[ARC5] Homebrew SSB (was 'cool acquistion')

[Mike Hanz]

  I would think that subject might have a broader interest over in the 
glowbugs list at http://groups.google.com/group/tetrode?hl=en , Leslie.  
I've never been supportive of thought police that decry off-topic 
subjects, but turning command sets or other surplus into SSB rigs 
actually has a wider audience there because of the experimental nature 
of the group.  Quite a few members here are on that list as well, and 
military sets are often discussed.  Anyway, it's just a thoughtful 
suggestion.

73,
Mike

On 9/21/2010 4:45 PM, Leslie Smith wrote:
> Hello list-members:
>
> This SSB rig in a converted command Tx is a most interesting find, both as a record of technology at that time (we "hams" should be proud of our hobby's involvement with the early development of SSB) and now in the idea of putting a homebrew SSB rig on the air - and especially a phasing SSB rig.
>
> I would like to ask (forgive me for being slightly off-topic) how many on this list would have an interest in building and running a restored SSB rig?
>
> Continuing the idea of home-brew SSB, Harry Lythall, who sponsors "Harry's Homebrew Pages" has the circuit for a solid state phasing rig on his site.  Look for "Harry's Homebrew" and navigate to the projects page.  Look for phasing rig.
>
> I drafted  the layout (PCB art-work) for Harry's circuit, with some mods. For anyone interested send an e-m to LNSmith "at" OperaMail dot com, and I'll send a photo of an assembled card.   I generate the SSB on 3000kHz, with a view to mixing the SSB signal up with a VFO on 600kHz to give an 80m signal.    The project is "up in the air at the moment" - I have a problem with concentrating on one thing at a time.
>
> There are several advantages with a low-frequency VFO.  For those without a frequency counter, (I have one) the stability is easily checked by zero-beating against a broadcast station.  Stability is a LOT easier to get at a lower frequency.  Stability is the hardest part of a home-brew transmitter.  I could say more, but I think the point is clear.
>
> I plan on putting this together with an R-23 to make a homebrew 80m SSB rig.  Moving to 40 or 160m would be simple.  I have two  commercial rigs, but in my mind homebrew is the essence of amateur radio.  I have little interest in on-air communication.  I feel embarassed with a microphone in my hand; I have nothing to say, and especially feel embarassed to say, "I have a jap set feeding an end-fed random wire."
>
> To conclude, may I ask:  How many here are interested in homebrew SSB?  How many are interested in solid state homebrew SSB?   How many are interested in running largely unmodified ARC-5 sets on-air in conjunction with other home-brew gear.  (Not a full ARC-5 rig).  Answers to this Q are welcome, either on this list (although it is close to off-topic) or to the email address above.  I'm interested to hear.
>
> ))>  73<((
> Les Smith
> formerly VK2BCU
>
>
>
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Robert Nickels<ranickel at comcast.net>
>> To: ARC-5 QTH<arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: [ARC5] Cool acquisition (not for the squeamish)
>> Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:05:35 -0500
>>
>>
>>     Last weekend was the Peoria Superfest, where some buddies and I have
>> been getting together for a big cook-out and gabfest as well.   One of
>> them has taken on the chore of helping a widow dispose of the estate of
>> a local SK, and included in the pile of stuff were a half-dozen  sundry
>> ARC-5 transmitters and receivers.  Most had been "hammified" to  a
>> greater or lesser extent - only one looked to be original.  But my
>> attention was drawn instead to one that was REALLY hacked-up, but
>> immediately recognizable to the "trained eye".
>>
>> It was a nearly-intact version of the W2EWL "Cheap and Easy SSB"
>> transmitter that was featured in the ARRL Sideband Handbook that I've
>> been studying lately.   Of course I immediately acquired it, as early
>> SSB is an area of great interest to me.   When this article was written
>> the author noted that the price of the BC-458 was "from $3.95 to $7.95",
>> so it's understandable how this was an attractive value for a
>> homebrewer, although we'd consider it heresey today.  The first step was
>> to strip the chassis of all parts except for the 1626 oscillator and the
>> final tube sockets...
>>
>> (Graphic image alert!)  I've posted some pictures at:
>> http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v652/ranickel/Cheap%20and%20Easy%20SSB/
>>
>> I'm tickled to actually find one of these already built and very
>> restorable, as I'd feel guilty stripping out even a basket case BC-458,
>> and it would be  a real challenge to find the audio transformers and
>> phase-shift network to try to build one from scratch today.
>>
>> 73, Bob W9RAN
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