[Milsurplus] RT-128/ARC-21 vs RT-311/ARC-38

[Jack Antonio]

On 3/21/2016 4:39 PM, antqradio at sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Ray
> I cannot find any published reliability data on the ARC-38, 618S or 
> 618T transceivers.  Everything out there seems to be opinion with no 
> actual data to backup the claim so I cannot comment about the better 
> reliability you mention.
>
While working on my RT-311, I wound up buying a naked chassis from Fair, 
to strip the connectors out of to make
extender cables.

While removing the connectors, I found a total of 3 unsoldered 
connections, hidden by the insulated sleeving.

After the extension cables were made, I discovered the cause of the 
intermittent in the SMO, which was a busted
wire in one of the blue Amphenol hex connectors. Looked like the wire 
was nicked when the insulation was stripped.

Just wonder how much of the reliability problems with this vintage of 
radio were due to assembly issues like this.

Jack Antonio WA7DIA/4