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Navigation Radio Control Unit

Technical Information

Catalogue No: C1003
Category: Radio Communication/Sensing
Object Type: Control/Data Entry
Object Name: Navigation Radio Control Unit
Part No: 7430M
Serial No: 640526
Manufacturer: Marconi Avionics
Division: Unknown
Platform(s): Argosy , HS748
Year of Manufacture: circa 1965
Dimensions: Width (mm): 146
Height (mm): 47
Depth (mm): 150
Weight (g): 673
Location: Triple Shelf Unit, Mid (control panels) [Main Store]
Inscription(s):

Gables Engineering
Coral Gables
Florida USA
Mod No G-1345
Ser. No 6
Wt - lb
TSO
Mod. Record -
────────────────
FRONT PANEL:
Ser 640526
Type No 7430M
Marconi

Notes:

This Radio Control Unit is similar to C0184 and interestingly has a legend that suggests it was made by Gables Engineering in the USA. The National Archives hold a record of this equipment being used in acceptance trials of Elliott 21 VHF and Marconi AD 260 VOR installed in a Beverley C Mk 1 transport aircraft in 1966.
Gables Engineering were formed in 1946 and have a record of producing Radio Control Panels which suggests that it was made for Marconi or Marconi made the unit under Licence.

This panel was part of the 21 series VHF communications and VOR/ILS equipment introduced in about 1959. New design features included the use of transistors and printed circuits resulting in an overall reduction in size and weight of at least 40lb per aircraft for the whole system. With a total weight of only 57 lb, this installation was the lightest. most compact equipment of its type in production.

The system provides 560 channels with 50 kilocycle spacing. Down draught cooling is unnecessary, make this installation invaluable to modern airline operators and aircraft manufacturers.The equipment was made under licence from The Bendix Aviation Corporation U.S.A. and is totally interchangeable with the Bendix American manufactured system.

Radio Control unit in general provides VHF and/or UHF frequency selection by means of continuous selection or it may also have preset channels. The frequency and channel will be displayed by a legend through a window on the older units or by an electronic display on later units. There may be a volume control and built-in-test.

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