[Premium-Rx] Wanted: Eddystone 1650 HF/LF Receiver

[GandalfG8 at aol.com]

In a message dated 02/09/2007 16:49:12 GMT Daylight Time,  
w4nj at tampabay.rr.com writes:

Additionally, if anyone has any comprehensive info on converting the  1650/6 
Remote version for local use, adding VFO, speaker etc, I'd love to hear  from 
you!



-----------------------------------
 
Hi Cliff
 
Geoff  Steedman in the UK was modifying these sets a few years back and did 
provide  comprehensive notes at one time. I also recall parts, including the  
VFO encoder, being available from somebody in  Holland.
Unfortunately, I can't find contact details for  either right now and the 
printed notes that I had from Geoff are buried  somewhere in storage.
 
Whilst the 1650/6  could be, and probably still can be, had much more cheaply 
than a "proper"  version, there's a fair bit of conversion work involved and 
the end  result will never match something like the  1650/9.
 
Although provision of variable tuning is not too  difficult, I'm pretty sure 
it's only the rotary encoder that's  lacking, it's not just the obvious things 
such as VFO and speaker that need  sorting, 
New  firmware is required , and there's some significant issues with IF  
filtering and demodulation.
For example  there's only two crystal filters and no space for more, neither 
on the PCB nor  on the membrane switch front panel, which leaves you with 
bandwidths of 3,  8, or 16 KHz, the latter being from the roofing  filter.
There also seems  to be some form of mod required to enable AM/SSB switching, 
even  though the switch positions are already included on the  panel.
Some of the  normally fitted rear panel connectors are also missing on the  
1650/6.
 
I've got some  internal and external photos of a couple of 1650/6s, one 
modified and  one not, and also some of a  1650/9.
I can email these  to you if you'd like to compare  them.
 
As to the  "proper" sets, I prefer the 1650 to the Racal 1792 from the same  
period, but my experience has just been of the 1650/9, the first that had  
BITE fitted, so I can't really comment on the earlier  versions.
Just as with the  1792 though, CPU battery corrosion can be an issue but it's 
less easy to spot on  the 1650 as the CPU board is under a cover behind the 
front  panel.
 
If you can find  one with the optional motorised preselctor fitted that would 
be one heck of  a bonus.
I have seen them  but they seem to very rare  indeed.
 
regards
 
Nigel
GM8PZR