#63 A look at a mint Collins KWM 2A in for repair

In this video we look at a viewers Collins KWM-2A. I have to install a new power port and repair a few solder joints then align the radio off camera. CLICK SHOW MORE:
Link to site:
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Donations gifts letters repair information:
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[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Two great looking machines Buddy, your customer brought them to the right man!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Paul. They are some nice radios. Good thing about working on them is I get to test drive :). Thanks for stopping in my friend.

[@zooyawk4526]

You are the Bob Ross of vintage ham radio gear repair/refurbish. I think I just fell in love with that Collins station. Thanks again for sharing.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for that nice comment.

[@wapiti3750]

I used that radio in 1979 at Rhein-Main AB in Frankfurt, West Germany, with the 7th SOS. We also had the radio in the MARS Station (call sign KGA7RM) which I worked on a rotation basis with other RO's in the squadron.

[@sheldonmccloskey9285]

Thank you for this video! Back when I wore green (1968 - 69) in the First Mob, I did depot level maintenance on the KWM 2A radio and it's accessories. Each of us had a work station inside a wire cage where we repaired, tested and then packed the radios, amps, mics, cables, etc. into their grey Samsonite suitcases. They were then set into a pre-deployment cage along with antennas and what ever else would be needed for whatever might be the next mission. When the mission was determined, you went to that cage and withdrew the equipment you personally had worked on to fill out your orders. Then, you and the equipment got transported to the flight line and off you went....usually to classified locations. (At this point I'd ask that you read about LIMA Site 85.) One day I'd like to get one of these beautiful machines for myself just to put on the desk in my "lawn office" to look at and remember. I really appreciate you and especially your customer for caring for this amazing electronic masterpiece. Your work brings back memories. Thank you, again.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for sharing your story

[@edwarddejong8025]

The ergonomics on this last tube generation of Collins radios is unsurpassed. The knobs are so beautifully shaped, sized, and placed, and who doesn't love the little finger detent on the main tuning wheel so you can spit it easily. The zero backlash on the gearing, so clean. Collins was a genius guy; few people know that he invented a forerunner of the internet in 1959, a message switching system, that he tried to sell the Air Force, but they couldn't understand it.

[@TheRadioShop]

Agreed, thanks

[@Blucenturion344]

Lovely piece of kit. I used it in Panama, Chile, Rio de Janeiro, and Georgia in the USAF. Tuning that amplifier yielded that awesome hum, that could reach to the Ort Cloud with its signal.

[@rico1319]

Cannot pass up a video like this. Just love these old radios. Especially the Collins lineup. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the KWM-1 before. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen any Collins as nice as these two. Thank you for letting us look at them. You had to be quite a surgeon to fix the first one. Keep up all the good work love your videos buddy!!, 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@teddyteeth]

Hi, I have been a holder of a UK Advanced licence for 37 years. I am in awe of your knowledge & skill! Outstanding. Many thanks for your videos.

[@TheRadioShop]

Wow Mike, Thanks for those very kind words. Means a lot to me. It is good to have viewers like yourself. Thanks for watching.

[@russellhueners8499]

Collins people LOVE their equipment, like me with my Brownings, standard MARS issue, first saw these in the Mars shack USAF 1975, very beautiful piece there.

[@zooyawk4526]

besides being most likely the best performing stations of the era Collins equipment is so aesthetically pleasing. a real piece of artwork. excellent video. Thanks

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the kind words. Collins made some nice stuff.

[@NSNorfolk]

Nicely done! That's a CCA "Excellent" KWM-2A and the owner is a lucky man.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, it is in great shape.

[@MrHarveyluke]

I've been a ham for 50 years now this summer. I always wanted a Collins radio, but never had an opportunity (or money) to obtain one. This video was so interesting, in not only the repair, but showing the mint condition of the KWM-2A. Tnx 73 Harvey, KM4JA

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Harvey for the nice comment. These Collins are sweet radios. Love to own one myself. Good thing about being a repair tech is getting to test drive all these radios :)

[@jaybats7865]

What an immaculate radio station inside and out. I wonder how the owner kept it looking so new for so many years. Thanks for sharing Buddy

[@michaelhiggins7365]

I've watched several of your videos and have learned a great deal from you. You are a remarkable Technician, and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to entrust any radio repair to you. Thank you so much for sharing, it is so appreciated. de KM2U

[@rollerbald]

Absolutely beautiful rigs - those things were true works of art. Alas, like a split window Corvette and a 1959 Stratocaster I will probably never own one but they are sure fun to look at and admire! Thanks for posting Buddy, 73, Bill.

