[Milsurplus] Radio Marine Corp AR-8506-B

[WF2U]

John,

I have 3 of them - 1 with 1943 manufacturing date is residing in my Federal
Radio and Telegraph FT-102 Victory Ship HF transmitter console, under the
McKay 167-BY transmitter (I'm in the process of building the high voltage
power supply for the transmitter, so I can put it on the air - I intend to
operate it regularly on the low bands, on CW, using the AR-8506 receiver)
BTW, the other receiver option for the FT-102 console, according to the
manual is the Scott SLR-F, which is very similar in circuitry and
performance to the AR-8506. The console provides for spacers to accommodate
the differences between the front panel sizes of these two receivers.
The other 2 AR-8506 receivers in my collection are in desktop cabinets, but
one of them is a post-war production, labeled with the standard Signal Corps
nameplate as R-203/SR, 1952 contract. Except for the nomenclature tag,
Signal Corps inspector's stamp, front panel color, and  the MFP coating it's
identical to the 1943 Maritime Commission model.
The receiver performs as expected for the vintage and circuit. There is
adequate sensitivity, the stability is good enough for SSB reception. It's a
bit hairy in crowded CW conditions on the ham bands, as there is no IF
filtering is provided, but I simply plug in an audio filter (a variety of
audio filters is commonly found at hamfests)  between the headset and the
radio, and it makes a BIG difference!
The audio quality is good with the built-in speaker, and AM signals sound
pleasant. I used one of these receivers paired with a Heathkit DX-100 on 80
M AM, and also listened on it last summer to the "Night of Nights" activity
of the still active HF maritime shore stations in their annual commemorative
CW operation (see http://www.radiomarine.org/ ).

I paid between $100 and $150 for the receivers, I acquired the third one two
years ago, so the prices are fairly recent.
I don't think it should cost more than $250 if it's in an absolutely
pristine, like new condition. Compare it to the Scott SLR-F prices, which
may be slightly higher due to the E.H. Scott name - I see them from time to
time in the $200-$300 range.

My receivers worked as I plugged them in... One had a slight hum and I
replaced the main filter cap, the other had low sensitivity and it needed an
alignment. No smoke and sparks though and so far the original capacitors are
holding up...

Good luck and enjoy it if you can get it for a realistic price.

73, Meir WF2U / NNN0AAF
Landrum, SC




> -----Original Message-----
> From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of flood at Krohne.com
> Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 4:52 PM
> To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Milsurplus] Radio Marine Corp AR-8506-B
>
>
> Greetings,
>
> I may have a chance at an AR-8506-B.  My understanding is that these were
> used on Liberty Ships in WWII.  The date on this unit is 1943.  Now the
> question we all love to see.  What is it worth?  I'd love to pay
> $1.00 for
> it and I'm sure that at least one person is convinced that it is worth at
> least $1,000.  It is clean, complete, in a cabinet, a manual, and has not
> been powered up in at least 20-30 years so I expect a recapping,
> at least,
> is in order.  What is the general thought on value?
>
>
> John Flood KB1FQG
>
>