[Premium-Rx] History: WJ 8711, 12, 12P, HF-1000, UK Variants

Tue Aug 25 17:40:27 EDT 2015

The UK Built WJ-8711 Radios - Snapshot of WJ-8711-1 and WJ-8712-1 Radio 
Family

The -1 radios were briefly mentioned. All of them were built in the UK for 
deployment in Europe. The Windsor Berkshire radios were originally -1's but 
later unified with the US versions during release A. There are too many 
variants to list but a few major differences are:

WJ-8711-1: Large Raised keys, Red neon rocker power switch, no SAM mode, 
custom firmware, some had 5 locked IF bandwidths instead of 66, modified RF 
tuners, two or three AGC modes, SP-1348 power supply

WJ-8712-1: Optional Telex style phone jack, Red neon rocker power switch, no 
SAM mode, custom firmware, some had 5 locked IF bandwidths instead of 66, 
modified RF tuners, two or three AGC modes, SP-1348 power supply, RS-232 
port on the rear panel

There are many variants. Customers included The BBC, NATO, and US Army. -1 
radios were purpose built and very robust. Some can be upgraded with 
firmware changes. Be aware that components on the boards were often selected 
for each contract so firmware was often matched to specific hardware. What 
is perceived as odd behavior might actually be intended operation. Builds 
were controlled by serial number ranges for each customer.

Best Regards,
Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Pappin via Premium-Rx" <premium-rx at mailman.qth.net>
To: <premium-rx at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2014 11:54 PM
Subject: [Premium-Rx] History: WJ 8711, 12, 12P, HF-1000, and A versions

> So what were the major differences between all of the WJ-8711 based 
> radios?
>
> Firmware for one but it goes much deeper than that. Terry O' suggested 
> that all WJ radios are custom and he is correct. Having worked directly 
> with DRS on a few projects I am finding that nothing is equal. Radios were 
> built for contracts, not for individuals. When you buy one of these radios 
> you get whatever was issued to the contracting customer, and it's never 
> exactly the same. Even the power supplies had major revs and ECO's.
>
> So here's a quick scan for all who are interested:
>
> 1) WJ-8711: Can have the newer or original front panel with raised keys as 
> seen on the 8711-1. SP-1348 power supply but sometimes the SP-1348A. Lower 
> firmware numbers not compatible with the 8711A or even within 8711 builds. 
> Often with "D" shaped metal tuning encoder shafts. Issues with tuning 
> encoder splatter and odd power on behavior. Wide IF outputs and flat audio 
> for decoding data. Harsh audio recovery requiring external audio 
> processors.
>
> 2) WJ-8712: The remote only version on the 8711 in a half rack chassis. 
> The same internal components but different firmware optimized for use with 
> WJ-RCS control software. The front panel has a phone jack, volume control, 
> and power switch. The RS-232 cable exits the rear of the chassis.
>
> 3) HF-1000: The civilian version of the 8711 with firmware optimized for 
> voice communications. Smooth audio recovery and internal speaker loaded 
> under the top cover.
>
> 4) WJ-8711A: Has the newer front panel with low profile screened keys. The 
> SP-1348A power supply with more vent holes in the cover. Higher firmware 
> numbers not compatible with the 8711. A new controller board with a RAM / 
> Battery time keeper IC. The RF tuner board remains basically the same. 
> Most often with round metal tuning encoder shafts. Issues with tuning 
> encoder splatter. Wide IF outputs and flat audio for decoding data. Harsh 
> audio recovery requiring external audio processors.
>
> 5) HF-1000A: The civilian version of the 8711A with firmware optimized for 
> voice communications. Smooth audio recovery and internal speaker loaded 
> under the top cover. The tuning encoder shaft is plastic and there are no 
> EMI splatter issues.
>
> 6) WJ-8712A: The remote only version on the 8711A in a new half rack 
> chassis. The same internal components but different firmware optimized for 
> use with WJ-RCS32 control software. The front panel has a phone jack, 
> volume control, DB-25 connector, and power switch. The RS-232 cable 
> connects to the front panel DB-25 connector.
>
> 7) WJ-8712P: The front panel version on the 8712A in a half rack chassis. 
> The same internal components but different firmware optimized for front 
> panel operation. The front panel is extremely robust and has backlit keys 
> with gold contacts. There is an internal cooling fan. Each section is 
> separated by aluminum bulkheads with the RF tuner on top, controller on 
> the bottom, and power supply between the front panel and other sections. 
> The tuning encoder has a plastic shaft. The radio is very quiet and has 
> none of the EMI noise issues of the early radios. Audio recovery is very 
> good and can be optimized for voice or data. This is a very rare version 
> and less than 500 were made.
>
> Notes: Options for all versions included pre-selectors, front panel ground 
> straps, special tuning encoders, optimized firmware, precision references, 
> and a host of add on cards that are too numerous to list. You may find 
> versions built by WJ, BAE, DRS, and Signia-IDT, all spawned by 
> Watkins-Johnson.
>
> If you could afford it WJ would build it. Prices were all over the map!
>
> The last two 8711A's were sold in December 2012 and they went for $5130.00 
> each. They were stripped down versions and purchased by a contractor for 
> spares. Sheet metal is no longer available. A few parts can still be 
> ordered, are extremely pricey, end of life, and pretty much the last 
> pieces of the WJ front panel radios.
>
> The government communities now support a policy of elimination at the end 
> of use. As radios come out of service the boards are removed, all parts 
> are crushed or incinerated, and the chassis recycled.
>
> Best Regards,
> Steve
>
> ---
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