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

[Bill]

Since this conversation and group has come alive and I no longer have my 
CE-200, I thought I'd offer some things from an old file I have.

I have two Copies of Central Electronics MultiPhase Exciter 20A. One is 
an old "Hi-Manuals" copy and a newer copy I made of that. Not yellowed.

In the same folder there is and old copy of "458K - 5 Band BC-458 
Conversion Kit with BandSpread Dial"

I never had a BC-458 myself and there is no kit of course but there are 
28 pages of instructions and diagrams.

Two are old and yellowed with age but readable and usefull.

I will ship these three to the US for $24

Bill W2CQ



On 4/6/2025 8:20 PM, Frank Barnes wrote:
> Thanks to you both.  It will be a while before I begin restoring the 20A
> and VFO but I will eventually get to it and post progress.
> Regarding the "junker" unit being upgraded to an 80 watt one:  Did you just
> remove the two 6AG7's and replace them with an 807 or similar?  I thought
> that the 2 x 6ag7 final amp was a bit odd but I'm sure there was a reason
> for it.
>
> On Sun, Apr 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM Cal Fuhrman <calfuhrman7 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Nice find Frank.  I'd like to ride along with you on this journey when you
>> get to it.  Several years ago I was chased home from Orlando Hamcation by a
>> CE-20A and a very interesting little Amp in an original CE case.  This Amp
>> has a pair of 832 tube's and looks to be in excellent condition.  So, a few
>> weeks ago I bid on and purchased the CE VFO from Schulman Auctions.  I'm
>> also backed up with projects but would really like to get these units back
>> in use.  I've got a CE-10A and BC -458 that I converted at our Northern
>> location.  I finished getting that one working some years ago.
>>
>> With several of us working on the same units it might be helpful to share
>> experiences.
>>
>> 73
>> Cal - WA3CTZ
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 6, 2025, 1:18 PM Frank Barnes <fbw4npn at gmail.com> 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
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Frank Barnes
>>> www.W4NPN.net
>>> Chapel Hill, NC
>>> Grid Square FM05
>>> Cell 919.260.7955
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