[Milsurplus] Hallicrafters R-45/ARR-7 Receiver

[Mike Hanz]

WA5CAB at cs.com wrote:
> To add to what Mike wrote, my database says that the repackaging 
> deleted the noise blanker and the audio output is single-ended.  Plus 
> the added scanning drive.  

Robert caught the principal differences quite well.  The audio output is 
taken off the plate of the 6V6 audio amplifier via a 0.5uF capacitor 
rather than a transformer, so it is both wideband and high impedance.  
If you want to use a speaker with it you'll need to add a power 
amplifier (easier to do externally in the power supply, frankly.)
 
> Probably the bulk of R-45's that turn up have had the scanning drive 
> removed.  The one that I have has.

They introduced a degree of drag that some folks found irritating, 
though it never bothered me.  The motor and drive mechanism was also 
fairly short-lived and required relatively frequent replacement if 
lubrication was neglected, so although the idea of scanning a ham band 
looking for pips on the panadapter is fun, I don't do it on a frequent 
basis.

> I've never actually come across one of the PP-32's.  It was also used 
> with the R-44/ARR-5, and will run up to three of the receivers at once 
> from 115 VAC/60 CPS.  

I wish...  :-)  It only works from 400~ to 2600~ power, which means you 
need a frequency changer in the shack if you have one of the originals.

> I have some ARD's (predecessor to the AN/APR-1).  The 50ABW Amplifier 
> is in the same ATR package as the PP-32.  Pull the tubes, disconnect 
> two or three wires, and mount the correct chassis connector on the 
> front, and you'd have a sorta lookalike PP-32.  Except I don't think 
> it will run but one R-44/45.  I also have some CD-468 cables from the 
> RC-56 (BC-463-A) that are similar to the one used between the PP-32 
> and receiver.  

I've made several panels for friends to use in a conversion such as 
Robert is suggesting, and it isn't difficult with a hole saw for the 
connectors.  http://aafradio.org/countermeasures/PP-32-AR.jpg has a 
closeup of the front panel.  The carrying handle seems to be carried by 
any good hardware store...it is basically designed for a screen door on 
a porch.  It always pains me to do something like that to an unmodified 
set, but some of these boxes will never be used again for their original 
function.

> And a reprint of the Maintenance Handbook on the AN/ARR-7.

Robert's manuals are always superb.  To get you up and running quickly, 
BAMA (http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/ ) has an on-line manual in that 
uncommon DejaView format under the Hallicrafters section.  More useful 
is the section on ham modifications, since it is likely that a receiver 
left for free at a club auction has a few of them installed.

73,
Mike  KC4TOS