[Boatanchors] Xtal Socket to VFO Connector

[Glen Zook]

There used to be connectors that were sold by Radio Shack and other companies for use with 300 ohm TV "twinlead" that were the correct .486 inch spacing for the FT-243 crystal sockets.  However, I haven't seen those for sale for years (I do have a couple on various VFOs).

The more common way is to take a defunct FT-243 crystal (or one on a frequency that is basically unusable for amateur radio) and remove the "innards".  Then drill a hole either in the bakelite body of the crystal holder or else in the cover and run a piece of RG58/U or RG174/U through the hole and solder to the pins.  Connect the other end to the VFO.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Fri, 11/6/09, Lee Buller <k0wa at swbell.net> wrote:

OK...where do you get a connector that fits the crystal socket for a FT-243 crystal?  Or, where do you get an FT-243 case to make a connector?  I got a VFO for my T-50 and need to have a connector or something.   What do you experts do about that?  Roll your own?