[Milsurplus] RBB and RBC On The Air!

[Mark K3MSB]

I got my RBB and RBC on the air this weekend.

http://www.k3msb.com/temp/rbb_rbc.jpg

Each one has it's own power supply, and they are both run off a variac.  Up
to this point I just did some casual listening on the BCB,  75 AM,  and
80/40 CW.    This weekend was the SKCC Weekend Sprint which is a low key
(pun intended) contest with bugs and straight keys.   I was interested to
see how the radios performed in a congested environment.   I made about 40
QSOs on 80, 40, and 20M CW and aside from a few very minor issues with the
radios they performed VERY well and are nice to use.  The IF and Audio
selectivity allow them to be very decent receivers on congested bands.
Stability was excellent.

The antenna output from each receiver goes into an AB switch and then onto
the external TR relay.   The little aluminum box atop the gray power supply
houses a transformer with a 600 ohm input and front panel jacks for 4 or 8
ohms speaker / headphones.

In the far left of the image is the edge of my RBA receiver. I started to
look at it a few days ago and found the the 9 pin power connector had a
nice gash on the threaded ring that accepts the power cable locking collar.
Crud.  I really didn't want to replace that thing.  So I very carefully,
and with due prayer, took screwdriver and finishing hammer in hand and
began "ungashing" the gash.  Almost had it done when the last tap busted
the “ungasked” part off of the threaded ring    Oh s**t – not good.   I
VERY carefully removed the bad piece and was delighted to find the power
cable collar screwed onto the ring even with a 1/8 to 1/4 inch chunk
missing at the end..   Whew....... dodged a bullet there Sparky.....

The RBA is in great condition inside and out,  and I'm looking forward to
doing some NDB hunting this winter.    I haven't tuned in an NDB since I
sold my plane years ago.    I hear there are still quite a few around!

73 Mark K3MSB
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