Radio Boulevard
Western Historic Radio Museum

Vintage Longwave Receivers
Restoration and Performance Testing

Part 2 - WWII LW Receivers
 

9. Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co. - RC-123 Coast Guard Receiver

10. USN-RCA-Andrea Radio Co. - RAK-7 CND-46155

11.  US Army Signal Corps - BC-314-D

12.  RCA-Victor Div. of RCA - CR-91 Receiver
(1944 Camden-build)
Includes NDB Reception Log

13.  USN-National Co. RBL-5

14. Radiomarine Corp. - AR-8510

15.   USN RBA Receivers
CFT-46154 and CFT-46300

Includes Rebuilding Information and NDB reception log for RBA-1 SN:972
Description and performance for RBA-6 SN:181
Photos of RBA-1 with Field Mod installed, Photos of RBA-2 SN:168

 16.   Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co. - Type 3001-A Marine Radio Receiver
 

photo: Shipboard Radio Room in the late-twenties to early thirties - note the vacuum tube transmitter in the right corner of the operator's desk. The photo is from an October 1932 issue of Radio News showing the radio room of the ship "Discovery II."

PART 2 - WWII LW RECEIVERS

9.
 

Mackay Radio & Telegraph Company

for the

U.S. Coast Guard
 

Radio Receiver Type RC-123   sn: 97

CONTRACT: TCG-34199   ORDER: CG-80609


built by: Federal Telegraph Co.

15kc to 635kc

TRF Stage, Regeneration Amp, Detector, Audio Stages

1942
 

photo above: The Federal Telegraph Company building in Palo Alto around 1927
 

Federal Telegraph started out in Palo Alto, California mainly dealing in arc transmitters. At one time, Lee DeForest worked for the company but Frederick Kolster was the chief engineer for most of FTC's history. FTC bought the Brandes Company and created a new division of FTC called Kolster Radio Company specifically for selling consumer radios in the mid-twenties. FTC became involved with Mackay Radio in 1926 when Mackay bought a radio station that had belonged to FTC. When Mackay sold his interests to ITT, Federal Telegraph Company continued to do most of the Mackay Radio work under contract to ITT and eventually, in 1930, ITT bought Federal Telegraph. ITT moved the Federal Telegraph operation to Newark, New Jersey in 1931. For awhile ITT tried the consumer radio market with a division called Kolster International but it was a short-lived venture. The name of Federal Telegraph Co. was changed to Federal Telephone and Radio Company during the early days of WWII (about 1942.) After WWII, Mackay Radio equipment usually indicates "built by Mackay Radio & Telegraph Company." Since ITT owned both Federal Telephone and Radio Company and Mackay Radio, it's assumed that ITT believed showing both companies as involved with the production was superfluous information. Later, Mackay Radio became ITT-Mackay Marine.

photo right: top of the RC-123 chassis

Underneath the chassis, as mentioned, the RF Gain pot was a 25K with a series 25K resistor that needed to be replaced with an original 50K WW pot. There was a length of brown "zip cord" that had the exterior end cut and the interior end was connected across C27 at the component board directly behind the Audio Gain pot. This had the two wires connected to the 6K6 output tube's plate and screen and that also was the connection of the primary of the audio output transformer T2. The purpose of this "zip cord" is unknown, and it wasn't original, so it was removed. As received, the RC-123 had a glass 6SK7GT tube installed for the RF amplifier. This was replaced with a metal 6SK7 tube. All other tubes tested good.

photo left: Underneath the RC-123 chassis. This photo was taken before the rebuild. Note the two upper-most coils, L3 and L4. Note the "wax spatter" on the metal mounting bracket (right coil, L3) indicating where the coil had gotten hot - fast! Note on left coil, L4, how the coil primary is discolored and dark, also indicating high heat.

I use plenty of Glass Plus and 0000 steel wool. Keep the panel very wet with the Glass Plus and gently rub the 0000 steel wool in a "figure-8" pattern. This "figure-8" will avoid linear scratching and evens the paint surface removal. Don't scrub the surface and check the progress by washing the panel with Glass Plus and a paper towel frequently. It takes 20 to 30 minutes of this treatment to remove significant tobacco staining BUT it only works on smooth, non-glossy paint, so this process is pretty limited but the Mackay panel paint was this type and the tobacco-stains were 95% removed.

I had to make a new transparent plastic dial cover which is just a flat plastic piece about .020" thick. The vernier reduction unit was lubricated with heavy grease applied with a small brush and worked into the pinch wheels. The dial scale is made out of a celluloid plastic that reacts to water or water-based cleaning. Too much water will begin to dissolve the celluloid. I dry cleaned the dial scale using just a clean flannel cloth to remove the loose dirt. Luckily, the dial scale was in good shape and didn't need a lot of cleaning anyway.

Another problem was the 6.3vac output wiring from the "tube heaters" AC transformer. The wires had be cut and then the ends were wrapped with plastic electrician's tape indicating a non-vintage alteration. That the AC tube heaters supply was removed indicates that some other source was used or intended to be used to power up the receiver. Fortunately the cuts were only about 2" from the transformer and there was ample wire available on the other end to make new connections that were stripped, tinned and soldered to the transformer.

To power the RC-123 on AC requires a power cable be wired to the LINE+ and LINE- terminals on the power strip inside the cabinet. There's a "knock-out" just below these terminals for access. Also, the antenna connections are routed through the back of the cabinet and connect to "M" and "G" on the antenna terminal strip. "E" and "EXT" are connections for the emergency antenna (E) and a connection for another receiver (EXT) to share the emergency antenna. There is another terminal strip that provides an external connection for the 600Z audio output to run to a console or to a phone jack on the operator's desk.

Shock Mounts - The manual shows the typical WWII type shock feet installed directly to the bottom of the cabinet. I used a set of WWII shock feet I had purchased for another receiver but never used.

Rewinding L3 Primary - When attempting to repair a coil the first thing to try is a close examination to see if perhaps it's something easy, like a break. Unfortunately, the primary was wound with Litz wire and the heat-damage made it difficult to find any single break. Several breaks were found and the heat apparently had made the wire very brittle. Examination looked like the Litz wire had about ten strands. The coil looked like it was about 12 layers deep. The DC resistance should be 2.8 ohms. I salvaged a Litz wire wound LF coil out of a derelict RBH receiver coil box. Since this coil measured about 8.0 DC ohms there would be plenty of wire to wind a new primary coil for L3. The burned primary winding was removed and the form cleaned. The original wrap was the "zig-zag" type that requires a mechanical coil winder (like a Morris, which I don't have.) Since this was only a primary winding, I just layered the windings and tried to keep all of the layers equal. To measure the DCR of Litz wire all of the strands have to be soldered together for an accurate measurement. Two times checking and the second check measured 3.0 ohms which was close enough. I installed new black sleeves and then soldered the ends to the terminals. I then coated the entire primary coil with bee's wax, as original. Before installing the repaired coil, I rechecked the DCR and the primary was 3.0 ohms and the secondary was 14.8 ohms, both close to what is shown in the manual. With L3 installed, the RC-123 now "came alive" on Band C, not that there's an abundance of signals from 100kc up to 240kc but the signal generator proved that Band C was working correctly. An alignment of Band C improved reception significantly. Band D was also aligned. Band B and A are aligned together using a trimmer located on the tuning condenser stator B.

