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The WJ-8718 is a major project in the Watkins Johnson receiver line. Over 10,000 units were produced across the product line of WJ-8718, WJ-8716, URR-74 and WJ-8718/MFP and WJ-8716/MFP versions.
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The basic receiver is digitally controlled but has no microprocessor. Standard configuration tuned DC to 30 MHz. Performance in the LF range is very good. IF bandwidths of 0.3, 1, 3.2, 8 and 16 kHz are standard. Standard receiving modes are AM, FM, CW, USB and LSB. ISB is listed as an option but the only radios I have seen for sale without ISB were stripped their SSB cards. A variety of options like a tracking preselector, RS-232 or GPIB remote control and 1 Hz tuning resolution were available. These radios were expensive, especially when you add certain options.
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Construction quality and serviceability are superb. The radio is entirely card cage construction and a card extender was commonly stored inside the radio (2 are required for work on the synthesizers and control boards). This picture is from a WJ-8718/MFP, which can be seen from the two cards and ribbon cable in the microprocessor bay (second bay from bottom).
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The back is the easiest way to tell an WJ-8718 from a WJ-8716 or AN/URR-74(V). The WJ-8718 has barrier strips for audio connections. The WJ-8716 has BNC connectors. The AN/URR-74(V) has military connectors. This radio has an addition jack labeled J14, which is for the SMO - Spectrum Monitor Output, a 455kHz pre-IF filter 30 kHz wide output for connection to the WJ-9188-18 spectrum display unit that was designed to accompany these radios. (BNC above spare fuse).
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