[Milsurplus] Collins manuals

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Dave,

I did think of the two units that you sent me photos of and I sent you 
parts for last year.  But something about what you wrote made me think these 
might be a different pair.  Sorry.

On the panel markings, the transmitter mode switches are all labeled CW 
VOICE, as nearly as I can tell, all the way through TCS-15.  On the receivers, 
I'm unable to pin down when the BFO switch labeling changed from VOICE to 
MOD.  I don't have a TCS-5 manual and have misplaced the TCS-6 one.  I have a 
TCS and a TCS-4 original manual but all of the photos in both are actually 
labeled with Collins rather than Navy nomenclature.  And all of the photos in 
the -4 manual are the same ones as in the base one.  I don't know when that 
changed.  And as I know of one TCS-4 set that turned up in this country 
(most of the early models are listed in SHIPS 242A as Lend Lease) and it has 
nameplates, all that I can say is that the data is inconclusive.  :-)

However, aside from the front panel material difference, which I hadn't 
heard of before, and things probably more related to contractors and what was 
available as each contract was processed, the only changes I know of from TCS 
through TCS-15 are those identified by my questions.

The non-TCS transmitter manual that I have is identified as 56Q on the 
front cover and in the text.  But all of the schematics and wiring diagrams say 
56Q-1.  I just looked at the transmitter schematic and it shows the RFA 
connected to the antenna post.  So I would guess that is the difference between 
56Q and 56Q-1. It appears from serial numbers I have or have had that it is 
the difference between 52245 and 52245A.  And it must have happened after 18 
January 1944, the latest contract date shown on a TCS-12 manual that I have 
which only shows the early RFA connection (I have a later edition that 
shows both).

In any case, I believe that the 56Q schematic will match that of 52245 and 
the 56Q-1 that of 52245A.  

The 46159 to 46159A and 51Q to 51Q-1 transitions are harder to pin down.  A 
manual that I have that covers TCS-7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 mentions both types 
of IF transformers.  So probably the change occurred in one of those models. 
 I've had over the years far fewer receivers than transmitters.  But of the 
few I've had, only TCS-13 and TCS-14 have been 46159A.  More examples are 
needed.

Robert D.

In a message dated 09/28/2012 18:14:06 PM Central Daylight Time, 
davprin1 at optusnet.com.au writes: 
> G'day Robert and the group,
> 
> Thanks for your input. These are the sets about which I corresponded with 
> you previously. You sent me over a front panel for the rx plus other parts.
> 
> Both the tx and rx front panels had been overpainted with a heavy grey 
> wrinkle finish. The rx had been fitted with a meter out of a radio compass 
> control box.
> 
> When I started removing the rx front panel to refit the one from you, I 
> noticed that the original panel was much lighter and thinner than the one you 
> sent. I decided to remove the grey paint which revealed an aluminium panel 
> (as opposed to the cast alloy one) on which the finish appears to be 
> anodized black. There is no perceptible raising of the lettering. It appears 
> that the original panel may have been polished aluminium which was then 
> anodized using a mask to allow the the polished finish to show through as the 
> lettering. The tx is made from a similar material but is the sort of colour 
> that reminds me of a bronze cadmium finish and the lettering is engraved.
> 
> I am away from home at present so the gear is not to hand. However, I can 
> answer some of your questions,
> 
> "Do the receiver and/or transmitter have posts in the corners or three 
> handles?"   4 Posts
> 
> "Are the 12-pin (receiver) or 16-pin (transmitter) male chassis power 
> connectors mounted to the front of the panel with four screws."     Yes 
> 
> Also on both, the Mode/Emission switch positions are labelled Voice/CW as 
> opposed to the TCS's Mod/CW.
> 
> Both have a Collins ID tag affixed to the rear of the chassis and neither 
> have any evidence of a front mounted ID plate or any inspection stamps on 
> the chassis.
> 
> Perhaps these were Collins commercial units?.
> 
> The panels are presently being scanned in a screenprint shop so when I get 
> then back I will take some photos of them.
> 
> I am presently investigating getting new panels made using CNC/Laser/Water 
> jet and then screenprinting.
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers
> Dave
> VK4KDP
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480