From shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com  Sat Jan  7 13:27:48 2006
From: shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com (shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com)
Date: Sat Jan  7 13:31:09 2006
Subject: [HBR] Looking for 50/75/100kHz IF transformers
Message-ID: <20060107182748.85237BA4816@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>

OK, I'm not exactly building a "true HBR" but I think I am at least
following in the spirit of assembling from what I can find.

But what I am not having any luck finding is 2nd IF transformers in the
50-100kHz range. While my junkbox did have some transformers good for
a 1650kHz first IF I'm not so lucky for the lower frequency stuff.

And, to complicate matters, I am looking to go full-blown on the
IF strip and will need more than one.  Two or three similar units
would be a good start.

Last time I made this plea I got several responses but of course
do not have those E-mails anymore. If you've got something appropriate,
new or used or still inside a BC-453, let me know what you've got and
a price (or what you may be interested in trading for).

Tim KA0BTD
From waltah at earthlink.net  Sat Jan  7 13:49:18 2006
From: waltah at earthlink.net (Walter A. Hutchens)
Date: Sat Jan  7 13:51:20 2006
Subject: [HBR] Looking for 50/75/100kHz IF transformers
In-Reply-To: <20060107182748.85237BA4816@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>
Message-ID: <43BFC6DE.28405.59A1C1B@localhost>

Tim said:
> But what I am not having any luck finding is 2nd IF transformers in the
> 50-100kHz range.

You can find junker BC-453 and R-23/ARC-5 receivers on eBay.   It's best 
to use only one type or the other and if you use more IFTs than you can find 
in one receiver you may have to pad the higher ones very slightly as those 
trimmers have a VERY narrow tuning range.

Walt Hutchens
KJ4KV


From DAVEINBHAM at aol.com  Sat Jan  7 14:31:54 2006
From: DAVEINBHAM at aol.com (DAVEINBHAM@aol.com)
Date: Sat Jan  7 14:35:27 2006
Subject: [HBR] Looking for 50/75/100kHz IF transformers
Message-ID: <218.1105f6c4.30f1712a@aol.com>

Tim,
I looked in my junkbox and found some IF cans. stamped on the side is  7267   
85KC. 
I got 9 of 'em.
What you got to trade ?
I am looking for a BC221 parts unit for the tuning mechanism.
Or coin of the realm is OK.  Does $10 each sound reasonable ?

Kindest regards,
Dave
******************************************************************************
*************************
OK, I'm not exactly building a "true HBR" but I think I am at least
following in the spirit of assembling from what I can find.

But what I am not having any luck finding is 2nd IF transformers in the
50-100kHz range. While my junkbox did have some transformers good for
a 1650kHz first IF I'm not so lucky for the lower frequency stuff.

And, to complicate matters, I am looking to go full-blown on the
IF strip and will need more than one.  Two or three similar units
would be a good start.

Last time I made this plea I got several responses but of course
do not have those E-mails anymore. If you've got something appropriate,
new or used or still inside a BC-453, let me know what you've got and
a price (or what you may be interested in trading for).

Tim KA0BTD
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and 
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ 
there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/


Retrieve reflector archived data via 
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
From StephenTetorka at cs.com  Sun Jan  8 10:18:54 2006
From: StephenTetorka at cs.com (StephenTetorka@cs.com)
Date: Sun Jan  8 10:22:49 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <281.3bc23b0.30f2875e@cs.com>

Hi all:

de Steve, WA2TAK.

I'm like to homebrew one heck of a good receiver...and would appreciate your 
generous help in the matter.

I like to listen to Short-wave radio stations when I'm not operating on the 
Ham bands - AM, SSB and CW.

At this time, I'd like to sharpen up my "Q" about receiver circuits, 
technology etc. to help me better understand just why I should do something one 
way...as opposed to another...basically learn more about receivers than explained in 
the ARRL Handbook.

Sooo...would you kindly suggest some reading material, web sites etc...to 
help me get smarter on the subject?

On the flip-side...I truly appreciate homebrews made by others...and if there 
are any HBR's out there for sale, I'd like to know too.

Thank you.

