Nems Clarke 1302 A receiver  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2013, 07:20:28 pm
content: I've been given to keep this lovely old Nems Clarke 1302 A receiver , which I'm cleaning nothing much else to do to it, it's receive is so sensitive, it called a special receiver, made in Maryland USA, this one I'm told was used over here and came off one of the USAF bases, its about 40 Years old, and I think it was used to monitor the USSR etc. in the cold war period,I've noticed the bulbs are a bit dim, my question is do I replace the bulbs with white led & ballast resistors or do I buy new bulbs, I can't keep the power socket, I cant find a plug anywhere, so I'm going to put a modern one in it, I'm going to use this receiver in the radio shack, where it will be used daily. It doesn't surprise me though that the receive is actually better than one of my Amateur Radio receivers, and actually my receivers & Transceivers are quite deaf compared to this old beauty, so what does the panel think New bulbs or LEDS.

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 06, 2013, 09:07:22 pm
content: The front end tube in the 1302 is a Western Electric 416B, planar grid gold plated (I mean it is really gold plated) intended for use around 4 GHz as I recall it. I think the rest of the tube lineup is more or less standard.416B tubes are rare these days, but can be found on E-bay. If you intend to keep the 1302 running for an extended period, I would consider stocking up now on a few 416B spares. It's also critical that the 416B be properly cooled - the original 1302 used a hefty blower but apparently at least one variant was made with a beryllium oxide insulator and heat sink to avoid blower noise and reliability.List price of the 1302 in 1961 was US$ 2200, not much less than the price of a new Ford automobile.As far as the lamps go, if you are a purist, original equipment incandescent lamps only, of course. If you plan to use the receiver instead of keeping on the shelf as a museum piece, I would go with LEDs - or one could compromise and equip it with the plug-in LED replacements for standard panel lamps. They are more expensive, but have the advantage of being easily reversible for a collector as they plug in just like the standard incandescent lamp.

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 05:13:32 pm
content: wow thank you Jack, yes its NOT going to be a museum queen in my life time , and Yes I will go and buy a few of those tubes you mention, thanks for replying, this old receiver is totally amazing, and the receive is far better then some of my all sing & dancing Transceivers, it does have a blower , which is loud, but acceptable .Paul

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 05:45:26 pm
content: Just bought a pair of 416b's from USA uk cost with post around £30 UK well worth the money.

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 09:57:31 pm
content: Keep the blower oiled and you should enjoy many years of listening pleasure.Jack K8ZOA

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2013, 05:26:36 pm
content: First thing I did Jack, wd40 to start with then I oiled it

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2013, 05:43:33 pm
content: Just remember that WD40 is not a good lubricant. If you don't know, WD40 is "Water Displacement formula #40". It was invented to spray into areas that had accumulated water contamination and make the water run off or out of the part or equipment.It has some lubrication qualities and is also slightly corrosive. It should never be used on pots as it will eventually destroy the resistive tracks. It also attracts and traps dust like crazy. AMP Connectors did a study on WD40 and found it to actually degrade and corrode connectors in the long term. It is better to use a light machine oil for purely mechanical parts, something like 3in1. For electrical contacts and sliding contacts the DeOxit chemicals are the best choice.

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2013, 05:44:02 pm
content: When you have a chance, please post some photographs of the inside. All the Nems Clarke and WJ receivers I've seen have beautiful quality of construction.

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2013, 06:29:10 pm
content: I will indeed this week end Jack, it will be in it's raw state I've not the time to spend on it at the moment with work, it will be nice to have some before and after pictures.Paul M0BSW

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2013, 07:01:44 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 08, 2013, 05:43:33 pmYep, WD40 is not for electronics. The correct stuff is called tuner spray. It cleans contacts, removes oxidations and lubricates while protecting the contacts against new oxidation. Some contact cleaners just clean and remove oxidations (meant for strong oxidations) and you have to remove the cleaner (quite aggressive) and lubricate the contacts with some other product.

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2013, 06:22:24 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 08, 2013, 05:43:33 pmNo I only used it to get the fan to run smoothly , then I used sewing machine oil on the bearings, I already knew that WD40 , was not suitable for electronics, I'll will of course use the proper RS component spray for everything else.

author: BOB KD0IJI
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 04:35:53 am
content: Hello from the NEW GUY 'BOB'Found this site doing a google for NEMS CLARKE 1302AI'm hoping that someone has been able to find more infoabout it than I have. Mine is quite noisey

author: BOB KD0IJI
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 05:51:31 am
content: Hello again from the NEW GUY 'BOB'I see I screwed up my first post, so I'll try again.I found this site by Google NEMS CLARKE 1302A. I'vegot one that is very noisey when tunning. I haven'tbeen able to find any info at all, was hopping someone here might be familar enough to pass along abit of useful hints or help of any sort. I'm assumingthere is a roller inductor used for tuning that is dirty.Has anyone any 'service / alignment' info.THANKS for any HELP.... ...BOB... KD0IJI