[Boatanchors] new on list with old gear

Thu Sep 6 08:38:00 EDT 2018

Snow !?!?

oh - ya - VE8 is Northwest Territories?

Sounds like put up the antenna weather!
 - Bill H. / va3hwa

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09/06/18,
8:35:43 AM

On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 9:04 PM, Ron VE8RT <ve8rt at yknwt.ca> wrote:

>    The help here is very encouraging, I'd like to restore it.  A little
> information about myself.
>
>    Licenced in 1970, got on the air with a 19 set, then a borrowed DX60
> until my Dad and I built an HW 101.  After leaving home there were gaps
> in my activity, but I didn't wander far.  Bought, and still have, a Ten
> Ten Omni A (1980), with the VFO.  I've built a R2Pro receiver and have
> some familiarity with phasing SSB generation and direct conversion
> receivers, which makes the 20A that much more interesting as its like a
> grandfather to what I've been working with.
>
>    My background is avionics, a bench tech since 1980, doing more
> installation and line maintenance now.
>
>    My XYL Laura is VE8LT, and my youngest son is Nathan VE8TN.
>
>    I have a few boxes of vacuum tubes, a couple of tube testers, and a
> better than basic service bench at home.
>
>    This year I turned 63, I'd like to put together a period station to
> use in my retirement.  I'd also like to find the right people to pass
> on any vintage gear of value to before I become a SK myself.
>
>    As I hadn't set out to take on this project, I'm glad it came
> along.  On Saturday I woke up to the honking of geese flying south, it
> was +2C outside.  This morning it was snowing.  This new to me
> gear gave got me thinking about operating during the winter
> with some warmth and dim light coming from the vacuum tube gear.  My
> equivalent of keeping warm by the fireplace (which I don't have :-(
>
>  Perhaps hard to understand if you're used to warmer regions, but I like
> it here, and for the last couple of years have put in at least a mile
> and half walk outdoors, regardless of the weather, during my lunch
> break (really want to retire in good health if possible :-)
>
>    There is no rush to get these on the air.  I may try to pair them up
> with the R2Pro, but it would be nice to eventually acquire a
> receiver from the same time.
>
>    Ron VE8RT
>
> On Wed, 5 Sep 2018 19:11:55 -0500
> Robert Nickels <ranickel at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > On 9/5/2018 6:28 PM, Ron VE8RT wrote:
> > >     With respect to the Central Electronics 20A, my suspicion is that
> > > this was a kit that could be built without phone capability.  The
> > > components and controls for phone operation are missing.
> >
> > Rich,
> >
> > The 20A is one of the first commercial SSB transmitters from the 1950s,
> > and played a major role in popularizing SSB.  It's a classic and
> > deserves restoration and hopefully use on the air, where it will rival
> > the audio quality of  any rig.
> >
> > But you should begin by reading the manual so you understand what you
> > have and  how it works.    You can download it here:
> > http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/ce/
> >
> > Basically,  the 20A is a heterodyne exciter that requires an external
> > VFO or signal source, or a crystal for a specific frequency.  Since it
> > generates SSB (or AM or PM) on 9 MHz, the frequency of the external VFO
> > must be able to mix with that to produce the desired output frequency.
> > The easiest solution is to use a VFO that tune in the 5 MHz range which
> > will cover 80 meters (9 minus 5) and 20 meters (9 plus 5).   This is why
> > you'll see that a Command Set transmitter which was available cheaply on
> > the surplus market at the time was commonly used, and Central sold a kit
> > that added circuitry to cover the other amateur bands.   Those VFOs were
> > quite good but not perfect, but nowadays a digital synthesizer with the
> > required output level can be used for stability on par with any modern
> rig.
> >
> > The output of the 20A is typically 15-20 watts, which is plenty to drive
> > a linear, as it was intended to do.   But I've made lots of contacts
> > with a"barefoot" 20A.    Properly adjusted they will make very
> > good-sounding AM as well as SSB.
> >
> > You're right in that the 20A was sold both as a kit and factory wired,
> > but everything required for AM, PM, and SSB phone operation was
> > included.   If you noticed an empty octal socket in the middle of the
> > chassis,  that's for the QT-1 which was an optional anti-trip unit for
> > VOX operation with a loudspeaker.    Be sure the other plug-in module
> > that's halfway back on the left-hand side which is labelled "PS-1" is
> > present, because the transmitter won't work without it.
> >
> > Hope this helps, as you can probably guess I love the 20A! There's a
> > separate list just for Central Electronics gear and lots of help
> > available if you need it.
> >
> > 73, Bob W9RAN
> >
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> >
> >
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> --
> Ron VE8RT <ve8rt at yknwt.ca>
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>
>
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