[Clegg] Venus, if you will

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 8:38 AM, Carl<km1h at jeremy.mv.com> wrote:

> I use a Zeus and Interceptor B on AM and the receiver is HOT as Todd has
> mentioned. The Zeus is so stable Ive used it many times in SSB-AM QSO's with
> many not even realizing I was on AM.

My Venus seemed to be really stable after I went through it and
retubed where neccessary after getting the entire station from the
original owner. Within a few months though, I noticed it starting to
drift on SSB. I figure there's some cap or other critical component
that needs to be swapped out for a temperature-compensating type.
Collins had very good success with this, seems like a radio that's a
decade or two newer should be easy enough to make stable?

The Interceptor I have working is an earlier model. It had me thinking
something was kaput inside as it seemed dead, being so quiet. Then I
came across a signal and it nearly knocked me out of my chair. Pretty
amazing,

Did pick up a clean but dead B model at Hosstraders in Hopkinton back
in 2006 for $150 IIRC. Managed to get it to power up with basic
controls functioning properly then ran out of time to tinker. Just
moved the big desk into the radio room, so as soon as time allows and
it gets rearranged, the Clegg station will get set back up.

Have any of you folks ever seen a model of the Apollo amp with three
tubes instead of 2? I've seen photos, but wonder if this was an early
model that didn't make it to production?

Also wonder if anyone has found a good substitute for the gray paint
on the earlier gear? The Venus has that splotchy finish that resembles
old automobile trunk paint, used on the Drake gear also, and it's
quite durable. The Interceptor Zeus-era gear looks great until you get
to the cabinets, which are often scratched and chipped up.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4