[Milsurplus] RAK/RAL recap

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi,

I have begun the recap of my RAK-7. Among other things I have noticed 
that I didn't order enough caps! I overlooked some others and didn't 
order any of some of them. When we buy a kit we usually get around those 
issues. But I have the patience to keep after it until I get the needed 
parts. My Heathkit C-2 cannot find *any* good caps (leakage) beyond the 
air variables. It was so ugly that I grabbed some newer caps and used 
them to test the tester! It found lots of good ones in the sack of new 
caps. Just as a matter of due diligence I'm checking each cap again 
after one terminal is disconnected (isolated). I still have not found a 
good one but I have only visited a couple of them that way.

Some of the caps are particularly difficult to get to, even for 
connecting the tester. Doing actual R&R work will require me to move or 
remove other parts. In particular I will have to rotate the plates of 
some of the 'alignment' caps and remove some braces. I'll be taking 
pictures before I move any of those to help get it running again. Unless 
I can just remove the wires and place the new caps next to where they 
are actually used. I don't expect to be firing any five inch naval guns 
at my home!

Have any of you done a recap job on a RAK/RAL and maybe have some 
additional pointers. It would be good to avoid surprises.

So far I have found two resistors out of spec and those are not total 
disasters (but will be replaced). The switches and other controls are 
very well made and I don't expect any trouble there. Both meters are 
still functional. I have had this since the mid 80s and used it often. 
In recent years it's performance has fallen off noticeably. No surprise 
there.

73,

Bill  KU8H