[Hammarlund] Update on SP 600 JX-17 BFO problem

[john w. king]

I got my BFO working "somewhat" today. The mechanical stop on the BFO tuning
shaft was not stopping the shaft and  the BFO had been tuned off frequency
to the point that there was no BFO signal in the passband.

Although the BFO is working, there is not enough signal being injected to
demodulate SSB without distortion. Rule of thumb is that the BFO signal
injected into the detector should be 5 to 20 times the level of the signal
that is to be demodulated in the detector and the SP 600 does not have a
strong BFO. The gain of the front end and IFs is so hot that much more BFO
signal is needed. I don't know whether  a product detector is the answer or
if gobs more BFO signal is the answer. Any ideas or suggestions for making
the BFO signal greater to improve detection? Turning down the RF gain
control reduces the signal level to where it can be heterodyned to an
understandable signal however I don't like reducing receiver sensitivity
because of an inadequate BFO.  Has anyone "souped up" the BFO in a SP 600
JX-17 ?? If so what did you do and what are your thoughts and suggestions?
Thanks, and 73, John, K5PGW