[Premium-Rx] RA6778C Power switch: The Punch Line!

[Ben Dover]

Howdy, Troops.

You probably remember a few weeks back my message regarding the
rather spectacular failure of the AC power switch on my RA6778C.
Due to the somewhat unusual configuration of the switch, it's
immediate replacement wasn't an option; it was a miniature toggle
switch with the mounting sleeve of a full sized switch. Due to
the rather dense component packing around the switch, a full sized 
unit wouldn't fit in the rig.

At Radio Expo in Grayslake, IL this past weekend, I found a vendor
with a much more rugged aircraft switch with the proper mounting
sleeve and of the proper size to fit the space. To make it better,
it's unused, and only two bucks. :o)  

Just in case I grabbed two of them.

Now, for the bad news part.

This switch was originally meant for some sort of a weapons system;
it came mounted on a small plate labeled "ARM DEVICE". That in itself
isn't a problem; it's easily removed.

What IS a bit odd is that this switch, obviously the "safety" on God 
knows WHAT sort of weapon, is the kind of switch that they wanted to
make damned SURE a pilot or whomever didn't trip accidentally. So, 
the AC power switch on my reciever has a safety lock on it!

The switch has a huge and UGLY handle, obviously intended to be 
manipilated by someone wearing heavy, awkward gloves. To flip it, you
have to pull outward on a spring loaded, cast metal handle first. Once
the handle has been moved, the switch contacts don't close until the
handle is allowed to snap back into it's resting position!

It's a lot of obvously very expensive and extremely rugged MIL spec 
toggle switch.

My RA6778C is now probably the only one in the world that is controlled
by the safety for an atomic bomb!!!   ;o)

If nothing else, it's DIFFERENT!


73's,

Tom, W9LBB