From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec  2 12:48:17 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (Eddy Swynar)
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 07:48:17 -0500
Subject: [HBR] Book WANTED...!
Message-ID: <000a01c3b8d2$ab97c880$dbd549c6@greg>

Hi Everyone,

As Christmas fast approaches, all this AWA 1929 QSO Party stuff & homebrew
retro-superhets has me waxing for a nostalgic, good read over the coming
holidays...

To this end, I wonder if anyone might have a good, reasonably-priced copy of
Jan Perkins' book on DON WALLACE (W6AM) available for sale at this time...?

>From what I've heard, 20's radio buffs like yours truly can absolutely
WALLOW in the stuff of Jan's treatise---what better way to spend Christmas
holidays than to curl up alongside the wood-burning stuff & indulge in one's
passions like that...?!

Well...there probably ARE better ways, I'll agree!...but I'd sure like a
copy of this book for my library just the same, IF I can find one.

Thanks, all...!   :>)

~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ


From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec  2 14:54:58 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (Merz Donald S)
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 09:54:58 -0500
Subject: [HBR] RE: [AMRadio] Book WANTED...!
Message-ID: <20031202150137.20881.qmail@mellon.com>

I purchased this book earlier this year and have really enjoyed it. I am =
about 90% through it. The only negative comment that I will make is that =
some references in the book are not accurate. At one point, the author =
talks about a photo of Don's RME receiving stuff on the inside front =
cover of December 1957 QST. I looked for this and couldn't find it. I =
checked several years in both directions and I looked for RME in the =
advertiser's index and found nothing. So maybe it was CQ?=20

The other error I noticed is that the author talks about the Berlin =
Airlift taking place in 1961--oops--it was actually 1948.=20

But these are small nits. Any ham will enjoy this book. It would make a =
great Christmas gift for a ham friend who likes to read.

Last I checked, Ham Radio Outlet was still carrying this.

73, Don Merz, N3RHT


-----Original Message-----
From: amradio-admin@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:amradio-admin@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Eddy Swynar
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 7:48 AM
To: Amradio@mailman.qth.net; hbr@mailman.qth.net;
antiquewirelessassociation@egroups.com;
glowbugs@piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu; BOATANCHORS@LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
Subject: [AMRadio] Book WANTED...!


Hi Everyone,

As Christmas fast approaches, all this AWA 1929 QSO Party stuff & =
homebrew
retro-superhets has me waxing for a nostalgic, good read over the coming
holidays...

To this end, I wonder if anyone might have a good, reasonably-priced =
copy of
Jan Perkins' book on DON WALLACE (W6AM) available for sale at this =
time...?

>From what I've heard, 20's radio buffs like yours truly can absolutely
WALLOW in the stuff of Jan's treatise---what better way to spend =
Christmas
holidays than to curl up alongside the wood-burning stuff & indulge in =
one's
passions like that...?!

Well...there probably ARE better ways, I'll agree!...but I'd sure like a
copy of this book for my library just the same, IF I can find one.

Thanks, all...!   :>)

~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ

_______________________________________________
AMRadio mailing list
AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio=20
DISCLAIMER:=20
The information contained in this e-mail may be confidential and is =
intended solely for the use of the named addressee.=20
 Access, copying or re-use of the e-mail or any information contained =
therein by any other person is not authorized.=20
 If you are not the intended recipient please notify us immediately by =
returning the e-mail to the originator.(A)=20
=20

From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec  2 16:19:51 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (Kenneth Lopez)
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 08:19:51 -0800
Subject: [HBR] Book WANTED...!
In-Reply-To: <000a01c3b8d2$ab97c880$dbd549c6@greg>
Message-ID: <5B76515E-24E3-11D8-8F3C-000A958C4F50@earthlink.net>

HRO in Burbank  CA. has them in stock new.  Forget the price, but it is 
well worth it.

Ken N6TZV
On Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at 04:48 AM, Eddy Swynar wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> As Christmas fast approaches, all this AWA 1929 QSO Party stuff & 
> homebrew
> retro-superhets has me waxing for a nostalgic, good read over the 
> coming
> holidays...
>
> To this end, I wonder if anyone might have a good, reasonably-priced 
> copy of
> Jan Perkins' book on DON WALLACE (W6AM) available for sale at this 
> time...?
>
> From what I've heard, 20's radio buffs like yours truly can absolutely
> WALLOW in the stuff of Jan's treatise---what better way to spend 
> Christmas
> holidays than to curl up alongside the wood-burning stuff & indulge in 
> one's
> passions like that...?!
>
> Well...there probably ARE better ways, I'll agree!...but I'd sure like 
> a
> copy of this book for my library just the same, IF I can find one.
>
> Thanks, all...!   :>)
>
> ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
>
> ************************************
> Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
> construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
>
> Retrieve reflector archived data via 
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
>


