[MRCA] BC-348

Sun Apr 16 12:47:29 EDT 2023

Welcome, Herb.

This is definitely the right place, as Al said.

The problem is this:  I the late forties, fifties, and early sixties, the surplus house were selling NOS and used BC-348s at very attractive prices.  All an enterprising ham had to do was

rip out that silly dynamotor and cobble an AC supply in its place, the mounting plate made and ideal chassis. (Keep in mind that in the forties and early fifties, finding a source of 24VDC at several amperes was difficult).  The surplus conversion manuals from those days were rife with poorly conceived hack, modifications, and downright destruction.  It is understandable, given the fact that there was little technical information released by the government, and little to no understanding as to how much of the equipment was employed.

  The 24V dynamotors became doorstops and some even modified them and used the as motors.

Bottom line is there are far more BC-348s than dynamotors, and sadly the ones that remain are very tired.  That being said, there are plenty of people now in dispersal mode, so you will probably persevere.

You might even find a nice dynamotor attached to a nicer BC-348!

As a final rant (most people are probably tired of hearing this) - Most of the surplus radios available after WWII were very well designed, and work best without all the old time “Ham Hacks”.  The BC-348 is somewhat broad

For today’s conditions, but that was intentional for ease in tuning under fire.  The IF coupling can be reduced, thereby tightening up the response.  This is very well documented and does not require any surgery other than adjustments.

There is lots of knowledge in the heads of the folks on this group feel free to pry it loose!,   I might suggest you also join the ARC-5 group, and the Collins Collectors Association reflector (you need not be a member).

VY 73,

Scott V. Johnson W7SVJ/AFA6SJ

Sunburst Engineering

5111 E. Sharon Dr.

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

M (480) 550-2358

scottjohnson1@ cox.net

scott.johnson at ieee.org

From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Al Klase
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2023 09:20
To: mrca at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [MRCA] BC-348

Hello Herb,

Your request is perfectly "0n topic" here.  We currently have more that 300 subscribers.
If you don't find what you're looking for, you might explore some of the other lists on  https://mailman.qth.net/
Might I suggest "ARC5," "Boatanchors," and "Milsurplus."

Al - N3FRQ - MRCA Email Admin.

On 4/16/2023 8:55 AM, Herb Mooney wrote:

Thanks for the ad, and great email list. I'm new to older Military radios and using them. I've listened in on a couple of the mentioned nets on my modern gear. I've recently managed to get some ART-13, BC348, and ART-5 GEAR. Im doing some research and have lots of questions about restoring these back to original use condition. Is this the place to ask? My hard to find item right now is the dynamotor for a BC-348. Is this really had to find these days? I see plenty of ARC-5 versions, and I have the ART-13 dynamotor, but the BC-348 version isn't easy to find it seems, or am I looking in the wrong places? 

Herb - WW4BCH

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Al Klase - N3FRQ
Jersey City, NJ
 <http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/> http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/

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