Rewinding L4 Primary - In comparing the repaired L3 signal levels along with the levels on Bands B and A, it was apparent the Band D signals level were far less than those Bands and the Antenna Trimmer had no affect on signal level on Band D. The Antenna Trim worked fine on Bands A, B and C. I measured the DCR per the procedure in the manual and the L4 primary was twice the resistance it should have been (measured 1.8 ohms, should have been 0.8 ohms.) Also, there was very little wax left on the primary wires. I suspect that when L3 got the lightning "hit" there was enough "flash-over" (because of the common chassis connection and low DCR) that it over-heated the L4 primary winding and changed its characteristics.   >>>

photo above: The rebuilt L3 Antenna Coil for Band C in the foreground. The coil at the upper-left is L4, note the burned look of the primary. This photo was taken before L4 was rebuilt.

photo above: L4 primary rewound, rewaxed, reinstalled and working

The secondary winding had to be disconnected from the coil form in order to unwind the lower primary coil. Both primary coils were then unwound. Underneath, the white cloth adhesive tape (that provided a cushion for the coil wire against the coil form) was totally burned and destroyed. I used one layer of white masking tape as a replacement cushion. I rewound the primary coils with Litz wire (as original.) When each single layer was complete the DCR of each was 0.4 ohms, so the two in series would be 0.8 ohms.

Tinning Litz wire is difficult but very necessary to assure that all of the strands are connected together at the terminals. I think new Litz wire would have been easier to work with but the junk RBH coil was easy to access and was the correct size even though it was 80 years old. To tin the Litz wire, careful removal of the enamel insulation is required. I used a razor blade and gently scraped the enamel off. This has to be carefully done so none of the wires are broken. Once clean and shiny, the strands are twisted together, again lightly scraped and then the solder is applied. Even with all of this care, the solder joints at the terminals didn't easily flow over and though the Litz wire. It could have been wax contamination since the bee's wax residue was in every part of the coil. Eventually, with more light scraping, the solder flowed and the joint was decent. Once all the Litz wire ends were soldered to the correct terminals then the entire coil was coated with new bee's wax.

The rewound L4 was reinstalled into the RC-123. First thing noticed,...the Antenna Trimmer now worked. Next, slight changes in the coil itself due to the reworking required a touch-up on the alignment. Now, Band D has much better sensitivity and behaves more or less like Bands C, B and A.

Capacitors - There are twelve paper-wax tubular capacitors in the chassis and two in the cabinet. The wax was cracked on many of the cap ends indicating a loss of the sealing property of the wax. Even if the paper dielectric is sealed, leakage current can still develop since it's basically caused by contamination of the paper at the time of manufacture. However contamination problems are accelerated with moisture ingression so these capacitors undoubtedly have some leakage current problems. Any new polyfilm cap is about 1000 times better. All I had on hand in sufficient quantity were "yellow jackets." I usually paint these types because the yellow-color is so terrible-looking,...way too bright, looks like they belong in an imported toy. I painted the new capacitors black and left it at that. There are ten .05uf caps and two .1uf, so it's not too hard to keep track of which value is which. I didn't replace the two capacitors in the cabinet because they are bypass caps for A+ and B+ and are only in the circuit if DC operation is going to be used.

The wrong value RF Gain pot was replaced with a NOS 50K 4W WW Clarostat pot that was almost identical to the original. The missing original pot was an audio taper. I could only find a linear taper style so the RF Gain adjustment is more towards the top 25% of the range.

1. MW 408kc - Moses Lake, WA                          9. AA 365kc - Fargo, ND
2. MOG 404kc - Montegue, CA                           10. RPX 362kc - Roundup, MT
3. QQ 400kc - COMOX, BC,CAN                      11. MEF 356kc - Medford, OR
4. PNA 392kc - Pinedale, WY                             12. NY 350kc - Enderby, BC,CAN
5. YWB 389kc - Westbank, BC,CAN                  13. XX 344kc - Abbotsford, BC,CAN
6. PI 383kc - Tyhee, ID                                        14. DC 326kc - Princeton, BC,CAN
7. GC 380kc - Gillette, WY                                 15. LGD 296kc - LaGrande, OR
8. ZP 368kc - Sandspit, QC Is, BC,CAN

Conditions were very good for early September with relatively low noise levels. All stations were easy copy with moderate to very strong signals.

The RC-123 is now functioning as it should. During the LW season peak in late-November through mid-Jan, DX NDBs should be plentiful and fairly easy copy. The receiver is very easy to operate and the tuning rate, although fast, is able to fine-tune signals in the MW portion of the spectrum. Regeneration doesn't have to be adjusted at the feedback point for good sensitivity. This is probably because of the "Regeneration Tube" that amplifies the feedback. Maximum sensitivity is still at the feedback point but slightly beyond that gives good stability and ample feedback. A couple of minor negatives would be that the RC-123 is a very "basic" receiver with no filters for static crashes and no selectivity filters. What you hear is pretty much everything as far as spectrum noise. The other minor point is the dial resolution is extremely vague with 25kc separation of the index marks on Band D. Considering the RC-123 was designed in 1941 and that it was primarily a commercial receiver that was "pressed into" military service, it does a good job with no "fluff" or "frills."

10.

Radio Corp. of America

Navy Department - Bureau of Ships


RAK - 15kc to 600kc,  RAL - 300kc to 23mc

2 TRF Stages, Regen Detector, 2 AF Stages

Contractors: RCA-Victor, Andrea Radio Corp. or The Magnavox Company
 

photo right: Andrea Radio Co. CND-46155, RAK-7 - Accepted by USN Jun 1945
 
photo below-left: Andrea Radio Co. CND-46156, RAL -7  - Accepted by USN Mar 1945

The Navy wanted to replace the RAG and RAH receivers that had been contracted in 1933. The RAG/RAH were TRF receivers with non-regenerative detectors and tracking BFOs built by Hygrade Sylvania Corporation. The Navy wasn't satisfied with the questionable sea-going durability and ultimate reliability of the RAG/RAH (or maybe they weren't satisfied with Sylvania) and only one contract was issued. The RAK/RAL came along by 1935 and the design (RCA with Navy Dept. input) and manufacturing must have impressed the Navy since ultimately eight subsequent updated versions were contracted, with production going on until the end of WWII. There was another version of the RAL that was supplied to the USN that was designated as the TBR-1, a portable transmitter-receiver outfit. RCA built the receiver for the TBR-1 and it was essentially a RAL with slight modifications for portable operation. RCA-Montreal made a version of the RAK receiver designated TE236. It was essentially a RAK without meters or elaborate filters. Any receiver built for WWII shipboard use had to be "bullet and bomb" proof, in other words, the ship had to take a couple of torpedoes, be sinking fast and the radio gear would still be working. Additionally, steel and iron were kept to a minimum in shipboard radio construction to reduce corrosion problems that were common on marine equipment. The RAK/RAL series were built like the battleships they served on. The construction is something to marvel at - so robust, so over-built, so heavy-duty,...and with no expense spared - it's no wonder that most RAK or RAL receivers still function with all original parts even though they are pushing eighty years old. The electronic design concept was to provide maximum reliability in severe service by simplicity of design - and it paid off since the receivers were in use up until the end of WWII with their last service onboard submarines.

RCA was the primary designer with Navy Department input and RCA-Victor was builder of the first contracts of RAK and RAL receivers. The demand during WWII required another company, Andrea Radio Corp., to build RAK and RAL receivers however the "contractor" was still RCA. The RAK, (aka CND-46155 by its Andrea-build/Navy designation, substitute "R" for the "N" for the RCA-build /Navy designation) covers 15kc up to 600kc in six tuning ranges while the RAL covers 300kc up to 23mc. There was a RAK-8 and RAL-8 produced with The Magnavox Company as the builder for RCA. The Magnavox versions have a slightly different panel nomenclature plate design but otherwise are identical.

