[Premium-Rx] FS: Watkins-Johnson WJ-8969 and a WJ-8969C and spares and manuals

[Peter Ratuschni]

> A WJ-8969 from Gaithersburg, MD in a frame connected to a 1-4.5 GHz 
> tuner. At the moment untested.
> 
> A WJ-8969C, which is a version reworked in San Jose, CA by the WJ Recon 
> Division (long story behind the bi-coastal aspect of these two radios).


Hi Terry and all,

I would like to hear the long story of the bi-coastal history of the wj 8969.
I am working on a 8969 consisting of the IFC and a TU0145 tuner. Until now I thought these were west coast products, as they both are labeled by the San Jose division.
Thinking about the possible tuner configurations when started in 1986 the system seems to be the logical successor of the 112 receiver. And unlike the other new wj microwave systems of the time the 8969 fits in the same 2U rack space (at least when paired with the half rack width tuner units). Looking at the catalogues on Terry`s wj website, the 112 appeared from 1968 until 1988. The 8969 appears in the 1990 catalogue from RET division, San Jose. 
What lets me think of Gaithersburg is the frontplate of the IFC which is almost similar to the frontplate of the 8615P.

It seems to be difficult to obtain the 8969 service information and it is seems to be also difficult to find out, if this 35 year old system is still on the ITAR or EAR lists.

If I manage to get the system up and running I would like to compare it with a 112R, also equipped with a 1 to 4.5 GHz tuner head. Are there any cons of the digital circuits, maybe some noise interference?
I got the IFC basically running by fixing the SMPS. The Papst 812 fan is connected to -15V which seems not original. There is a 1500µF Sprague Atom in parallel to the fan.
The TU0145 has something glued on top of the first module behind the frontplate - this thing looks like a foiltype capacitor, but it is covered with silicone so I am not sure at the moment. There is some kind of Molex connector which looks like it was made disfunctional. This can likely be dissolved but if new questions arise I guess I might be lost without the service information.

Any information is appreciated.

b.r. 
Peter