[Boatanchors] DX-20 Advice Please

[Glen Zook]

Removing the choke was common when using a VFO with the simple transmitters.  

Don't use a fused line plug.  Go ahead and replace the 2-wire cord with a 3-wire cord and install a fuse inside the unit.  Even Radio Shack still has a fairly inexpensive fuse holder that is held in place by a single machine screw.

Back when the DX-20 was new a lot of items did not have either a fuse or a pilot lamp.

The easiest way to add a switch for an antenna change over relay is to replace the transmit slide switch with a DPDT one and use the added set of contacts for controlling the 120 VAC for a change over relay.  This requires no physical modification (sheet metal work).

When using transmitters like the DX-20 operators usually had a manually operated antenna switch instead of the more expensive antenna change over relay.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Tue, 9/7/10, Curt <rhulett1 at comcast.net> wrote:

Recently received a DX-20 that won't oscillate.  Filter caps replaced and PS working ok.  Previous owner removed the cathode choke on the oscillator and shorted the cathode to ground.  Don't think it can oscillate with signal grounded that way.  I'm winding a 1mH inductor on an FT37-43 toroid as a replacement choke, hope that will work because don't have any Hammond chokes laying around.
 
Never owned one of these, but am a little amazed at lack of what seems basic, like a fuse for the power, light to indicate power is on, any way to power an antenna relay from the standby/transmit switch.  What was experience of folks who owned these rigs?  Items mentioned "needless  frills"?  At a bare minimum I'm buying a fused line plug.