Having rescued one of these beasts in Sept of 2005, I can certainly relate to the comments offered. It is one enormous, over-overbuilt transmitter - particularly for a mere KW.
It took 3 of us all day to disassemble and load this transmitter. And some light disasembly had already been done! The iron is definitely heavy duty, there's a lot of it, and it sits on a piece of sheet steel that has to be 1/2 inch thick or more. Cabinet panels are also thicker steel than what you find on newer transmitters, and the unit has an inside as well as outside cabinet. Trim and hardware are top quality, nickel and chrome plated. The 833A x 2 RF output section is matched up with another pair of 833Asdriven by a pair of 845s. The brown and tan paint scheme is highlighted by copious amounts of brightwork and meters, with 5 additional hidden meters behind the front 'table' panel add to the double rows of large meters at top. Topped off by the big red Raytheon emblem, it's truly a handsome transmitter. As Paul has pointed out previously, it does lack any type of viewing window for monitoring tube color, but this is about the only visual drwaback to an otherwise-handsome and well built transmitter, IMHO. I find the 'newer' (60s-70s) transmitters to be far less attractive with more of a 'cold' plastic look. But that's just my taste. I'd heard comments from both 'VJB and 'HUZ about the RA-1000 they disassembledsome years ago, but until you're actually standing inside one yourself, your really can't imagine the size and scope of the project. The one I hauled from Elizabeth City NC to Randolph, VT now resides in Gray ME where it is approaching its return to the air at N1MMD. VJB's old GR 1931A mod monitor in matching Raytheon metallic brown recently joined it.
From someone who has always admired and appreciated the quality
construction of Collins equipment, I can honestly say that the Raytheon gear is at least as well made, and probably better. You'd have to see the construction and components/hardware used to fully appreciate it. The old phrase "they don't build 'em like that anymore" surely applies. 2400 pounds of classic transmitter! ~ Todd, KA1KAQ from sunny Tampa On 4/12/07, Rick Brashear <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I haven't looked at those pictures in a while and man that is one BIG hoss! There is nothing ugly about it, but I would sure hate to try and move it around, even with the ball transfers under it.
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