From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec  2 16:59:02 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (Dan Merz)
Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2003 08:59:02 -0800
Subject: [HBR] RE: [AMRadio] Book WANTED...!
References: <20031202150137.20881.qmail@mellon.com>
Message-ID: <3FCCC4D6.73C7DE24@3-cities.com>

Hi,  can't resist this opportunity to say that I read this book held by our city library and really enjoyed it,  especially since I'm a displaced Californian.   I like to know more about early radio buffs - wish there was a book like this about more of them,  many  less well known but many just as avid.   There was a guy down in Enterprise Oregon ,  O.M. Heacock 7ZH (SK) , south of me just a bit,   who participated in the first trans US relay to the Northwest by hams in the teens
(I think).  He was a voice in the wilderness if you note where Enterprise is.  He's listed as a "Special Station 7th District"  in 20's lists I've seen,  though I don't know what qualified a station to have this status.  There were about 50 such stations in the 1924 listing I have.  He liked to build receiving sets,  and engraved in cursive his name and model on the panels.  I've seen about 6 of these so far,  all different.  As far as I know,  only radio collectors know of this
aspect of his radio life.   The highest serial number I've seen is 11.   I've yet to see one of his transmitters but am hopeful one will turn up.  Happy reading,  it should be an easy book to find,  the other Merz,    Dan Merz

Merz Donald S wrote:

> I purchased this book earlier this year and have really enjoyed it. I am about 90% through it. The only negative comment that I will make is that some references in the book are not accurate. At one point, the author talks about a photo of Don's RME receiving stuff on the inside front cover of December 1957 QST. I looked for this and couldn't find it. I checked several years in both directions and I looked for RME in the advertiser's index and found nothing. So maybe it was CQ?
>
> The other error I noticed is that the author talks about the Berlin Airlift taking place in 1961--oops--it was actually 1948.
>
> But these are small nits. Any ham will enjoy this book. It would make a great Christmas gift for a ham friend who likes to read.
>
> Last I checked, Ham Radio Outlet was still carrying this.
>
> 73, Don Merz, N3RHT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: amradio-admin@mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:amradio-admin@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Eddy Swynar
> Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 7:48 AM
> To: Amradio@mailman.qth.net; hbr@mailman.qth.net;
> antiquewirelessassociation@egroups.com;
> glowbugs@piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu; BOATANCHORS@LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
> Subject: [AMRadio] Book WANTED...!
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> As Christmas fast approaches, all this AWA 1929 QSO Party stuff & homebrew
> retro-superhets has me waxing for a nostalgic, good read over the coming
> holidays...
>
> To this end, I wonder if anyone might have a good, reasonably-priced copy of
> Jan Perkins' book on DON WALLACE (W6AM) available for sale at this time...?
>
> >From what I've heard, 20's radio buffs like yours truly can absolutely
> WALLOW in the stuff of Jan's treatise---what better way to spend Christmas
> holidays than to curl up alongside the wood-burning stuff & indulge in one's
> passions like that...?!
>
> Well...there probably ARE better ways, I'll agree!...but I'd sure like a
> copy of this book for my library just the same, IF I can find one.
>
> Thanks, all...!   :>)
>
> ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
>
> _______________________________________________
> AMRadio mailing list
> AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio
> DISCLAIMER:
> The information contained in this e-mail may be confidential and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee.
>  Access, copying or re-use of the e-mail or any information contained therein by any other person is not authorized.
>  If you are not the intended recipient please notify us immediately by returning the e-mail to the originator.(A)
>
> ************************************
> Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
> construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
>
> Retrieve reflector archived data via http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr



From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec  2 17:11:07 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (Jeff Noel)
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 12:11:07 -0500
Subject: [HBR] RE: [AMRadio] Book WANTED...!
References: <20031202150137.20881.qmail@mellon.com> <3FCCC4D6.73C7DE24@3-cities.com>
Message-ID: <001401c3b8f7$47150a60$ab6e2c42@hppav>

All this talk. sounds like the middle of a conversation. What is the name of
the book?