The RAK and the RAL used glass tubes that were large six-pin type, 6D6 tubes for the two RF amplifiers, a 6D6 for the regenerative detector, a 6D6 for the first audio amplifier, a 41 for the audio avc amplifier and another 41 for the audio output. The power supply, CRV/CND-20131, was a separate unit that used a 5Z3 rectifier, an 874 regulator tube and an optional 876 ballast tube. The 876 can be "switched out" of the power transformer primary input circuit if the AC power is stable and noise free. An internally mounted toggle switch routes the 120vac to a different tap on the power transformer and also disconnects the 876 from the circuit. When the 876 is switched in, the 120vac actually is IR dropped through the ballast and a different tap on the power transformer is used (~70vac) thus providing the regulation of the AC to the transformer if the line voltage is not stable. Since the ship had to generate its own power and most of the equipment onboard (including motors to rotate gun turrets) ran on this power, the varying switching loads were what caused the line voltage fluctuations that required using the ballast regulators. In shore set-ups, on standard AC line power, ballast regulators were not required and could be "switched out" of the primary circuit. However, the Navy manual (NavShips 900,480) recommends that the RAK can be operated without the 876 ballast if the AC line maintains 10% regulation, BUT the RAL receiver should always be operated with the 876 ballast tube switched "in" regardless of the AC line stability. The RAL had to operate at much higher frequencies than the RAK and slight AC line variances could cause receiver frequency instability. I've only experienced frequency instability when tuning above 10mc and only when receiving CW (or SSB nowadays.) With AM reception above 10mc it's difficult to detect the instability since the detector isn't oscillating. With modern AC line stability the only time slight variances occur are when heavy-load appliances turn on or off within the user's home. While the instability can be noticed, it is not to the extent that it would affect copy. Operating the 20131 power supply with the 876 ballast "switched in" will generate quite a bit of heat since it dissipates about 140 watts. It's up to the user to decide whether the slight instability only on CW above 10mc is that much of a problem versus the power dissipated as heat resulting from having the 876 in the circuit.   

photo right: CND-20131 Rectifier Power Unit - Each receiver required its own power supply connected to the receiver by a ten foot long four-conductor shielded cable (there are five spade lugs since one lug is for the shield-ground connection.) The AC line to the power supply could be switched using the toggle on the power supply front panel or, if used and wired, the Control Unit could be used to switch the AC line to the power supply. There's also a DC Power toggle switch on the receiver if batteries are used to power the receiver. The Rectifier Power Unit has a 5Z3 rectifier tube, the voltage regulator is an 874 and the ballast tube (if used) is an 876.

The RAK was designed primarily for CW, ICW or MCW reception. The receiver has a low pass filter that is permanently connected in the audio circuit to roll off the upper audio frequency starting at about 1200 hz. An elaborate audio avc circuit allows the user to limit the audio or noise peaks at an adjustable level. This was to provide the radio operator relief from "static crashes" common near storm fronts. Also a selectable-frequency audio bandpass filter was provided to enhance the CW tone reception for noisy conditions. Voice transmissions can be received (nowadays in the 540kc to 600kc portion of the AM-BC band) but the RAK audio response is restricted to about 400hz to 1300hz, so voice or and music transmissions sound "hollow" with little depth. The manual states that another receiver should be used if voice reception is required, implying that the RAL should be used since its audio filters can be switched out of its circuit. The tuning of the RAK is heavy duty, gear driven and the tuning dial readout is shown on two circular dial scales of 0 to 10 and 0 to 100. The actual tuned frequency has to be correlated with a graph that is in the manual. The receiver does provide a logging chart on the front panel for a "most used frequencies" reference. A RF trimmer, an antenna trimmer, sensitivity and regeneration controls are on the lower panel of the receiver. The meters monitor audio output level in db and tube heater voltage (doubles as the "power on" indicator.) The RAL receiver is almost identical construction but has nine bands covering 300kc to 23mc. Additionally, (as mentioned) the low pass filter and the tuned audio filter can be switched out of the RAL circuit for voice reception. Also, a vernier tuned frequency control was provided. In some installations, the two receivers operated together through a Control Unit (CND-23073) that allowed the radio op to monitor two frequencies simultaneously. The Control Unit also could be used to switch the AC to the receivers on or off.

photo left: The RAK and RAL in use aboard a US Navy ship. Also, National RBL and RAO receivers far left,  the LM-type frequency meter by the telephone handset and a Scott SLR-type receiver below the order binders.

In actual operation, the RAK is a very sensitive receiver that spreads the LF tuning range over several bands. This bandspread action is nice for tuning in weak stations or trying to separate several stations that are on the same frequency - as many NDBs are. The major problem is that calibration is relying on the readout versus a graph and that graph is in the manual. The first thing to do is make a copies of the frequency graphs to keep with the receivers (RAK and RAL have separate frequency to tuning dial charts.) Then it's easy to keep track of where you are in the LF spectrum. If it's important to know the exact frequency, use a heterodyne freq-meter set up (or a RF Signal generator with DFC can also be used as a calibrated heterodyne freq-meter.) The Audio AVC will help with static crashes and to a certain extent, noisy conditions but, like most output limiters, if it is advanced too far it severely clips the audio with high distortion. With the AVC control, 10 on the scale is minimal AVC action and reducing the setting (CCW rotation) will increase the AVC action. A setting lower than 3 will usually begin to affect the CW audio tone. The adjustable frequency audio bandpass filters seem at first to be almost useless due to the seemingly high audio frequencies chosen of 450hz to 1300hz. All NDBs use MCW with a 400hz tone. When tuning a NDB, with the detector oscillating to provide a heterodyne, the tendency is to tune for carrier zero beat but that will only allow the 400hz note to be heard. By selecting a higher tuned audio frequency, for example 800hz, and tuning to enhance just the MCW note (that won't be 400hz anymore,) the selectivity of the filter will allow hearing the Morse in the clear but the carrier will be attenuated. It takes some practice and a moderately strong NDB signal. For DX NDBs, the Tuned Audio Filter should be switched off.

A remotely-tuned loop antenna, with its high Q, really helps reduce the noise and increase the signal to noise ratio. I used a ten foot diameter remotely-tuned loop with the RAK-7 when I was in Virginia City and the signal reception was excellent. Unfortunately, that large of a loop didn't survive the mountain winds. I have yet to test the RAK-7 using the Pixel Technologies shielded magnetic loop that I now use but, as soon as I do, I'll add the results here. The easiest access to the audio output is from the front phone jack. It's 600Z ohms and, while the RAK will easily drive a 600 ohm loudspeaker, many more weak signals can be copied using 600Z earphones rather than using a loudspeaker. The 600Z audio out the back of the receiver was normally routed to the Control Unit. Both the rear audio line and the front panel phone jack have identical filtering inline. I have tuned in all of the normal LF signals with my RAK-7. The best NDB DX were several in North-Eastern Canada and Puerto Rico's powerhouse transatlantic beacon, DDP. At lower frequencies, the RAK seems to get better and better with JJY at 40kc being a regular copy. The Navy MSK signals from 19.8kc up to 25.2kc are always present. WWVB, JJY and all of the USN MSK stations will require using the Tuned Audio Filter set to about 800hz for best sounding signals.

photo above:  "Women Marines - USMC PHOTO - 24-8" -  showing a Women Marines Reserve radio op using two RAK receivers. She's tuning the right-side RAK and is ready to copy on the "mill" (the typewriter.)  RAK power supplies are on top of the receivers in this set up. Note how she has the 'phones slightly in front of her ears. This helps reduce "ringing ears" from static crashes or unexpected loud "pops" common on the lower frequencies. The RAK (and RAL) have audio AVC circuits for an output limiter function. Also, note that her 'phones are plugged directly into the Phone jack of the RAK indicating that a Control Unit isn't part of this dual-RAK set up.

11.

U.S. Army Signal Corps

Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp.

BC-344-D - LF/MW Radio Receiver - 1944

150kc  to  1500kc

Double Preselection Superheterodyne

SN: 5     Contractor: CFN (Farnsworth) 

  Order No. 10651-PHILA-44

photo above: Army communications set-up for local ground transmissions. The telephone box allowed interfacing a telephone contact through the BC-191 transmitter. Note that the vernier dial locks are removed from all three BC-342 receivers.

