[R-390] Z503 replacement

[Randy and Sherry Guttery]

On 4/2/2011 10:48 AM, rbethman wrote:
> Perry,&  Et Al,
>
> I believe that these were "overbuilt" or "over-engineered" for a *REAL*
> reason.
>
> Remember that these were designed to be a cost reduction version of the
> R-390/URR. As such, they had tight specifications to engineer to.
And I think you just hit the nail squarely on the head:  
That construction was probably (then) the least expensive 
way to accomplish "the spec.".

As we know today - there are lots of new and 
exotic/precision/nifty parts that didn't exist back then.  
If we were to establish the parameters of Z503 (inductance, 
capacitance, Q, bandwidth, etc.) then using modern 
components fabricate one that duplicates those parameters - 
I sincerely doubt there would be any measurable difference 
between the original and the replacement "in circuit".  
Might cost a lot more - take more time to make; each have to 
be "hand tweaked" (rather than the economy of mass 
production) - but we're not needing production quantities, 
either.

Collins wasn't out to be "different / cute / difficult to 
duplicate / oh gee whiz!" - they were out to get the job 
done for the least $$$.

just my .02

-- 
randy guttery

A Tender Tale - a page dedicated to those Ships and Crews
so vital to the United States Silent Service:
http://tendertale.com