[Milsurplus] SCR-608

[Ken Kinderman]

Hello all,

I have had a complete set in my garage for decades, the whole shootin'
match: 2 BC-683 receivers, the transmitter, the FT-327, the CH-74A metal
chest with the canvas front flap, the MP-52 Mast Bracket, even an FT-285
frame to rest it all on, plus lots of accessories and manuals. Even
TM11-2701 "Installation of Radio Equipment in Car, Half Track M2".

So I pulled it out the other day to get serious with it, and to see what's
what.

Everything looked in order, but I was suspicious... the transmitter
nameplate (BC-684(*)) is mounted on the casting that protects the front
panel controls. As with the receivers, this casting is easily removed and
switched. So I pulled the transmitter out of the case and took off the
cover. I was dismayed to see a schematic for the evil BC-604. The clincher
was the crystal drawer with places for channels 0 through 79. There appears
to be no other way to ID the transmitter simply by eye-balling it. (The
receivers are easy).

Obviously, years ago when I bought it, I relied on the nameplate (and the
seller) to tell me it was the amateur-radio-friendly SCR-608.

Silly me.

I put primary power to it: The TX dynamotor struggles, one RX dynamotor
runs, and one doesn't. No big deal. So I would like to get it up and running
before even thinking of trading it off or putting it up on you-know-where.

Now, I know I have some pieces here that are in demand by the vehicle guys.
These guys are sometimes more interested in putting their stuff together for
"static display" and not actually operating it.
So I could probably get rid of it as-is. I certainly can't run it as a
hermaphrodite. Breaking it up and selling the components is a decision best
left for later (the FT-327 should be worth something).

So here's the question... does anyone have a real BC-684 transmitter? Or are
they so hard to find that I should just give up? Or should I look for some
BC-603 receivers and talk to my dummy load?

73,

Ken
W2EWL

MVPA 25615