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(c) Sindre TORP
RV7 RCT Test Box
Every TR-7 and every TR-5 transceiver was tested in production with an RV-7 remote VFO unit. The RV-7 RCT Test Box took testing with the RV-7 a little farther and allowed the production line tester to check the Receiver Control Transmit (RCT) features and functions of a TR-7.
In addition to the RV-7 interface cable, the test box also had a cable connecting to the Accessories socket of the TR-7 being tested. If a TR-5 was being tested, only the RV-7 interface cable was connected to the TR-5, as the TR-5 did not have the RCT feature. The toggle switch on the front panel allowed selection of the unit to be tested.
The "10 T" lamp provided an indication for the + 10 VDC Transmit line, this is the + 10 VDC supply line for the transmitter section of the TR-7. There was also a +10 R line, which was the +10 VDC supply for the receiver section of the TR-7.
The "KEY" lamp provided a confirmation when testing the RCT enable line. The "VOX" lamp provided an indication of the vox operation. The "13.8" lamp provided an indication that the 13.8 VDC supply was reaching the unit. The "ALC" button provided a means to test the ALC circuit. The "PTT" button provided a means to engage the PTT line to key the TR-7 or TR-5 under test.
The "DIS" button provided a means to engage the Xmit Disable line. The "SPOT" button is a standard button on the RV-7 and is used to spot the two units on one frequency.
The section in the TR-7 test procedure regarding the RCT test box went something like this:
1. RCT button OUT on TR-7
2. Connect RCT test box.
3. Observe that VOX lamp on RCT box is on.
4. Push RCT button in on the TR-7 and observe that PTO dial lamp in test box comes on.
5. Push PTT button on test box and observe that RCT enable LED (KEY lamp) and XMIT lamp (+10 T lamp) will come on, while the VOX light will go out.
6. Push Xmit DISable button on test box while unit is keyed. Relay in TR-7 should drop out.
7. Confirm that with RCT button in and TR-7 in transmit that the RCT test box PTO is being displayed by the frequency counter. In receive, only the TR-7 PTO should be in control and not the RCT test box PTO, regardless of RCT switch position.
Bill Frost
