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Browning Mark 4A refresh parts kit someday, maybe.

nomadradio

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Apr 3, 2005
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So here's another idea that hasn't quite graduated to half-baked. More like half defrosted. Back in the day, if the hired help had a slow day, he would put together parts kits for rehabbing the tube CB radios. The pieces they would need is predictable up to a point. But there is always a fixed list of stuff you don't dare leave in the radio if you want it to be reliable.

Had the notion of a kit for the Browning Mark 4A base radio. It's a helluva list. Ordering the parts in ones and twos would be annoying and tedious.

I used the list in our bench files and started on another Mark 4A that the owner wants to actualy use when he turns it on. The list got longer. Gonna have to draw a line between might need and probably need.

Even so, this is the original list of capacitors.

tShqxp.jpg


This is just the capacitors. We don't use an exact replacement for the 3-section "twist-lok" 'can' capacitor. We use a 2-section part, and the third one takes the form of an axial-lead cap.

There are wirewound power resistors that run so hot the markings are burned away. One of them gets changed from 250 ohm 10 Watt to a 100 ohm 10 Watt. Yeah, that's cheating. I should just use a 25-Watt part, right? This mod doesn't reduce the ripple filtering enough to matter, and it boosts the modulated peak power just enough to see on a meter. Not enough to matter, but people want what they want. And that includes irrelevant wattmeter readings. Anyway, it runs much cooler. So does the other 10-Watt that we DO replace with a 25-Watt part.

Carbon-composition resistors that aren't good for 45-plus years are also on this list.

**OOPS!** The 750 ohm 25-Watt part wasn't included in this pic. Revisions are coming.

moSr2j.jpg


Like that line in the flick Casablanca. "Round up all the usual suspects".

A high-mileage radio will need additional stuff, like tube sockets. And some of these resistors may look perfectly okay in a low-mileage radio. Gotta strike a balance.

Both of these lists have since been revised. I'll follow up with practical details eventually. Gotta raise some cash to lay in a stock of the more-expensive items on the list.

Besides, this is only the receiver half. Transmitter is next.

Soon. We always say that.

No idea of a sale price yet. It will probably go up on fleabay, but providing detailed instructions through them is a flaming hoop of sorts.

Film at 11.

73
 
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If you do release the kit you've got guaranteed sale here. Last time I keyed my eagle the ping sounded more like a sick bird coughing.
 
I'd just order the needed parts from Fixer (Alan Price) since I have known him for 20 years or so & I know I can trust him. Some here don't like him & that's their personal choice but he purchased All of the parts for the Browning's & many more & has them available so most Any Browning may be properly repaired & put back on the air.
 

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  • @ heartbreaker3473:
    Hello gentlemen and Ladies. I have the dreaded RCI-2990 receive issue where my radio gets distorted when people get close to my location. I found the C90 Capacitor, but I can not for the life of me find the C89 capacitor. Can or does anyone have a picture of the exact location of C89 ? Thank you in advance, Wes
  • @ AudioShockwav:
    Wes, it's better if you start a thread on the main forum, more people are going to see your question.
  • @ heartbreaker3473:
    Okay, sorry, will put in a forum
  • @ heartbreaker3473:
    I put it in the general disscution help area and started a new thread. Thank you for letting me know.