BC-344-N on Long Wave? - I've been interested in how well the BC-344 would perform on MW and LF reception for some time. I have a "rough-condition" receiver that had been painted "metallic" green. I even had it on the workbench once but I lost interest when I saw some "hamster" rework inside. Recently (2016,) in a trade that involved a "drop in ready" AC power supply for a BC-348 receiver, I obtained this BC-344 receiver that happened to have the scarce shock mount installed. This receiver seemed to be pretty original and virtually complete. Replacements for the few missing or poor condition parts were easily located in my BC-312/314/342/344 junk box.

Reworking the BC-344-D - Since the BC-312/314/342/344 were essentially "workhorses" for the Army, many are in rough condition today. All will require some work and many require a full restoration in order to function correctly. The receiver is difficult to disassemble and this has saved many BC-344s (and 342s) from being modified too much by hams. Most hams preferred to modify the easy-to-work-on BC-348-Q. Most 344/342 receivers will be very close in alignment because all of the adjustments were "locked" if they were easy to access, like the IF transformers, or hidden by covers or plugs in the case of the RF adjustments. Most receivers will be missing the dial lock since this piece often times interfered with the rotation of the vernier knob. It's not unusual to do mostly a cosmetic restoration and have the receiver work with all original parts with the exception of the dual electrolytic filter capacitor located in the RA-20 power pack.

I say "unfortunately" because this task is unbelievably complicated by the Army's mechanical design that never seemed to even consider the possibility that the receiver might need to be disassembled someday. Besides the abnormal amount of front accessed screws there are three screws that mount from the backside of the panel that must be removed. The two fuse holders must be unsoldered and removed. All of the phone jacks and controls must have their mounting nuts removed. The wires to the dial lamps have to be unsoldered. All of the wires going to the front panel "trunk" connector have to be unsoldered. The power input terminal strip has to be dismounted. All screw connections to Antenna and Ground connections have to be dismounted. Knobs and control nuts must be removed. At this point, you'd think the front panel would easily come off, but not yet! The Fast Tuning gear has a pinned shaft that is flanged. You can't remove the front panel unless the gear and shaft are taken apart and that requires driving out the pin. However, once the gear and flanged shaft are apart, the front panel finally can be dismounted.

photo right: A rear view of the chassis showing the stout construction of these receivers

When remounting the front panel, it will be noted that all of the 6-32 screws are the same length. However, there are three different length 4-40 screws. The four long 4-40s are for the wire mounts. There are two short 4-40s and the rest are all the same length. The two short 4-40s are very important. There are two places where, if long 4-40 screws are used, they will protrude far enough thru the rear panel mounted nut to contact the dial mask with possible scratching of the mask when the band switch is operated. The "short" 4-40 screws must be mounted as follows: One "short" screws is by the band change switch and is the screw nearest the "G" in "CHANGE" in the nomenclature of that switch. The other "short" 4-40 is used near the lower left side of the data plate (the screw head almost is contacting the data plate edge.)

The other observation is the small component board that is mounted to the back of the front panel uses two different length stand-offs. The reason is that the lower screw must past thru a part of the chassis mounting flange and the top screw doesn't. The longer stand-off is the upper one.

Patience is required in any BC-312,314,342,344 rework. The work is tedious and none of the component parts are easy to access without removing another part or assembly first.

There's ample room to mount new electrolytic capacitors inside the old capacitor can. There are many methods to accomplish this "re-stuffing." I cut the cap in two and remove the old cap and black wax using a heat gun to soften the wax. This allows the old capacitor to be easily pulled out of the can. I install new capacitors connecting them to the correct terminals and then epoxy the can back together. I remount the rebuilt cap and connect it into the circuit.

The photo to the left shows the underside of the BC-344 and in particular the RA-20 power pack. Note that the RA-20 is "swung out" on the right side hinge mount. Also note the wiring harness that is connected to the power terminal strip. 

All signals were heard over a headset, not by loudspeaker. BFO was on and stations generally tuned for zero beat of carrier to then hear the MCW tone correctly. Sometimes it's advantageous to tune the BFO about 400hz to 1000hz from the IF frequency. This will enhance the 400hz on some weak NDB stations. The AVC was off. Noise level wasn't too bad and I'd rate the conditions as "very good."

The BC-344-D is a capable LW receiver that has ample sensitivity in the medium wave portion of the spectrum using a wire antenna. There is no crystal filter or any other method to reduce IF bandwidth so many signals are "heard" over what seems to be a fairly wide IF passband. It's easy to select one particular signal and then concentrate on that tone or sound of the signal to then successfully copy the call. Most of the time this process will be with very, very weak signals that are within the passband with stronger signals. If the received noise seems to be covering up some weaker signals it's possible to slightly "detune" the antenna trim (ALIGN INPUT control) to reduce the noise while not affecting signal copy.

While the BC-344-D is kind of a "basic" superhet with no fancy filters or output limiters, it does a good job with the few controls provided. It's certainly sensitive enough and the reduction of the VERNIER tuning mechanism allows for easy tuning of all stations, including NDBs. Without an output limiter though there isn't any way to reduce "pops and clicks" or heavy static. Wearing the 'phones just ahead of the ears is recommended. I'm sure if the BC-344-D was used with a wire antenna in a modern RFI-noisy, urban-type location the weak signal DX reception would be impossible. But, in the rural RFI-quite area here in Dayton, NV, the BC-344-D does a very good job of pulling in NDB DX using just a wire antenna.

All signals were heard over a headset, not by loudspeaker. BFO was on, AVC was off. Loop Antenna was pointing NE/SW for the entire test listening period.

The BC-344-D running with the tuned loop antenna is a surprisingly good performer. Without any bandwidth controls, one would expect noise to be a problem but the loop does keep the noise level somewhat lower than the wire antenna. Additionally, the "loop tuning" provided the ability to slightly detune the peak adjustment which lowered the noise without causing loss of the signal. This was a nice advantage for signals that were "in the noise." Also, the ALIGN INPUT (antenna trimmer) could be used to slightly detune the antenna and reduce the noise peaks allowing some weaker signals to be copied. These two features, loop tuning and antenna trimmer, do a lot to make up for the "wide open" IF bandwidth which does have a tendency to be somewhat noisy.

As mentioned in the "wire antenna test" section, the BC-344-D is a pretty basic receiver with no filters or no bandwidth control. Yet, I was still able to copy NDBs all the way to the east coast and Canadian NDBs out to Quebec. I don't think any vintage LW receiver enthusiasts will be going out to purchase a BC-344-D to use as their main LW receiver, but I was impressed with its performance and would rate the receiver as one of the better medium wave and low frequency receivers. It is fully capable of receiving DX LW signals and, with its incredible "WWII Military" appearance, makes a fine addition to any collection of vintage LW receivers. Additionally, if you get tired of listening to MCW signals on 'phones, you can always tune in almost the entire AM BC band and listen on an LS-3 loudspeaker - very cool.

12.

Radio Corporation of America
RCA-Victor Division, Camden, N.J., USA
 

CR-91
(USA AR-88LF)

1944

 Double Pre-selection Superheterodyne Receiver

LF, MW and SW

75kc to 550kc and 1.5mc to 30mc
 

(includes NDB reception log)
 

CR-91 sn:050068 during its 2022 MW reception testing using the Pixel Loop Antenna.

The CR-91 and the CR-91A are not the same receiver. During WWII, the CR-91 was the USA-built version of the RCA-Montreal-built AR-88LF. After WWII ended, the Camden CR-91 production stopped. The Montreal AR-88LF was updated and continued to be built but designated as the CR-91A.

