[Collins] UPGRADING THE 32S-1: SUMMARY

[Ed Worst]

Hello to all,

I had asked a question about upgrading my 32S-1 to a 32S-3 for better
operation on CW.  I got several very good comments and suggestions that I'd
like to document here for the next person who has that question (and for
anyone else who might be interested in the responses I got).  A summary
of the responses appears below.

1)  Don't do anything to the 32S-1 that you can't undo.  There is a reason
for the 32S-3, and modifying a 32S-1 modifies a piece of ham history.

2)  Rather than go through the extensive modifications to the 32S-1 for
better CW operation, buy a 32S-3 and sell the 32S-1.

3)  A 32S-1 with only two diodes in the mixer is very likely to produce
mixing products which are strong enough to be heard at some distance.  The
four diode mixer (Service Bulletin #2) improves that condition considerably
provided the mixer is properly balanced.

4)  From a practical standpoint, the operator at the other end of the QSO
would probably not know the difference between a signal from a 32S-1 and a
32S-3 even though they generate the signals by different methods. (This
assumes a four-diode properly balanced mixer.)

5)  The 32S-3 is definitely the way to go for CW; it generates a true A-1
signal.  But a 32S-1 can be used on CW if you are careful to balance the
four-diode mixer.  Also, the CW sidetone frequency can be set to a
comfortable frequency rather than the 1350 Hz tone in the 32S-1.

6)  If you're going to make the mods, parts may be hard to find.  The best
bet is Surplus Sales of Nebraska.

7)  The mods in the "Upgrade" article will definitely give you a better CW
rig, but it is a lot of work to make them, and it's still not a 32S-3.

After all these excellent comments, I decided to continue to use the 32S-1
on CW, but only after going through the balancing procedure for the
four-diode matrix to make sure I was only transmitting one signal (my 32S-1
does have the SB-2 mod in it).  I have run some on-air tests with local
hams,
and they only hear the one signal.  I also decided to keep a lookout for a
32S-3 because I would really prefer to generate the CW signal "the
old-fashioned way".

I am very grateful to those who responded to my questions with their
knowledge, experience, and a bit of ham philosophy.  My thanks to:  Glen,
K9STH;  Jerry, K0CQ;  Ray Perrin, VE3FN, VY0AAA;  Jim Brannigan;
Jerry, W7BUN;  Jim, K4YBB;  David Knepper, W3ST;  Warren,
K0ZQD; and Bill, W2CQ.  Also thanks to CCA and CRA for providing
this forum for Questions and Answers.  I'd also like to express my
gratitude to the CCA for making the Collins Service Bulletins available at
the click
of a mouse - what a wonderful resource.  Thanks also to QSL.net for their
Collins Article Index Search that helped me find what had been done before
(25 years ago) and the details of the effort involved.

-73
ed, k9ew