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| Reviews Summary for Collins 51J-3 |
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Reviews: 3
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $1,000
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Description: Don't let the lack of SSB fool you
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Collins 51J-3.
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KF4AR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 13, 2003 16:56
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Super boatanchor
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is my second 51J3 but the first one I've owned in 15 years. It was purchased on eBay in July 2003 and came with a very nice cabinet. After a good cleaning, checking all tubes and replacing the bad and weak ones, it came alive. I gave it a complete alignment according to the US Army manual and now have a receiver that is equal to or better than any ever made. I've owned an R-390A along with most other top of the line solid state and hollow state ham and shortwave receivers. The 51J3 is as sensitive as any and the most stable of all after warm up.
My only wish is that the crystal filter were slightly steeper. This is not a receiver for the SSB fan, but it is a great CW receiver.
For the BCB and SW DXer, this old work horse can't be beat. This receiver is one of the reasons Collins quality is legendary and is well worth every penny I paid. It is definitely a keeper.
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N4UE
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2002 11:09
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additional info
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Sorry for this additional post. However, I wanted to add this information in case you are interested in buying a 51J-3 or an R-388.....
Don't let the fact that these are older radios scare you. For example:
After replacing a bunch of caps in my 75A-4, (a very, very commong problem),I was very impressed with the improvement. I thought, "what the heck, let's check out the caps in the J3".
(remember, this radio really impressed me it stock form)
To my surprise, all the caps under the radio are the ceramic 'dogebone' type. High $, but they do not 'age' like those paper caps. No wonder that old girl still played so well.
ron
N4UE
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N4UE
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2002 08:42
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A great radio, several varities exist
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Yep, another 5 from me. Don't worry, I have some much lower ones to come!
This Collins receiver is triple conversion and used 18 tubes. Construction is typical Collins with PTO and just incredible considering it's age. This radio has 30 (!) 1 Mhz band sections. I had just one of these but several of the military versions, the R-388. The 388s were black and the J3 has that nice Collins St. James wrinkle finish to it. All radios functioned the same. The 388 was used in tanks and the like and to say it's rugged, would be an understatement......Let's face it, it's an very early 75A-4...
Likes:
1. sensitive (as much as you could possibly need on HF, even 10 Meters)
2. stable
3. chassis are not prone to corrosion
(more on this later)
Dislikes:
1. no SSB
2. no cabinet
3. power hungry
Here's how I addressed the dislikes:
1. SSB, I bought a PD-1 SSB adapter. The radio already has a 500 Khz IF output jack on the back. Although both are in storage, I am certain this will be a nice combination. Actually, SSB is easy to tune in with the BFO, due to the smooth controls and excellent stability. Besides, I cut my teeth on BFOs.....
2. no cabinet. The 75A-4 looks MUCH nicer in it's cabinet, and almost looks 'small' by comparison. I have several cabinets but chose to rack nount mine.
3. power dissipation. I always replace the rectifier tubes in my boat anchors with diodes placed in an old tube base. Sometimes I add a dropping resistor, most of the time I do not. I DO keep the AC reduced to 115 VAC. I have never, ever had a problem. I also place a small muffin fan on a reproduction dust cover I make, just to move the air around. I do this on every BA in my collection. I use 2 fans in the 390A!!
Cosmetics. It seems most of the J-3s I have seen for sale have had the Collins logo removed. No big deal.
New reproduction drum decals are available from several sources. I turn the old ones off on a lathe. Interestingly, the drum yellows a lot with age where the rotary dial usually stays bright white. The chassis of these radio is varnished underneath, excellent. The R-388 is also MFPed (I think that's the term for Moisture, Fungus, Proofed). Anyway, let's just say they looked like they were dipped in varnish! I'll bet they could work underwater!
These are fairly common radios. I would love to put the 4:1 tuning knob on it, but that would cost as much as the radio....
Thanks Art!
I love mine!
enjoy
ron
N4UE
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