Jake wrote:
Hey all,

Many years ago (Late 80's) I was given a variety of radio equipment
from a gentleman I knew. He was going to new guinea as a missionary
and gave me a bunch of parts/projects/stuff.

I have identified one of the (transcievers?) as an ARC-5. Also there
is at least 2 more of these in parts, maybe more. Also a bunch of
variable capacitors (the air-core metal finned ones) and various tubes
and coils and other random stuff.

This stuff has been sitting in my attic for 20 years, slowly
collecting dust and corrosion. A long time ago, I was going to get my
general class license. I never took the test, and just don't have much
hobby time anymore.

Does anyone know if this equipment is worth identifying and posting
somewhere for sale/trade? And if so, where would I find people
interested in this stuff?

Thanks in advance :-D
The model number ARC-5 actually refers to a series of equipment designed
for use in aircraft in the late 30's and into the 40's and 50's.
This equipment consisted of a series of single band receivers and
transmitters, modulators, and control boxes. Most of the units covered
the frequency range from 3-9 mhz, some lower frequency units went down
to 1.5 mhz, and some of the receivers went down as far as 190khz.
There were also transmitters and receivers for the 100-150mhz region,
but these used a different design.

The MF and HF receivers had a tube lineup of 12SK7 rf and if, 12K8
converter, 12SR7 detector/bfo, 12A6 af output. Some sets used a 12SF7
in the final IF/detector. The transmitters used 1626 oscillators
driving 1625 finals, a 1629 eye tube was used as a frequency reference
with a crystal. The VHF receivers used 9000 series tubes in the front
end, the VHF transmitters used 1625's and 832's. Both single and dual
tube modulators were made using 1625's.

A later series of ARC-5 type equipment used Loktal tubes. The receivers
in these did NOT have BFO oscillators as they were used only for AM
phone reception.

There were slight differences between the Navy and Army/Aircor units.

After the end of WWII and the Korean war the government surplus'ed large
numbers of this equipment. Hams quickly found them to be a good
resource for parts, and also used them 'as is' or modified. Today these
units still show up at hamfest flea markets. Unmodified near mint
condition ARC-5 units can easily fetch near or over $100 each on Eaybay
these days, but you can still find units in much worse condition
suitable for parts or experimenting with for much less. The newer sets
using Loktal tubes were not made in as large numbers as the older ones,
but they were quite plentiful in recent years. These sets are not in as
much demand as the older 'classic' units.

If your ARC-5 radios are in near mint condition you might give any of
the groups that restore WWII era planes a call. The Confederate Air
Force comes to mind.