[@TheRadioShop]

That is putting it in the right class. Even Joe Walsh (wb6acu) like these type of rigs. Thanks for watching Bill.

[@PapasDino]

Boy, you are definitely the king of switch and connector repair; the power port design was really cool but cool often translates to super hard to work on! I'll guess there were probably a few "choice words" uttered as you did that one and better not recorded! Thanks for sharing, look forward to the KWM-1 repair, she sure is a beauty. 73 - Dino KL0S

[@TheRadioShop]

Ha ha thanks for the very kind words Dino. That power port is a bear to replace. And on top of having to put all the tie wraps , wax coated string, and wires back in the correct location, you also have to set every screw head back to it's factory orientation. Each screw has to go back in its original location also. Got to keep the Collin guys happy. Thanks again my friend.

[@kinpatu]

Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheRadioShop]

You are very welcome

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

Learned how to be a USAF radio operator on a KWM-2A, good memories.

[@TheRadioShop]

I hear a lot of folks say that. Seems Collins were the radio of choice for the military.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

I recall when I was a recruiter for the ANG, we took a tour of another unit (the 144th FIW out of Fresno), and in their command post were at least 5 KWM-2As, fired up, ready to go. If memory serves, because of the tubes they would have been more likely to survive the effects of EMP, and been able to broadcast through a nuclear-ionized atmosphere. Of course, we hoped it would never have come to that!

[@nutlock2857]

Hi Buddy Wow what a radio,Buddy thanks a million for sharing this with us You are a true radio engineer- thanks once again!!

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes they are truly amazing pieces of equipment. Don't make em like this any more. Glad you liked it and thanks for the kind words.

[@saturn5tony]

When I think of HAM radio..... Those are radios!! Thx 4 sharing

[@TheRadioShop]

I agree Tony. This is when they made real radios. Thanks for watching.

[@cw.only.channel]

Nice rig. 73.

[@judges69]

Class act guy working on a piece of art.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@glasstronic]

VERY cool! Thanks for posting.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for watching.

[@lesjohnson9740]

As Paul et alia have said, very good video, a pleasure to watch.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Les.

[@1903A3shooter]

Wow, another great video on a great rig.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you very much

[@grantfullen9559]

I like the old Heavy Metal rigs. Good Job buddy

[@TheRadioShop]

Nothing beats the heavy iron grant. thanks

[@g1fsh]

Wow Buddy that is a super setup in really nice condition I should think that u wont see many like that these days. It has to be said that u do some great work. Thanks for a great video and hope u are well?

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Gary. Yes this is probably one of the best looking KWM-2A I have ever seen and have the pleasure to work on. Did not think they could get any better until I saw the KWM-1 come in the shop. Was like wow. I am doing pretty good here thanks. Got a bit "sun sick" yesterday doing some yard work. Was 99 degrees here. Paying for it now. Hope you are doing fine my friend.

[@dougburch48]

i would be happy to have it on my shelf here in the uk

[@N1RKW]

That socket replacement must have been a real nightmare! Kudos for having the skills and patience needed to get that done.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, it is a pain to replace and get everything back in order like it was before. Like you said, "patience" is the key. Thanks for the comment.

[@supyrow]

WOW ...... just WOW Nice work Buddy, *pat on the back* 73!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you Bobby. Nothing to it my friend... ;-)

[@MichaelLloyd]

I love the old rigs. I lusted after the Drake R4 Twins and Collins stuff but they were way out of my range when I was in high school. Now I've got a few here in the shack, waiting for attention. I picked up a Collins S-line set that needs some TLC and I liked it so much I bought a working set. Anyway, I always enjoy your videos. I had just finished watching Paul's newest video when I got notice of yours :o) 73 NE5U Mike

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Michael. Many would love to have a set of Drake twins. Good AM performers. Guess I will have to stick with my 101's and Swans lol. Good going on that collection you have. I just watched Paul's video on the Signal generator restore also. Very good video!. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@TRXLab]

Buddy you are for sure the first class VINTAGE RADIO EXPERT ;-) Very well done ! Like this old Collins! 73

[@TheRadioShop]

Not sure about expert Peter. just an average guy with a passion for radio. Old radios lol. Thanks for the kind words and stopping in Peter. 73

[@TRXLab]

Come on Buddy you don't need to be that humbly! Give this kind of radios to a young tech and you will see how they fail! As you said it is the passion that drives us! Take care old friend!

