RCA AR88D Receiver - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Kevin Hoyland · 14th Feb 2016, 12:48 pm

Hello.

It has taken me a long time to put my hands on a AR88D. It's in it's original condition, along with the original manual plus the 14 spare valves.

Regards

Kevin.

ian rose · 14th Feb 2016, 1:39 pm

congrats Kevin.

Have a look at past postings re the set, as I did. There are important points to to incorporate into your restoration [which you probably know] and you will have an amazing RX. I have an 88 and it performs well compared with modern RX's
regards
ian Rose

dave walsh · 14th Feb 2016, 2:34 pm

I take it that you have seen Matt's thread just below you Kevin with the crucial
OP Tx info but I assume you will know all that anyway?
Dave W

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=123748

Radio Wrangler · 14th Feb 2016, 4:38 pm

That one looks exceptionally clean and unmutilated!

David

turretslug · 14th Feb 2016, 6:07 pm

That's a very nice one you've bagged there- it must have lived in good conditions all its life for the metalwork to be that corrosion free. The underside state and general condition is quite like the one that I acquired some 25 years ago, though that one was a tad more tarnished and in need of a drip-tray for the smoothing block- it actually felt like vandalism to deal with the "usuals", i.e. the Micamolds and that seeping block. Still, I wanted a working radio, rather than something forever in aspic. I'd deal with that tubular white Aerovox between output valve anode and chassis pronto- plenty of mentions here on the forum!

Just to the left of the serial number in piccy 5 and above the core adjustment holes are two small holes- this was for an angle steel shield under/over (depending whether you're operating or mending) the smoothing block stud terminals- not sure why this was fitted but I thought possibly it was to safeguard grunts wielding metallic adjusters from carelessly contacting these studs whilst tweaking the antenna coils with hair-raising results.

dave walsh · 14th Feb 2016, 8:53 pm

Thank you for mentioning the serial No in pic 5 TS

I had a lot of correspondence with various people in previous threads [Including the chap in Canada] about the apparent lack of a serial No on my AR88D [marked Slave 34]. Sean Williams said it would have been part of a Diversity System, as per the one being built at Bletchley but try as I might I couldn't find anything. Using the photo guide there is one, a bit faint but there 009755! I'd looked and looked again

but maybe I 'd gained the impression somehow, that is should be at the other end of the chassis. Anyway-problem solved at last-great!
Dave W

Aub · 15th Feb 2016, 8:26 am

That's a nice set.

Is that the original 2 core mains lead? I still have that on mine. Keep meaning to fit a 3 core lead but, at the moment, the set gets a mains earth connection via the connection to my transmitter.

Cheers

Aub

Kevin Hoyland · 15th Feb 2016, 10:18 am

Hello.

Turretslug and Aub.

In the new photos you can see the Angle steel shield. And yes it as the 2 core lead on it.

Regards
Kevin

Radio Wrangler · 15th Feb 2016, 10:55 am

You've even got the tuning tools and the capacitor cover!

David

turretslug · 15th Feb 2016, 11:38 am

That 8-gang variable is a fine thing to behold, and the use of the 4 smaller sections on the 3 HF bands explains the relatively low spans and good bandspread, it also contributes to the consistently good performance at these frequencies. It's one of various circuit elements that make the AR88 such an excellent all-rounder getting on for 80 years after its inception. Keep that cover firmly screwed on, as its dust-proofing and temperature-slugging attributes are invaluable. I really don't comprehend why this and the overall RF unit cover go missing on sets, but thoughts of biblical punishment occasionally surface....

dave walsh · 15th Feb 2016, 12:30 pm

The overall cover is absent [without leave] on mine but the RF unit one remains! I presume replacements [almost by definition] will be in short supply?
Dave W

Radio Wrangler · 15th Feb 2016, 12:39 pm

There must be quite a few shacks with inverted AR88 screens used as trays full of old components

David

Junk Box Nick · 20th Feb 2016, 11:24 am

Lovely set!

Kevin Hoyland · 20th Feb 2016, 1:45 pm

Hello.

Henry From Canada email me to say he can tell from the ser/number that the set was made in Bloomington USA 1944.

Kevin.

dave walsh · 20th Feb 2016, 6:27 pm

Hi Kevin. Can you ask him to comment on my serial No?
Dave W

Kevin Hoyland · 23rd Feb 2016, 10:32 am

Hello Dave.

I will email him.

Kevin.

Kevin Hoyland · 16th May 2016, 4:34 pm

Hello.

Came home From the NVCF with an AR88 LF with a good case on it ,and it as the bottom plate still fitted and the original Manual still with it.

Kevin.

