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Post by mark4 on Dec 5, 2013 22:31:43 GMT -5
Building a new Mark IVA ;D
After getting out of this hobby I'm back.
Guess I just missed my Brownings
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss 
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Post by Sandbagger on Dec 6, 2013 7:19:05 GMT -5
Building a new Mark IVA ;D After getting out of this hobby I'm back. Guess I just missed my Brownings It gets into your blood and there's no getting it out. Good luck with the new build! |
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Post by cbrown on Dec 6, 2013 10:02:57 GMT -5
Take some photos so we can watch the progress. Good luck with the build!
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Post by captbarry on Dec 6, 2013 22:18:54 GMT -5
Can't believe I'm reading this. I too have been away for several years. while I have enjoyed ham radio there is something that I really miss from my 11 meter days. Also I still have a bunch of very nice radios from the 70's thru the 90's. Soooo I am dropping the tower and replacing the top antenna on the mast with a 11 meter beam. I could not build a Browning but I have one of the last MarkIV'A's built by Greg Nichols in Tilton, NH. Also have a D201A, Teaberry ModelT, SBE Console II, Uniden Washington. BUT no radio has ever given me as much fun operating as my Brownings. Best of luck with your build project and look forward to watching your progress! Thanks for everyone that helps keeping this board going. I really miss Scott.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Dec 7, 2013 9:22:23 GMT -5
Can't believe I'm reading this. I too have been away for several years. while I have enjoyed ham radio there is something that I really miss from my 11 meter days. Also I still have a bunch of very nice radios from the 70's thru the 90's. Soooo I am dropping the tower and replacing the top antenna on the mast with a 11 meter beam. I could not build a Browning but I have one of the last MarkIV'A's built by Greg Nichols in Tilton, NH. Also have a D201A, Teaberry ModelT, SBE Console II, Uniden Washington. BUT no radio has ever given me as much fun operating as my Brownings. Best of luck with your build project and look forward to watching your progress! Thanks for everyone that helps keeping this board going. I really miss Scott. You are not alone in your observations about the "old days' on 11 meters. I think most of the more frequent contributors on this forum feel very similarly. Our classic radio group has amassed a diverse and growing collection of those radios we all ohh'ed and ahh'ed at back in the 70's, but could not afford to buy. And it has been fun reliving the "good ol' days" with those radios every week. We all miss Scott,and I'd like to hope this forum stays active as a tribute to his initial vision. |
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Post by BBB on Dec 7, 2013 10:14:52 GMT -5
I'm very thankful that this forum lives on after Grumpy and appreciate all who take the time to contribute. I hope you get that Mark IVa back on air soon. I was fortunate to have the funds on hand at the time to purchase some of Scott's radio collection after he passed and one of the rigs I just restored happens to be a Mark IVa that was debuted on Classic Radio Round Up last night. At first, very little if anything worked. No digital display, no AM/ SSB lights, no transmit light, no modulation, distorted receive, low power (1 watt) ect...It took a quite a bit of time to even see the blue circuit boards due to the 1/8" of yellow fuzz on everything. The large rectangular multi-pin female socket on the receiver needed the interior connections re-compressed so the pins from the male connector would make consistent contact again. After fixing some loose solder joints, then cleaning all the tube sockets, switches, connectors and pots with DeOxit, it started coming back to life. Now all works except the lower side band receive is low and the filter caps need replaced as there is a hum in the transmitted audio. As most of you, I really enjoy restoring these fine classic radios. I think Scott would be pleased that the radio is back on the air locally, loud and proud. Grumpy, if you can hear us up there, this Ping's for you:  |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Dec 7, 2013 14:00:08 GMT -5
