[Racal] help ID an RA17 version

[Tony Power]

Welcome to the World of RACAL, Joe! The RA17 is a great receiver, in any of
it's many guises. In fact, one distinguising feature of RACAL is that they
have NEVER made two items the same, and the model number gives only a
general indication of what you've got!
Seriously, RACAL apparently were capable of an infinite variety of custom
options, and to Government users and the branches of the military, that must
have seemed like heaven.
Perhaps wiser members of the list can throw some light on the variations -
in my case, I've seen owned several RA17s and RA117s and no two have been
the same, except for the ID plates! Enjoy using one of the great legends of
the valve (tube) era.
73,
Tony Power  VK5ZPE
BLAKISTON
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe LeKostaj" <jm_lekostaj@attglobal.net>
To: <racal@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, 25 January 2002 14:55
Subject: [Racal] help ID an RA17 version


> Hello.
>
> This is my first post to the Racal reflector. From reading the
> archives, there seems to be a lot of ardent Racal fans out there!
> Hope I can tap into your expertise to identify the exact model of
> RA17 I've got and locate the proper documentation.
>
> First off, the model number tag says RA17 so there's not much mystery
> there. Serial number is N402. But if the receiver were an RA17-C12,
> would the model number tag say that? Or must one determine that it's
> a -C12 from inspecting its features? For example, it _does_ have
> U.S.-numbered tubes in all positions and an SO-239 antenna connector.
> The widest I.F. bandwith is 8 kc, not 13 kc.  There is only the 50 mW
> 3 ohm output, no 1W output.
>
> The receiver seems to differ in a few ways from what I believe to be
> Mk I / Mk II RA17s I've seen on the Web. For example:
> - The meter switch is 3-position rotary (not 2-position toggle) and
> is original. The meter has a hand-lettered S unit scale. I thought
> that the 3-position meter switch first appeared with the Mk 3 or
> RA17L.
> - There is no input voltage selector switch on the back panel, just
> the two fuseholders.
> - The first VFO module has six adjustable coils which are adjustable
> through holes in the chassis, but there are not six coil cans on the
> top side of that module.
>
> Based on this description, can anyone confirm which version of RA17
> this is? And where can I find the corresponding schematic and service
> manual? I will appreciate any assistance.
>
> Tnx &73,
> Joe K9LY
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