[Gonset] re G-76

[W5HTW@att.net]

Just seeking some comments about the G-76. 

I got mine on the air tonight.  I noticed the meter is showing only about 125 
ma max, yet I'm getting 60 watts of RF out to a dummy load.  The manual says 
load to 150 ma, but since it won't go there I'm presuming it needs alignment.  
However, the power output is quite high for a 100 watt rig that needs 
alignment.  That is on 75 meters.  On 40 meters I get about 55 watts output, 
which is still high.  I installed new modulator tubes, and purchased a new 
final but have not yet installed it.  I found a shorted clamp tube and replaced 
that (12AQ5) and so far except for the meter reading being where it should be, 
everything seems operational.

The slug was missing from L1 (VFO coil) when I got the rig and I was advised to 
put a slug in there and it work work on 40 meters as well.  Can't find a slug 
that fits, and the interior of the coil has no threads, so I assume it has been 
twisted so much it has damaged the coil form and the slug fell out long ago and 
disappeared.  I jammed a large rubber band in there to create threads for a 1/4 
inch slug and it seems to be working on 40 meters, but is - as expected - off 
frequency.  It also seems to work on 20 meters, with about 50 watts output, but 
I have not tried higher bands. 

And yes, I'd still like to find a junk G76 for parts, provided one of those 
parts was L1!!  If anyone has one I'm looking.  Mine seems to be in great shape 
and is very clean, so I would hesitate to buy a good G76 (especially at prices 
today) and make mine the parts rig.

I found a 3.5x6 speaker to replace the one in there, as it was damaged.  Odd, 
the holes don't match exactly, but it does work.  

Receiver sensitivity seems to be great on the three bands on which I've tried 
it - 80, 40, and 20.  But I hear a powerful, internally-generated signal around 
7.1 MHZ, which appears to be coming from T1 - well, coming through T1 - from 
the HF oscillator.  I'm guessing an alignment will fix that.  

Any hints on maintenance, operation, etc., would be welcome.  By the way I put 
it on the dummy load at 65 watts output on 75 meters, for five minutes.  
Nothing got overly hot and the final did not turn orange and set in the west.  
Plate current remained steady, though I may have a shunt resistor that has 
changed value. 

Has anyone added an RF gain to this rig?  On SSB (receive) that would be a nice 
thing to have.  

Enough for now.  I'm glad to have it operating, running with a Shure 444 
microphone, and so far just on the dummy load, but in a day or two, after a bit 
of tweaking here and there, I hope to try it on the air. 

Comments welcome.

(next project - repairing a Yaesu FT101EE that came my way unespectedly, after 
I had sold two of them!  After that, hoping to get my tired old SX71 pumping a 
bit of blood through its veins)

73
ED  Anyone have a junker G76?  Tubes not necessary.