Jeff



From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Thu Dec 11 20:16:27 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (George R. Griesbach)
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 14:16:27 -0600
Subject: [HBR] Misc. Stuff For Sale
Message-ID: <NHBBKIJJOLOIFFNNPMBJIEGBEMAA.w5grg@comforttexas.net>

Stuff for sale-lots more to follow
pictures and prices on my website- might trade for other ham gear working or
not. look here-then email me with questions
http://www.comforttexas.net/gallery/
everything subject to prior sale-more to come

For Sale 1 lot only
4ea. Zenith Trans-Oceanic W600 model (I think) all need some TLC-most work
or will work you can get 2 good ones for sure and maybe 3-4 depending on
your effort and level of finish desired.
$300.00 for all 4 + S&H I may have a manual for these- don't remember.
_________________________________________________________
For Sale as 1 lot only
2- Heathkit HW-2036A w/dtmf mics & 2ea.- HWA-2036-3 PS & 1 complete Manual

1ea HW-202 + HWA-202-1 PS + reg heathkit mic& remote DTMF keyboard
(telephone touchtone type) + 1 Complete manual.never used this radio

1ea. VF-7401 w/heathkit DTMF mic. no manual , but have the large schematics
in good shape. works

1ea. HA -201A amplifier never used this amp.
I have used some of this stuff and aquired other pieces all in good shape,
but I forgot if any of it has any any quirks to keep it from operating ok.
All for $300.00 + S&H from 78013
____________________________________________________

Kenwood TM-201B works-no tone board or mic.works  $50.00
Kenwood TM-2550A w/ Kenwood DTMF mic. tone board, and voice board -English
and Japanese works-copy of manual $175.00

RCI 2950 works got this from another ham-has CB enabled on it-never use it
for anything so I am selling it. $175.00 has RCI mic -no manual

Mirage DSC-6010 digital Camera 640X480 24 bit color will do MPEG also-nice
camera $135.00
Cassiopeia Pocket Manager BE-300 - got this brand new, and never used it.
Windows operating system $125.00
I have some older note book computers starting at $20.00+ up FS. + lots of
computer misc.
Have 30+ Compaq DeskPro 2000 computers $50.00 ea. 10/$300.00

Motorola Motrac radio/repeater w/ or w/o cabinet


Motorola SyntorX radios 3ea 800mc trunking $20.00 ea-$50.00 all

GE Master II Repeater,set for the  Highband  I will sell this radio with or
without the 330w. PA and 6' cabinet. I have the 100w preamp, but it is not
installed, I also have a 30 watt preamp, but it is not GE brand. I have
access to more cards if the correct ones are not installed, that is , I am
not sure if this was a base station or a repeater.
Shipping not included, very heavy. I also have some duplexers that could be
for sale with the repeater.
Pictures are  here  http://www.comforttexas.net/gallery/

Motorola Bricks -
MX-320 single channel 800mhz - 5ea
1ea. MX-350 4 channel highband -works but frame is cracked.
1 ea. MX 360 450mhz one channel-with dtmf buttons on case.
Charger stands for above

GR 1650A Inductance Bridge
SS linear amp
HP 5360A Counter
Fluke 9010A
RCA ColorVolt
heathkit IO-4510 Dual Trace O Scope
HYPOT JR. High Voltage tester

Hallicrafters SX-43
Radio-Orphan-Annie-Secret-Decod er-Badge_1937
HB- 160+80m Transceiver
Linear amp 1x4-400
BC-224-B
RCA WX-2A field strength meter
Swan 350 transceiver + PS
Heath kit IG-5280 rf -af signal generator
HP 851A spectrum analyzer display section
Rycom 1307a VLF Receiver
Heath SB-303+ SB-401

______________________________________________________________________
AEA
AEA PK-87, and
PK-88 packet controllers the 87 has the manual for it $125.00 for both.

_____________________________________________________________________


Heathkit Test Gear
Nice heathkit scope. lots of other Textronics also.
IM-5258 Harmonic Distortion Analyzer (looks nice)  $175.00
IG-28 Color Bar Dot Generator   $50.00
IG-37 FM Stereo Generator         $50.00
IM-13+28 VTVMs 4ea. $100.00 all.

