Command Receiver, odd mod. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ex seismic · 9th Apr 2019, 9:24 pm

This receiver has had the coil pack changed as shown. A professional coil set but not professionally installed. There is a hole hacked in the tuning capacitor cover and something has been altered in there as well as the coil change. It has also lost the audio output transformer but I suspect that is not relevant.

Any thoughts?

G3VKM_Roger · 10th Apr 2019, 7:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex seismic

This receiver has had the coil pack changed as shown. A professional coil set but not professionally installed. There is a hole hacked in the tuning capacitor cover and something has been altered in there as well as the coil change. It has also lost the audio output transformer but I suspect that is not relevant.

Any thoughts?

I've got the CQ Magazine "Command Sets" book and amongst all the various mods published over the years there's nothing like that! It was popular to use the MF set, the BC-453 (IIRC), for a "Q-Fiver" to improve selectivity on another receiver so maybe that's a possibility. I have a scrap set here which might have the AF transformer, will look later.

Cheers

Roger

ex seismic · 10th Apr 2019, 8:45 am

Thanks, Roger. This, or was, a 6-9.1 MHz set. In good cosmetic condition but also missing the dynamotor shock mounts although the dynamotor itself is also in very good condition.

Gordon

Keith · 10th Apr 2019, 9:09 am

My ARC5-R26 (3-6Mc/s) receiver had something very similar fitted. It converted it to MW! I'm pleased to say that I have now re-installed its correct coil pack.

G3PIJpeter · 10th Apr 2019, 11:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

My ARC5-R26 (3-6Mc/s) receiver had something very similar fitted. It converted it to MW!

There is a cartoon on the front of an early Radio Bygones showing a 1950s radio 'shack' that includes three Command receivers on a shelf, successively labelled 'Home' , 'Light' and 'Third' - one pre-tuned receiver for each of the three major BBC wireless stations. Could it be that some enterprising manufacturer offered the necessary coils for this sort of conversion? The coils in the photo look custom-made on a single paxolin shaft of the correct length.
-Peter G3PIJ

G3PIJpeter · 10th Apr 2019, 3:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G3PIJpeter

There is a cartoon on the front of an early Radio Bygones showing a 1950s radio 'shack' that includes three Command receivers on a shelf

Here it is. There are many other recognisable items in this period piece.

- Peter G3PIJ

Jon_G4MDC · 10th Apr 2019, 4:39 pm

Nice, one on 3rd, one on Home, another on Light

G6Tanuki · 10th Apr 2019, 4:43 pm

I remember an article in an early-60s magazine (PW) about how to convert a Command-receiver for use as a fixed-tuned car radio - which included changing the coils. The idea being that you could then stick the converted radio somewhere convenient (and where the dynamotor whine wouldn't be noticed) rather than having it noisily take up space on/under the dashboard.

Perhaps someone made a coil-set for this?

9th Apr 2019, 9:24 pm	#1
ex seismic Heptode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tonbridge, Kent, UK. Posts: 686	Command Receiver, odd mod. This receiver has had the coil pack changed as shown. A professional coil set but not professionally installed. There is a hole hacked in the tuning capacitor cover and something has been altered in there as well as the coil change. It has also lost the audio output transformer but I suspect that is not relevant. Any thoughts? Attached Thumbnails

10th Apr 2019, 8:45 am	#3
ex seismic Heptode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tonbridge, Kent, UK. Posts: 686	Re: Command Receiver, odd mod. Thanks, Roger. This, or was, a 6-9.1 MHz set. In good cosmetic condition but also missing the dynamotor shock mounts although the dynamotor itself is also in very good condition. Gordon

10th Apr 2019, 9:09 am	#4
Keith Heptode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Command Receiver, odd mod. My ARC5-R26 (3-6Mc/s) receiver had something very similar fitted. It converted it to MW! I'm pleased to say that I have now re-installed its correct coil pack. __________________ Keith Yates - G3XGW VMARS & BVWS member http://www.tibblestone.com/oldradios/Old_Radios.htm

10th Apr 2019, 4:39 pm	#7
Jon_G4MDC Nonode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 2,015	Re: Command Receiver, odd mod. Nice, one on 3rd, one on Home, another on Light

10th Apr 2019, 4:43 pm	#8
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Command Receiver, odd mod. I remember an article in an early-60s magazine (PW) about how to convert a Command-receiver for use as a fixed-tuned car radio - which included changing the coils. The idea being that you could then stick the converted radio somewhere convenient (and where the dynamotor whine wouldn't be noticed) rather than having it noisily take up space on/under the dashboard. Perhaps someone made a coil-set for this?