[HBR] HBR tuning cap

[Sandy and Kees Talen]

Ray, N3XZV, told me about another possibility for a HBR variable
capacitor from
C and H Sales, stock # VACAP9400  for $5.00    http://www.candhsales.com
so I ordered some. They have a minimum order of $30 or they charge
another
fee.

* It has 5 sections approx 8-37pf per section ....little on the high side

* Ball bearing in front, single ball in back (adjustable) ....good
* Made in 1965 (Viet Nam era war surplus) .....good stuff
* Very sturdy/heavy frame construction and silver plated ......well built
* Each section has a silver rotary slip contact for grounding
....excellent
   but causes drag on the capacitor shaft.
* Physical size is in line with the JW Miller variable ....good 
* Removing the center rotor plate gives 6-30pf per section ....better
* Right angle shaft is 3/16" dia, 3/16" long, internally threaded, 
  and driving an anti-backlash right angle bevel gear with a 2:1 ratio
  .....this will require some thinking on how to use it
* If you remove the gears (difficult to do with a cold chisel and 
  other tools since the staking pins wouldn't budge), you end up 
  with a 3/16" dia 5/8" long in-line shaft ....better, add a bushing to
1/4" 
* The stator sections are on ceramic which is mounted via
  screws on fiber washers to the frame. It's nice to have the 
  screw adjustment, but after nearly 40 years, some of the 
  screws are loose  .....not a problem.   
* After nearly 40 years the bearing grease needs replacing ....not a
problem
* Don't apply force (hammer type) in line with the shaft when trying to
  remove the gears, you'll ruin the ball bearings ....one down

Hey, hey, with a 5 section variable you could have a double tuned
frontend
and really get some frontend strong signal rejection.
  
73s  Kees K5BCQ