Special Request - The New GRRS Entry BC-348!

This radio was a "Special Request" replacement entry. Details in the video. This is Part 3 of the "BC-348 Restoration Series," a part of the Grand Receiver Restoration Series. To learn electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: / mrcarlsonslab
#restoration #electronics #repair

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

[@Daveyk021]

Paul, I want to see a power supply designed from scratch with transformers, chokes, tube, socket, caps, available to source today. The would really be fun. Then the rest of the restoration would be that much more fulfilling.

[@Руслан-т7н8з]

Good afternoon. please write your email, how to contact you

[@erzahler1930]

Paul, I'd love to watch you tell another of your personal career stories. I'm sure you have a very storied career! Here's a request: How did you get interested in restoring "hollow state" (that's my term for vacuum-tube equipment) electronics?

[@JohnSmith-yl6dn]

Were any of these BC-348s completed? I’d like to see one in operation.

[@gerry4b]

I want to congratulate you on having the most positive attitude on KZbin. Too many content providers, even in this electronics and audio realm, feel that angst and sarcasm are an attractive accompaniment to instruction. They are not. The unwavering respect you show, to the devices, to their original builders, and to your audience, invite a deep appreciation. You are making all the right connections! Thank you.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thank You for your kind comment Gerry!

[@BusyElectrons]

I would absolutely love to see a "period-appropriate" power supply design done for this radio :)

[@brucewinningham4959]

I Agree.

[@myradiovideos]

Me to!

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Agree 100%

[@vincentstevens5048]

I agree, i have a BC342-N that has no PSU, i presume it will probably require the same one as the BC348?

[@qqazws]

Same here. I have been thinking about it for a while for my BC-342 and BC-344 and will follow the new GRRS Entry BC-348 series religiously...

[@blugoose86]

Paul, I have absolutely no problem with you honoring a friends request. The integrity of a true friendship. Happy Veterans day.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks you, and the same to you as well!

[@anthonyvancampen6729]

Thanks for taking care of a friend, and especially a friend who is a vet. Also props for respecting privacy and not telling the story without permission.

[@agems56]

You are an absolute genius! Electronics was my forte, but am still only scratching the surface of what you know! Still learning at 67 years of age!

[@ke4est]

I would love to see a new designed "Carlson" power supply made for this unit!! I love see circuit that you design. Also, it may be more beneficial to others that want to build a power supply for their unit.

[@DavidGierke-nl1dl]

Nice to have an original, unmodified version of the BC-348. The restoration series is very important to electronics freaks. Please keep its progression in mind for near-future videos. Love your work!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Will do. I'm in to far on this one to back out now.

[@carlosnavarro3725]

I'm 52, from Uruguay and I know what you talk about when you said "that old radio smell" at 06:40. Many thanks for sharing!

[@paulsullivan6392]

Bravo for honoring your friend's request. I think a "Carlson designed" 5y3-4 power supply would be absolutely perfect for such a fine example of the venerable BC348.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Yes!

[@McTroyd]

I'd love to see a power supply design, especially accounting for its intended use in a radio receiver (low noise, etc). As always, I'm happy to watch anything you'd care to post, Mr. C. 👍

[@verderandy9161]

Agreed. Randy/GA

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Agree

[@tennesseered586]

I'd love to learn about designing and building a vacuum tube power supply using period correct parts and methods. That's a beautiful piece of kit your friend gave you. You're doing what friends do for each other. I'm all in favor of restoring this receiver in favor of the others. BTW, if space is limited inside the case, how about a separate, stand alone power supply à la Heathkit? A stand alone unit could power other, similar radios, too.

[@Lampoonlongtails]

Not only would restoration of this particular unit become priority, it would be interesting, educational, entertaining, and inspirational,to see your teardown, analysis, restoration, and period correct, upgrades. And finally, an on-air demonstration with your 3-in-one, MIG wire antenna.

[@stephendavis4241]

Especially the MIG wire antenna. I recently purchased some property and have the room to build something similar.

[@gregorythomas333]

It's really nice that you are honoring your friends request...not to mention that it is totally appropriate anyway due to it being a Grand Receiver too :)

[@glenncarr2121]

Hey there Paul , Great to see you in your lab again ! It seems like a long time since you were doing what we all love to see you do , work on some really wonderful stuff ! My vote is too jump in to this with both feet , and see all the details of another wonderful build ! I would love to see the power supply conversion and any improvements to it to improve the workability of the power supply and receiver ! You know I love what you do , so let's see it in motion ! Thank you 😊 for all you do !

[@johnsampson1096]

Great endeavor for a friend, Paul! I read a passage from a ham radio group years ago that mentioned how our love of old radios made us very fond of collecting and restoring this equipment. On person chimed in and mentioned the radios were great, but if someone in the community passes, it was more of a loss, as its the camaraderie in life that really matters. Looking forward to this 348 series!

