32S3 Summary
Modes of operation:  SSB and CW
Frequency of operation:  Ham bands 80 - 10 meters
Year of manufacture:  1962 - 1975
New Price in 1963:  $750
Later price:  $938
Input Power: 175 watts on SSB, 160 watts on CW
Final Tubes:  two each 6146
Requires 516F-2 power supply
Size: 7.75"x14.75"x12.5"
Approx. Weight: 20 lbs

Description of The Collins 32S-3

The Collins 32S-3 Transmitter covers all the amateur bands between 3.4 Mhz and 30 Mhz with a power input of 175 watts PEP on SSB or 160 watts on CW.  It has a nominal output of 100 watts.

All of the dials and controls are clearly marked and human- engineered for operational efficiency. In the 32S-3, Collins design engineers have produced a transmitter with a minimum number of controls to offer you precise tuning.

The 32S-3 can also be adapted for RTTY operation because of the high degree of stability of the unit. Grid block keying in CW with adjustment of characteristic from "soft" to "hard" for individual operator is provided.

A combination of features found in no other transmitter on the amateur market gives you that top performance which you expect - and get - only in Collins transmitters. These features include:

• DUAL CONVERSION with the high frequency oscillator crystal-controlled, and low frequency oscillator variable, resulting in a frequency stability for Collins transmitters which has become the standard of the amateur field.
• COLLINS AUTOMATIC LOAD CONTROL which aids in preventing over modulation and provides up to 10 db compression for higher average talk power.
• COLLINS RF INVERSE FEEDBACK for improved linearity and reduction of distortion products and splattering.
• CW SPOTTING CONTROL which allows the 32S-3 frequency to be quickly and easily adjusted to zero beat with a signal tuned on the receiver. The carrier is momentarily keyed in the low level stages without disabling the receiver. A level control facilitates zero adjustment.
• COLLINS MECHANICAL FILTER providing a clean, clear signal without need for adjustment, additional audio filters, or special microphones.

The 32S-3 comes equipped with the crystal sockets, crystals and bandswitch positions for eleven 200 kc bands. Crystal sockets and bandswitch position also are provided for two additional 200 kc bands between 28 mc and 30 mc. A fourteenth position, corresponding to the WWV position on the receiver, can be used for an additional 200 kc band in the 9.5-15.0 mc range, if desired. Regulation of oscillator voltages insures high frequency stability.

The 32S-3 can be operated on any frequency in the range of 3.4-30 mc, except 5.0-6.5 mc, by installing an appropriate crystal. Plug-in crystals are available to convert any of the above amateur band channels to out-of-band channels. Easy access is provided to crystal oscillator patch cables from top of cabinet. Front panel selection of receiver VFO or transmitter VFO provides optional transceiver operation at the flick of a switch.

While the 32S-3 provides ample RF power for excellent communication, it can be used without modification to excite the Collins 30L-1 or 30S-1 Linear Amplifier.

32S-3 Specifications
FREQUENCY RANGE: 3.4-5.0 and 6.5-30.0 mc; bands are as follows:

     80 meters - 3.4-3.6 mc, 3.6-3.8 mc and 3.8-4.0 mc.
     40 meters - 7.0-7.2 mc and 7.2-7.4 mc.
     20 meters - 14.0-14.2 mc and 14.2-14.4 mc.
     15 meters - 21.0-21.2 mc, 21.2-21.4 mc and 21.4-21.6 mc.
     10 meters - 28.5-28.7 mc.

MODE: SSB (either sideband selectable) or CW.
TYPE OF SERVICE: SSB continuous; CW 50% duty cycle.
POWER REQUIREMENTS: 115 v, 50-60 cps. Power can be provided by an external supply which must
    supply 800 vdc at 220 ma for PA plates, 275 vdc at 175 ma, for PA screens and low voltage plates.
    Bias voltage is adjustable between -60 v and -80 vdc;
    Filament voltage is 6.3 vac at 7.7 amps, or 6.0 vdc at 6.0 amps, or 12.0-14.0 vdc at 3.0 amps, or
         24.0-28.0 vdc at 1.5 amps.

    CW, key closed: 320 watts ac or 25 amps at 12 vdc.
    SSB, no modulation: 230 watts ac, 15 amps at 12 vdc.
    SSB, speech modulated:  255 watts ac, 20 amps at 12 vdc.

PLATE POWER INPUT: 175 watts PEP on SSB; 160 watts on CW.
POWER OUTPUT: 100 watts PEP (nominal) into 50 ohms.
HARMONIC AND OTHER SPURIOUS RADIATION:
    Carrier suppression -50 db;
    Unwanted sideband --50 db;
    Oscillator feed-through and/or mixer products -50 db.
    Second harmonic -40 db.
    Third order distortion -30 db.

NOISE LEVEL: 40 db below one tone carrier.
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: 0 -50 C.
AMBIENT HUMIDITY RANGE: 0%-90%.
ALTITUDE: 0-10,000 ft.
PROTECTIVE DEVICES: Primary fuses provided in the power supply to be used with the equipment.
SIZE: Transmitter with feet - 14-3/4" W, 7-3/4" H, 12-1/2" D.
WEIGHT: 16 Lbs.
FREQUENCY STABILITY: Within 100 cps after warm-up.
CALIBRATION ACCURACY: 1 kc.
BACKLASH: Not more than 50 cps.
VISUAL DIAL ACCURACY: 200 cps on all bands.
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Variable, 50 ohms nominal, capable of matching 2:1 SWR.
CW SIDETONE: Provision for monitoring keying in receiver.  Sidetone level is adjustable.
KEYING CHARACTERISTICS: Keying is free of chirp and clicks. Modified break-in CW provided.
       Keyed carrier used for CW keying.  Envelope rise and decay time adjustable.

AUDIO INPUT: High impedance microphone or phone patch.
AUDIO FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 300-2400 cps +6 db.
AUDIO COMPRESSION CHARACTERISTICS: ALC operates on IF and RF amplifiers and is capable
    of 10 db compression.

RF FEEDBACK: Approximately 10 db of RF feedback around PA and driver for improved PA linearity.