[Boatanchors] Globe KIng Panel Meters

[w5jo at brightok.net]

I have a 500A that I know is original because the first owner gave it to me 
back in 1994.  The modulator deck has 811A modulator tubes although the 
stencil on the deck says 5514.  The Filament transformer, original and 
unmolested, is a 6 volt unit not the 7 volt one required for the 5514.  I 
worked on one with a 7 volt transformer that had 811A  stencils  but had the 
5514 tubes.  Mine has 4-400 stenciled on the RF deck but came with a 4-250 
in the socket.

WRL was not one to waste anything and would make engineering changes on the 
line as they came down.  If you look at the B model diagram it employed a 
6AL5 audio compressor but the tube pins on some of the diagrams are 
mislabeled.  The A model had the same switch but in inserted a transformer 
with some capacitors in the audio section between the last audio and the 
driver.  Funny thing, the manual that came with the radio does not have the 
circuit on the diagram.   The bandswitch wafer used to select coil taps in 
the final section was a single sided phenolic wafer whereas the DX 100 had a 
ceramic wafer and used both sides of the wafer for contacts.

The weak link of the 500 series was the modulation transformer and a lot of 
them shorted.  But, overall, it was good buy for the power and reliability 
of the day.  The Champion was the size and weight of a DX 100 but had more 
output and the Johnson 500 was the only transmitter I recall that compared 
to the King in terms of power.  The King was much less expensive too.

Jim
W5JO

-----Original Message----- 


Yes, the 500B and C models had the built-in VFO,  I think the C came
with a 4-400A while the B models have a 4-250 PA tube, but they're
basically the same transmitter.    Mine had been relegated to use as an
SSB linear after the HV transformer failed, and the one from the
modulator deck had been relocated and a bunch of bad modifications
made.    A new Peter Dahl  now provides the HV and the original
modulator is back the way it should be.

Sure, WRL had to be cost-competitive but on the top-of-the-line 500
series at least,  good quality components were used.

73, Bob W9RAN
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