AWA CR-6B Communications Receiver

General Notes

The CR-6A and CR-6B were built in Australia by AWA (Amalgamated Wireless) in the early 1960s as general purpose communications receivers. They were primarily used by government agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and country police services. The A model covered 2 - 30 mhz and the B from 200 - 540 khz and 2 - 25 mhz, in each case over 6 bands. The B model allowed low frequency air navigation beacons to be monitored. The design was a 12 valve single conversion superhet using miniature 7 & 9 pin valves. Tuning accuracy is obtained through use of a crystal oscillator giving markers every 500 khz, and although the main dial does not allow accurate readings, the secondary logging dial does. There is no separate bandspread as such and allowance is made for the optional fitting of 6 crystal controlled channels. To use these, the dial must also be tuned to the required freqencies.

The units were powered by an internal mains power supply covering 200 - 240v. The sets are quite large being 19" x 8.75" x 12.5" in size and were normally rack mounted, though examples in cases can be found. Valve line up is R/F 6AU6, Mixer 6AJ8, I/F stages 6BA6 + 6BA6 + 6AU6, Det 12AU7, BFO 6AU6, Audio 6AU6 + 6AQ5, Calibrator 6AU6. The optional crystal unit uses a 12AU7 + 6AJ8.

Collectability

These sets are relatively common in Australia, but are very rare elsewhere. Manuals (or copies) can be obtained without too much difficulty. Unlike military sets, these units are generally in good cosmetic condition as they were normally rack mounted and tuned to a single frequency. They all have thin metal covers, but few have the desktop cases, usually only those originating from non-aviation sources. Appeal to overseas collectors is limited due to their size, and hence shipping costs, and also because they are only designed for 240v use.

Headphones or an external speaker are required.

Current Condition

My set is in good cosmetic condition with only the original AWA escutcheon missing. It was obtained directly from the CAA some years ago. It works reasonably well but appears to be a little deaf on the highest frequency band. I have not had to do any maintenance on it. I have a photo-copied manual.

The optional crystal unit is fitted and covers the following frequencies (khz)

Xtal Freq Station

A 2182 General calling/distress frequency

B 2201

C 6680 Karachi Volmet (air weather)

D 5643 South-Pacific H/F air to ground frequency

E 8847 Kuwait Volmet (air weather)

F 10017 Karachi Volmet (again!)

Count since 1/7/07.
Page maintained by Simon Buxton VK2UA . Created: 16/02/02 Updated: 20/08/2007

Xtal	Freq	Station
A	2182	General calling/distress frequency
B	2201
C	6680	Karachi Volmet (air weather)
D	5643	South-Pacific H/F air to ground frequency
E	8847	Kuwait Volmet (air weather)
F	10017	Karachi Volmet (again!)