Yesterday I switched on my Collins KWM-380 as I often do. The lights and LEDs came on, the few short beeps emanated from the speaker, but no signals or S meter deflection. No tuning ‘blips’ as the main tuning knob is turned on the megahertz dial either. The volume control gave an increase in hiss […]
Lucas Wiring Colour Code Key
If you’ve ever wondered what the colour code for wiring on your British bikes was, here’s your answer. The colour code is standard across the various brands to make it easier for garages and dealers to make quick repairs. If you’re thinking of making modifications to your bike or adding things such as indicators, it […]
Resurrecting a Philips PM6671 High Resol...
I do like older test gear…it’s normally repairable quite easily and it’s possible to buy it for a fraction of its original price. Equipment that once cost thousands, can be had for just hundreds, or sometimes tens of pounds. I went to the 2022 Galashiels Radio Rally on the 30th of October and spotted a […]
Microwave Modules 15dB Attenuator
The Microwave Modules MMT1296 and other transverters, rely on a 15dB attenuator between the transverter and the driver radio for matching. When these transverters were designed, 10W output base and mobile transceivers were the norm. When you buy a second hand transverter, these attenuators are often missing. I had a similar experience and wondered what […]
012825 Matchless AJS Front Wheel Spindle...
I thought I’d write this page as a result of problems encountered whilst replacing the front wheel bearings and spindle on my 1953 Matchless G3LS. (# see my ‘update’ at the bottom of this page) My bike has a 1956 ‘barrel shaped’ front hub and uses a complete front spindle and bearing assembly, part number […]
Tekaloid Black Paint
At one time all vehicles were offered in black, black…or you could choose black instead. Then came maroon, dark green then some of the more sombre colours British vehicles were famous for. One of the leading brands of paint was Tekaloid by Thornley & Knight, a very durable coach enamel that was originally applied with […]
Lucas Lead Replacer
If, like me, you have a penchant for classic motorcycles and / or cars, you will know that most of them were designed in a time when petrol had no ethanol in it, but did have a small amount of lead. The lead was there to lubricate things like valve stems and other critical engine […]
D-Link DAP-1522 Wireless Access Point an...
I’ve had a D-Link DAP-1522 Wireless Access Point configured in Bridge Mode for some years now. Today I needed to reconfigure it for my new broadband service…easy I thought. Erm…no…not so easy. It should have been, because I hadn’t kept notes on what to do…but I spent some time figuring it out, yet again. These […]
Kenwood TS-770 V-UHF All Mode Dual Band ...
These are truly excellent radios; well made, reliable and a pleasure to use. In the UK they are marketed by Kenwood, but in other countries they carry the TRIO brand. The TS-770 covers 144 to 146MHz and 430 to 440MHz with around 10w output from SSB, FM and CW modes. They DO NOT have a […]
AJS Twins…well almost
Last week, on the 2nd of November 2022 to be precise, I hired a long wheelbase Ford Transit van from Tyne Valley Car and Van Hire; they are literally a couple of miles up the road. A friend and I went up to see Roddy and Doris Jones in Damhead, near Edinburgh, to pick up […]