32, 33.  The Japanese seem
to have beat us to 1.5 volt octal-sized tubes.

I have seen one 94-5 transmitter with a 1640 kcs. rock still in it.
I have a 94-5 set that looks "unissued"; i was told that it was 
captured in the Aleutians and for a while this seemed probable,
but now my thinking is that it was scooped up in occupied
Japan.  The odd thing about the transmitter crystals for this
one, is that they are all right smack in the 49 meter, 6 Mcs. 
international broadcast band. I don't quite get that, except 
maybe it would be a good place to hide low power communications?

Probably the "USA expert" on this rig is Ken Lakin of Bend, OR --
K6DB or KD6B - can't recall - but he has used his on the air for 
communications in the 150 mile range.

Some 20 years ago approximately, i received as a gift from Alan
Douglas a reprint manual for the set. ( Alan Douglas is a 
civilian radio enthusiast, and published a few books with titles
like "Radio Manufacturers of the 1920s" ). I do not know how he
came to have this or was able to make the copy. My reprint is
NOT copyable, due to the binding and the small "miniature Bible"
size format, or maybe like a bird-watcher's pocket directory. But 
you're not missing anything not having it.
Compared to any USA military manual, it's pathetic, in
my opinion. NO photos. I recall some "stage gain" block diagrams,
showing db gain per stage, but NO parts layout sketches and if i
recall, NO voltage or resistance tables. Weird.  On the other hand,
the Japanese manufacturer was considerate of the aftermarket user,
because each ground radio is provided with a schematic right on 
the set case.

So altho their radios, in general were not up to our standard, Japan did
learn the lesson in short order, and learn it well. Despite a belief in their
warrior superiority, tradition, and worship of their dictator and gods, 
they were whupped by a gang of diverse barbarians who mostly
worshipped logic, scientific method, and the bottom line. -Hue Miller