73
Steve
From chadhp at yahoo.com  Sun Jan  8 11:19:37 2006
From: chadhp at yahoo.com (Chad H. Phillips)
Date: Sun Jan  8 11:23:14 2006
Subject: [HBR] Re: BC-453 IF Transformers
In-Reply-To: <20060108090049.7A145859D9C@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <20060108161937.84799.qmail@web31801.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hello, all! This is my first post to the HBR
reflector. My situation is similar to Tim KA0BTD's -
planning an HBR-influenced receiver project, almost
ready to build but still wondering about 2nd IF
transformers...

I started out researching ways to improve the low-end
tube receivers I see on eBay. I initially chose this
route because I crave tube experience (thinking,
building, listening with tubes) but I am not
interested in competing with the well-funded
collectors buying up all the good stuff. While reading
QST late one night, I came across Crosby's 1963
articles... soon found Kees Talen (K5BCQ)'s excellent
HBR website... and now I am intent on building a
receiver.

I have seen the junker BC-453's on eBay. On one
auction photo, I could even make out "85KC" stamped on
the side. Can anyone advise on the characteristics of
each unit in the set of three, and (if different)
which ones are suitable for use in an HBR? Are they
typically recoverable in good condition? Any problems
with deterioration of materials in the can? Is the
top-hat knob for adjusting coupling, or just a cover?

Incidentally, does anyone have any experience or
opinions on constructing IF xformers as described on
the following website?:
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/funwithtubes/IF_Can-1.html

Regards,

Chad KE4KMH
From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Sun Jan  8 13:31:42 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Sun Jan  8 13:35:05 2006
Subject: [HBR] Re: BC-453 IF Transformers
In-Reply-To: <20060108161937.84799.qmail@web31801.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <000001c61481$c63226b0$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi,   the top hat on the 85 kc i.f.'s of my HBR-14 (on HBR website) are
covers,  under which are center core adjustment and two adj. screw heads
(caps, I assume).  I'm not sure which surplus unit these came from,  but the
radio works comparable to the HBR-16 w.r. to bandwidth of the Miller i.f.
units.  Now that I have a sweep generator,  maybe I should make a
quantitative comparison.  There is a commericial hamband set,  the NC-270,
that is similar to the HBR-16 lineup, with 50 Khz final i.f.  Its all-band
brother,  the NC-190, is another starting point if you're looking for an old
receiver to acquire.  The tuning mechanisms aren't quite as nice as an
Eddystone.  Another similar radio is the Hallicrafters SX-96 or 100,  if you
like a little more weight in your set.  These, like the HBR,  follow the
path of achieving selectivity with tuned circuits at low 2nd i.f. frequency
with 1600 khz or so 1st i.f. Ted Crosby would have you believe his homebrew
coils are high Q and better than average;  I have no reason o doubt this,
as my own correspondence with the man makes me think he knew what he was
talking about.   Meanwhile, SOA military sets like the 390, put more
selectivity up front with synchronized gear-tuned  circuits,  and achieved
final selectivity at 455 khz with more i.f. transformers in line.  Of
course, many other design factors and differences can be found in comparing
such sets.  Dan   

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Chad H. Phillips
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 8:20 AM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] Re: BC-453 IF Transformers

Hello, all! This is my first post to the HBR reflector. My situation is
similar to Tim KA0BTD's - planning an HBR-influenced receiver project,
almost ready to build but still wondering about 2nd IF transformers...

I started out researching ways to improve the low-end tube receivers I see
on eBay. I initially chose this route because I crave tube experience
(thinking, building, listening with tubes) but I am not interested in
competing with the well-funded collectors buying up all the good stuff.
While reading QST late one night, I came across Crosby's 1963 articles...
soon found Kees Talen (K5BCQ)'s excellent HBR website... and now I am intent
on building a receiver.

I have seen the junker BC-453's on eBay. On one auction photo, I could even
make out "85KC" stamped on the side. Can anyone advise on the
characteristics of each unit in the set of three, and (if different) which
ones are suitable for use in an HBR? Are they typically recoverable in good
condition? Any problems with deterioration of materials in the can? Is the
top-hat knob for adjusting coupling, or just a cover?

