[Milsurplus] Re: [ARC5] SCR-274N Makes It on ARRL.ORG

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 6/20/06, Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:
<snip>
> In all, a really really bad representation of an SCR-274-N installation.

Keeping in mind that most QST readers aren't quite as anal about this
stuff as we are, probably not. It's not a milsurplus magazine, or even
oriented towards older gear and history for the most part. It's
actually pretty amazing that they even included the article, muchless
the link. We should be thankful and all that. Sorta like expecting
Hollywood to use correct gear in its movies for the handful of viewers
who know the difference. Not that it's difficult to do better, mind
you. The AAFRadio link would've been a better choice, IMHO.

> I though most boatanchor types had moved beyond that, but that article proves how wrong I was.

Just a tad of an overreaction or generalization, I think. If taken
collectively with all of ER's articles over the years, I think you'll
find that "most boatanchor types" have indeed moved beyond that. Walt
Hutchens, Chuck Teeters and others have written many good articles for
ER regularly about milsurplus gear that didn't involve any "ham
hacks", but instead presented a lot of interesting rigs that some may
not have seen otherwise. So I'd say the BC-669 article is the
exception, not the rule for ER.

> Maybe soon we'll see ER run an article about converting a T-17/ARC-5 to 160m DSB, or a T-47/ART-13 to 10m SSB!

Or worse - maybe we'll see self-proclaimed expert 'collectors' buying
up everything to prevent it ever seeing the light of day again,
muchless ever getting used as design. "Saved and preserved" by them
until their demise, then tossed into a dumpster. Not likely of course,
but as you point out Mike - anything is possible!

I actually enjoy the many flavors of interest in the old gear. And
while I'm not a fan of mods that aren't easily reversible, I respect
the choice of others to do with their property as they see fit,
regardless of what I think. It was modifying an old BC-455B many years
ago that gave me an appreciation for preserving this old stuff for
what it is, not what I can make it into. Finding a pristine ARC-5 set
now gives me a feeling of a true piece of history, not a prospective
conversion or donor project. Had I not gotten the receiver from him,
it was destined for the dump the next time he went.

The funny part about the BC-455 is that I got it from one of my
professors who also showed me how to convert it. I just wanted to make
a power supply, but he said "No, you need to rewire the filaments and
add a BFO".  He was a respected WWII Navy tech and instructor too,
shame on him! Maybe it was related to inter-service rivalry? (o:

I'm just dying to ask Dave about the dynamotors on the back of the
receivers in those pics. I was under the impression that he didn't use
them because of high B+ issues, now I'm curious to know more. Dave?
Anyone? I have everything needed to power up a receiver
(receiver/dynamotor, rack, headphones, power plug) but I want to do it
right and not zorch things.

~ Todd  KA1KAQ