|
Vintage Amateur and Military Radio Amateur/military receivers and transmitters, morse, and any other related vintage comms equipment. |
|
Thread Tools |
23rd Dec 2017, 1:24 am | #21 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Millom, South Cumberland, UK.
Posts: 114
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
Quote:
My main point is the MK128 is not a spy set as some like to make out on ebay to try to pump up their final sale price. Last edited by M6SPW1974; 23rd Dec 2017 at 1:33 am. |
|
23rd Dec 2017, 12:30 pm | #22 |
Pentode
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Isle of Sheppey, Kent, UK.
Posts: 148
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
I must admit to having been close to blowing the budget on a few items in the past David ,but they are at least still in use. You are right about Ebay, it could well take off if I put it on there. With regard to the morse key and headset Roger ,I think like most parts associated with military gear, they seem to go for silly prices. I'm not sure which key is used with your version, mine is the Lorenz style key.
All the best for Christmas and the New Year. Peter. |
23rd Dec 2017, 12:50 pm | #23 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,800
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
I suppose the value depends somewhat on whether it's in working order. If so, then you can avoid the traditional 'I don't have the equipment to test it' which most punters must have formed their own translation of by now....
David
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
23rd Dec 2017, 1:02 pm | #24 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
I wouldn't want to buy a working radio. The repair and restoration is the fun bit as far as I'm concerned.
__________________
Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
23rd Dec 2017, 2:04 pm | #25 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,800
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
I was thinking that it would demonstrate that it was at least complete and wasn't just a collection of possibly mismatched parts.
You can still do a decent refurb, but the thrill of the chase of an unknown fault will be missing. Besides, if the goal is the greatest price, then we're not the target market. David
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
23rd Dec 2017, 2:50 pm | #26 |
Pentode
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Deal, Kent, UK.
Posts: 139
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
The power output is much lower than other embassy sets. Look at the MK119 & MK123 which have at least 15 watts. I would think that some power would be needed to contact a control station and 1 watt wouldn't make it. I think it was more of a patrol set like the PRC316.
When the embassy in Tehran was over run in 1978 they were unable to contact London using the MK123 but were able to reach Australia. I've noticed mine along with others are marked 33CW which is the MOD central workshop in Newark. I guess the only way to confirm it's intended use would be to find the original proposal & tender. |
24th Dec 2017, 6:19 pm | #27 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southeast Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 772
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
Quote:
The key I'd like to get is the type mounted on what looks like a paxolin base with a black cover, no straps or non-skid feet. At present, I'm using one of the mini Clansman keys and whatever headphones are to hand. I've made a card-winder for the 100ft of aerial wire and I've a bunch of rocks for 3.5 and a few for 5 MHz, so the set is a goer, would just be nice to have all the original bits. 73 for Xmas and 2018 Roger |
|
24th Dec 2017, 8:32 pm | #28 |
Pentode
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Deal, Kent, UK.
Posts: 139
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
Looking through the EMER F710 (dated 20 Feb 67) for the MK128B it has the following:
"ROLE: The equipment is a portable H.F. radio station for use in airborne operations by the SAS". For part numbers it lists: Transmitter, radio, DWS, type 128B-50 5820-99-105-3683 Receiver, radio, DWS, type 128B-40 5820-99-105-3681 Could DWS refer to Diplomatic Wireless Service? It wouldn't be the first time the military adopted a set. A good example is the U.S. RS-1 set made for the CIA. It was used by the army who called it the GRC-109 |
24th Dec 2017, 10:41 pm | #29 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southeast Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 772
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
I'd say you are right about the meaning of "DWS" Bruce, but as you mentioned in an earlier post the SR128 is really too low-powered for an embassy back-up set, the MK123 would be the radio of choice for that. The main embassy set for CW and RTTY was the Mark 214, with a pair of 813s in the PA stage.
I heard a tale from a now deceased DWS technican of two MK 33 TXs being unearthed during renovations of a UK embassy in Europe, that TX would have had slightly more power than the MK123 and used an 807 PA. I think they were paired with an HRO receiver. 73 Roger/G3VKM |
17th Feb 2018, 6:29 pm | #30 |
Diode
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Gex, France
Posts: 7
|
Re: Mk128 Radio Value?
Acquired one of these back in the 1980s from a shop in Norwich -- just the TX, RX, webbing backpack, one crystal, battery (miraculously still working!) and a headset and key which visibly didn't belong. All appeared to work last time I tried it (over 30 years ago!) but seem to remember the crystal wasn't for an amateur band frequency so could only test the receiver.
Will perhaps have to bimble over to the "Offers and wanted" section to see if I can get my paws on some genuine ancillaries. 73 Steve G4YXU |