The Acqusition

The Collins 30S-1 was acquired from the estate of Bob, K8VFV who became a silent key on xxxx. The amplifier bas a basket case, actually a bushel basket case. There was the main RF cabinet and power supply cabinet and 4 additional boxes containing the parts that at one time were in the 30S-1 enclosure.

Bob had been restoring the amplifier since his acquisition in 2001. He had stripped many components from the chassis and cabinet during his restoration process. He had the cabinet professionally powder coated to the original Collins colors. The cabinet as received was immaculate as if it had just come out of the Cedar Rapids, IA manufacturing plant.

Many components in the power supply appeared to be brand new. But upon closer examination, it appears that Bob had removed the HV capacitors and HV choke and other components and had them repainted professionally as well. Even the HV capacitor hold down brackets were repainted.

The story goes that this particular amplifier came from merchant marine service. Probably a salty one. There are noticeable signs of galvanic corrosion. Most significant was between the chassis and the copper finger grounding straps on the top lid. The copper fingers were replaced with newer original fingers.

It was obvious that Bob had planned on doing a very professional restoration of the Collins 30S-1 that would rank a CCA of at least 9.5

I estimated it would take me 160 hours (4 X 40 hr weeks) to rebuild the amplifier. I would start on it in the new year (2020) as my winter project.

Well. I couldn't wait till 2020. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided I would read through all the literature and notes that Bob had accumulated while he was restoring the amplifier. And then I came across the eBay advertisement from which Bob purchased the 30S-1 and my aspirations took a step back.

"This amp working and in daily use until May 2001 - according to what Joe, W4CTG told me (the estate seller), it started showing grid and screen current with low voltage turned on and pins when HV turned on - symptoms present with or without tube"

As a result of reading this disappointing news, I added another 80 hours onto the estimate to rebuild the Collins 30S-1.