[Milsurplus] RCA AVR-11 Help Needed

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Joe Connor <joeconnor53 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>      I need some help. I have an RCA AVR-11 receiver (ca. 1935) and need a
> schematic and/or manual.
>
>      When I first got this receiver, I thought it was an AVR-5 and Chuck
> McGregor was kind enough to email me an AVR-5 manual. (Thank you again,
> Chuck). Tonight, however, I took the receiver out of its cabinet and see
> that it's an AVR-11, not an AVR-5. The wiring etc. is quite different from
> the AVR-5 so I need an AVR-11 manual or schematic. I checked the 'Net and
> the mailing list archives but could find nothing to help.
>

I think it also employs the RCA 'Magic Brain' section. Yours makes the 4th
one known to exist. Along with Dachis' set, there's one in Canada in the
proper tower cabinet, though it was modified at some point with an added
switch & relay circuit. I picked one up a few years ago.



>      By the way, here's what an AVR-11 looks like:
> http://www.hallicraftercollector.com/other_treasures.htm
>
>      When it's in the cabinet, the speaker sits atop the receiver and it
> is a very impressive (and very, very heavy) item.
>

Chuck's seems have been missing the original tower cabinet and was
installed in a smaller ACR-111 'single story' version. Might've been racked
originally.

Here's a couple shots of mine in a thread from AMfone.net where I posted it
shortly after getting it:

http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?topic=23365.0

VERY little information out there. Been looking since I got mine. From what
I've been able to find, these were used in airport control towers, hence
the strange frequency coverage. Going by the other models numbers, it would
appear to be in the 1937-38 time frame, possibly '36. Can't recall if the
Magic Brain helped date it as well.

Other than getting a new dial cover and a quick cleaning, mine is still
awaiting restoration. No hacks beyond a missing filter can and some under
chassis bypassing. Did find a guy on the ARF who sold me a manual copy,
I'll see if I can track down his info. There's also an aviation book out
there (maybe Morgan?) from the late 30s with the schematic and some simple
info. I'm thinking the answers may lie in some period issues of Aero
Digest, as I've found virtually nothing anywhere else.

Congrats on the receiver, Joe. Would love to see some photos when you get a
chance.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4