Absolutely beautiful audio !! I've always had a thing for the 51S1, wish I had never sold mine back in like 1990 or so. There's nothing else like tuning a collins.
I have had a 51S-1 for the last couple of years I bought from an estate sale from a SK that is beautiful but I never realized the two selections under the meter were for audio. Never dawned on me to look at how the meter is calibrated... Learn something every day. 73 WA4QGA
I have one of these Steve. Its a radio that bings a lot of joy. Its the first rig I turn on in the shack -- and in the winter, it has the added advantage of keeping the shack warm too :-) It took me about 2 years to restore the radio to its present 'showroom' state. Not much to do other than replace a few old caps and resistors and re-tweak some IF stages. All the valves we good -- although I have a complete replacement set (which will probably never get used in my lifetime.) The radio has a wonderfully 'open' sound when listening to SSB and AM and the CW filter improves s-n remarkably. When compared to my Elecraft K3, the 51S-1 can hear everything the K3 can hear on the Amateur bands. Collins made some remarkable radios. :-) 73, Stay safe. Bruce G4ABX
During my buying in Thailand I got one 51 S one, which showed quickly. Maybe it was the deficient speaker, but when I had the original Collins speaker on a 75-A1 , The CW note was so pure an elegant sounding. I love that receiver go, but I have never heard CW so well spoken by any other reproducer,
Sounds and looks amazing. What a beautifully designed receiver and easy to userstand why these sets were so revered. Despite the impressive functions and performance that modern gear gives you, I can't help but feel that we have perhaps lost something along the way.
That brings back wonderful days for me. I had the Collins 51S-1 back in The 80s. I wish I still kept the radio. One thing for me you sure cannot beat a good old tube receiver they just say I am beautiful. Thank you for the video. 73 WD5ENH Steve
Dear Steve, I have the line 32-S 3 and 75-S 3 and I worked the KWS-1 with 75-S 1, in Ellsworth Scientific Station in Antártica. Very nice rigs. My congratulations to you. Luis LU6AGO. Amelia is my wife. Bye
Nice one. I own one of these myself. Despite the vintage design, nothing will ever surpass the overall look and feel of Collins radio gear! You really need the matching Collins speaker to complete the "look".
Great video. I see you have the AM filter mod installed. I see the 2 RF cans removed. I've been trying to find someone to do surgery on mine to incorp that service bulliten. No luck so far. 73 OM
Well Done Steve on a very comprehensive demostration of the Collins 51S1, She's a Beauty Mate. It's development and Manufacture actually has a very interesting "Back Story" if you check it out. I am fortunate to own a 51S1 Winged Emblemed version of "Arthur's Toys" and I enjoy it immensely. Cheers from Mike VK4QS, Down Under!!
Your 51S-1 seems to pick up local AM broadcast stations just fine. Mine picks up everything but local AM. I was told I would need a very rare and expensive "55G-1" - Low Frequency Tuner. Is there a trick to getting these to pick up local AM?
