[Boatanchors] Ranger 80 Meter Drive

[Harry Vaught, KT4AE]

I've tried this on the Johnson list and only got one message of sympathy 
and support.  Maybe the one person who knows the answer is here.

I have a Ranger which works fine on all bands and frequencies, 160-10, 
except the upper part of 80 meters, i.e. 3885.  At, say, 3550, it's fine.

In "Tune" mode, there's plenty of grid drive, but when the transmitter 
is fully dipped and loaded the grid drive drops to about 1.25 ma.  When 
speaking into a microphone the trace on the SB-610 looks like it's being 
clipped by a limiter or hit saturation at maybe 60% - flat tops and 
bottoms.  A small amount of additional grid drive can be had by retuning 
the "Buffer" control.  The "Drive" control has very little effect under 
these conditions.

All available meter indications are similar to those on other bands, 
even on 160 at 1/2 3885.  It works fine with a 3885 crystal.

Years ago, I couldn't get much grid drive on 80 in "Tune", but I was 
advised to replace R8, in the Buffer screen circuit and that problem was 
cured.  Now, it's only with the transmitter fully dipped, loaded, and 
keyed that the drive drops.

Any ideas?

Harry, KT4AE
Maryville, Tennessee





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