IG-5280 rf Oscillator  $75.00 w/ 110 vac/ps
_______________________________________________________________________
Hallicrafters


S-72+S-72L w/manuals I works good and is nice other is ?  $300.00/ both
TW-1000- works -is very rough  $65.00
Hallicrafters CB-3's - 2 ea. both work.  $75.00
SR-42 + HA-26 w/mic and manual   works $200.00

Also have , but not ready to sell yet
SX-71, SX-62 , HT-32 (has 11 meters), and some HT-32 parts.
SR-150+SR-160 (need painting)
_____________________________________________________________
Hammarlund HX-50 2meter FM Transceiver w/hammarlund aluminum mike  $75.00

______________________________________________________
Test Gear
Barker & Williamson 410 Distortion Meter  $200.00
Eico 221 VTVW w/probes and 30kva HV probe and manuals  $65.00
Eico 232 VTVM - like brand new  $75.00
Eico 324 Frequency Generator 150kc-435mc Recapped + new power cord $100.00

HP 400D VTVM $75.00
HP 2048 Oscillator $125.00
Fluke Differential Voltmeter W/manual  $85.00
Fluke  1952 B Frequency counter-timer                 $125.00
Triplolett 630 VOM 0-6000vdc,vac, 0-100kohms,0-120ma. Red Dot Lifetime
guarantee meter $75.00
RCA Senior Voltoohmyst WV-98 w/copy of manual  $125.00
Micronta (Radio Shack) VTVM (Nice older model like the RCA VTVM)
0-1500vac,vdc,0-1megohmns  $30.00
Precision Model 120 VOM 0-6000vac,vdc, 0-10kohms, 1.2ma-12amps-good shape
$35.00
Nice FET VOM, and some other VOM's also.
Also many panel meters, both new and used

___________________________________________________________
Antique Test Gear

Ryder Chanalyst Multifunction signal generator,Model 11, S/N 1858 by
Services Instrument
rf freq 260-16600kc, osc range 600cy-1500cy, measure modulation 25-250watts
audio frequency 1/10 of 1000cycles

Hickok Crystal Controlled microvolt generator 125kc-120mc, VTVM, supplies rf
modulation to 70%, db meter -10to +38 in 3 ranges,1000kc +100kc crystals.

RCA- Cathode Ray Oscillograph, Type TMV 122b SN 1816, mfd. by RCA. This has
to be the earlies o-scope ever made.
_______________________________________________________________________
B&K Model 1570A Dual Time Base O'scope w/10x probes and manual  $450.00
_______________________________________________________________________
4- Large Textronics scopes
1 316 Textronics scope
180 Textronics Time Base generator
several smaller Eico, Dumont , etc.
_____________________________________________________________

Computers
I have a Macintosh computer Model IIci, w/12meg memory,70megHD,etc.  It has
a "Lapis" video card and a "Lapis" vertical monitor B&W only , (I think)  It
is set up for a newspaper publisher and will display a whole page at a time.
8 1/2 wide x 11" tall.
 It has the following software;installed
MS Word
QuarkXpress
Print Shop 1&2
Write Now 2.0
Mac Paint
Aldus Pagemaker 4.2
Aldus Freehand 4.0
Adobe Streamline
MS Power Point
Adobe Illustrator 5.0
Qucken 3.0
Font Creator
DD expander
SAM 3.5
MicroNet Utility v6.4.5
World Effects
Word Finder
I will take $150.00 less shipping
Also more macs for sale.
____________________________________________________________________
Many large PC computers and supplies all priced right , also,
Notebook computers

Zenith 286-$40.00
Dell 386  - $75.00
Compaq 486- DX-4-75 (12vdc+115vac)  $250.00
Diconic notebook printers $40.00
Misc inkjet printers color+B&W, Dot-matrix printers, etc from $20.00

Notebook docking stations $50.00 +up- I will check the function, but do not
know exactly what model notebook some of these fit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to liquidate my collection of tube and transistor radios, but do not
have a list. I want to sell as a lot, is there anyone who is interested in
all of it?

Lots more

Thank You,
George R. Griesbach
505 River Oaks Rd.
Comfort, Texas, 78013
admin@comforttexas.com
www.comforttexas.net/w5grg
W5GRG


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From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Thu Dec 11 20:54:22 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 15:54:22 EST
Subject: [HBR] Misc. Stuff For Sale
Message-ID: <1a7.1d842b32.2d0a337e@aol.com>

George,
How much for the

> Rycom 1307a VLF Receiver?
> 
> Where is Comfort, Texas?
> 
> Regards,
> Dave



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From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Wed Dec 17 03:07:40 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (stan mcintosh)
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 22:07:40 -0500
Subject: [HBR] Function Versus Form?
References: <20031212090455.1A316328B87@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <003401c3c44a$eef7b120$db85fea9@mcintosh3>

The HBR projects that I have seen scream a faithful adherence to the
original look, as well as function.  After forays into a BC-348 and a
seriously dysfunctional Tektronix 310.  The Tek 310 was one of those famous
'worked last time I plugged it in,' even though there is *no* way the power
supply, vertical amplifiers, input network (including one carbonized and
opened resistor), and HV circuitry all happened to fail between the previous
owner's last plug-in and my first.  I really enjoyed getting the BC-348
going, but I still wanted a receiver that I built with my own hands.
Anyway, back to the point and the topic of the newsgroup.