I'm very thankful that this forum lives on after Grumpy and appreciate all who take the time to contribute. I hope you get that Mark IVa back on air soon. I was fortunate to have the funds on hand at the time to purchase some of Scott's radio collection after he passed and one of the rigs I just restored happens to be a Mark IVa that was debuted on Classic Radio Round Up last night. At first, very little if anything worked. No digital display, no AM/ SSB lights, no transmit light, no modulation, distorted receive, low power (1 watt) ect...It took a quite a bit of time to even see the blue circuit boards due to the 1/8" of yellow fuzz on everything. The large rectangular multi-pin female socket on the receiver needed the interior connections re-compressed so the pins from the male connector would make consistent contact again. After fixing some loose solder joints, then cleaning all the tube sockets, switches, connectors and pots with DeOxit, it started coming back to life. Now all works except the lower side band receive is low and the filter caps need replaced as there is a hum in the transmitted audio. As most of you, I really enjoy restoring these fine classic radios. I think Scott would be pleased that the radio is back on the air locally, loud and proud. Grumpy, if you can hear us up there, this Ping's for you: Scott was going to trade me that radio for a Cobra 139 I had, knowing that it needed work, and he knew I'd get it running again, like the MK III I had gotten off of him a few years ago. We never made the trade because his health took a turn for the worse, and I didn't want to push it. Oh well......  |
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bluebird
Big Bucket Mouth
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Post by bluebird on Dec 7, 2013 20:35:24 GMT -5
I'm very thankful that this forum lives on after Grumpy and appreciate all who take the time to contribute. I hope you get that Mark IVa back on air soon. I was fortunate to have the funds on hand at the time to purchase some of Scott's radio collection after he passed and one of the rigs I just restored happens to be a Mark IVa that was debuted on Classic Radio Round Up last night. At first, very little if anything worked. No digital display, no AM/ SSB lights, no transmit light, no modulation, distorted receive, low power (1 watt) ect...It took a quite a bit of time to even see the blue circuit boards due to the 1/8" of yellow fuzz on everything. The large rectangular multi-pin female socket on the receiver needed the interior connections re-compressed so the pins from the male connector would make consistent contact again. After fixing some loose solder joints, then cleaning all the tube sockets, switches, connectors and pots with DeOxit, it started coming back to life. Now all works except the lower side band receive is low and the filter caps need replaced as there is a hum in the transmitted audio. As most of you, I really enjoy restoring these fine classic radios. I think Scott would be pleased that the radio is back on the air locally, loud and proud. Grumpy, if you can hear us up there, this Ping's for you: i have a box of browning tubes some browing |
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Post by BBB on Dec 8, 2013 10:27:01 GMT -5
It seems Grumpy, like a few of us (who me?) may have had a couple of extra radios stashed in the closet out of view of the better half  Depending on your marital status, you may hear things like this related to the classic CB radio hobby: "When did you get that ?" "That old radio smells" "Another box came for you today..." "How long have you had that ?" "What did you get with PayPal ?" "Don't you already have one like that ?" "I guess you got your own ( insert holiday/event here) gift didn't you" |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Dec 8, 2013 10:36:59 GMT -5
It seems Grumpy, like a few of us (who me?) may have had a couple of extra radios stashed in the closet out of view of the better half Depending on your marital status, you may hear things like this related to the classic CB radio hobby: "When did you get that ?" "That old radio smells" "Another box came for you today..." "How long have you had that ?" "What did you get with PayPal ?" "Don't you already have one like that ?" "I guess you got your own ( insert holiday/event here) gift didn't you" With me it's more like: "You don't need any more radios......" My reply: "Then you don't need any more shoes". |
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Post by cbrown on Dec 9, 2013 9:36:39 GMT -5
You are not alone in your observations about the "old days' on 11 meters. I think most of the more frequent contributors on this forum feel very similarly. Our classic radio group has amassed a diverse and growing collection of those radios we all ohh'ed and ahh'ed at back in the 70's, but could not afford to buy. And it has been fun reliving the "good ol' days" with those radios every week. We all miss Scott,and I'd like to hope this forum stays active as a tribute to his initial vision. Amen! |
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Post by captbarry on Dec 9, 2013 19:56:01 GMT -5
BBB and Sandbagger your posts had me ROFL! Pretty sure I have heard all these comments from the better half at one time or another.
