[R-1051] Tools, and first assessment (was RE: Intro and WTB: R-1051 cabinet)

[David Wise]

The manual refers to tools I don't have.  For example, what the heck's a "heterodyne voltmeter"?  And is an RF Millivoltmeter absolutely essential, or can I get by with a 50MHz scope or an HP 8553B spectrum analyzer plus active probe?  What tools do you use?  Do you shoot for the voltage readings in the manual, or do your improvised tools read differently because of complex waveforms?  Have you improved on the manual?  Found errors?  I have only begun to study NAVSHIPS 94841(A) and NAVSHIPS 0967-034-2000.  The latter refers to 94840 in several places.  Typo?  Or where do I get it?

How about those ultra-unobtainium Test Sets, the TS-3122, TS-3123, and so on?  I'm not talking about cables; these are boxes, for testing individual modules without a radio.  Does anybody actually have them, or do you get by without?  How do the manual procedures change when you operate the modules in a radio instead of on a test set?  (I'm talking both about the main manual and the module manual.  There are a LOT of steps!)

My radio is missing the cabinet and rails.  It has also been dropped - the chassis to front panel mounting tabs are bent over.  I figure it was in a rack and the rack fell over sideways.  The chains were as tight as piano strings; I'm lucky they didn't snap.  I loosened the idler pivots.  Is there a tension spec?

The 100kHz blind-mate shaft coupler from the mainframe to the RF deck lost its locating pin and Hammy Hambone stuck in a hunk of baling wire.  There must be 15 degrees of play.  Anybody have a source for a good substitute?  Is there a way to insert the new pin that doesn't require taking off the chains and unbolting the sprocket assembly?

I assume that the frequency switches/turrets are a bit off.  There are several setscrews as you go from knob to switch - which is the favorite for adjusting this?

Each IF module is missing one of those long mounting screws.  Anybody got spares?

Got any pem nuts?  One module's can-fastening nuts are gone.  I can improvise with regular nuts and JB Weld but I'd rather do it right.

I have an A1P21 (big D-sub) and A1P22 (3-coax hybrid D) to mate with J21 and J22 on the rear of the chassis, but nothing else in that department.  I can probably make do.

The 100kc detent is missing the bearing, a Torrington B-34.  I ordered a replacement from Bearings Direct.  59 cents - plus $6.50 shipping!

I haven't gotten into the modules, but everything seems to be present.  There's no rust or other water damage, just the usual scuffs, scratches, and dings.
My radio has, I guess, an original six-pack.  The frequency standard has a lamp, a three-position switch, and a fine(?) frequency adjuster.

I'm excited.  After the IBM 1620 Data Processing System, this is the most complex thing I've ever tried to bring back.

Thanks,
Dave Wise

________________________________
From: David Wise
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 3:17 PM
To: 'r-1051 at mailman.qth.net'
Subject: Intro and WTB: R-1051 cabinet

About a year ago I bought an R-1051 (no suffix) from a friend.  It has sat since then, but I'm thinking of getting into it this year.  I haven't looked through the archive yet, so I won't pester you with noob questions, except that if you have a spare cabinet, I might like to buy it from you, since my radio is still naked.

Dave Wise