[Milsurplus] Fw: [RCA] SRR-13 conversion to SSB

[Ken Gordon]

Hello, Jim:

I have quite a collection of the SRR-11, 12, and 13 series receivers here, some in good 
operating condition.

FIrst of all, the detector used in the CW mode is, in fact, a product-deector. So that those 
would not have to have been modified for SSB.

The  IF filters in the receiver are also pretty good ones. As I remember it, they were RCA 
designed and built, and provided a pretty good pass-band shape, and were pretty stable.

And as I remember it, the later (second?) models, such as SRR-13A, had some sort of 
mechancial filters in the IFs.

Now, as far as stability is concerned, I would have to look at my manuals on them to 
determine if that was ever really a problem. As I remember it (I haven't used my SRR-12 or 
13 for some time) the stability was actually excellent, and I really don't see that it needed 
improvement.

The BIG problem with those receivers was the huge output in heat, even with the submini 
tubes, and this resulted in less than stellar reliability.

For a while, I worked with a professor who used SRR-11s running 24/7 to do VLF 
propagation research, and I had to add 51K resistors to the screen power leads to many of 
the tubes in that receiver. RCA had connected them such that the screens all had the same 
voltage on them as the plates, and thus too many of the tubes were drawing excessive 
current, and thus high plate dissipation. When I modified several of the professor's SRR-11s, 
the heat dropped dramatically and the reliability improved.

Anyway, I have always liked those receivers, although I have heard from more than one Navy 
tech who disliked them for their unreliability.

If you should learn any more about what you mention below, I woud be very intereted in 
hearing the details.

Ken W7EKB


On 15 Jan 2025 at 18:49, Jim Whartenby via Milsurplus wrote:

> 
> I found the blurb below while searching the RCA Engineer holdings at
> World Radio History.  Is anyone aware of this work done by RCA?  I
> assume that this program was not successful but does anyone know of
> any work done by any manufacturer to convert the SRR-13 to SSB? 
> Perhaps it was just too difficult to get the required frequency
> stability built into the receiver while retaining the same
> footprint?  Seems like Mission: Impossible!
> 
> 
> On the same subject of a manufacturer converting military AM radios to
> SSB, does anyone have any information to supplement what is contained
> in NAVWEPS 16-30-ARC38-502?  Was the ARC-38A harder to maintain then
> the ARC-38?  Comments welcome.
> 
> 
> I assume that once RCA was successful in converting the AN/ARC-21 to
> USB / AME and rebranding it the AN/ARC-65, the military was interested
> in modifying all double sideband (as RCA called it) equipment to have
> USB / AME capability.  AFAIK, the ARC-21 and ARC-38 transceivers were
> the only success stories.  Where there others?
> 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
> From RCA Engineer, 2-3 1958, page 54:
> 
> 
> "J. A. WADE REPRESENTS RCA ENGINEER AT TUCSON
> 
> 
> Mr. Wade graduated from the University of Iowa in 1953, obtaining a B5
> degree in EE. Upon graduation he joined DEP Surface Communications as
> an Electrical Engineer. During his time with RCA he has been
> associated with the Walkie Talkie (AN/PRC Series), SSB Receiver
> Development, Micro-Miniature Receiver Development, and Navy Receiver
> (SRR Series) conversion to SSB operation.
> 
> Mr. Wade is presently with the Surface Communications Field Systems
> group and engaged in Area Communications Systems Studies being
> conducted for the Signal Corps at the Army Electronic Proving Grounds,
> Fort Huachuca, and at Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Wade is also engaged in
> graduate studies at the University of Arizona. He is an associate
> member of the IRE."
> 
> 
> 



-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com