Remcon 12 Versatile - A Tribute Act
Posted: 22 Oct 2020, 10:06
As explained in my “Welcome” posting, I’ve set out to make a Remcon 12 Versatile “reed” transmitter to replace one that was stolen, in 1968. The receiver and a couple of Bonner Duramites were not in the car and, never having been near a model, have been waiting, patiently, for 52 years.
The Remcon 12 Versatile, launched in 1966, was an update to the Remcon 12, from 1964. The corresponding superhet receiver was given a make-over, at the same time. Not a lot changed, frankly. The relevant RCM&E construction articles are:
Remcon 12 Tx RCM&E October 1964
Remcon Superhet Rx RCM&E February 1965
Remcon 12 Versatile TX and RX RCM&E April 1966
The articles describing the early versions remain useful, as they have some additional constructional information/photos, which are relevant to both versions.
For info, Phil_G has a Remcon reprint of both the April ‘66 Versatile articles, in the Single Channel archive. Look for M48. It was downloading this that gave me the idea of building a transmitter to complete the set.
Not having the luxury, this time, of a kit, I started off by etching a hand drawn circuit board. Whilst OK, it didn’t look very smart and could have made better allowance for my choice of Bourns sliding pots (metric, now, not imperial!). Phil_G’s advice was to use a laser-toner transfer process. My first try was usable! Still requiring a lot of cleaning up and cutting to size, the board is shown below.
Since then, all the components have been added, with the exception of the seven switches (on stalks), the crystal and the six sliding pots (on the reverse). The sliders can’t go on, until the switches are in place; and I want to use the case as a jig for mounting the switches. So, not having bashed tin since 1965, making the case is my next job.
Finally, I only began this project with the firmest, most absolute, total, 110% conviction that the original receiver and a second Duramite was in a plastic storage crate, at the back of a “glory hole” in the eaves of the house, all guarded by a heavy, and full, bookcase. Summoning up the strength, I eventually got in there. Found my old RAF Crash Tender and a Mantua yacht ...... but no receiver or Duramite! Panicking, a quick look on “the bay” found a matching Remcon receiver for sale (what’s the chance of that!). It was an original version, but had all the rocking horse bits, should I need to make the later version. A great insurance policy for twenty quid. It had my name all over it!
Thanks for reading.
Best wishes,
Remcon Superhet
aka XK50
aka One of the New Bunch
aka John
The Remcon 12 Versatile, launched in 1966, was an update to the Remcon 12, from 1964. The corresponding superhet receiver was given a make-over, at the same time. Not a lot changed, frankly. The relevant RCM&E construction articles are:
Remcon 12 Tx RCM&E October 1964
Remcon Superhet Rx RCM&E February 1965
Remcon 12 Versatile TX and RX RCM&E April 1966
The articles describing the early versions remain useful, as they have some additional constructional information/photos, which are relevant to both versions.
For info, Phil_G has a Remcon reprint of both the April ‘66 Versatile articles, in the Single Channel archive. Look for M48. It was downloading this that gave me the idea of building a transmitter to complete the set.
Not having the luxury, this time, of a kit, I started off by etching a hand drawn circuit board. Whilst OK, it didn’t look very smart and could have made better allowance for my choice of Bourns sliding pots (metric, now, not imperial!). Phil_G’s advice was to use a laser-toner transfer process. My first try was usable! Still requiring a lot of cleaning up and cutting to size, the board is shown below.
Since then, all the components have been added, with the exception of the seven switches (on stalks), the crystal and the six sliding pots (on the reverse). The sliders can’t go on, until the switches are in place; and I want to use the case as a jig for mounting the switches. So, not having bashed tin since 1965, making the case is my next job.
Finally, I only began this project with the firmest, most absolute, total, 110% conviction that the original receiver and a second Duramite was in a plastic storage crate, at the back of a “glory hole” in the eaves of the house, all guarded by a heavy, and full, bookcase. Summoning up the strength, I eventually got in there. Found my old RAF Crash Tender and a Mantua yacht ...... but no receiver or Duramite! Panicking, a quick look on “the bay” found a matching Remcon receiver for sale (what’s the chance of that!). It was an original version, but had all the rocking horse bits, should I need to make the later version. A great insurance policy for twenty quid. It had my name all over it!
Thanks for reading.
Best wishes,
Remcon Superhet
aka XK50
aka One of the New Bunch
aka John