1)  6V6/6AQ5 final audio.  Are these really used that often?  I tend to use
headphones almost exclusively, so I'm tempted to leave a beefier,
speaker-ready amplifier as an outboard project.  Thoughts?

2)  Keeping it all in one box?  One problem I have is that I just don't have
a suitable box to house the full receiver.  I have two that are way too big
and a few that are smaller.  I'm tempted to keep the lower IF and headphone
audio in one box, the higher IF, VFO, and input in another box, and an
umph-y audio with speaker in another.  Although this would consume metal,
the modules should have improved isolation, right?

3)  AM detector.  How may of you use yours?  I have no AM gear, and have
felt more of a pull to stick with CW than to branch out.  Maybe an HBR-8 or
HBR-11 style would be better.

Thanks.
stan


From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Wed Dec 17 10:58:57 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 05:58:57 EST
Subject: [HBR] Function Versus Form?
Message-ID: <140.1ee1f7d1.2d1190f1@aol.com>

In a message dated 12/16/03 10:08:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
mcintosh@triad.rr.com writes:


> The Tek 310 was one of those famous
> 'worked last time I plugged it in,' even though there is *no* way the power
> supply, vertical amplifiers, input network (including one carbonized and
> opened resistor), and HV circuitry all happened to fail between the previous
> owner's last plug-in and my first. 

You misunderstand what he was saying.

It worked the last time he plugged it in. But he didn't sayy it was still 
working when he unplugged it (and blew out the flames and smoke).

73 de Jim, N2EY


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From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Wed Dec 17 10:59:02 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 05:59:02 EST
Subject: [HBR] Function Versus Form?
Message-ID: <29.4d66b95b.2d1190f6@aol.com>

In a message dated 12/16/03 10:08:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
mcintosh@triad.rr.com writes:


> 1)  6V6/6AQ5 final audio.  Are these really used that often?  I tend to use
> headphones almost exclusively, so I'm tempted to leave a beefier,
> speaker-ready amplifier as an outboard project.  Thoughts?


Purely a matter of personal preference - I've built receivers both ways. The 
receiver of mine pictured on the website drives headphones only (6K6 output 
stage in a circuit shamelessly stolen from the ARC-5 receivers). Outboard 
speaker driver amp not only saves space and reduces heat but can be used with 
multiple receiver projects. With audio iron getting rarer all the time, it can be 
worth doing.

A trick I've used with such setups is to use the output trans from an ARC-5 
receiver to get ~600 ohms output at "comfortable headphone level". Then an LC 
audio filter (see QST for December 1971 IIRC) cleans up the audio. 'Phones or a 
speaker driver follow the filter.

> 
> 2)  Keeping it all in one box?  One problem I have is that I just don't have
> a suitable box to house the full receiver.  I have two that are way too big
> and a few that are smaller.  I'm tempted to keep the lower IF and headphone
> audio in one box, the higher IF, VFO, and input in another box, and an
> umph-y audio with speaker in another.  Although this would consume metal,
> the modules should have improved isolation, right?

Yes and no - running low-level signals between chassis can be a bit of a 
bother to avoid ground loops and such. How big a box do you need?


> 
> 3)  AM detector.  How may of you use yours?  I have no AM gear, and have
> felt more of a pull to stick with CW than to branch out.  Maybe an HBR-8 or
> HBR-11 style would be better.
> 

One of the advantages of homebrewing-from-scratch is putting in exactly what 
*you* want. My receivers have long been CW-only, to the point that there's no 
S meter, no AGC, and no provision for wide selectivity. Never miss 'em, 
either.

73 de Jim, N2EY


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From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Thu Dec 18 11:22:28 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 06:22:28 -0500
Subject: [HBR] Function Versus Form?
In-Reply-To: <003401c3c44a$eef7b120$db85fea9@mcintosh3>
Message-ID: <3FE147A4.13200.4D7AAE@localhost>

stan asked:
> 2)  Keeping it all in one box?

I'd say it depends what you want.  One box is tidier but some folks 
like multiple boxes.   Isolation's not really an issue -- you can get 
plenty on a single chassis with reasonable care.   If you need a 
certain size cabinet you can find it -- get to hamfests, ask around, 
ask on email lists.   Good chance you'll have to take a dead project 
but you might get some other parts with.

