RME 4300 Info?

[w8khk]

I picked up an RME 4300 Receiver in relatively clean condition at the Lawrenceville GA fest on November 6th.  I did not find any info for the 4300 on BAMA, but I did find info on the 4350.  4350 has one more tube than the 4300, plus it includes a 100 kc calibrator, not included in my 4300.

Does anyone know where I might find a schematic and alignment info for the 4300?  Thanks!

[WQ9E]

Rick,

You might send a PM to Mark K9TR, he is a member here and I believe that he has a 4300.

I have a 4350 and 4350A and only the A variant comes with the built in calibrator.  But I don't know what the other differences are between the 00 and 50 model. 

I hope your two speed tuning dial is in good shape.

[w8khk]

Thanks Rodger!

* am travelling, so I will contact Mark when I return home after the holiday.

The two speed dial is in rough shape, I hope I can service it in a similar manner to the dial on my Valiant.  Even if I cannot, I did not spend much, so it will be fun to use even if not perfect.

I am mainly interested in using it on 75 and 40, with a separate tube audio amplifier, should be easy to get it working for that duty.

[WQ9E]

Rick,

Have a safe trip.

The two speed dial on the RME units is problematic.  As I recall the instructions call for increasing the pre-load when there is slippage and by now many units suffered from dry grease and too much tension resulting in excessive wear to the shaft.  My 4350 was so bad I replaced the drive with a couple of 6 to 1 units which work but pale in comparison to a properly working RME drive.  The drive on my second one and VHF-126 converter were both in good enough condition that they were easy to clean and readjust.  I am going to pick up the next "beat to hell" Siltronix (made by Swan) CB rig I see so that I can try and transplant the nice two speed drive to my RME.

Stability is good and it will make a good AM receiver, with either the RME-4301 or a CE "signal slicer" it is also very good on SSB.

[w8khk]

I am still amazed at how well the dial on my RME 69  works, smooth as silk, no backlash, no friction, just easy to tune!  I do not expect the 4300 to be in the same ballpark, but I will  clean and lube it, and if still no good replace it with an alternative reduction drive.   Trying to set up a smaller, lighter rig to use in a camper, where boat anchors are not appropriate.  Thanks for the pointers!

[W3GMS]

Rick,
If you want a nice copy of the original manual, I recommend the "Manual Man" in New Jersey.  The quality of his work is top notch.
Have fun with the 4300. 
Regards,
Joe, W3GMS

[w8khk]

If you want a nice copy of the original manual, I recommend the "Manual Man" in New Jersey.  The quality of his work is top notch.

Thanks Joe!  Yes, I have seen Pete's work, it is first class.  If I need the manual, I will contact him.  In the meantime, just a schematic should be sufficient.