[@radio-ged4626]

Nice to see you can make time for friends, I'm all for that. Looking forward to the restoration of this "new" BC-348Q. If you want to go into detail about the power supply that's fine by me - there's always something to learn no matter how many times I've worked on power supplies. Great series.

[@terrym1065]

How cool is that? Honoring a friends request is the right thing to do and since it's the same receiver, that's a plus for everyone. Well done Mr. C. Any and all mods you make I'm sure will be welcome as well. This is going to be fun, thanks for the video.

[@jaredkusner1137]

Wonderful the way your honoring an old friend. This will make this restoration very special and so exciting to go through. The radio also looks better than the others. The power supply update would be great. Ill be taking lots of notes.

[@scotty3114]

I vote for designing the period relevant power supply. I always learn something from your enjoyable videos.

[@alanblumenstock7863]

Thank you for the update. I've been waiting for the next episode and now I am a bit more excited with this new receiver. I for one would enjoy seeing as power supply design and build for this one. Thanks for all you do. Best, Alan

[@migsvensurfing6310]

A much better candidate for a restoration. Good friend you have.

[@waltschannel7465]

Cool! How great that you are honoring your friends request! Fun fact: Wells Gardner made radios and TVs for Sears, Montgomery Ward, W T Grant, Western Auto, Firestone, and other retailers. They are still around, and have returned to electronics mfg for government contracts.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

I have a BC348-Q just like the one you are working on and I have a Tube Rectifier supply in mine. When I got the receiver it was in fair condition but the supply was pretty much dead most of the original caps were still within spec I only had to replace two and one resister was burned in half and a couple others were out of tolerance so I replaced those and it works fine now. Good idea working on the Great Receiver restoration Series Paul. Thanks for the video.

[@ashleypapper369]

Hi Mr Carlson I love watching your videos and it would be great to see a power supply being designed for the receiver👍thank you and im looking forward to seeing your future videos yet to come your very knowledgeable and have good advice😃👍 all the best stay safe Ashley

[@leonardpeters3266]

Works for me. I like doing things for friends. Being retired I have allot more time for that. Here in the US it is veterans day. I took in a project myself for a friend today.

[@pd1jdw630]

Hey! If a friend is in need. Either you may or may not make a video out of it. Then that’s priority. 👍🏻 But it’s always nice to see a video of that.

[@VE7QH]

What a beautiful radio. Looking forward to seeing it paired with the matching transmitter.

[@techobaz55]

Hi Paul, it would be great to see the original power supply built, I'm sure many of us would agree. Go for it !

[@userNULL]

I recognized this one right away! Ive spent way too long looking at the interior of B-29 Superfortresses XD

[@ariedekker7350]

It was another nice video about a nice receiver. Thanks for that.

[@paulgametech927]

Paul, I would definitely like to see you convert the power supply to vacuum state! Truly enjoy your videos.

[@Tom-W7TMD]

So Much Fun! I hope to hear you on 75m sometime!

[@ronjiracek]

Hi Paul, Yes, I too would like to see a proper power supply designed for this Q model. I will be getting my BC-348Q this week so it is timely. Thanks again, ron

[@Greg-et2dp]

Mr Carlsons lab you and your wife have a happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 and happy new year 🎄 my friend may God be with you and stay healthy and will ❤

[@etusuku8848]

Hi, just found your channel, thanks for many interesting videos! BC-348 is my dearest old radio, I've had it over 40 years, I was ten when I got it for Christmas. And you guess, what direction that has lead me in the life :) 73! Eeli from Finland

[@boydhale7789]

Mr. Carlson: Please take a little time to do a period correct power supply for this radio. A large group of us have these for our units. It would be of great interest to also see how it test's (so we can compare ours to yours), and how and where to hook all the wires. Thank you for your efforts!

[@EriksElectronicsWorkbench]

Looks like a fine radio for the restoration series. I'd enjoy seeing your discussion and design of a period correct type power supply.

[@waynethompson8416]

Hey Paul! When I was a teenager my uncle gave me a BC348M receiver. The power supply he had with it used a 5R4WGY rectifier tube. I fell in love with the radio and the tube in the power supply! The E, M, O, P, and S versions had a feature that I found fascinating. They use a potentiometer attached to the shaft of the tuning capacitor to maintain a Constant Internal Receiver Noise level and the IF frequency is 915 KC +/- 0.1% I noticed a difference in the unit from your friend that the one I had. The one I had contained capacitors in metal cans, rectangular in shape, that I think were filled with oil. I was hoping that the one you worked on would be the same but I guess not. I really was hoping that you would be able to tell me if the metal can type should be replaced without checking for leakage. Anyway, thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great video Mr Carlson sir you are awesome 😊😊thanks for sharing this video

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You are very welcome

[@KarenTookTheKids364]

Imagine being an amateur radio operator and having Paul as a personal friend. It's like life with cheat codes 😂

[@charlesmurphy5644]

Can’t wait to see, or I guess hear how all these amazing receivers compare to each other!

