[ARC5] MEK, styrofoam cups and ARC-5 coils.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 2 Feb 2013 at 22:34, Richard Knoppow wrote:

>      That was me.  It will take a surprising number of cups 
> but I think thats because of the air in the foam, i.e. less 
> stuff there than it looks like.

Yes. So far, I have used 15 cups and the total volume in the jar has not 
noticeably increased from when I began with only MEK: a little less than 1/2 
the jar.

>  When it gets slow leave it 
> for a time (with cover on of course) and stir it a bit until 
> any particles dissolve. You can make it up to what ever 
> consistency you like but it should be somewhere around 
> molasses to honey if its to brush on and stick.  Also, 
> should be pretty much clear. Mine looked a bit gray for 
> quite a while but became clear with time.

I have done that, and it is pretty clear now. I suspect that I could, possibly, 
add one more cup, but I think I'll leave it for a bit to see what happens. It is 
about the consistency of honey at this point.

>      It is NOT a substitute for super glue and is not a good 
> glue. Its meant for sticking coils down without affecting 
> their inductance or Q and does that quite well.

Yes. I understood that. I am still using SuperGlue to make sure the coils 
don't move at all, at least while I am working on them.

The ceramic coil-forms in the ARC-5 receiver's coil-boxes are quite small and 
thus are very difficult to wind the coils onto tightly. I am having to temporarily 
use some loops of wire to pull the coils as tightly as I can, then must use 
SuperGlue to make certain they stay in place before I solder the ends.

It is very slow work.

So far, I have finished the antenna and RF stage coils, and will now start on 
the most critical one for stability and tracking: the oscillator coils.

After I have the coils completely finished and am certain that their inductance 
is correct, I will then cover them in copious quantities of your "Q" dope.

Ken W7EKB