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

Tue Sep 21 20:31:14 EDT 2010

The one I always wanted to build was in 73 and the "heart" of it was a command receiver.It did look cool for a conversion and it too was not for the feint of heart.
 Jay KE6PPF

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Hanz <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org>
To: Discussion of AN/ARC-5 military radio equipment. <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tue, Sep 21, 2010 2:15 pm
Subject: Re: [ARC5] Homebrew SSB (was 'cool acquistion')

  I would think that subject might have a broader interest over in the 
lowbugs list at http://groups.google.com/group/tetrode?hl=en , Leslie.  
've never been supportive of thought police that decry off-topic 
ubjects, but turning command sets or other surplus into SSB rigs 
ctually has a wider audience there because of the experimental nature 
f the group.  Quite a few members here are on that list as well, and 
ilitary sets are often discussed.  Anyway, it's just a thoughtful 
uggestion.
73,
ike
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 
ecord of technology at that time (we "hams" should be proud of our hobby's 
nvolvement with the early development of SSB) and now in the idea of putting a 
omebrew 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 
ist 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 
omebrew Pages" has the circuit for a solid state phasing rig on his site.  Look 
or "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 
nyone interested send an e-m to LNSmith "at" OperaMail dot com, and I'll send a 
hoto of an assembled card.   I generate the SSB on 3000kHz, with a view to 
ixing the SSB signal up with a VFO on 600kHz to give an 80m signal.    The 
roject is "up in the air at the moment" - I have a problem with concentrating 
n one thing at a time.

 There are several advantages with a low-frequency VFO.  For those without a 
requency counter, (I have one) the stability is easily checked by zero-beating 
gainst a broadcast station.  Stability is a LOT easier to get at a lower 
requency.  Stability is the hardest part of a home-brew transmitter.  I could 
ay 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.  
oving to 40 or 160m would be simple.  I have two  commercial rigs, but in my 
ind homebrew is the essence of amateur radio.  I have little interest in on-air 
ommunication.  I feel embarassed with a microphone in my hand; I have nothing 
o say, and especially feel embarassed to say, "I have a jap set feeding an 
nd-fed random wire."

 To conclude, may I ask:  How many here are interested in homebrew SSB?  How 
any are interested in solid state homebrew SSB?   How many are interested in 
unning largely unmodified ARC-5 sets on-air in conjunction with other home-brew 
ear.  (Not a full ARC-5 rig).  Answers to this Q are welcome, either on this 
ist (although it is close to off-topic) or to the email address above.  I'm 
nterested 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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