Brief History of the AR-88 Series - RCA's AR-88 planning may have chronologically followed their AR-77 ham receiver but the AR-88 owes much of its design concept as a replacement for RCA's aging commercial-military receiver, the AR-60. The AR-60 had been introduced in 1935 and was still being built as late as 1940. RCA did produce an AR-80 for the military that was ruggedized AR-77 that was field-portable. RCA had to update their "cost no object," highly reliable military/commercial product and the AR-88 was the result. Design stages probably date from as early as 1939 but urgent demands of  WWII in Europe pushed RCA into having the AR-88 ready by early 1941. The finalized AR-88 was a 14 tube superheterodyne that covered .54 to 32MC in six tuning ranges, featuring incredible sensitivity (even up to 10 meters), excellent stability and high fidelity audio along with mechanical and electronic reliability that couldn't be found in any other receivers of the day (except for those over-built RCA creations for the Navy.) The electronic design was the work of Lester T. Fowler while George Blaker handled the mechanical design. The actual production during WWII was handled by RCA's Export Sales under Charles Roberts in Camden, New Jersey. Additional receivers were produced at RCA facilities in Bloomington, Indiana and Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Lend-Lease - During the AR-88 design phase, it became apparent that demands of WWII would supersede any commercial market and that a reliable high-performance receiver was going to be required for surveillance and intercept,...not in the USA but in England and for other Allies. To say that ALL of the early AR-88 production was sent to England wouldn't be too much of an exaggeration. RCA wanted to export all of the receivers and didn't want any of them returned after the war (Lend-Lease options were to return, destroy or pay for, at a reduced price, the equipment that had been sent to the end user.) The AR-88 was produced at Camden, New Jersey by the RCA-Victor Division of RCA but another version of the receiver that featured 75kc to 550kc coverage, skipped the AM-BC band and then continued coverage from 1.5mc up to 30mc, was also being concurrently produced for export by RCA-Montreal in Canada. These receivers were designated as AR-88LF and again almost ALL of these receivers were exported to England though many LFs did remain in Canada for their military. The early versions of the AR-88 and the AR-88LF are seldom encountered in the USA. Almost all AR-88 versions built during the early part of WWII were exported to our allies by Lend-Lease.  >>> 

The CR-91 - RCA may have believed that there was a commercial or military need for an AR-88LF in the USA, possibly for government surveillance (the FCC-RID did use some AR-88s) and also for various other purposes that included commercial shipboard use (referenced in the manual) and use at Coastal Radio Stations. RCA designated the Camden-built AR-88LF as CR-91. The production quantity was relatively small with the reported serial numbers ranging from 050068 up to 050958 indicating that probably about 1000 "Camden" CR-91s were built. RCA serial numbers use the first digit to indicate the build location, a "0" in this case indicating Camden. The second digit indicates the model of the receiver, in this case a "5" which was used for the CR-91. The remaining four digits are the receiver's build number, "0068" for the receiver shown in this article. However, there's also the more likely possibility that the AR-88LF production quantity out of Montreal needed to be supplemented with additional AR-88LF receivers built at Camden in order to meet the WWII demand. This thought is based on the fact that nearly all known surviving CR-91 receivers are in countries other than the USA (3 in the UK, 2 in Brazil, 1 in France, 1 in Italy and 1 in the USA.)

Post-WWII - Since the Camden CR-91 receivers were just a requirement of WWII, production ended when the war ended. This then allowed RCA-Montreal to continue to build the AR-88LF but in an updated configuration. These later Montreal-built receivers were designated as CR-91A. These versions have a RCA Umber color smooth finish front panel, a front panel mounted Crystal Filter Phasing control, a different gear box and several other changes from the old AR-88LF. RCA-Camden updated the AR-88D in a similar manner and provided the CR-88 receiver after the war and the CR-88A to replace the AR-88F.

The CR-91 Circuit and Construction Details - The CR-91 tunes from 75kc to 550kc and from 1.5mc to 30mc in six bands. It uses 14 tubes in a double-preselection superheterodyne circuit. The SW front end coils are wound on polystyrene forms that have extremely low losses allowing the receiver to maintain high sensitivity up to 30mc. The gear reduction tuning is substantial at 100:1 and was often referred to as "continuous bandspread." A logging system using two separate dials provided 4400 logging divisions per band for accurate tuned frequency resetability.

The CR-91 provides five steps of selectivity with position 1 and 2 being rather broad for good fidelity while positions 3,4 and 5 use the crystal filter for increasingly narrow bandwidth. The receiver uses three stages of 735kc IF amplification with stagger-tuned IF transformers. Two under-coupled IF transformers and two over-coupled IF transformers are utilized when the receiver is operated in the "BROAD" POS. 1 selectivity position. To assure that the passband is symmetrical usually requires a sweep generator and oscilloscope for proper alignment. However, if fidelity is not an issue, there is a procedure to align the IF section using just a VTVM but the IF bandwidth will usually be narrower than if the sweep method is used. The 735kc for an IF was to allow for continuous coverage in the 75kc to 550kc range and is also why there is a gap in the frequency coverage from 550kc to 1500kc.

The CR-91 receiver also has a clipper-type Noise Limiter and a High Frequency (limiter) Tone control. The audio output is from a single 6V6GT providing about 2.5 watts of power to a 2.5 ohm Z output transformer (600 ohm Z and Hi-Z phones outputs are also provided.) The use of the 6V6GT audio output tube differs from the standard AR-88 that uses a 6K6GT in that function.   >>>

>>>  The receiver power supply uses a potted power transformer and two potted filter chokes for dual section filtering using an oil-filled, multi-sectional unit with three paper dielectric capacitors. Only the AR-88LF and the CR-91 receivers have AC line fuses that are chassis mounted. All other versions required the user to provide a fused AC line. A VT-150 is used to provide a regulated +150vdc for the LO and BFO plates and for the RF/IF screens to improve stability and reduce drift.

A minor difference in the front panel nomenclature is that the CR-91 uses PHONE and BFO on the mode switch while all other AR-88 versions used REC MOD and REC CW for those mode positions. Since the receiver is a bit later in WWII production from Camden, the front panel nomenclature is silk-screened (very early AR-88LF versions were engraved) and the main tuning dial is alternating black and yellow scales (early dials were all yellow.)

Mechanically, the receivers were stoutly built. Heavy steel chassis and an almost quarter of an inch thick, copper-plated steel front panel were the foundation for component assembly mountings that are entirely put together with screws, lock washers and nuts. This was to allow extensive disassembly to be easily and quickly accomplished, the repairs performed, followed by easy and quick reassembly. The only rivets used in the receiver are for the clips that mount the adjustment tools. Early receivers had the chassis side panels bolted in place but late receivers will have the chassis side panels spot-welded to the chassis. The ultra-heavy duty construction made for a stable receiver but also added to the weight. The AR-88 weighs in at just about 100 lbs. when installed in its cabinet. Out of the cabinet, the receiver weighs about 75 pounds.

I was told about the CR-91 receiver by a visitor to our Western Historic Radio Museum (I was open in Virginia City, Nevada from 1994 to 2012.) The visitor had seen the receiver at Twin City the day before. To my surprise, in Reno the following day, the CR-91 was still there. It looked in reasonably good shape and was installed in an old Navy RCH receiver cabinet. After a little haggling, I purchased the receiver for $125. The CR-91 was setting up on a high shelf that was a little over six feet off the floor at the rear section of the surplus store. To my surprise, the store employee (not the owner) grabbed a small (but stout) wooden box, placed it on the floor in front of the shelf, stepped up on top of the box and then proceeded to grab the CR-91 and pull it off the shelf (that was about shoulder-level when standing on a box.) Keeping his arms extended and holding the CR-91 out at chest-height, he stepped off of the wooden box and, without pausing, carried the CR-91 (still chest-high with arms extended) up to the front counter, 25 yards away. I was impressed, even though the guy did look like he could bench-press 300 pounds pretty easily.

