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

On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 19:16:38 +0000, RadioiGuy wrote:


... 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.

I'm not sure we're writing about the same radio.
The Mackay 3031A doesn't employ extender boards because
the modules are connected by ribbon cables to the rest
of the radio. You can remove an entire module several inches
away from the radio and it will still function because
it is connected electronically.

After several years, I've not had to replace the
lamp -- only the memory battery.

--
================================================== =======================
Bob Parnass, AJ9S GNU/Linux User http://parnass.com

SNIP

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

RG,

Well I'm sure glad I didn't buy it now. I don't need that kind of a
headache. I'm fairly good with electronics but not to the extent where I'm
going to have to do surgury on the radio just to make a simple repair. I am
also not interested in bank rolling some supply company just for a few spare
parts. The price of the radio wasn't bad but I think I'd be paying dearly in
the long run.

I do want to purchase a "Premium Receiver", I'll just have to keep looking
and maybe shell out a little more cash to get one that is more reliable.
I've been leaning towards the Harris, so when one becomes available I'll
probably purchase it.

Rick