[Collins] KWS-1

[LorinH at aol.com]

November 25, 2004

Hi Tony, Dan and friends, 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Regarding replacing the HV connectors on the KWS-1.   I am checking through 
the nearly 300 email exchanges I had with Tony, K1KP when he guided me, in a 
most extraordinary way, through a 7-month long rebuilding of my KWS-1, a rig I 
have owned for 44 years.   This was one of the most amazing and exciting 
experiences of my life.   Tony and I now eagerly wait for any new problems to arise 
so we can continue this wonderful journey. 

I am sure I must have kept a rhapsodic journal of my Hero's Journey through 
the Dark Night of replacing the HV connectors. (I am traveling now but when I 
return I will find the relevant work notes, and will send them along.)    

After some therapy I am finally able to speak about it without crying. 

It was... It was...   

This is very hard for me.   

Let me put it this way.   Did you ever try taking out your own appendix?

All I can say is pay attention when you take off the back panel of the RF 
deck, as one day you will have to reassemble it and replace those 3-inch 
**spacers**!   I could find nothing written about how they should be positioned.   In 
the end I couldn't figure it out completely and the process is something I 
won't soon forget.    

For the male I connector I used the Amphenol HN series MHV PLUG CLAMP   - 
Amphenol part # 29100 - (Mouser part # 523-29100)          

For the Female I used the Amphenol HN series MHV RCPT 27000 Bulkhead 
connector - Amphenol part # 27000   - (Mouser part # 523-27000) with attached nut and 
lockwashers, with no need for drilling holes for mounting screws.

There is also an L-shaped male connector which I recommend because the Plug 
Clamp version extends far out from the back of the rig, just waiting to be 
snagged.    

I had to enlarge the mounting hole slightly on the mounting box and solder 
the slightly perverse pig-pink "rubber worm" insulated wire to the female 
connector before mounting it on the mounting box.   The replacement is very sturdy, 
and seems far stronger than the original. Congratulations, Dan, the KWS-1 is 
an ongoing joy to use. 
      
Dan, have you thought about running the rig without HV? 

Lorin

WA1PGB
- - -
In a message dated 11/24/04 6:46:51 PM, Barockteer writes:

<< Lorin-
 
Can you comment on how difficult it was to replace the HV connector on the   
KWS-1? Also, do you have info on the replacement connector you used?
 
-Tony
 >>