14th Feb 2016, 12:48 pm	#1
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	RCA AR88D Receiver Hello. It has taken me a long time to put my hands on a AR88D. It's in it's original condition, along with the original manual plus the 14 spare valves. Regards Kevin. Attached Thumbnails

14th Feb 2016, 1:39 pm	#2
ian rose Pentode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Isle of Wight, UK. Posts: 224	Re: Rca ar88d congrats Kevin. Have a look at past postings re the set, as I did. There are important points to to incorporate into your restoration [which you probably know] and you will have an amazing RX. I have an 88 and it performs well compared with modern RX's regards ian Rose

14th Feb 2016, 2:34 pm	#3
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Rca ar88d I take it that you have seen Matt's thread just below you Kevin with the crucial OP Tx info but I assume you will know all that anyway? Dave W https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=123748

14th Feb 2016, 4:38 pm	#4
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,902	Re: Rca ar88d That one looks exceptionally clean and unmutilated! David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

14th Feb 2016, 6:07 pm	#5
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,400	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver That's a very nice one you've bagged there- it must have lived in good conditions all its life for the metalwork to be that corrosion free. The underside state and general condition is quite like the one that I acquired some 25 years ago, though that one was a tad more tarnished and in need of a drip-tray for the smoothing block- it actually felt like vandalism to deal with the "usuals", i.e. the Micamolds and that seeping block. Still, I wanted a working radio, rather than something forever in aspic. I'd deal with that tubular white Aerovox between output valve anode and chassis pronto- plenty of mentions here on the forum! Just to the left of the serial number in piccy 5 and above the core adjustment holes are two small holes- this was for an angle steel shield under/over (depending whether you're operating or mending) the smoothing block stud terminals- not sure why this was fitted but I thought possibly it was to safeguard grunts wielding metallic adjusters from carelessly contacting these studs whilst tweaking the antenna coils with hair-raising results.

14th Feb 2016, 8:53 pm	#6
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Thank you for mentioning the serial No in pic 5 TS I had a lot of correspondence with various people in previous threads [Including the chap in Canada] about the apparent lack of a serial No on my AR88D [marked Slave 34]. Sean Williams said it would have been part of a Diversity System, as per the one being built at Bletchley but try as I might I couldn't find anything. Using the photo guide there is one, a bit faint but there 009755! I'd looked and looked again but maybe I 'd gained the impression somehow, that is should be at the other end of the chassis. Anyway-problem solved at last-great! Dave W

15th Feb 2016, 8:26 am	#7
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,039	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver That's a nice set. Is that the original 2 core mains lead? I still have that on mine. Keep meaning to fit a 3 core lead but, at the moment, the set gets a mains earth connection via the connection to my transmitter. Cheers Aub __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

15th Feb 2016, 10:18 am	#8
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Hello. Turretslug and Aub. In the new photos you can see the Angle steel shield. And yes it as the 2 core lead on it. Regards Kevin Attached Thumbnails

15th Feb 2016, 10:55 am	#9
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,902	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver You've even got the tuning tools and the capacitor cover! David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

15th Feb 2016, 11:38 am	#10
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,400	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver That 8-gang variable is a fine thing to behold, and the use of the 4 smaller sections on the 3 HF bands explains the relatively low spans and good bandspread, it also contributes to the consistently good performance at these frequencies. It's one of various circuit elements that make the AR88 such an excellent all-rounder getting on for 80 years after its inception. Keep that cover firmly screwed on, as its dust-proofing and temperature-slugging attributes are invaluable. I really don't comprehend why this and the overall RF unit cover go missing on sets, but thoughts of biblical punishment occasionally surface....

15th Feb 2016, 12:30 pm	#11
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver The overall cover is absent [without leave] on mine but the RF unit one remains! I presume replacements [almost by definition] will be in short supply? Dave W

15th Feb 2016, 12:39 pm	#12
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,902	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver There must be quite a few shacks with inverted AR88 screens used as trays full of old components David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

20th Feb 2016, 11:24 am	#13
Junk Box Nick Octode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,571	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Lovely set!

20th Feb 2016, 1:45 pm	#14
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Hello. Henry From Canada email me to say he can tell from the ser/number that the set was made in Bloomington USA 1944. Kevin.

20th Feb 2016, 6:27 pm	#15
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Hi Kevin. Can you ask him to comment on my serial No? Dave W

23rd Feb 2016, 10:32 am	#16
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Hello Dave. I will email him. Kevin.

16th May 2016, 4:34 pm	#17
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: RCA AR88D Receiver Hello. Came home From the NVCF with an AR88 LF with a good case on it ,and it as the bottom plate still fitted and the original Manual still with it. Kevin.