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Post by mark4 on Dec 15, 2013 0:00:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement. We all miss Grumpy. Let's keep this site growing and active. Attachments:
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Post by mark4 on Dec 24, 2013 0:29:53 GMT -5
Transmitter almost finished. IC's were installed after this picture and additional work. Powered up and talked on. Great reports on air. Attachments:
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Post by cbrown on Dec 24, 2013 11:34:25 GMT -5
Very nice! Very clean!
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Post by BionicChicken on Dec 24, 2013 17:05:18 GMT -5
I'm sure this will be another fine example of a Browning radio that Mark 4 has done. Once again he brings the NOS parts/pieces together to make a truly new radio. I wish I had his abilities and envy him in what he can do. Hats off to someone who really knows what he is doing and does it!!
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by mark4 on Dec 24, 2013 19:06:45 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for the nice comments.
It's so much work a friend of mine last night told me I'm nuts. Lol
Think this will be the last unless I'm retired.
And I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Just mounted the power transformer in the receiver today.
So it's coming along.
Crazy what it costs to do this.
And crazy what one cost in 1978
If you bought a close out unit for $600
That is over $2,100 in today's money!
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Dec 24, 2013 23:04:01 GMT -5
I'm sure you've mentioned it before, but how did you end up with those parts to make actual Browning radios? And do you have them all or are there some missing? And is it just MK IVA's, or can you build a MK III also?
While I'm sure it's a lot of work to stuff the circuit boards and wire up all of the interconnections, it's a project I'd love to do if I had the time. Nothing like building up a brand new Browning, nearly 35 years after the factory stopped making them.
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Post by mark4 on Dec 26, 2013 11:44:23 GMT -5
I can build a IV
Have rebuilt 2 in the past.
No parts for a Mark III I wish!
Some parts are reused like cases. I made some road trips over the years hunting down items. Mark IV PLL's have all been rebuilds.
Here is a pic of the receiver.
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Post by captbarry on Dec 27, 2013 0:23:24 GMT -5
Can't wait to sea this Browning finished and hopefully hear it on the air.
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Post by mark4 on Dec 29, 2013 1:12:19 GMT -5
II worked my tail off on this radio. It's on the air! Obviously not completed. But no smoke  On the the power up. I feel like I can take a breather now. These NOS boards receive nothing when first powered up. It's they need major tuning. It's always fun when I can a tone through and tune each stage.  |
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Post by captbarry on Dec 31, 2013 22:28:37 GMT -5
Thanks so much for letting us follow your Browning build! Have had a lot of radios since the early 70's but none ever gave the enjoyment my Brownings have. Happy New Year everyone....
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Post by mark4 on Jan 5, 2014 10:32:53 GMT -5
I know what you mean, same here. The eagle has landed. Just need to put the IVA badges on. Attachment Deleted |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Jan 5, 2014 12:58:44 GMT -5
I know what you mean, same here. The eagle has landed. Just need to put the IVA badges on. View AttachmentMan that sure looks nice.......  |
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Post by mark4 on Jan 5, 2014 15:22:35 GMT -5
Thanks, I decided to show the progression of the building process. To prove I built it.
Not that it matters. This is the 3rd and maybe final one. I've never built the IVA PLL from scratch before.
It was interesting.
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Post by cbrown on Jan 6, 2014 9:37:42 GMT -5
Excellent work! It really looks amazing! Looks like it just came from the factory.
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Post by No Streak on Jan 5, 2015 15:01:12 GMT -5
Their is nothing like the smell of a brand new Browning Golden Eagle MkIV. Great Job!
