[Boatanchors] SB-10 SSB Adapter

[Rodger]

Hi Bob,

It does require some modification with a DX-100 including some drilling 
of the chassis for mounting connectors.  The DX-100B had the holes 
precut for the SB-10 modification and perhaps some of the later DX-100 
units were also set up that way.

I use an SB-10 with my Apache and it does work okay.  The SB-10 is a 
phasing type exciter (uses phase reversal and combining technique to 
remove one sideband) and does require some care in alignment but it will 
work fine once you get it set up.  If you have access to an SB-10 at low 
cost then I would grab it.

To do the alignment, you are probably better off using a good selective 
sideband receiver instead of a scope as the scope display can be 
difficult to interpret.  I cheat and use a spectrum analyzer to align 
phasing rigs and it makes it very simple.  The problem with using a 
scope display is that hum, distortion, low carrier suppression, and low 
unwanted sideband suppression in combination will all result in a 
somewhat similar display on the scope so it makes it difficult to get 
the level and balance adjustments correct for best unwanted sideband 
suppression.  Using a good selective sideband receiver you simply adjust 
for good carrier suppression and good unwanted sideband suppression 
while listening to the unwanted sideband.  This technique did not work 
well when the phasing rigs first came out in the early 50's because only 
a very few of the early receivers were sufficiently selective enough to 
use for alignment.

I have an original DX-100 and I have never modified it for use with the 
SB-10; I think that the VFO is a bit more stable in my Apache TX-1 and a 
drifty VFO will be more noticeable on SSB.  You will probably get 
complaints from the uniformed (my Ph.D. mentor used a phrase the great 
unwashed of the world) who have no concept of the operation of vintage 
gear and will complain that they have to keep retuning your signal.  
Those that understand the operation of classic gear will not complain.  
It is sort of like the early days of TV when one had to adjust the 
horizontal  hold and fine tuning from time to time; think of it as 
active instead of passive ham radio.

73, Rodger WQ9E

Bob Young wrote:
> Is this unit a plug in for a DX-100, or would I need to fudge it in? 
> Would I get full output with one of these? Are they practical besides 
> the fact that they turn AM into Donald Duck sound?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob Young
> Millbury, Ma
> KB1OKL
>
>
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