Initial 2009-2010 Restoration - The CR-91 was missing the bottom chassis cover which isn't surprising since the receiver had been installed in the old RCH receiver cabinet. The RF cover was also gone but this is missing on almost all '88 receivers and was really only present to cover and protect the alignment adjustments. Luckily, the tuning condenser cover was installed. The 735kc crystal for the crystal filter was missing. It had apparently been "cut out" of the circuit for some unknown reason. There was a small cut-out section at the rear of the chassis that was for a Jones-type socket. Also, a SO-239 was mounted on the rear-side of the chassis. These parts were removed and, luckily, there wasn't any wiring associated with these connectors. When dismounting the front panel it was noted that several of the 1/4 x 20 studs used in the mounting the front panel to the chassis side-gussets were broken at the welds to the back of the front panel. I repaired these studs using J-B Weld with careful prep of the mounting surfaces. The resulting repair, while not as strong as the original weld, is certainly strong enough for the front panel mounting (there are eight studs and four were broken.)


photo left: The CR-91 SN: 050068 (in an Apr 2010 photo) after its rebuild and installed in an original AR-88 series cabinet (the rack screw slot edge covers aren't original.) This photo shows the replacement main tuning dial and the replacement logging dial installed. Also in the photo, the MI-8303D matching loudspeaker.

No More Custom f Crystals? - I ordered a 735kc crystal from International Crystal that took about one month to be delivered (and cost $109, even then, in 2010, mainly because it was a custom cut frequency. NOTE: International Crystal is no longer in business. In fact, new "custom frequency" crystals are becoming increasingly difficult to find,...maybe even impossible.) For some reason, I never aligned the IF or even tried to measure the active frequency of the new crystal,...reason? Unknown. 

Relegated to the Back Burner -  I then used the CR-91 a few times for testing always figuring I'd get back to completing the restoration. It turned out that the logging dial I had gotten for the AR-88 restoration "matched" the color of the CR-91A main dial I had gotten from Garth so this logging dial was installed in the CR-91 and the darker, original CR-91 logging dial was used for the AR-88. I had also acquired some other AR-88 spare parts about that time. Along with the spare parts was an original AR-88 cabinet that unfortunately had been powder-coated (it's black wrinkle,...sort of,...kind of glossy though.) About the same time, an original loudspeaker cabinet and chrome grille, the MI-8303D, showed up on eBay and was purchased. With the move to Dayton, Nevada in late-2012, the CR-91 project was put on the "back burner" and it has remained there, stored in the shop on one of the shelving-units, since that time.

2022 CR-91 Project

Chassis Photos 2022

photo above: Top of the CR-91 chassis. The square filter choke is a replacement from another type of AR-88 Series receiver. Looking at the IF transformers from left to right, 4th IF transformer and then the BFO coil, then the top pair of transformers are for the 3rd IF, next pair down is for the 2nd IF, next down is a single transformer for the 1st IF, furthest to the rear is a single can for the Crystal Filter Load coil. The slotted adjustment to the right of the Crystal Load can is the Phasing control for the Crystal Filter. The four hex standoffs surrounding the tuning condenser housing and front end assembly are for mounting the RF Cover, which is almost always missing on AR-88 and CR-91 receivers.

photo above: Under the chassis with the RF coil box shields installed. The six tub capacitors are multi-section units that are oil-filled paper dielectric types for high reliability. The other capacitors are unfortunately Micamold brand, notorious for their dielectric problems (especially after almost 80 years of aging.) The notched cut in the rear corner of the chassis is visible at the lower right. Also, note the holes for mounting a SO-239 next to the Jones-type socket cut-out. These are the only indications of a "hamster attack."

photo right: All of the shortwave coils used in the CR-91 are wound on polystyrene coil forms. The close-up to the right shows the Antenna Stage coils noting that the SW coils are wound on polystyrene forms to reduce losses. The MW and LF coils are wound on fiber-type coil forms. 

I dug out the CR-91 manual also since there are so many adjustments. IF transformers are adjusted top and bottom so the receiver has to set on its side for the IF alignment. The manual procedure has each IF stage adjusted individually rather than just injecting the RF Signal Generator output to the Mixer grid (not that I followed the procedure.)

I must have never adjusted anything on the CR-91. The IF wasn't "way off" but it certainly wasn't aligned for 734.8kc either. The major IF improvement was in the Crystal Filter which is now working like it should. The Crystal Filter is a very important QRM-fighting tool it must work correctly to be a benefit to copy. Since the Phasing Control is a "chassis adjustment," finding maximum selectivity requires slight Main Tuning adjustments to locate the very narrow bandwidth center. The Crystal Filter is a "must-use" when operating AM on the 75M band and it does help a lot when scanning the MW band for NDBs.

I don't see how I ever heard anything on either Band 1 or Band 2. On Band 1, the plunger capacitor for adjusting the upper end LO wasn't tight and was all the way down. On both Band 1 and 2 all of the plunger capacitors weren't tight which allowed any upper end adjustments to not be "locked in." Most of the L adjustments were fairly close except Band 1 LO. Everything needed adjustment on Bands 1 and 2 which cover 70kc to 200kc for Band 1 and 200kc to 550kc for Band 2. Band 3 or the 1500kc to 4300kc range was moderately out of alignment. Probably some former owner only wanted a 160M and 80M receiver and the signals on those two ham bands are particularly strong anyway so the poor alignment probably didn't affect his reception too much. Band 4 or the 4300kc to 12000kc range was also moderately out of alignment. Again, with this band covering 40M, it's not too much of a surprise that it was possible to copy some signals but the dial readout was far from accurate. Band 5 or 12mc to 19mc was getting worse and the pre-testing of the receiver did show that signals were down on this band. Band 6 or 19mc to 30mc was badly out of alignment (probably why I never really heard much on that band.) On all six bands, the LO tracking was significantly off which caused the dial readout inaccuracies. After the RF Tracking alignment, the dial readout is very, very close but, like all 1940s receivers, the dial resolution is vague (the logging dial works great for f reset.)

One thing that I should have done (and it is mentioned in the "Amazing AR-88 Receiver" article) was to lubricate (with DeOxit) the shafts of the plunger caps the night before the alignment. This helps to provide smooth adjustment and eliminates erratic contact. Once I started the alignment, I noticed that most of the plunger shafts had minor oxidation. Sliding the plunger up and down a couple of times usually cleans the shaft pretty well but DeOxit works better. I did have to go back and put DeOxit on the RF2 C plunger on Band 5 to get the sensitivity back up where it should be.

MI-8303D

Using 'Phones - The CR-91 is designed to work with Hi-Z phones. When the phones are plugged into the jack the contacts connect a 5 ohm resistor across the 2.5Z audio output as a load. That way the loudspeaker is disconnected when using a set of phones. One can insert the phone plug in about half way and both the loudspeaker and the phones will be operational. It's also possible to operate 600Z phones from the 600Z output directly but the loudspeaker will be operational or a 4.7 ohm load resistor could be installed on the speaker terminals. The audio output transformer has a completely separate winding for the 600Z output and a tapped winding for the 2.5Z speaker and Hi-Z phones outputs. I tried a set of WE 518W phones but they were pretty shrill sounding. Much better response from an older set of TRIMM phones (actually a pre-WWII version.)

The TRIMM phones are actually kind of "bassy" sounding. In fact, the TRIMM phones reproduce so much bass, the diaphragms can "rattle" a bit on loud signals. However, the bass response also helps to reduce certain types of noise. Also, I've found that going to SELECTIVITY 5 SHARP really helps for reducing noise and allows hearing the audio tones that are generally around 400hz. 

