[Premium-Rx] Racal 6217

[w3jn]

I second Geoff's comments, particularly on the less than optimum front end 
of this radio.  IIRC Racal used germanium transistors and the front end just 
isn't up to the task.  An external tuner makes a big difference.

On the plus side, it's no more difficult to use than an R-390.  It has a 
great selection of filters, and the audio quality, driving an external amp, 
is superb.  It's a cute little radio that performs fairly well for its size.

Regarding repair, you'll find that some of those aluminum cans contain 
encapsulated modules that are about impossible to repair.  Alignment of the 
8 or so section L/C filter in the Wadley loop is no picnic as Geoff 
indicated.  I do not like the concentric controls it uses.

All in all, a nice addition to a collection but certainly not a serious high 
performance receiver.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Geoff Fors" <wb6nvh at mbay.net>
To: <Premium-Rx at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 2:19 PM
Subject: [Premium-Rx] Racal 6217


> The Racal 6217 series was their first solid state receiver, and the Wadley
> Loop RF design is basically that of the original vacuum tube RA-17.  The 
> 6-
> in the prefix denotes it is a product of Racal Maryland as opposed to the
> U.K., where the receiver was known as the RA1217.
>
> There are all sorts of variations of this set and quite a few accessories.
> A couple of models were designed for use in a master oscillator
> multiple-operator station, and do not have both tuning knobs. There is 
> even
> one without any tuning knobs!  Those were used where a particular operator
> was only permitted to scan up and down a small swath of spectrum (e.g. 
> CIA.)
> Those are almost useless and a couple of friends were stung paying good
> money for them without knowing what they were doing.
>
> The front end of the 6217 is relatively poor.  In the later models there 
> is
> a blue AMP connector on the rear which is to be cabled to the 6397 
> accessory
> preselector module, in which there are L-C filters 1 MHz wide for each of
> the bands the set covers.  Performance is about what you would expect from 
> a
> first-generation solid state receiver from 1966.
>
> Some of the 6217's were used by the FCC in the late 1960's for off-the-air
> frequency measurement; there was an accessory comparator scope and 
> frequency
> standard made for that purpose.  You will notice all sorts of little
> connectors on the rear panel which provide tapped outputs from the various
> oscillators and stages inside.
>
> Most 6217's have just the 600 ohm low-level audio output module which is
> something like 10mw maximum.  There was an output module which gave 
> speaker
> audio, but none of the 6217's I had came with one.  This looks like an 
> ideal
> task for a couple of cheap computer amplified speakers.
>
> Alignment of the 6217 is not trivial, requires a sweep generator and 
> scope,
> and is best avoided whenever possible.  I was never able to get the AGC to
> my liking.
>
> It's a matter of personal opinion but I found it unpleasant to operate
> because of the control ergonomics.  I guess for a collector of receivers,
> it's a must-have, but I have yet to hear that it's anybody's favorite.
>
> Geoff
> WB6NVH
> Monterey CA
>
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