R1155A Receiver
R1155A Receiver
This radio started it all off!!
How I got this radio
This is the radio responsible for getting me in to amateur radio in the first place. It was found by a house clearance company who didn’t know what to do with it, and thus given to me. I have had many happy hours listening to both amateur and broadcast HF stations.
Recently G0SJR Rick another ham had a look at it, and gave me some mode information about it, including some circuit diagram, so I’m going to dust down my old valve skills and have a prod about.
A bit of history on the R1155A
As I understand it, this receiver was used in both Lancaster Bombers, and later in costal patrol boats. The cases used in the bombers were made of aluminium presumably for the weight, whilst the versions used in the patrol boads had steel cases. Looking at the Model Number of this particular unit, it was too early to be used in the costal patrol boats, but the case is made of steel. Perhaps it is a composite of old and new at the time, or perhaps it was put together after the second world war from bits :)
A plea for more information
If anyone out there has any more information on the R1155A please feel free to add it to the comments on this post
Some Pictures
The unit is currently rather dusty, but is still in a workable condition. It’s most notable feature is the ‘magic eye’ signal meter.
- R1155A Front Panel View
An image showing the inside of the receiver. The valves are still in quite reasonable condition, however I’m not so sure about the capacitors.
- R1155A Inside Top View
The alignment controls for the receiver are the red bolts visible at the back below.
R1155A Inside Bottom View
Inside the case at the back is some more information. I don’t know what the marking on the case in black is, but the label to the left is the valve replacement table.
R1155A Inside Back Case View
A close up of the valve replacement table, showing both RAF, and civilian part numbersR1155A Inside Back Case Valve Table View
Entries (RSS)
Hello from sweden.
I have one too at my collecton since 1972 . It was my first real DX radio. Many other radios is in my collection now.
Hi Noel,
Just came across your website, and I’m interested to know you have an R1155 in working condition. I have a model F (steel) made by EKCO. In 1999 I advertised for one here in Australia and luckily obtained an unmodified set brought over by an English migrant. I replaced all by-pass caps (repacked the cans) and several dodgy resistors. It needed a new power supply, so I built one, together with an audio amp (6V6), and complete with ’soft start’ to protect the valves during warm-up. Period AM meters monitor HT, -ve bias, and HT current. I also built a loop antenna to AM specs, obtained the dual needle DF meter, and so now if the homestead moves, I’ll know!
Reception here in SA is good, despite the sunspot lull (will they ever return!) - sometimes listen to RAF volmet, and airline traffic over the Pacific, North Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
It compares very favourably with my 2005 Yaesu and a 1937 National HRO Sr (lovely set).
It was good to see several at Bletchley Park recently, and one in Lanc. “Just Jane” at East Kirkby. (If you are interested, also check ‘our’ website ee138.net.au)
Cheers,
Donald.
After the war these R1155 sets and others were readily available and I have done about every type of mod possible on them, they really are a good sets and can easily be improved,
Removing all the DF circuitsfrom a r1155 leaves space for a decent output stage, and one can also fit a BFO stage which resolves SSB.
If one goes a stage further and fits a ” modern ” low noise high gain valve to the rf stage the radio becomes ” live”
plenty of these circuits around, I should have some stored somewhere.
Many old military valved sets are so well worth improving, the results will surprise you, R107, bc348, this one is great for modifying. cr 100, cr 150, 52 set.and others.
all the beast
James