MW Using the Wire Antenna - This test tuned stations from 248kc up to 408kc. I copied 20 NDBs, of which the best DX was probably WG 248kc in Winnepeg, Manitoba. I was using a set of Hi-Z 'phones for reproducers. The antenna was one leg of the 135' tuned dipole plus the feedline or about 162' of end-fed wire.

MW Using the Pixel Loop - I had to buy a 50' length of RG-6 Quad Shielded coaxial cable in order to reach the test bench without having to move the Pixel Loop. I got everything connected up Saturday at just before noon. My test listening tuned in Coastal Station KPH 425kc running their Saturday CW broadcast just before they signed off at noon. Strong signal from Point Reyes, CA during the daytime. Nighttime listening resulted in 24 NDBs tuned in 25 minutes within the range of 415kc down to 305kc. Noise level greatly reduced with the loop. I had the Selectivity on 4 with BFO offset about 400hz. Dial readout is very accurate given that the resolution is poor. Subsequent listening resulted in changing to position 5 SHARP which was much better for NDBs.

Pixel Loop vs Tuned Dipole - While the Pixel Loop is great on MW, like any loop, it doesn't provide stronger signals than a matched or resonant full size dipole antenna. In fact, the signals on the Pixel Loop are noticeable weaker than on the wire antenna. BUT, on MW, the RFI and atmospheric noise are so strong that most weak signals are completely covered up by noise. The Pixel Loop, being a shielded magnetic loop, doesn't respond very well to electrical noise so the RFI level is much lower when compared to a wire antenna. This gives a much improved "signal to noise ratio" allowing much weaker signals to be heard. However, SW reception in rural Nevada isn't plagued by RFI noise and the 135' tuned dipole antenna provides very strong signals with a low noise level in that part of the spectrum. At this QTH, on SW, the tuned dipole always out-performs the Pixel Loop. In order to take advantage of each antenna type, I hooked-up a dual antenna selector switch to allow easy selection of either the Pixel Loop or the Tuned Dipole antenna depending on the frequency of operation.

CR-91 NDB Reception Log - 2022

Jan 21, 2022 - 2205hrs to 2225hrs

WG 248kc Winnepeg, MA, CAN
AM 251kc Amarillo, TX
UNT 312kc Penticton, BC, CAN
DC 326kc Princeton, BC, CAN
MA 326kc Midland, TX
OIN 341kc Oberlin, KS
XX 344kc Abbotsford, BC, CAN
MEF 356kc Medford, OR
AL 353kc Walla Walla, WA
GGF 359kc Grant, NE
RPX 362kc Roundup, MT
6T 363kc Foremost, AB, CAN
SX 367kc Cranbrook, BC
GC 380kc Gillette, WY
CNP 383kc Chapelle, NE
PI 383kc Tyhee, ID
PNA 392kc Pinedale, WY
FN 400kc Ft. Collins, CO
MOG 404kc Montegue, CA
MW 408kc Moses Lake, WA

Cndx - Noisy with Wire Antenna, using phones, 20 stations in 20 minutes.

Jan 22, 2022  -  2200hrs to 2225hrs

GRN 414kc Gorden, NE
HRU 407kc Herrington, KS
SB 397kc San Bernardino, CA
TW 389kc Twin Falls, ID
YWB 389kc West Bank, BC, CAN
AA 365kc Fargo, ND
ODX 355kc Ord, NE
RG 350kc Will Rogers AP, OKC, OK
AFK 347kc Nebraska City, NE
YXL 346kc Sioux Lookout, ON, CAN
PMV 329kc Plattsmouth, NE
QT 332kc Thunder Bay, ON, CAN
FIS 332kc Key West, FL
RO 305kc Roswell, NM

Pixel Loop Antenna pointed E-W, good cndx, phones. 24 stations tuned in 25 minutes, 14 are new for the CR91 and shown above. One CW station on 630M sending "test" over and over - no call.

CR-91 Total is 34
 

Jan 25, 2022 - 2150hrs to 2220hrs

LGD 296kc LaGrande, OR
QD 284kc The Pas, MB, CAN
XE 257kc Saskatoon, SK, CAN
HLE 220kc Hailey, ID

Pixel Loop pointed E-W and N-S, cndx good, phones. Concentrated on the 200kc part of the spectrum. 10 stations copied, 4 were new to the CR-91 shown above. This region has less NDBs and the noise level is somewhat higher than the 300kc to 400kc part of the spectrum.

CR-91 Total is 38

 

Jan 26, 2022 - 2145hrs to 2215 hrs Conditions were absolutely horrible. I couldn't copy any NDBs other than MOG 404kc which is an extremely strong signal here. I switched from the Pixel Loop to the wire and was only able to copy a few more NDBs. Atmospherics? Local RFI? Receiver problem?

Jan 27, 2022 - 2150hrs to 2220hrs

YAZ 359kc Van.Is., BC, CAN
PND 356kc Portland, OR
LLD 353kc Lanai City, HI
YKQ 351kc Waskaganish, QC, CAN
POA 332kc Pohoa-Hilo, HI

As bad as conditions were last night, they were just the opposite tonight, very good, low noise cndx. 24 stations copied, 5 new for the CR91 shown above. Pixel Loop was pointed E-W, phones. Best results are with the SELECTIVITY in POS. 5 SHARP - Crystal Filter Narrowest bandwidth. Receiver installed into its cabinet for better shielding from local RFI.

CR-91 Total is 43

Jan 29, 2022 - 2155hrs to 2225hrs

YYF 290kc Penticton, BC, CAN
GUY 275kc Guymon, OK
GEY 275kc Greybull, WY
VR 266kc Vancouver, BC, CAN
YCD 251kc Nanaimo, Van.Is., BC, CAN
EL 242kc El Paso, TX
ATS 414kc Artesia, NM

Good Cndx, tried the 200kc region again
with much better results, 12 stations heard and 7 of those were new to the CR91 and are shown above - Pixel Loop pointed E-W, phones, SELECTIVITY on 5.

CR-91 Total is 50
 

Feb 3, 2022 - 2205hrs to 2227hrs

LYI 414kc Libby, MT
JDM 408kc Colby, KS
EX 374kc Kelowna, BC, CAN
WC 332kc Abbotsford, BC, CAN
LW 257kc Kelowna, BC, CAN
QL 248kc Lethbridge, AB, CAN
XC 242kc Cranbrook, BC, CAN

Good Cndx, phones, Pixel Loop pointed N-S, 27 stations heard and 7 stations new to the CR91 shown above. SELECTIVITY on 5

CR91 Total new is 57

If the stations tuned logs included the "night-to-night" repeats, the total number of tuned signals would be 117.

Navy Department - National Company, Inc.

RBL-5   CNA-46161-B

MW, LF & VLF  TRF-Regenerative Detector Receiver from 1944

  3 TRF Stages, Regenerative Autodyne Detector, Limiter, Audio Output Stage

15kc to 600kc

This RBL-5 was acquired from a neighbor when I lived in Virginia City, Nevada. It required a little bit of work before it was performing to specifications. The tubular Navy coaxial antenna connection input that attaches to the box that bolts to the back of the cabinet had an internal short which resulted in any antenna connected to the receiver at that point was essentially shorted to chassis. I removed the tubular connector and just ran the coaxial cable through the box to connect to the antenna input terminals on the rear of the chassis to correct the problem. Underneath the chassis there were a few wires on the audio output transformer that had been soldered to different terminals under the chassis as an attempt by a former owner to unsuccessfully correct the problem and these wires had to be returned to their proper connections in the circuit and resoldered. This got the RBL-5 working quite well. An alignment, although not really needed, was performed.

photo left: Inside the RBL-5 is in immaculate and original condition. RF stages are to the right of the tuning condenser. Power supply, detector, limiter and audio stage are to the left of the tuning condenser.

