[Boatanchors] ongoing Johnson adventure

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi,

I have a Johnson Ranger that has been in my hands since the late 80s. I 
have put it in place on the shack table, bench, or desk numerous times 
over the years. I have made the occasional repair on it over all that 
time. Last time I opened it to look at something I found the screen 
bypass cap was broken - one lead wire was broken off at the cap body. I 
set it on the shelf and turned my attention to other things. I have been 
thinking to use it in the upcoming NRR so I put it on the bench belly 
up. I have several brand new, suitable caps and I installed one of them 
and buttoned it back up. I hooked up to power and a dummy load, 
wattmeter, and key. I turned it on and let it warm up a couple minutes 
in standby mode. Soon, something smelled hot and I turned it off just as 
a wisp of smoke sneaked out of the top vent holes. It already has the 
electrolytics and a couple of out of spec resistors replaced (and worked 
on air for a while with those). This weekend I will be working on it. 
First suspect is the new screen bypass cap which is essentially across 
the power supply (or part of it). My Kenwood T-599 started smoking at 
Field Day a few years ago and it didn't take very much effort to fix it 
(back home after FD). The Ranger is simpler so I am hopeful I will get 
to use it for NRR. The drive pot feels crunchy. I started having doubts 
about that during it's last run on the bench. I found a brand new one 
for it and I have it on it's way here. That is in the screen dropping 
circuit of the driver tube so it is also partly across low B+. Suspect 
number 2. I have working, identical drive pots in three Heathkit 
transmitters if all else fails. I am reluctant to disturb them so I am 
waiting to see if the parts I ordered will fit. I ordered a 25K, 5 watt 
pot to replace the 25K, 4 watt pot that (may have) failed after only 57 
years or so!

I have used that TX for all of my contacts (not all that impressive) on 
160 meters. Once upon a time I used it to log into a Navy-Marine Corps 
MARS phone net while the 'pretty' radio was down for TLC. It is awsome 
on the CB channels! Just kidding! I like the TX but it is really feeling 
it's age! Come to think of it, I'm feeling some of that too.

73,

Bill  KU8H

-- 
bark less - wag more