[Milsurplus] RAL-7

[Barry Hauser]

Todd wrote:

The vast majority of models I've seen in RAK or RAL have been -7
versions. A nice Magnavox RAL-8 to match my RAK sold on epay last year
for a lot more than I expected (or could afford). It's the only one
I've seen. Might have seen 1-2 of the -6 models, too.

My RAK-8 is like new inside, with paint chips on the outside, and is
also missing the top half of its strain relief! Where do they go??

----------------------
Bill Donzelli explained at least some of the reasons for that:

"Because for the most common (7 series), two contracts were placed for RAKs 
and only one for RALs (or, more properly, one contract was RAK/RAL and one
was just RAK)."


Another RAL just went as well as a p/s.

I have just one RAL-7, the others are all RAK's.  One of them came with the 
cabinet parts largely removed and in a bag.  In that bag was the usual half 
of the strain relief and what I thought was a home-brew mating piece -- a 
heavy steel rectangular piece with two holes drilled in it.  Someone told me 
that was the real deal.  I'd assumed that the missing part was half-round 
like the other one.  I dunno.

Suspect these were missing because most of the RAK/RAL we see were not 
installed.  The loose parts - like the other half of that fitting, screws, 
etc. would have been separately packed with the receivers, and probably 
parted ways when the surplus units were uncrated to save space at the 
surplus houses.  Any that were pulled from ships during an equipment upgrade 
would probably have just had the cables cut and would have the whole fitting 
with some cable hanging out of it.  Of course if those radios were laying 
around accessible in a surplus store, the hardware may have walked away.

I could work up some more theories for the annals of milsurplus forensics 
;-)   If that flat piece is the genuine article, that might explain a lot. 
You could have the "grail" and not know it.  Looks more like a bracket or 
other chassis or mounting part.

Barry