[Milsurplus] ARC-2 Owners?

[Mike Morrow]

Stu wrote:

> I have recently acquired a very nice RT-91/ARC-2 Collins transceiver...

Hi Stu.  Welcome to the list, if you just joined.

That's a very nice unit, somewhat advanced for a 67-year-old device.  The
original RT-91 is, IMHO, better built than the later "improved" RT-298/ARC-2A.

> ...and would like to hear from other owners.

I've owned an RT-91 for 37 years.  I still have it in its original military
configuration, with absolutely no senseless, useless, pointless ham mods.
However, most RT-91 units that were actually used in service were modified
by the USN to incorporate some of the changes that mere made for the RT-298,
such as front panel fuses and disabling the RF ammeter function.  I also
acquired the rather rare MT-421/AR mounting rack and C-244A/ARC-2 control box.

Years later I also got the later RT-298/ARC-2A and MT-421A/AR version.
  
> I know that manuals are available from at least three sources on line...

I don't know of any source on-line where you can view a manual for the
AN/ARC-2 or -2A.

The maintenance manual is the most useful of the several associated with
this unit.  List member Robert Downs/WA5CAB produces the best reproduction
of it.  I own both an original and one of Robert's.  Originals sometime
go for as high as $100.

> and I do have the W4WKM conversion article from October 1963 73 magazine.

Beware of any approach such as used by Roy Pafenberg.  I always looked forward
to his articles on surplus 45 years ago, but I always hated what he did to
go out of his way to turn a beautiful piece of engineering into an elaborate
ham hack job.  I will say this...the article you cite was the first time I'd
ever heard of the AN/ARC-2 and I wanted one...un-ham hacked though!

> I'd sure like to find a copy of the booklet which is referred to in that
> article (contains schematics and four or five very useful-sounding mods,
> at least two of which look like they are already installed in my unit)...

A maintenance manual is your best resource.  These units perform no better
after the several too-clever-by-half ham mods that Roy and others dreamed up.
All that is needed is to apply a good stiff 28 vdc power source and use it
as the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard did.  (It was still being used in
some USN training aircraft (TS-2A) as late as 1972.) 

> ...suggestions of other active groups/lists to visit with this request?

This is likely as good a resource as any, though the related ARC5 list on
qth.net specializes more in military aircraft radio discussion.  There are
several list members here and there who sometimes operate their AN/ARC-2.
But be aware that these have a very very broad variable IF with very poor
selectivity, plus no bandspread.  I haven't powered my RT-91 up since 1978,
and it was hardly usable then.  These sets have, IMHO, more value in their
original form.  They are considered desirable units for their military and
technical history (unless a civilian has altered them).  Mounting racks and
control boxes will be much more difficult to find than the RT unit itself.

> Again, I'd really enjoy an opportunity to compare notes with others who
> are familiar with and perhaps still enjoying this rig.

It is a very beautiful set.  I believe it was a bit of a white elephant
in military service because it is really nothing more than an HF command
set in one 70-lbm package.  Yet by the time it appeared in service, HF
command sets were on the way out, and every aircraft I've heard of that
carried the AN/ARC-2 also carried the AN/ARC-1 VHF command set, or the 
AN/ARC-12 (UHF replacement for AN/ARC-1) or AN/ARC-27 UHF command set.  So
it seems to have been placed in the role of a low-powered HF liaison set,
for which it was not well suited.

Is your RT-91 in mostly original condition (with dynamotor, and maybe no
late USN mods like front panel fuses)?  You mention it had mods of some
type.

In any event, the list will welcome the discussions you bring.

Mike / KK5F