Rick wrote in message
...
I want to thank everyone for your feeback. It was informative and
appreciated.

I decided not to buy the receiver, even though the price I guess was
right
a tad over 500.00? The seller said it was in perfect working condition
even
though none of the pics I had showed the unit running.

I'll wait and look for a Harris or a Racal. There is a Harris on Ebay
now
that's not working. Something about the " frequency standard module
defective".

Thanks again.
Rick

Howdy Rick...

Very wise choice not to get it... I used them for years and they were not
the best to be sure---I simply was not impressed.. My R-71A's out performed
them hands down. In more than one instance the R-71A pulled out a signal
that the 3031 couldn't hear. Close in to port they were easily overloaded
by AM broadcasters---even with the preselector.

Using the service manual and tracing the wiring diagram from page to page
was an act in frustration. I often read of heated comments written in the
service manual by others servicing the radio---I added my own!

Just to change out a defective audio gain control required the front panel
to be stripped (ripped) off---it's stuck on with contact adhesive or
double-sided tape---I had to do this in a war zone! I was able to remove
the panel without bending it too much but I am certain that any front panel
controls that need changing will also require a new front panel. After I
replaced the pot I found the part numbering in the service manual was
incorrect for the part I changed out and I had to put the old one back in!
Fortunately I had Sailor HF set up and a spare receiver.

Spare parts from Mackay? You could expect to pay a small fortune that would
shock a salty sailor! I never did find out how much those meter lamps cost
for the 3031 but I sure had to hang a little bag of them on the rear
panel---they were changed out at least once every six weeks. I remember
ordering a 2 inch nylon caps to cover the hole where the crank handle was
fitted on our lifeboat radio---Mackay wanted $75.00 each! A pair of caps
off an Amphenol connector did the trick instead.

Yup... it's all modular construction... so how do you repair it without a
test fixture to plug the module in to---to get at the components? I just
don't recall if extender boards were available for this receiver---I never
saw them in my spares lockers on any of the ships I sailed on.

RG