Jim is right:  "Worked the last time I tried it" very often omits the "But 
I turned it off real fast, when the black smoke started to come out.   I 
learned on a PRC-47 -- military portable SSB HF, 26 VDC or 120 V 
400 cps AC.   When I got it home and opened it up, it was clear that 
it had been run on 120 VAC *60* cps ... kinda hard on the 
transformers.   

When the seller says "worked the last time I tried it" one should 
assume the rest.

As to design features -- speaker audio or just phones, AM detector 
or no -- it really depends what you want.   So few people build this 
stuff now that getting something you like and will use ought to be 
about your only consideration.   I will say that the later HBR designs 
are likely to be more satisfactory (stable, for example) than the 
earliest ones.   

On another topic, the synthesized general coverage receiver design 
is grinding onward.   It'll be about 19 tubes, right now I think it'll fit on 
a 10 x 12 chassis.   I don't think I've ever spent more time staring at 
a pile of assorted junk or tried more configurations that didn't work.  
The hard part of course is the front end, where a bunch of coils and 
trimmer caps, two bandswitches, a tuning cap, the synthesizer 
chassis, the VFO assembly, and the RF and mixer stages all come 
together.

Walt Hutchens
KJ4KV





From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Mon Dec 22 21:13:01 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 16:13:01 -0500
Subject: [HBR] Anybody got a rotary switch shaft assembly?
In-Reply-To: <3FE147A4.13200.4D7AAE@localhost>
References: <003401c3c44a$eef7b120$db85fea9@mcintosh3>
Message-ID: <3FE7180D.4119.130DF0D@localhost>

I'm planning to use a CRL (Centralab, right?) rotary switch in the 
general coverage project.   I've got it all -- except the shaft is too 
short on the wafer side.   I need either:

1.  A CRL shaft and bearing assembly, 1/4" shaft, that extends at 
least 4" behind the panel and has holes for the wafer screws that are 
1-3/16" apart .   Don't need the switch wafers, spacers,  long screws, 
index plate or any of that.  

-OR-

2.  A complete switch assembly, 12-position, at least 6 decks, 
diameter of wafers not much above 1-1/4"   Has to be English-
system -- 1/4" shaft rather than 6 mm.

I've got all kinds of junk to trade or happy to pay cash.

The switch couples on the rear to the slug rack cam shaft in the 
synthesizer assembly.   The end of that shaft has to be about 4" 
behind the panel and the space is too tight for an extra shaft coupling 
in there.

Walt Hutchens
KJ4KV

From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec 23 02:34:21 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 21:34:21 -0500
Subject: [HBR] Anybody got a rotary switch shaft assembly -- and a question!
In-Reply-To: <000901c3c8f4$1ec9c160$5d68fea9@PAVILION>
Message-ID: <3FE7635D.2925.2571A85@localhost>

Don Hendrickson wrote:
> See if these will work:

Gee ... they look perfect.  I just emailed him.   THANKS!

The question:  I have always used sections cut from an 'unrolled' tin 
can as small shields across RF stages, etc.  However, tin cans are 
rapidly being corrupted -- turned into corregated laquered steel which 
is about useless.   The short pineapple cans are still tin but that only 
gives you stock about 1-3/4" wide.   Does anyone know of a product 
that comes in a larger *tin* can? 

The front end of GCHBR is the most difficult design I've ever 
attempted -- 'very three dimensional' and thus very hard to visualize.   
I've settled on an 11" x 17" x 3" chassis even though I might have 
gotten it on something smaller; hopefully the extra room will allow me 
to make a few mistakes.   

After staring at it for a month, I think I've got the basic layout figured 
out.   The tuning dial (LM freq. meter) and two bandswitches are at 
the left side of the panel.   This wastes the least space and gives the 
strongest mounting for the synthesizer assembly.  The syn. drops 
into the bottom of a 5"x7"x2" chassis installed upside down under 
the main chassis.   

The 10-position bandswitch (0-9 Mcs) operates the cam for the 
synthesizer slug rack.   It's mounted on the front of the synthesizer 
and extends forward through the panel.  There's about a 2" wide slot 
in the chassis to clear the switch sections, with coils mounted on 
both sides.  The last switch section (next to the syn.) selects the Mc 
crystal and the shaft is about 1/4" above the chassis.   Right below 
the Mcs switch is the 6-position bandswitch (0-0.5-10-10.5-20-20.5 
Mcs) at about the middle of the 3" high chassis; it is mounted both 
to the panel and a shield separating the input and output tuned 
circuits for the RF stage.   

Above the Mcs bandswitch is the main tuning dial -- can't be 
perfectly aligned because the VFO box has to clear the synthesizer 
chassis.  The VFO is about 4-1/4" high over the bottom of the 
gearbox; I have to go to an 8-1/2" or 9" high front panel to get 
clearance.   

