BC-659 Channel Alignment

Radio Telephone and Telegraph Transmitting and Receiving Equipment
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cjv-35
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BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by cjv-35 » Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:17 pm

Just thinking, it would really be helpful if some kind, knowledgeable radio tech on the BC-659 who has done it before, would post a You Tube video on how to align the set for those of us that have a working radio.


Radtech
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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by Radtech » Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:31 pm

It depends if you have the meter modification M-399 kit which uses the radio meter otherwise you need an external meter.The alignment instructions in the manual are pretty clear.
Last edited by Radtech on Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

cjv-35
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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by cjv-35 » Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:52 pm

Mine has the built in alignment Kit M-399. BC-659J, 44-01 on data plate. Take it to mean it was made in Jan 1944. Works great on 29.400, 29.600 10 meter band, as set when I bought it, but would sure be great to know how to change frequencies by watching someone explain how to do it, step by step. Have a copy of the manual from the Radio Nerds site, a GREAT site for information on military radios, but to me visual instruction is still the best.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by Radtech » Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:59 pm

I think the J and K the last ones made had the meter mode built in.The BC 659 is very simple to tune if you follow the instructions in the manual.

cjv-35
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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by cjv-35 » Tue Mar 13, 2018 5:35 pm

Thanks for imput Radtech. Maybe if I keep going over and over the instructions, I will have the courage to attempt it. Just hate to mess it up and have no working radio. Have a nice evening.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by MkDorney » Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:40 am

For BC-659 radios earlier than the J and K models, there was an issue MWO and kit to modify the existing meter to allow for the meter to be used to tune the radio in the field. You should find the tuning procedure described in the TM for the radio (TM11-615). The kits are still available at Fair Radio Sales as of the date of this posting. I've had one of these kits installed in my repaired 1942 BC-659-B. We're actually going to be changing channels in our BC-659 radios at the Memorial Day Weekend Encampment at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY this year (2018). We'll be keeping the 10 meter FM Simplex Frequency (29.6 MHz FM), but we'll be changing our "talk" frequency to 29.4 MHz FM to be more inter-operable with the folks in the Army Radios chat group. I'll see if we can make a video of this.

Our radio expert and repair magician, Jim McVey, can be reached at: jimm@mcveyelectronics.com . Northeastern US BC-659 radio operators are very well acquainted with Jim's business. Robert Downs is also a very good source for all things radio for anybody out west.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by MkDorney » Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:41 am

For BC-659 radios earlier than the J and K models, there was an issue MWO and kit to modify the existing meter to allow for the meter to be used to tune the radio in the field. You should find the tuning procedure described in the TM for the radio (TM11-615). The kits are still available at Fair Radio Sales as of the date of this posting. I've had one of these kits installed in my repaired 1942 BC-659-B. We're actually going to be changing channels in our BC-659 radios at the Memorial Day Weekend Encampment at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY this year (2018). We'll be keeping the 10 meter FM Simplex Frequency (29.6 MHz FM), but we'll be changing our "talk" frequency to 29.4 MHz FM to be more inter-operable with the folks in the Army Radios chat group. I'll see if we can make a video of this.

Our radio expert and repair magician, Jim McVey, can be reached at: jimm@mcveyelectronics.com . Northeastern US BC-659 radio operators are very well acquainted with Jim's business. Robert Downs is also a very good source for all things radio for anybody out west.

73
Mark D.
WW2RDO

cjv-35
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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by cjv-35 » Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:41 pm

MkDorney, That would be great if you could do a video on channel tuning for the BC-659. :D

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by MkDorney » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:30 am

The Military Radio Collectors Association (MRCA) uses 29.6 and 29.4 MHz FM on the BC-659, and Army Radios chat group use 29.4 MHz FM as a preset for voice commo on the radios their members use, so I would not change those frequencies if that is what is set and working in your radio. Of course, if one of your crystals has given up the ghost, then yes, you will need to get a new crystal and to re-tune the radio.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by cjv-35 » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:15 am

McDorney, Thanks for the info. The stated frequencies are fine for communicating with other BC-659's and PRC-9 's, but if one wants to communicate with a PRC-77, they start at 30.00 MHZ No ? I use a 10 meter Stryker SR-94HPC to communicate with my BC-659.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by MkDorney » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:56 am

10 meter band voice section goes from 28.3 MHz to 29.7 MHz FM in the USA. Going to 30 MHz FM puts you in violation with the FCC. Next Ham Band is 6 meters, and the voice section runs from 50.1 MHz to 54 MHz FM

Of course, I'm dealing with legal to use frequencies in the United States. Outside the US, you need to contact whatever authority handles Amateur Radio Licensing and Operations in your country.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by cjv-35 » Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:30 am

You are correct about 30 MHZ being a no no with the FCC. Guess I'll stay away from a PRC-77.

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Re: BC-659 Channel Alignment

Post by MkDorney » Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:43 am

Try 51.00 MHz FM with the PRC 77. 51.00 MHz FM is in the Voice section of the 6 meter Ham band. This should not be a problem, since the PRC-77 is capable of operation on frequencies 30.00 MHz FM to 75.95 MHz FM.

You can find the ARRL Ham Radio Band Plan, good for use in the USA, under my post in Radios and Communications, in the category of Common Radio Frequencies for Vehicle Owners and Reenactors.


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