[@Greg-et2dp]

Mr Carlsons lab you are good at restoring vintage shortwave receivers and alignment of vintage shortwave receivers my friend

[@69Dartman]

Gotta say that is really clean and complete inside out. Really nice specimen to restore.

[@sparkyprojects]

You mentioned in the workshop vid about having a torch to hand, maybe get a pocket torch or EDC torch to carry on your belt, it's also a good way to get extra light into dark places like near that tuner ;) I have an Odepro tactical torch that uses an 18650, so it's rechargeable

[@richardgoebel226]

That is a real beauty to restore. Regarding power supplies I would like to see and hear the best power supply for this radio. Since this is going to compete with other very high quality receivers it should get the best power supply. After all you are going to compare receiver sensitivity, reception and audio quality so it a fair chance to shine. Pass along my Thank You to your friend from one vet to another.

[@hestheMaster]

Another great receiver show and tell. Worthy of a Paul Carlson restoration, the way it should be done. 73

[@faxcapper]

Use the best unit, Paul and this one looks like the best candidate.

[@aserta]

3:53 yup. Full of holes they are. I've never seen a top that doesn't have at least one hole. Mint unit.

[@EsotericArctos]

As much as I get impatient and want to see the restroe series, I would love to see a traditional tube based linear power supply designed for this unit. If you do have time, it would also be nice to see one of the BC-348's fully restored, with an original dynomotor based power supply.

[@Daniel-M7BCE]

I don't understand how anybody could think you weren't a ham with the IC-746 in the background of your old video's....lol Good video as always Paul! You do need to update QRZ though :)

[@number6of1]

Love to see period appropriate power supply designed and built for this. :)

[@febobartoli]

Surprise entry, and a beautiful example. really excited about this now!

[@JCWise-sf9ww]

Paul, I too would stop what I'm doing to help out a friend. Have no problem with you starting over with another BC-348 that's just like the one you were previously working on. It would be nice to briefly cover what power supply requirements/modifications is need to power the BC-348.

[@XMarkxyz]

A power supply design lesson from Mr Carlson himself? Yes please

[@stirlingschmidt6325]

Awesome! Very efficient and easy to digest format...

[@OldePhart]

LOL , toilet flusher... I can't unsee that now!

[@davidportch8837]

a vintage style valve rectifier power supply would be perfect Paul...and this is a lovely example radio

[@thomas-i5o7h]

Wow, this radio looks like somebody took really good care of it !!!

[@wansolve289]

Paul, There’s a factory Power Supply that was produced for the BC348 series. I had one one many years ago. I have photos of it somewhere and possibly the schematic, if so I will send to you.

[@CrispyCircuits]

I would like to see a power supply design for it. This one seems like a neater choice than the others to work on. I also would be interested in what you built to pull the plate off of the other one.

[@boydhale7789]

Question for Mr. Carlson: Have you decided to forgo the restoration of this and the Art/13 radio and transmitter? It has been 6 months since this video and I am somewhat concerned. Have been waiting for almost 3 years for you to do this particular radio...since I would like to get mine up and running. Please consider returning to this project. Thank you for all you do for the radio community.

[@Alexelectricalengineering]

I would love to see the "era correct" power supply design. So nice that you honour your friend in this way. Maybe just make some cover for the back jack for safety.

[@kristyskirt9015]

Y not Yes 5Y3 old school tube rectifier. I like Fender amps As long as it has tube rectifier. I was thinking about this Airborne receiver and transmitter pair be used while in flight. For sure a big twin airplane or a turboprop would do it, like the TBM 850 or 900. Of course be ready kool in a B 25 B 17 or B 29 bomber. Just a wild idea. For sure Mr. Carlson restore this receiver ! Cheers Kristy.

[@cindyfidanza3208]

Hello Paul , your videos are great. one suggestion: not everyone has access to your instrumentation, why you don't show how to use a cheap nanoVNA to perform a sweep and alignment of antique radios? Thanks Vince

[@bobbysparky4299]

It would be great to see a Power Supply design. I would love it if you could detail your reasoning as to why you would prefer a tube based power supply as opposed to a solid state power supply while doing the design.

[@UKDrew]

Awesome as Always Cant wait for what's next. Would be cool to see you make a power supply..

[@W1RMD]

Very nice radio. I look forward to watching and hearing you on the air. I've heard VE6CQ quite a lot on 10 meters AM. Not sure if you've ever talked to him. 73's!

[@davidgramm5027]

Not first, hopefully not last but I vote for restoring your friends radio with an era-specific power source of your own design.