[@mikesradiorepair]

+TRX Bench How they fail or run for the hills. A lot of the younger folks think "Ah, its old, must be easy to fix". They don't realize how much wire is in a point to point wired radio. They quickly realize they can be a lot more of a challenge than modern radios. Mike

[@TRXLab]

That's it Mike! You hit the nail on the head!

[@TheRadioShop]

You guys are right. The new guys would be lost. That means we are getting old :-)

[@Beretta96Dan]

Buddy, you make me want some of that Eastern NC barbecue! Enjoyed the video...Dan w4mnc

[@TheRadioShop]

I hear you Dan. I have tried barbecue from many places, but I like eastern NC best. Melts in your mouth. Glad you liked the video.

[@mikesradiorepair]

Hey, how did my radio get on your bench. Knew I left it somewhere, apparently couldn't remember where. Feel free to ship it my way at your convenience. :) On a more serious note, sweet radio in really nice shape. Replacing those sockets can be a nightmare and not just in Collins radios. Definitely not something they designed for easy replacement. Great repair, keep them comming Buddy. Mike

[@TheRadioShop]

lol, UPS or FedUp? he he. Yes they are a pain. Then when adding the insert collar and ground bar it is even worse. Will be working on the -1 by the week end. Should be a fun repair.Thanks for stopping by Mike.

[@larryk4mu240]

Hi Buddy, very nice, radio wasn't too bad either. ;>) I hope to add a Collins to my bench one day, I keep looking. 73

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Larry. There are out there. But with a high price tag. Keep on looking, one will come your way :-)

[@CT1JRZ]

Super radios!

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes I agree! :-)

[@PelDaddy]

Damn that is nice!

[@TheRadioShop]

She is a real beauty :-)

[@jstrunck]

Have you ever worked on the 516F2 powersupply mod kit from Radio Farm? It is a retro fit p.c. board with components for the 516F2. John

[@vhfgamer]

I feel really bad now. I had the opportunity to pick up a complete collins KWM-2 station a couple years ago for a couple hundred bucks and I had to pass on it because I didn't have the money.

[@TheRadioShop]

Ah, they are great radios. Little tough to work on due to the way they are design. But really nice.

[@sergiodorantes4491]

Ayuda: Poseo un KWM-2A, pero no tiene la power supply, hay algún modo de poderlo encender por algún otro tipo de power supply?. Gracias y muchos saludos...

[@TerryMcKean]

As you search for the stock Collins PS, also keep watch for the Heathkit HP-23 series of power supplies... after restoration and maybe a little modification an HP-23 supply can be used to power your Collins rig, Sergio

[@dougburch48]

now that is a thing of buety

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks

[@gh778jk]

she is nice...... very nice..... "here's an inside shot for all ye Collins-lovers" ..... Do you mean to imply there are folks who do NOT like Collins??? Where does one find such people? The Institute for the Bewildered ? 73 Paddy

[@hsmallwood40]

hello there I have a Collins kwm2-a that someone gave me and I noticed when you turn the center dial it does not go all the way to zero and it does not go all the way to 200. is there any way to adjust that so the zero lines up with the red mark on the screen and on the 200 as well? any information will be helpful thanks for your time

[@TheRadioShop]

This sounds like the compression disk are worn and started slipping. really hard to say on this with out looking at it. A lot going on in the PTO.

[@hsmallwood40]

The Radio Shop thanks for taking the time to respond and the info.

[@marklowe7431]

Someone knows exactly how to treat delicate radio gear.

[@joevalente8957]

How can it be mint if it is in for repair?

[@grahampinkerton2091]

What the hell is the 800 Volt used for?

[@TheRadioShop]

The 800 volts is for the plate of the final tubes amplifier.

[@TerryMcKean]

Definitely a fine rig from a fine company... the finest..

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Terry. I have to agree. Thanks for the link also

[@TerryMcKean]

You're welcome, Buddy... thank you, too :-)

[@goatsinker347]

Sounds like your dentures need a tune up. I see it’s 6 yrs later now, so maybe that’s not necessary anymore

[@chansetwo]

If it's broken, it's not in mint condition.

[@kenjohan]

If it's in mint conditon, why repair it? I fell asleep after one minute.

[@user-ww8hd5du9t]

If it has had repair work, it is not mint.