[MRCA] BC-611 PS

Fri Dec 20 22:24:23 EST 2019

Gents:

     Today my BC-611F (?) arrived safe and sound and works (kind of).  To
provide an Executive Summary, the PTT seems to be sticking and the receive
crystal may not be right for the 3885 kcs transmit crystal.  Details and a
few follow-up questions for you follow below.

     After unpacking the -611 I noted that the PTT switch was permanently
depressed (not sad, just stuck) in "transmit."  I unscrewed the captive bolt
at the top of the case and attempted to remove the chassis but was not able
to.  I inspected the entire radio, then discovered that I had to disconnect
the red and black power leads from the bottom of the chassis.  (It's been a
while since the last time I worked on the guts of one of these machines.)
The chassis then slipped out easily.  When I got the chassis out pieces of
the plastic insulating strip that lays across the PTT contacts fell out from
the case.  I presumed I had found the reason that the PTT was stuck in
permanent transmit.  My first needed repair was noted.  

     With the entire chassis in my hand, I manipulated the PTT button on the
switch strip and the contacts made and broke as expected but they look
tarnished.  More on this switch later.  I reinserted the chassis into the
case and fastened the captive screw at the top.

      I spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out how to install the 4
D-cell batteries and the Italian PS.  I gave up and clicked on the PS link
in my original email below for photos and then did a palm-to-forehead slap.
I inserted the three cells into the HV section of the case, then the PS,
then the final D cell for the filaments.  I closed the bottom door.

     Once I got the access door closed I pulled out the antenna to turn on
the radio.  The antenna separated into two parts.  I looked at the errant
half of the telescoping antenna in my hand and saw that I merely had to
spread the two thin brass leaves on the collar at the bottom of that antenna
section and reinsert it into the rest of the antenna assembly.  The
now-spread leaves keep their antenna section from separating from the rest
of the antenna.  On to power-up.

     I pulled the antenna out just enough to activate the radio.  At first I
heard nothing.  I whacked the radio with my palm a few times and then heard
a very faint hiss in the earpiece.  I listened and heard faintly on the -611
in my hand in my shack in Rockville, MD KB3RHR calling CQ from Pittsburgh,
PA.  This, with the -611's antenna only about 4 inches out of the case!

     I turned on my home station's radio and tuned to 3885 AM, listening for
RHR's sigs.  Nada.  I tuned around and heard him at 3778.  I extended the
-611's antenna all the way out.  I pushed in the -611's PTT and did a
"hello, radio" call.  My -611 sigs were very distorted.  I tuned around and
found the -611 at 3885, still somewhat distorted but readable.  When I had
had the chassis out of the case I noted that one of the crystals (presumably
the transmit one) read "3885 kcs."  So I presume the transmit rock is fine
but I need to verify the freq of the receive one.  My cyphering tells me it
should be 3885 + 455 = 4340 kcs.

     The -611 PTT stayed stuck in transmit again!  However, I was able to
pull on the PTT switch levers (I had removed the rubber PTT switch covering
earlier) and get the radio back into receive.  Another problem to fix.

     So my initial impression of the radio is it's functional but maybe in
need of a tune-up.  I also have to verify the receive crystal freq.  

     Questions:

1.   Do you think by spraying contact cleaner on the PTT contacts the switch
will be able to return to receive on its own?

2.   If 1. doesn't work, have you any ideas of how I might be able to get
the PTT switch to return to receive like normal?

3.   Might the distorted transmit signal from the -611 be due to overloading
of my home receiver?  (My RX antenna is a sloper off the tower in the back
yard.)

4.   Is this really a BC-611-F?  The bottom door to the case does not have
the sockets to plug in a headset as my first "-F" did.  The door is a thin
one as can be seen in the attached photo.  

5.   How can I tell if this is a REAL Galvin model?  It sports a Galvin ID
plate (see photo) but the plate does not lie flat against the case and is
fastened in place by screws, not rivets.  I can buy a "Galvin" plate off
ePay, too.

     I'm looking forward to bringing this radio to Gilbert next fall and
possibly Dayton, trying it out at both venues.  Thanks for any advice or
enlightenment you can send my way.

     And Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Kwanza to
all as appropriate.

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F
P.S.  When removing the batts and PS, I was mindful of everyone's warnings
about stored charge from within the PS.  Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Gene Smar via MRCA
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2019 11:09 PM
To: 'Military Radio Collectors Association' <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [MRCA] BC-611 PS

Gents:

     I am awaiting delivery of a BC-611F that I just purchased on e-Pay.
The purchase includes what I found out is a 4 D-cell power supply for both A
and B batts.  Here's a link to a photo:   https://tinyurl.com/rre5zk7 .  Has
anyone of you used this?  Or are you at least familiar with its operation?
I may be able to put the new (to me) -611 on-air within minutes of its
arrival next week.  I stupidly sold my first -611  (
http://www.mrca.ar88.net/photo_gallery/2003_meet_pix/Meet_pix_03.html and
scroll down)   a few years ago at Gilbert and have regretted that decision
ever since. 

     Thanks for any G2 youse can provide.  And Happy Holidays to all.

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F

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