[@hammermekanik]

Yes! Please show me how to build a PS for my 348!🤩

[@terry5089]

Hoping to see more of the BC-348Q restoration soon.

[@mbwatson1000]

I love your design work, so would love to see you design and build a suitable power supply for this radio. I would also like to see the equivalent modern, solid state design - just by way of comparison - you don't have to build that, just draft a circuit diagram.

[@terrykohlman7355]

Design and build the power supply would be my vote

[@patmcnally6]

Nice addition to the Series Maybe Restore the original Supply on the next Radio Put in updated Supply.

[@chroboe]

Yes please would love to see a power supply designed for this guy!

[@Greg-et2dp]

Mr Carlsons lab your vintage BC-48 shortwave receiver with ssb is awesome my friend

[@zappatx]

Your question about the power supply suggestion. Good question because I don't know and was wondering if on my Hammond Organ if there was any advantage getting rid of the old tube rectifier version?

[@eDoc2020]

The main benefit of a solid state power supply is that it is more efficient (and also cheaper to build). A tube rectifier has a heater which draws 10 or 15 watts and there is also considerable power loss in the tube plates. Because of the plate drop you can't directly replace an existing tube rectifier with solid state diodes or the output voltage will be too high.

[@theduckisok]

That's a nice one! Possibly make a tube P S using the nice Hammond parts I saw.

[@jamesjohn2537]

Hi, Paul, nice radio too, yep it's better to design power supply for viewers to learn something!!!

[@frankowalker4662]

What a beautiful receiver. I would love to see a PSU designed for it.

[@merrittderr9708]

I'd like to see the power supply designed. Much more helpful to many viewers that way.

[@alberthofmann420]

Happy Veterans Day! Have you served, Mr. Carlson?

[@hobbiesrus]

Wow that is a really nice one! Parts radio for the PS.

[@eGnarF]

My vote goes for power supply design!

[@johnwaterman1579]

Nice unit ! Designing a power supply might avoid future problems, and suit the unique changes that there might be in the radio that are not original.

[@garymitchell7616]

Yes carry on with the current unit. Would like to see a period style power supply

[@solarbirdyz]

Maybe after you get through with this restoration you could take a nice photo for the Wikipedia page on the BC-348, the examples they have are not in the best of shape!

[@CT7ARQ]

Love to see you build a power supply for that baby.

[@thereare4lights137]

I would also like to see a power supply design for this. I have one of these radios in my collection and have been putting off restoring it. That was until I saw you started a series on these.

[@vacuumfireradio253]

Please do remove the diode based HT supply and replace with a period correct version as you suggested. I'd still like to see a comparison against the earlier vesrion of the BC348. I've restored the later version but not the earlier version. Still considering restuffing the bathtubs on the earlier version but am aware of the hazardous nature of the contents! Looking forward to the nxt instalment. 73 de M0IDF

[@mikebracey8832]

Paul, I would like you to address dynamotor operation also.

[@steveng4554]

dm-28 dynamotor is very quiet, properly lubricated, barely hear it!! you also have the connector which is often missing from the rear of the radio. per matching transmitter, dy-12,dy-17 for the art-13 is quit noisy. had 5 art-13s on 3885 saturday morning and 4 or 5 bc-348s being used with q5'r!

[@geraldparker1112]

Yes, the DM-28 with renewed lubrication is barely heard when running.

[@gilbus4989]

Yes I would like to see you design a power supply for the unit.

[@Greg-et2dp]

Mr Carlsons lab your utube videos are awesome my friend

[@lucapandolfini8634]

While I'm sure it would be super informative to follow you rebuild a vacuum tube power supply for this receiver, my feeling is that re-installing an original dynamotor would be the best thing to do for such a nice piece of WWII history

[@geraldparker1112]

I have three BC-348's, one with dynamotor, 2 with very nice AC supplies. I do not want to add extra work for you but a unit on dynamotors would be good. There are a lot of great articles on relubricating the bearings but I have yet to see anything telling us how we could characterize the HV output (ripple, noise, etc.) Three of us in North Dakota are very excited about this BC 348 series. The transmitter video project would be perfect!

[@anthonyshiels9273]

I would love to see you design and install a proper vacuum tube power supply system for this radio receiver.

[@tonyking9235]

THATS FINE MR C HELP YOUR FRIEND.

[@stephennickerson7685]

I would like to see a vintage type power supply made for it. Could you get or make a mating plug for the connector in the radio? That way you can keep the connector in and the power cord could simply plug into it.

[@jlog7395]

I would like to see your design process for the power supply addition to this BC348.

[@erin19030]

That radio Ou Du Parume is from the MFP applocation.

[@anthonyvancampen6729]

Thinking in terms of time - the obvious answer would be to pull a tube power supply from the other units. But it would be nice to see you build one from the chassis up. So call my vote two for time and one for building a tube supply.