The tuning cap for the front end and syn. output is to the right of the 
0-0.5 ... Mcs. bandswitch, mounted under the chassis.  It may be 
possible to align the shaft with that switch, depending on my 
willingness to use spacers under the cap.  

The right half of the chassis will hold everything after the mixer, 
including the power supply.   Should be ample room.  

The two big risks are (1) Winding the slug-tuned coils for the 
synthesizer.  I don't exactly know how I'm going to do that, since 
they're in cans -- it could be a whole lot of trial and error.   (2) Stray 
capacitance in the front end.   It's *very* hard to keep that area both 
compact and accessible at the same time.

The first step -- started tonight -- is mechanical construction of the 
front end area.   Then I'll lay out the rest of the chassis and build the 
power supply.   Then build the synthesizer -- no mechanical work 
there because I'm using the ARC-27 20-30 Mcs IF assembly, but six 
tubes to wire and seven or eight coils to wind.  I can use the existing 
Butler oscillator without change and its coil may be close enough to 
just realign.   

This is gonna look like some of the military sets, with knobs located 
here and there around the panel.   Well, if it works I can live with that.

Walt 
KJ4KV



From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Tue Dec 23 22:26:15 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 17:26:15 -0500
Subject: Wadley loops and similar matters (was 'Re: [HBR] Anybody got a rotary ...')
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.33.0312230926370.31253-100000@localhost.localdomain>
References: <3FE7635D.2925.2571A85@localhost>
Message-ID: <3FE87AB7.22796.18FD24B@localhost>

Bob asks:
> Wonder if you considered Wadley loop instead of synth and
> if so, why synth was chosen instead?

This project -- the third in about three years since joining the list -- 
started out as an attempt to get the max dynamic range in a 
straightforward receiver.   That led to a push-pull front end (as in the 
G2DAF Mk II) and the desire to limit the number of mixers in the 
signal path to one.   Once I got thinking about it, I decided to look at 
general coverage, rather than ham band only.   

In the Wadley loop design (made famous by the Racal RA-17) a 
tunable oscillator of only moderate stability is used to up-convert.  
For example (I think the following numbers are probably the RA-17 
ones) the oscillator might cover 41.5-69.5 Mcs to upconvert to a 1st 
IF of 40Mcs. That IF is 1 Mcs wide so that gives coverage 1-30 Mcs.

The same oscillator is mixed with a harmonic of a 1 Mcs crystal.  A 
bandpass filter 1 Mcs wide selects whatever combination will go 
through a 37.5 Mcs filter that's 1 Mcs wide.  This signal is at 37.5 
Mcs nominally (when the band is peaked) but is 2.5 Mcs lower in 
frequency than the signal IF *with drift exactly matching that of the IF 
signals*.
   
The 37.5 Mcs signal is amplified and fed to a mixer that has the 1 
Mcs wide chunk of signals centered at 40 Mcs.   The result is a 1 
Mcs band covering 2-3 Mcs; assuming the crystal has no drift we 
have  *no drift*, because the tunable oscillator drift was cancelled out.

Now we follow with a third conversion from the range 2-3 Mcs to a 
suitable IF where a crystal (or other high quality filter) selects the 
desired signal.   The tunable oscillator for this conversion operates at 
such a low frequency that stability is not a problem.   

The advantages are (1) wide tuning range with outstanding stability, 
and, (2) only one crystal is required. The disadvantages are (1) three 
mixers in the signal path.  (2) Two high quality bandpass filters *plus* 
the usual crystal (etc.) filter are needed, and (3) a rather unpleasant 
tracking problem if the band selection oscillator tuning is ganged to 
the front end as it logically should be -- perhaps not much of a 
problem if you can specify a custom-made capacitor, but definitely 
awkward for the ham.   

Basically the Wadley design made sense for moderately high quality 
commercial receivers back when crystals were very expensive.   It 
traded numbers of crystals for some very difficult design issues.   
You might possibly get to the top of the dynamic range numbers by 
using beam mixers on the signal path but they have their own 
(difficult) design issues.  Today, I think the Wadley approach is a 
curiosity -- certainly interesting, could be fun to build, but it wasn't a 
way to go where I wanted to go.

Another thread that merged into the design approach I chose was 
looking at the ARC-27 carcasses I have.   Anything that produces 
1750 crystal-synthesized channels at 100 kcs intervals ought to have 
an assembly or two or at least a set of crystals that could be used in 
a multiband receiver design.   When I dug in and found that the 20-30 
Mcs IF assembly generated crystal signals every 1 Mcs from 25.7-
34.7 Mcs and some study convinced me that the tunable IF stages 
might be rebuilt as mixers so the assembly would function as the 
complete synthesizer for a general coverage receiver (the tunable 
oscillator is external), I was hooked.   

