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

[Peter Ratuschni]

Terry, thanks to the brief of history of the WJ8969!

In the meantime I have seen the photo of the lot on facebook (not a member). I always liked the design of CEI/WJ equipment, especially the functional design in smart black. (and I wonder if Dieter Rams had seen a black CEI radio when inventing his first black hifi). The west coast products appear to me more "industrial" when offered in grey or cream colour.
The outer design of the 8969C seems like a missing link - despite it is black it has also a more industrial look. Maybe this is because of the punched cooling(?) holes on it's front plate.

Here is a short list of features and differences, the most was extracted from documents available on Terry's website. (please complement).

WJ-8969 - Microwave Receiving System
consists of a half rack controller/demodulator (IFC/WJ8969) and a tuner unit (half or full rack width; initially 4 tuners were available (1-4.5, 4-12.4, 12-18 and 1-12.4GHz), later tuners offer a maximum range of 0.1-20GHz; 160MHz IF with 4 bandwidths from 5 to 50MHz; optional 4 more IF filters centered arround 21.4MHz (bw 10KHz - 5MHz); detection modes: FM, AM, CW and pulse.
More options: IF of 70MHz, Log-Video output. (1986)

WJ-8969A - Enhanced Microwave Receiving System
same as above, except IF 140MHz and 70MHz, TEMPEST packaging, ultra-low phase noise, self calibration

WJ-8969B - TEMPEST Qualified Microwave Receiver
full rack width housing, contains tuner, demodulator and controller; tuning range 0.5-20GHz, 70MHz IF output; (announced 1990)

WJ-8969C -
same as above, except ?

At least it became clear that my 8969 revision C is a plain 8969 and no 8969C ;-)

b.r.
Peter