[MRCA] BC-348 Help

[DSP3]

Ray,

Yes, the J, N, and Q do have their attributes and it probably comes down 
to Ford vs. Chevy.  I still prefer the other than J, N, and Q from a 
maintenance standpoint.  Removing the modules to repair or recap is more 
difficult and cumbersome (mechanically) than the older versions.  The 
crystal filter and BFO are not as well built, nor shielded, as the older 
versions are.  There's no antenna trimmer control, but that's a 
subjective feature, at best.  When doing a recap, the terminal boards 
are a sometimes bit easier to cope with.  All said, however, there are 
some disturbing failures that are becoming more and more prevalent on 
only the older units, such as the trimmer caps splitting collars.  As I 
mentioned earlier, I had one that 100% of them were split.  
Environment?  Lack of use? On my receivers, I've taken to lube the 
adjustment collars so as to (maybe) help prevent cracking.  I do not 
know if this helps but its something like chicken soup; it can't hurt. I 
also have recently found out how to change out front panels to get nicer 
esthetics.  Its not too hard to do and gives far better access to 
re-painting or lettering.   I have a special fondness for the '348.  
When used with an aux. Q-5er receiver, they really keep on tickin' !!!

Jeep K3HVG



On 2/11/2019 8:49 AM, Ray Fantini wrote:
>
> Great to see positive comments about the J, N and Q being they have 
> always been one of my favorite receivers. Years ago got into a big 
> pissing match over whether the older versions of the receiver superior 
> to the newer versions like the J, N and Q
>
> I always prefer the simple component layout and installation on the 
> later receivers and thought the older version were much more difficult 
> to work on and like much military equipment tended to be over built.
>
> The reality is though that all versions work the same and have the 
> same specifications so other than the later versions being designed 
> more along the lines of a commercial radio or later TV and the early 
> versions being designed along the lines of a standard military radio 
> they were the same receiver.
>
> Would speculate that although the ARC-5 stuff was more plentiful the 
> BC-348 may have and still is the most popular surplus receiver.
>
> The big 8 uf capacitor that was under the dynamotor deck was still in 
> the last BC-348Q I did and after checking it found it to still be good 
> and ended up using it in the AC supply where it was originally mounted.
>
> Often amazed to see sometimes how well some of the capacitors held up 
> with age.  My 1938 HRO RAS still has the original filters in its power 
> supply and after eighty years they still work without issue.
>
> Ray F/KA3EKH
>
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