[MRCA] Your thoughts on acquiring a BC-611 today

[B. Smith]

There were a lot of toy BC-611 "replicas" out there for a while. I 
purchased one of the "Display" cases (empty) and filled it with OTS 
components to assemble a solid state BC-611.
http://k4che.com/BC-611%20Knockoff/BC-611%20Knockoff.htm


On 5/25/2026 2:58 PM, Jeep Platt via MRCA wrote:
> It has been a while but I had 3 BC-611F radio sets, the test jig,  the 
> D cell adaptors, and a number of chassis with plug-ins.  All 3 were on 
> 3885.  They were fun in the beginning to use at the Gaithersburg (MD) 
> hamfest and such. The range was quite short. Used them at Bethany 
> Beach several summers. But, was offered $500 for the lot in 1978 when 
> I came back from Central America, and never looked back.  Cool 
> radios.. Rauland, as I recall?  Given prices now, one has to have a 
> "bona fide" reason...hi!!  I do wish I had bought two of the CB 
> replicas a while back, though... I guess.
> Jeep K3HVG
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on 
> behalf of Scott Johnson via MRCA <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
> *Sent:* Monday, May 25, 2026 2:16:35 PM
> *To:* 'Jason WA6BBQ' <w6iee.73 at gmail.com>; MMRCG at groups.io 
> <MMRCG at groups.io>; MRCG-West at groups.io <MRCG-West at groups.io>; 
> mrca at mailman.qth.net <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [MRCA] Your thoughts on acquiring a BC-611 today
>
> OK, first, a disclaimer:  I was a career Motorolan, and had dealings 
> with the Motorola Museum in Schaumburg, I am in short, a Motophile. 
> (Galvophile?)
>
> I have had a pair of BC-611s since grade school, and a BC-1000 since 
> high school.  I find the 611 to be quaint, cool and an instant 
> conversation starter (with the commensurate BS stories being 
> generated).  It must have been effective foxhole to foxhole, but my 
> 100mW Midland Channel 11 walkies would outperform the BC-611.  I 
> still, however, cherish them, and drag them out occasionally for MV 
> meet and Ham club meetings.  The BC-1000 is a whole ‘nuther story, it 
> changed things dramatically.  Dan Noble was the inventor/developer, 
> and he set the stage for Motorola to Lead in the 2-way business, he 
> was also the impetus for Motorola to delve into semiconductor 
> research, initially to support the2 way business, but they would 
> become the largest merchant semiconductor manufacturer in the world 
> for many years.  Anyway, they don’t make ‘em anymore, so if you can 
> find a pair, and perhaps a parts unit, I don’t think you would regret 
> purchasing them.
>
> Scott, W7SVJ
>
> *From:*mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> *On 
> Behalf Of *Jason WA6BBQ via MRCA
> *Sent:* Monday, May 25, 2026 10:42 AM
> *To:* MMRCG at groups.io; MRCG-West at groups.io; mrca at mailman.qth.net
> *Subject:* [MRCA] Your thoughts on acquiring a BC-611 today
>
> Said radio to me seems like the apex for us military radio collecting 
> and operating nerds, especially after considering the “dollars per 
> pound” and “dollars per milliwatt” calculations. (Much safer for one’s 
> toes, however.)
>
> But no denying the cool factor, checks a lot of my boxes: Operational 
> history, AM, highly portable,  seems to be the origin story for why 
> the 75M AM center of the universe landing on 3885, as someone who 
> works in public safety communications and has revived a lot of old 
> Motorola gear to work on the ham bands, having “Motorola’s first HT” 
> (yeah, I know… Galvin… minor technicality)
>
> But I want to ask those of you who have had one for a while… do you 
> love it? Hate it? Worth it? If you could do over, would you still have 
> bought one, or skipped it? Easy or difficult to keep running? Horror 
> stories? Experiences with recent power supply modules?
>
> (I do have both of Mark Francis’ books… he’s much more objective than 
> the subjective that I’m inquiring upon)
>
> What other thoughts and advice do you have?
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Jason WA6BBQ
>
>
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