Collins 51S-1 SW Receiver

[nodim2]

I'm new to this portion of the forum, but I was recently given a Collins 51-S1 Shortwave receiver. It appears to be in excellent condition, bu I have no idea how long it has been since it was powered up. Other than bringing it up with a Variac or similar method, are there any things I need to be particularly aware of? I'm sure it will require checkout/alignment/possible parts updating. Is there anyone you can recommend for this process, including any restoration steps? Thanks in advance for your help.

Harry

[radioactive]

hi nodim 2,

what a beautiful receiver to be given.you are very fortunate .as for repairs and restoration .terry dewick from ak and a site sponsor should be able to help you out should it need some work.also theres a collins collectors site here that may be able to help you too.by the way .

chris

[Lefty]

You have given a very valuable receiver. That model Collins sells for big bucks on E-bay, depending on condition of course. Can't help you with specific advice on bringing and checking yours out but there are many vintage collectors and web sites that should give you tons of information. Probably well worth a professional check out if you plan on keeping it long term

Some guys have all the luck.

I would rather have your model SW receiver instead of the Collins R-390A that Sandy says he is going to give me some day

Lefty

[nodim2]

Thanks to all for your input. I've e-mailed Terry regarding shipping details, etc. I've had a Kenwood R-2000 for many years, but the Collins is something in a league of its own, and I intend to keep it. I'm certainly not qualified, so sending it to Terry is somewhat of a "no brainer". I'll try to post a pic, but I've had problems in the past getting the file size down small enough.

Thanks again,
Harry

[radioactive]

hi harry ,

yes the 51s1 will put the r2000 to shame and indeed is in a league of its own.i've collected many old boatanchor over the yrs but have yet to own a collins .i keep telling myself one day i'll get one.good luck with the 51s1.as for file size limit the resolution to 900x900 and you will be fine.just use a picture resizer program if theyre bigger than this.

[Lefty]

here is a link for those that would like to learn a little about what possibly was the most modern tube SW receiver ever made...made up until around 1975 I think...

http://www.collinsradio.org/html/51s-1.html

Lefty

[nodim2]

Lefty,
Thanks for posting the link. Now I don't have to pull my hair out trying to figure out how to downsize the file for all those who wanted to see the picture.

Harry

[Sandy G]

If there had been an "R-390B" or "C", more than likely it would have been somewhat like the 51S1...

[radioactive]

If there had been an "R-390B" or "C", more than likely it would have been somewhat like the 51S1...

it sure would of been nice to see what they came up with.

[radioactive]

heres some eye candy 51s1

[Sandy G]

I remember seeing, around 1970, an ad or price list for SW communications receivers, & IIRC, the 51S1 was something like $4K at that time. My dad had an Aircoupe that had Collins avionic-aviation radios- and he had WAY more in the dashboard than he had in the plane...

[Fisherdude]

Gaaahhh.

Maybe I'll find one at GW tomorrow....

[snapshotjc]

I just recently got back into ham radio, and I first was introduced to it back in HS in 1963 with Collins S line gear. Now, all these years later and I just recently got a KWM-2 transceiver w/ PS.
Your receiver will sound much better than most of the modern gear made now days, and once Terry gets done doing a "tune-up" on it, you'll have something to enjoy for many many years to come. Tubes are still readily available, and cheap compaired to audio amp tubes; I think I paid less than $100 for a complete set of NOS tubes for my KWM-2, and you won't have to worry about any power tubes because yours is just the receiver; but what a receiver it is !! Congrats !