[Racal] Hello & Questions

[Barry Hauser]

Marshall wrote:

> Hello to all, I am new to the list as well as a first time Racal owner.
> I picked up a 6970/GM from e-bay. It looks real clean...... however, I
> really need a manual. Anyone have one for sale or would be willing to
> copy one if I paid expenses? Better yet, is there one on-line somewhere.

I'm a new 6970/GM owner also.  The manual is fairly thick with lots of long
foldouts, hence expensive at a copy shop.  Some of the usual manual sellers
have them, but you might be better off with a true RACAL reprint from Gary
Wingerd.  Cost was $75 plus shipping, but other copies run as high as about
$50 or 55 due to the length.  At least that's what I found shopping them
around.

The only online manual I'm aware of is on the Army LOGSA site, but it's
still restricted and requires appropriate clearance with ID and password.

>
> Can anyone help me with the following:
>
> When in SSB the signal is so narrow it seems like a CW filter. I am also
> unable to use the BW buttons to change bandwidth when in SSB.

Haven't noticed that -- did you check under the cover to see that there's
one 3.2 K filter in there?  What does the LCD show when you choose SSB or
that filter under AM?

Choice of SSB mode automatically locks you into the SSB/3.2 Khz filter.
>
> When I press the ISB button, nothing happens.

Because, like me, you don't have the ISB option installed.  There's another
board that goes into that big space with the standoffs plus two additional
filters needed.
>
> The meter reads the AF strength but shows nothing when in RF.

Do you have the AGC in "Manual" mode.  Like many receivers, AGC has to be on
for the S-meter to work -- they're driven off the AGC voltage.  If in
Manual, if you turn the RF gain down, the meter should max out.  That's a
way to check if all the "chevrons" or bars of the LCD readout work.

Hope this helps ..

Barry