[BC] Re: 317C-3

[Xmitters@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/2/06 5:09:48 PM Central Standard Time, 
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:

<< The VP 50 was replaced by the MW 50 which gave the Continental 317 C a 
serious 
 challenge. The MW 50 and 317 C series were probably the best two tube 50K 
Txs 
 ever built. >>

I sure liked my 317C-3 at WMAQ. It's now retired, replaced by a 3DX50, but 
still there, still working and still loved. Our particular MW-50B was a great 
backup transmitter. I guess it was a real problem child when it was a main, 
backed up by a BTA-50H. At one point, the 50H was so unreliable as a backup they 
ran on the 50H because the MW-50 would always come on when needed, unlike the 
50H.

The 317C-3 sounded great, was extremely well built and was absolute fun to 
work on. I have thought many times what one of the high power big brothers 
(319A, 320D) would be like to work on. Anyway, very reliable and easy to fix. 
Absolutely fascinating circuitry wise. I spent a lot of time mathematically 
analyzing it; well, it was so reliable, I did not have to work on it much except keep 
it clean :-)

I'm sure glad I was not there during the BTA-50H/MW-50 days. Reading those 
old maintenance logs was sure fun. 


Jeff Glass, BSEE CSRE
Chief Engineer
WNIU WNIJ