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Post by BBB on Jan 5, 2015 16:42:24 GMT -5
It's all so super shiny, I need sunglasses Great work on the browning! I've been favoring the Mark III lately only because it's all wired up and sitting on top of the radio bench. Still have my eye to the curb for a Mark II for the browning collection though...Pingggggggg |
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Post by bill on Jan 7, 2015 17:37:04 GMT -5
Impressive.... Inspirational... I could go on... If you do not mind me asking... How much does 1 Cost  How many Hours to Construct No Offense, but I am not interested in Purchasing 1, as I already have an untouched by Me anyway, MK IVA. Seeing your Radio almost makes me want to get the Radio out of the Storage Locker. I picked it up as part of a Package Deal that also had a Browning One Eighty MK III ( Wood Grained Cabinet ) Business Band Amplifier that had been Modified, unknown to Me at that time, as I am not as Familiar with the Browning equipment as I am with the Tram D201A I have owned since New. The One Eighty has apparently been altered in order to be used on Single Side Band. The alteration involved Drilling a Hole in the Rear Panel to accommodate a Switch, so the apparent SSB Delay could be switched, On / Off... SO, To a True Collector... The One Eight Amp is Worthless... Or worth, less... Depending on how one looks at it... The One Eighty I believe was Made by ABC Electronics... I believe they also Made Apollo Amps as well... Possibly Contex too ? It seems these were all Popular Tube Amps that used a Pair of 6JG6A Tubes, or their equivalents, 6JT6A, 6KV6A. I had wished to use the One Eighty as a Driver, between the Tram D201A and a Heathkit SB 220... Never got around to it... It appears the One Eighty may be inadequate Driver, although I would prefer to Drive the Pair of Eimac 3-500Z Tubes, Gently... Also in the Package Deal were 2 Browning Desk Mics, ( Turner Type ), 1 With the Orange Stripe on the Label, which works with the MK IVA and 1 with Brown Stripes on the Label, which works with a MK III, as I have been told. Also there was an Optional Browning External Speaker in a Wooden Cabinet ( 2 available; Light Stain / Dark Stain ) in the Light Stain Finish... The Speaker appears to have been Sold about the Time just before the Brownings became know as Eagles... The Package Deal got better during the time it took me to travel to get the Radios , Amp and Speaker with some Paperwork, including a couple Copies of " Browning, The First 30 Years "... I was given the Browning Microphones, a Browning Sew-On Jacket Patch, a Pride 100 Mobile Amplifier, a Cobra 29, A Trunk Lip Antenna Mount, a 4 Foot Firestick Antenna with a Quick-Release and Some Coax... I got all this for $200.00.... I do have another Browning Pair that had been given to Me... I got it from a Fellow that had had a Yard Sale... It was late Afternoon when I stopped and he was returning things to the Garage. He said I was the ONLY ONE who had looked at it for more than 10 Seconds... Had a Sticker on it, $30.00 As Is, Not Working... I told him of my Tram D201A I had restored and Use... He gave me the R 27 / S 23 with an Astatic D104 Mic... The D 104 Mic was the Reason the Fellow wrote, Not Working... The Contact " Sandwich " activated by the Key Bar that is layers of a Plastic Insulator and the Contacts that is Riveted together had apparently been Riveted incorrectly... The Plastic was Cracked around one of the 2 Rivets and no longer prevented the Contacts from staying Open... Some 2-Part, 5-Minute Epoxy fixed that... Luckily, NOT a lot of Troubleshooting was required... I had Powered the Radio Up, Covers on and saw No Initial Smoke, so I let it Warm Up for some time... When I returned, I grabbed the Mic by the Key Bar and it just didn't, ' Feel Right "... Luckily that " Feel " was known by Me, having experience Keying a D104 for Years, running the Tram D201A... The R27 / S 23 Got a Couple Satisfactory On Air Reports, although they said, it was definitely NOT My Tram... No one would accept, it WAS a Browning, as the Ping was not present... I was unsure whether this Early Browning was supposed to have a Ping, or Not, but have since learned it did leave the Factory with a Ping... It also sits with the MK IVA in a Storage Locker... Bill |
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Post by bill on Jan 7, 2015 19:58:07 GMT -5
Found the misplaced Photos |
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How many Hours to Construct 
