[Milsurplus] RAL-7

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

Robert Downs wrote:

> Wonder why the RAK receivers in general (any model/order suffix) have always
> seemed more plentiful than the RAL's?

I have wondered that too.

A fellow I worked for back in the 1970s used primarily RAKs to do VLF 
propagation research. He bought every RAK and RAL he could find for 
a number of years. Although his first preference was for the RAK, he 
also bought RALs when he could find them, mainly for parts to keep his 
RAKs going. The meters were possibly the only weak point.

After his death, his family gave his entire collection to me, which 
amounted to around 5 tons of mostly receivers.

Although my sample is probably weighted towards the RAK side 
somewhat, I nonetheless ended up with 4 to 5 times as many RAKs as 
RALs. I haven't counted exactly.

I wonder if the reason the RAK is more numerous than the RAL 
indicates that the U.S. Navy did a lot more VLF work in those days than 
HF work?

I would be very pleased to see any production data on these receivers.

Ken W7EKB