I've logged a lot of NDBs with this RBL-5 primarily because it's very easy to set up and use, it is very sensitive and the direct-frequency readout really helps in locating stations. The Output Limiter is one of the best found in WWII receivers. The OL will reduce static crashes to the point where long listening sessions don't result in headaches (or ringing ears.) I use 600Z phones connected to the PHONES jack on the front panel for best copy on weak signals (like all DX NDBs are.)

I used this RBL-5 with a remotely-tuned loop antenna that I built when I was in Virginia City. Using both the Loop Tuning and the Antenna Trim on the RBL-5 allowed slight enhancing of multiple signals that were on the same frequency, like a lot of NDBs are, and this usually allowed copy of all of the stations on frequency (unless their timing was exactly the same but that was rare.)

I have yet to try the RBL-5 with the Pixel Loop antenna.

photo right: Underneath the chassis is also immaculate. Note the gears that actuate the band switching.

14.

Radiomarine Corporation of America

Model AR-8510

MW, LF & VLF Shipboard Receiver - 1944

15kc  to  600kc

2 TRF Stages + Regen Det + 2 AF Stages

photo above: Under the chassis showing the bee's wax impregnated coils.

The AR-8510 was approved by the FCC for shipboard use in 1942 (concerning minimum radiation from the antenna.) The schematic drawings are dated 1943. It's likely that it was at least 1944 before any AR-8510s were in use and this particular AR-8510 is dated NOV. 1944 (with a serial number of 2774) making it an early example. It seems that most of the installations during WWII were onboard Liberty ships. Post-WWII installations were generally on commercial ships. The AR-8510 found a lot of use and longevity with production unbelievably still going on in 1960. Some receivers were still in use onboard some old oil tankers as late as the 1990s. Most ship owners wouldn't replace the radio gear as long as it still functioned or could be repaired.

Unfortunately, most AR-8510 receivers led a pretty hard life and the sea environment didn't help preservation. Most examples have been worked on or have missing parts (or non-original parts.) The AR-8510 shown in the header photo is cosmetically restored with nearly all original parts. The exception is one capacitor under the chassis, the speaker grille and the RCA pointer knobs. The paint job on the front panel is VHT Gray wrinkle finish which is slightly darker than the original RMCA gray.
 

I was given the AR-8510 shown in the photos as payment for some radio repair work. It probably was taken off of one of the Liberty ships that were part of the "moth-balled" fleet that was moored outside of Benicia, California since the receiver originally was obtained from the SF Bay Area. The "as received" condition was fairly good considering how the ships were taken care of - they weren't. Of course, the front panel has been repainted in the past - probably with a brush. The perf-metal grille had more than its share of paint applied (and it wasn't original either.) The receiver came without any type of power supply (the RAZ-1 power unit RM-6 can be used as a power source.)

Performance using a "T" antenna of 98 vertical feet running to a 135 foot horizontal section was very good. Since the AR-8510 was the replacement for the AR-8503, it's fair to compare the two receivers. First, with a direct readout dial there's no need for the charts and graphs that are necessary for finding where you're tuned on the AR-8503. The preselector is built-in with the AR-8510. Also, only a single band switch is necessary on the AR-8510 while two band switches are used on the AR-8503 plus a band switch on the preselector. Sensitivity on the AR-8510 is about the same as the AR-8503 with preselector. Regeneration action is very similar in that it's a very sharp adjustment between maximum sensitivity (either non-oscillating or oscillating) and any adjustment below either point greatly reduces sensitivity (this is typical of regenerative detectors though.) The AR-8510 seems to hold its adjustments better across the band especially the Trimmers that only require a slight adjustment from one band end to the other. This is expected since it's part of the alignment process. I find that the loudspeaker is actually pretty good for some reception. If you want to use Hi-Z phones, it's better if you leave the loudspeaker on. Without the speaker load the 'phones seem to respond to more noise than signal.

15.

RCA-Federal Telephone & Radio Corporation

U. S. NAVY
 

CFT-46154, RBA-1
MW, LF & VLF Table Top Radio Receiver - 1941 contract
SN: 972     Accepted by USN 6-26-1943
 

CFT-46300, RBA-6
MW, LF & VLF Rack Mount Radio Receiver - 1945 contract
SN: 181   No Acceptance Tag
 

CFT-46154, RBA-2 SN: 168

15kc to 600kc

3 TRF Stages, Detector, Tracking BFO, 3 AF Stages

(includes NDB reception log for RBA-1 SN:972)

1943 RBA-1 CFT-46154
 

In the late thirties, it was becoming apparent that a replacement receiver was going to be necessary for the aging series of longwave receivers used by the Navy at that time. The receivers included the RAA superhet from 1931, the RAG TRF from 1933, the RAK TRF with regenerative detector from 1935 and the various upgraded versions of these receivers that were built on later contracts. The new LW receiver design was going to blend the advantages of the TRF plus tracking BFO design of the RAG receiver but built with modern circuits. Using a TRF with tracking BFO was advantageous in keeping the leakage radiation on the antenna to a very low level that prevented enemy direction finding equipment from determining the location of the receiver. Additionally, the low-level of radiation allowed the receiver to operate in the presence of other receiving and transmitting equipment along with radar equipment without interference. The tracking BFO design utilized a section of the main tuning condenser so the BFO tuning condenser was ganged to the main tuning. Since the new receiver was not a superheterodyne, the BFO had to track at 1kc above the tuned frequency allowing a 1kc heterodyne to be heard thus allowing CW to be readily copied. There were a couple of very good reasons for not designing the new LF receiver as a superheterodyne. First, was to provide complete coverage of the tuning range of 15kc to 600kc. Most IF amplifier sections utilized around 400kc to 500kc for the intermediate frequency, right in the middle of the most used portion of the medium wave band (as far as the Navy was concerned.) Operation of the IF amplifier at, for example 455kc, would eliminate a section of frequency coverage of about 20kc either side of the intermediate frequency. Some superhet LW receivers moved the IF above the intended tuning range (15kc to 600kc) but there were disadvantages to this solution to the problem. For example, the RBH receiver uses an IF of 1500kc but any transmitting activity around 1500kc will "leak into" the IF section of the receiver and cause heterodynes throughout the tuning ranges.

The separate power supply is the CRV-20130, which is the same power supply used for the 15 tube RBB and RBC superheterodyne receivers. The CRV-20130 provides the filament voltage and B+ requirements via an armored cable with heavy-duty connectors. The power supply will easily operate two RBA receivers for emergency conditions and two separate connectors are provided. The power supply has a cold-cathode regulator tube (OC3) and a HV rectifier (5U4.) The RBA uses eight tubes, three 6SK7 RF amplifiers, one 6J5 Triode Detector, one 6SK7 BFO, two 6SJ7 AF amplifiers and one 6K6 AF Output. Table top versions of the RBA receiver were identified as C(FT)-46154 (FT would indicate that Federal Tele. & Radio Corp. was the contractor) and CFT-46154-A (RBA-5) while the rack mount versions are identified as CFT-46300. Internally, all versions of the RBA receiver circuit are the same.

 photo right: The underside of the RBA-6 chassis is also immaculate. Full shielding of each RF section is provided when the bottom cover is installed. The heavy-duty band switch uses ceramic mounts with .25" silver-plated contact buttons. All components are mounted on terminal boards or are mounted directly to the chassis. Tracking BFO is the front section of coils. RF3, RF2 and RF1 are next going towards the rear. The rear-most set of coils are the Antenna Input coils.

Inside, the RBA-2 looks very clean appearing to be complete and original.

The photo to the left shows the RBA-2 and power supply "as found" without any cleaning or dusting.

Purchased October 2019.

More details when this project gets started.

CONTINUE TO Post-WWII LW Rcvrs (PART 3)

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