SPARC Racal RA-117 Receivers
Initial Assessment of Units
2008 Jun 16
Revised 2008 Jun 19
The following is based on a visual inspection of the 5 units.
Units are listed in order of predicted ease of repair, from easiest to most difficult.
In theory it should be possible to get all 5 working, however with the various broken and missing bits a suggestion would be to choose one of the worst 2 (probably N0144) to use as a donor machine for knobs & such, and then look at it after doing the others to see if it's still worth repairing.
Problems are noted, "-" means the issue is OK to this level of inspection.
| Unit Identification |
Version Distinctions |
Repair Issues |
| Serial No. |
Other ID |
Ease of Repair |
Destination |
RF Range |
Power Xfmr |
RACAL Logo |
Missing Panel Screws |
Broken Knobs |
Missing Switches |
Component Boards |
Paper, El'ytic Caps |
Power Supply Circuitry |
Crystal Calib. |
| N8 |
dymo 07 |
4 |
Gerry |
0.5-1 |
110/220 |
missing |
- |
- |
3 |
1 missing,
1 broken |
removed |
hacked |
missing |
| N16 |
- |
1 |
SPARC |
0.5-1 |
Hammond X |
- |
- |
AF-G |
- |
- |
- |
check rectifiers |
- |
| N0115 |
- |
2 |
Jurgen |
WB75 |
Hammond 110 |
missing |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
some corrosion |
- |
| N0144 |
dymo 03 |
5 |
(bh) |
WB75 |
Hammond 110 |
missing |
- |
- |
3 |
2 missing,
1 broken |
removed |
hacked |
missing |
| N0714 |
dymo 06 |
3 |
Gerrold |
WB75 |
110/220 |
- |
2 |
BFO-N, AF-L |
3 |
- |
removed |
hacked |
missing |
|
Unit N16
This is the first unit SPARC obtained, racked with other RACAL equipment from one of the Canadian Navy destroyers.
This is arguably the unit in the best condition and presumably would be the easiest to repair, but I suggest we get our feet wet with some of the other units before doing this one.
Fred said there may be some special power requirement for this unit.
The power transformer in this one is unique to the 5 units, but nonetheless looks like it mimics the manufacturer's transformer.
Should probably bring it up on a VARIAC while watching the secondary voltages.
- top and bottom covers missing
- 3 tube covers missing
- a couple of caps have been replaced
- sticker with "Repaired by CMC Jan 9/78"
Transformer:
- NATO 5950-21-862-1369
96364
TF4TX03LA
- terminals same as manufacturer's
- wider screw mounting spacing
Unit N0115
While this unit is more intact than others, it does seem to have slightly more spot corrosion and scratches/banging about.
The VFOs have been previously removed from this unit, going by some ugly re-soldered connections.
- KC dial window loose
- rack handles corroding under chrome
- all tube shields missing
- RF Atten. bottom shield missing
- mild corrosion on one headphones jack
- section of wire lacing removed, replaced with zip ties
- set screws needed for RF ATTEN knob
- socket pin V27.1 bent.
- Alignment of the RF Tuning trimmers may have been twiddled with, they are extended out a fair ways.
Unit N0714
Although this unit has been hacked over a little more than others, it seems to have less corrosion and is less scratched up. With some work, it may in the end be the second best unit.
Unit N0144
- KC dial window loose
- MC dial window missing
Other RACAL Equipment at SPARC
| Model |
Label |
Qty |
| MA 219 D |
AMPLIFIER IF |
1 |
| MA 185 G |
DETECTOR RF |
1 |
| RA 180 A |
AMPLIFIER MIXER |
2 |
| MA 250 G-3 |
SYNTHESIZER ELECTRICAL FREQUENCY |
2 |
| LA 367 B |
RELAY ASSEMBLY |
1 |
| PU 238 A |
POWER SUPPLY |
1 |
| LA 398 A |
CONVERTER SIGNAL DATA |
1 |
| MA 275 A |
OSCILLATOR RF |
1 |
| MA 181 A |
MIXER STAGE FREQUENCY |
1 |
| PU 225 F |
POWER SUPPLY |
1 |
|