[Drake] 2-NT VFO Choice

[Dennis Monticelli]

One thing I will add to the list of criteria for a good VFO to drive simple
rigs is the sub-harmonic content.  Some of the vintage VFOs are better than
others with regard to this.  It is important because the tanks of the rigs
being driven are essentially low pass networks (simple Pi) and sometimes
the oscillator section offers little in the way of selectivity.

For example I used a Knight VFO on a Knight T-50 and fed it into a spectrum
analyzer.  I did not like what I saw sub-harmonic wise and decided not to
run the setup stock.  My plan is to add some easily removable internal or
external passive filtering to the output of the VFO.

Dennis AE6C

On Sun, Feb 28, 2016 at 2:49 PM, Dave Edwards <kd2e at comcast.net> wrote:

> FYI...My 2NT owner's manual has a page added by Drake, mentioning that
> Drake does "not yet" offer a VFO, but
> suggest the Hallicrafters HA5.
> The Heath would work, but....I'd put it several down on the list.
> The Globe, Eico, Lafayette.....I would select first.
> ....Dave
>
>
> On 2/26/16 10:05 AM, Bill Stewart wrote:
>
>> Hi Herman,
>> Thanks for your input. The HA-5 is getting several 'votes'. I can see why
>> it might
>> be pretty stable, with the LF osc and heterodyne scheme. So far, I think
>> the HA-5
>> will be first on the want list, and maybe a HG-10B in second place, even
>> tho it does
>> not have an internal p/s. Of course, the list is subject to change.
>> Tnx.....
>> 73 de Bill K4JYS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: N4ch at aol.com
>> To: bmarx at bellsouth.net, cwopr at embarqmail.com, Drake at mailman.qth.net
>> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 7:20:03 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Drake] 2-NT VFO Choice
>>
>>
>> Hello Bill......
>>
>> If you want something stable (other than these new synthesized VFOs that
>> are showing up new all over the place), and want something from the 60s era
>> that's mostly tube-type, keep a lookout for a Hallicrafters HA-5. They're
>> pretty rare, but quite stable (they're pretty unique for a 50+ year old,
>> stand-alone VFO, in that they use a circuit that heterodynes a relatively
>> low frequency L-C oscillator with crystal oscillators). Think they're about
>> the same size as the "T.O." keyers.........same styling, too. Seems like
>> they have 3-4 tubes, and a built-in power supply, which is solid-state, I
>> think. I've never tried pairing one up with a 2-NT, but I'd think they
>> should work pretty well together. Good luck.
>>
>> 73, Herman, N4CH.
>>
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 2/25/2016 5:22:22 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>> bmarx at bellsouth.net writes:
>>
>> The Heathkit drifted like crazy but the Johnson while drifty also was OK.
>> I just sold my 2NT/C combo, and the receiver was every bit as nice as
>> the 2B, which I still have and love it.
>> Bill W2CQ
>> PS I got a Pink ticket from the FCC, for calling CQ DX out of the band
>> with my Heath VFO...50 kilocycles out! I wasn't even close.
>>
>>
>> On 2/25/2016 3:49 PM, Bill Stewart wrote:
>>
>>> Good afternoon,
>>> Just wondering what vintage VFO would be suitable for the Drake 2-NT.
>>> Curious about any that would be stable and easy to hook up...self powered
>>> would be a plus and no solid state (except possibly the rectifiers).
>>> Thanks.....73 de Bill K4JYS
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