[Milsurplus] BC-654 experiences

[Hubert Miller]

I have not used a BC-654, altho I own several, but I did get a chance to see one used close up, one with the full vehicle setup, and it sounded great.
I have always considered the limited 80 meter frequency range to be a major drawback. 
I do have one which has the rec dial relabeled down to something like 3000 kcs, but I have never tried it out. Before I sell it, I should have a look to
see how smartly or dumbly this was executed, and maybe try at least the receiver also. 
At one time I was thinking about trimming the upper reach of 5850 kcs. to about 7400 kcs. I have actually spent some time looking at the tuned 
circuit values. But - this would require slightly trimming the inductances also => which requires removing covers etc. => plus doing a bunch of math 
=> and that all is more work than I want to take on anymore. 

I second Robert Downs's opinion of the schematic and I'm happy to hear someone else thinks it's nuts. Maybe as a reduced level of project I will 
redraw those schematics in what I consider to be readily understandable, sane manner. Right after I do the schematics for the antenna switching
for the GRC-9 and BC-1306.  

Because of the BC-654's limited frequency range, I can't recommend it to anyone who wants more usefulness than a limited frequency range of 
80 meter AM. 

The BC-1209 I have does cover the band 2200 - 4400 kcs. but oddly, has a single 2E22 which it drives much harder than the 307A pair in the -654,
plus this set only has one IF to the BC-654's 2 IFs.  And it has a meter rectifier tube. Odd indeed. 

Many years back I spoke with someone who had used the BC-654 in Europe WWII.  He told me at times they had two men cranking the gen, one
on each crank. I believe it. I read somewhere where the handcranking process was like riding a bike, and all of a sudden you're pumping up a steep
hill. 

The GRC-9 is a very practical radio compared to this.
-Hue