I got ten crystals (the 25.7-34.7 ones) in the assembly.   For 
convenience I'm moving that range down 1 Mcs so I have to buy a 
custom 24.7 Mcs crystal.   10 and 20 Mcs crystals are clock 
crystals and I already have lots of 10's.   I also need 8.05 and 7.55 
Mcs crystals -- those must be custom.   And that's all -- maybe $50-
75 in new crystals?

Why not aluminum shields ... well, using tin cans (tin plated low 
carbon steel) I can cut with snips, clean up with a file, solder 
anyplace without problems.    I do this only for non-structural 
shielding (like across a socket or in the current case between 
sections of a rotary switch); when support, bracing or whatever is 
required I use aluminum.   Most often that's a piece cut from a dead 
chassis, with a nice flange already formed.  

Coffee cans ... didn't think of that.   I'll check into it.   They're 
generally painted on one side I think, but let me see what's in the 
stores.   No better way to get good play on the Wal-Mart security 
cams than by picking up and replacing a bunch of items ... been 
there, done that.

6061-T6 ... definitely a real man.    I just use the dead soft chassies 
as from the 60's and 5xxx-series for the panel.

Walt
KJ4KV

From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Wed Dec 24 15:35:30 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (stan mcintosh)
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 10:35:30 -0500
Subject: [HBR] AGC vs. limiting
Message-ID: <000f01c3ca33$9137c540$db85fea9@mcintosh3>

In my CW receiver, I'm wrestling with whether to include AGC or =
limiting.  Limiting sounds preferable, to me, since it clamps the audio =
without leading to timing issues. =20

If this project takes the limiting path, then there is another question; =
use the classic 6AL5 or try a 6BN6.  After reading the papers about the =
6BN6 on the internet, this tube is tempting to try in a two birds/one =
stone approach.  If I understand correctly, you can limit the maximum =
power output by adjusting the potential on the limiter grid.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

stan

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From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Thu Dec 25 03:03:15 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (hbr@mailman.qth.net)
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 22:03:15 -0500
Subject: [HBR] AGC vs. limiting
In-Reply-To: <000f01c3ca33$9137c540$db85fea9@mcintosh3>
Message-ID: <3FEA0D23.1009.25E8081@localhost>

Stan Mcintosh wrote:
> ... AGC or limiting. Limiting sounds preferable, to me ...

Another issue is the effect on the overall receiver performance.   AGC 
reduces the gain of early stages when you're listening to strong 
signals; this means that strong signals on nearby frequencies don't 
overload later stages causing distortion.   On CW that would show up 
as 'pumping,' changes in the sound, and possibly crossmodulation 
from strong SSB or AM signals.

If you provide and use an RF gain control (like a rheostat in the 
cathode of the RF stage) so signal levels are kept as low as 
possible, no problem.   But to be sure, you have to follow the 'how to 
receive SSB on an old receiver' instructions of turning the RF gain 
way down, the AF full up, then increasing the RF gain just to the 
level where you can copy the desired signal. 

Simpler receivers -- with not much gain ahead of the detector --are 
less likely to have problems.  But AGC's not that hard to do, and it 
makes things simple when you want them that way.  Put in an AGC 
disable switch (or just back the RF gain way down) for times when 
you want to do things manually.  And then enjoy the sound of CW 
through a limiter!

Walt 
KJ4KV

From hbr@mailman.qth.net  Thu Dec 25 16:45:12 2003
From: hbr@mailman.qth.net (stan mcintosh)
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 11:45:12 -0500
Subject: [HBR] Re: HBR digest, Vol 4 #136 - 2 msgs
References: <20031225090530.2408E328BD3@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <000801c3cb06$7ebb6b00$db85fea9@mcintosh3>

> Another issue is the effect on the overall receiver performance.   AGC
> reduces the gain of early stages when you're listening to strong
> signals; this means that strong signals on nearby frequencies don't
> overload later stages causing distortion.   On CW that would show up
> as 'pumping,' changes in the sound, and possibly crossmodulation
> from strong SSB or AM signals.

Thanks.  It looks like I'll keep AGC, after all.  I still can't resist
playing with a 6BN6 as a (possibly) self-limiting amplifier.

This is looking like I'm locking into a HBR-8 type receiver.  Is this
article on the HBR CD?

Thanks.
stan


