[Central-Electronics] CE 20A and BC-458 vfo

[Laurence M. Szendrei]

Hi Frank,

I've got two of these (not counting a parts rig). One of the two is a 
junker I modified to make it a ~80W output rig that I regularly use on 
160M a couple of times per week. The other is clean and pretty much 
stock except for a line filter that was added by a previous owner. I'll 
check your web page and share any documentation I have that you don't 
already have.

73,
-Larry/NE1S

On 4/6/25 1:17 PM, Frank Barnes wrote:
> At the Raleigh Hamfest, I acquired these two units, which apparently have
> not been used for decades so they will require a thorough restoration.
> I'm not even certain why I got them ($30) but I have always been curious
> about phasing-type exciters.  I'm an old-time HF guy (age 84) and still
> like tube-type units.
> I have put together a very rough web page where I'm collecting whatever
> documents I can find regarding these units.  The link is here.
> <https://w4npn.org/central-electronics/>  It will be a while before I can
> restore these since I have a dump-find Heath SB-1000, a 2 x 807 xmtr and a
> workshop power supply in the que first.
> I also printed an old CQ magazine article (*The Command Set Roundup*) that
> speaks to command sets in general and which looks helpful.
> And I see some chatter on the Central Electronics blogging site in the AM
> Phone system.
> I haven't yet opened up the units so I don't know about their internal
> condition but first impression is that they can be refurbished.
> *If anyone knows of other articles, etc., about these Central Electronics
> 20A units, or has advice regarding rebuilding these, please share it! * I
> had no idea how complex the 20A is...looks like excellent engineering for
> the time.
> Advice is welcome.
> Frank
> W4NPN
>
>