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Old 20th Jan 2018, 12:18 am   #1
JanWra1
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Default AR88 enclosed tools

Hi Everybody
Being new to the forum I have a question for all you fans of RCA's AR88:

I know that some tools were shipped with the radio when new among which was an Allen key but there were also som trimming tools. Does anyone have more info and/or some pictures of these parts?

I used to have an AR88D in the 60's and today I am planing to buy another and like it to be as complete as possible.

Jan
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Old 20th Jan 2018, 3:32 am   #2
Kevin Hoyland
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Morning Jan.
Welcome to the Forum.
You can see the two Trimming tools in the photo, I hope this will help you, I have 2 AR88D/ 1 CR91/ and 1 AR88LF.
Regards

Kevin
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Old 20th Jan 2018, 10:33 am   #3
JanWra1
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Hi Kevin

Thanks for the picture with the tools, can you give some more details (dimensions and material) and possibly some picture o the business end of the trimming tools?

Jan
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Old 20th Jan 2018, 11:33 am   #4
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Jan

It's harder to find the tools than an AR88! The "allen" key was a American "spline" tool, the name for it eludes me!! it was for the grub screws in the knobs.

In Kevin's picture, the tuning box cover has been removed to reveal the tools, make sure you get this as well. There have been many threads re AR88 maintenance, but perhaps the most important is to check/change the output valve grid coupling capacitor as failure will lead to the loss of the output transformer.

I have two AR88s, my best set was supplied to the BBC monitoring service about 1942 and I have the acceptance engineers notes including his thoughts on RCA standard alignment. The second one is a rather grubby example held in reserve.
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Old 20th Jan 2018, 12:00 pm   #5
ms660
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Bristol wrench?

Lawrence.
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Old 20th Jan 2018, 12:34 pm   #6
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

I posted photos of the ends of the AR88 tools on here some years ago.

David
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Old 20th Jan 2018, 3:40 pm   #7
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Bristol wrench - https://bristolwrench.com/bristol-wr...ve-parts-list/

There are sets of them advertised on ebay.co.uk

Colin

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Old 20th Jan 2018, 7:20 pm   #8
JanWra1
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Thanks everyone for your inputs, I have now managed to find the pictures posted by David - nice work.

Jan
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Old 21st Jan 2018, 1:27 am   #9
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

A 2mm Allen key (Hex wrench) is a good fit in my RCA knobs.
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Old 21st Jan 2018, 1:21 pm   #10
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Bristol wrench is correct,I bought a set off Ebay from the states.
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Old 18th Feb 2018, 11:59 pm   #11
JanWra1
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Just bought an AR88D in very good condition with a nonfunctioning S-meter( according to the seller), a speaker. and much to my surprize it came with both the trimming tools and the Allen wrench. Both the radion and the speaker are dated 1944.
The S-meter just need a twist of the adjustment pot to work!
Jan
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Old 19th Feb 2018, 7:34 am   #12
Kevin Hoyland
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Morning Jan will you please put photos on of your AR88.

Kevin.
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Old 19th Feb 2018, 9:15 am   #13
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Jan, I can assist in your workshop cleanup.
I can dump that AR88 for you.
Day or night.

Mike
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Old 19th Feb 2018, 10:01 am   #14
JanWra1
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Will add pictures in a few weeks time

Jan
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Old 19th Feb 2018, 10:09 am   #15
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Jan, there are two critically important thing you should do to your AR88:

1) Check/replace the coupling capacitor from the anode of the 6SJ7 to the grid of the 6V6. They go leaky, turn the 6V6 hard on and burn out the audio transformer.

2) consider bridging the 'trans' position on the mode switch. As original it disconnects the HT feed to the set and lets the HT voltage go very high. It over stresses the PSU and you get a loud crack when moving the switch into the next position.

David
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Old 20th Feb 2018, 12:35 pm   #16
JanWra1
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

David

Thanks for the tips,
- Re C118+C122 they were replaced by a 10 nF by a previous owner.
- Re bridging the "Trans"- pos - for the time being I use an extension cord with a switch,

Jan
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Old 20th Feb 2018, 5:06 pm   #17
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

I've heard it alleged that the reason the trimming-tools for AR88s are so rare is that they were removed from receivers delivered to certain government establishments as a way to stop unauthorised twiddling!
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Old 20th Feb 2018, 10:33 pm   #18
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Default Re: AR88 enclosed tools

Hi Jan

here's a few AR88s and two HROs at a "certain government establishment" that we know as Bletchley Park in UK.
FYI.
Good luck with yours.
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