The SC-301 as it appeared in the KWM-2 color brochure September 1959.
The KWM-2 family of accessories from the introductory brochure with the
SC-301 at upper right.
Here is an official Collins Radio Company photograph of one of the six or so prototype units actually built. Only two have been locatedand both are a little bit different.
Page created 10/12/98 by KK5IM
The SC-301 was intended to be an antenna/station control for the KWM-2
system. It is the reason there is so much extra space in the front of the
516F-2 power supply cabinet-- to accommodate the then popular Numechron digital
clock!
As intended by the Collins marketing people, the SC-301 was to be sold in
kit form so individual hams could customize the unit for their individual
shacks. It is similar in nature to the 312A-2 station control system for
the KWS-1 but does not have a speaker.
The introductory KWM-2 brochure was printed in September 1959 and shows
a picture of one of the prototype units. On the back
of the brochure is a drawing (see above) of the KWM-2 family accessories
and a description of the SC-301:
"SC-301 Antenna Control Console mounts a 24-hour clock, antenna
selector switch, beam direction indicator, direction switch and relay power
supply. Replaces dummy panel of 516F-2 Power Supply. Supplied without direction
indicator and switch"
What happened? By the late 1950s, tri-band beam antennas were a reality
and the introduction of quality ham rotators (the Ham IV) made multiple
beam antennas and prop-pitch rotor systems obsolete. Apparently after building
a few prototypes, the "powers-that-be" decided there just was
not enough of a market to justify production. The two identified prototype
units found their way into the hands of two lucky collectors and, until
now, they were two very unique pieces. The other prototype unit has a different arrangement for the beam indicator and other minor component differences.
Above is my reproduction of the SC-301 with an etched aluminum front
panel, complete with the S-Line texture!
I always wanted one of these things! Jim Stitzinger, WA3CEX, has one
of the prototypes and he furnished me with a sketch and details. I had already
made a silicone rubber mold for the clock bezel for the 312A-2 as well as
the clock bracket for the Tymeter Numechron clock. The big problem was the
textured front panel. Rather than use wrinkle paint like I did for the MS-101
monitor scopes, I replicated the texture pattern much like the Collins model
shop did and created the panel artwork in Adobe Illustrator (on the Mac
naturally). A local firm specializing in etched ID plates took my negative
and produced the panels on .062 aluminum, cut them out and rounded the corners.
I punched the holes, painted the panel and applied my custom dry transfers.
Master Machinist Wayne Spring, W6IRD, made the clock brackets and the rotor
indicator plate for me. The components came from J. B. Jenkins' well stocked junk box and the antenna
selector knob was one of my castings from the MS-101 project.
More new stuff......
Revised: 2/7/00