Incidentally, does anyone have any experience or opinions on constructing IF
xformers as described on the following website?:
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/funwithtubes/IF_Can-1.html

Regards,

Chad KE4KMH
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From ianmwilson at earthlink.net  Sun Jan  8 13:41:07 2006
From: ianmwilson at earthlink.net (Ian Wilson)
Date: Sun Jan  8 13:44:58 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
In-Reply-To: <281.3bc23b0.30f2875e@cs.com>
Message-ID: <002401c61483$1aab40e0$6802a8c0@PowerSpec>

Hi Steve,

Another rookie here.

I started looking at HBR information about 6 months ago. It's interesting to
see how the different variations evolved.

For my first 'real' tube receiver I decided not to go the HBR route.
Instead, I made use of an old SSB 10.7MHz filter that I had in the junk box,
plus a couple of 10.7MHz IF transformers scavenged from a Heathkit AM/FM
tuner. I used a triode mixer (12AT7) and an interesting switchable detector
that I found in Amateur Radio Techniques. Some pictures and schematics:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ianmwilson/id3.html

I haven't "finished" this receiver I'd like to add an S-meter, and a 10.7MHz
xtal/mixer to the VFO so it will act as a transmitter VFO also.

My current receiver interest is the "SuperX" idea that can be found in many
ARRL Handbooks. This uses a 1700kc IF, so it can tube 40m and 80m without
bandswitching. A single xtal filter can be switched in. I had the great luck
to be given a chassis with much of this in place, am just waiting for some
peace and quiet post-Xmas :)

There must be an HBR lurking in my future, because I stumbled across a NOS
Miller 3-gang tuning capacitor a few weeks ago.

Good luck with your receiver building exploits!

73, ian K3IMW




From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Sun Jan  8 13:44:29 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Sun Jan  8 13:47:38 2006
Subject: [HBR] Re: BC-453 IF Transformers
In-Reply-To: <000001c61481$c63226b0$2f01a8c0@DansDell>
Message-ID: <000001c61483$8f3ba580$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi,  correct NC-270/190 i.f. to 230 khz,  my memory needed refreshing.  The
SX 100 and 96 have 50 khz final i.f.'s.  Given a choice,  I favor the
Hallicrafter's.  But the NC's are more the size of an HBR.  Dan.

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Dan Merz
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 10:32 AM
To: 'HBR Receiver List'
Subject: RE: [HBR] Re: BC-453 IF Transformers

Hi,   the top hat on the 85 kc i.f.'s of my HBR-14 (on HBR website) are
covers,  under which are center core adjustment and two adj. screw heads
(caps, I assume).  I'm not sure which surplus unit these came from,  but the
radio works comparable to the HBR-16 w.r. to bandwidth of the Miller i.f.
units.  Now that I have a sweep generator,  maybe I should make a
quantitative comparison.  There is a commericial hamband set,  the NC-270,
that is similar to the HBR-16 lineup, with 50 Khz final i.f.  Its all-band
brother,  the NC-190, is another starting point if you're looking for an old
receiver to acquire.  The tuning mechanisms aren't quite as nice as an
Eddystone.  Another similar radio is the Hallicrafters SX-96 or 100,  if you
like a little more weight in your set.  These, like the HBR,  follow the
path of achieving selectivity with tuned circuits at low 2nd i.f. frequency
with 1600 khz or so 1st i.f. Ted Crosby would have you believe his homebrew
coils are high Q and better than average;  I have no reason o doubt this, as
my own correspondence with the man makes me think he knew what he was
talking about.   Meanwhile, SOA military sets like the 390, put more
selectivity up front with synchronized gear-tuned  circuits,  and achieved
final selectivity at 455 khz with more i.f. transformers in line.  Of
course, many other design factors and differences can be found in comparing
such sets.  Dan   

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Chad H. Phillips
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 8:20 AM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] Re: BC-453 IF Transformers

Hello, all! This is my first post to the HBR reflector. My situation is
similar to Tim KA0BTD's - planning an HBR-influenced receiver project,
almost ready to build but still wondering about 2nd IF transformers...

I started out researching ways to improve the low-end tube receivers I see
on eBay. I initially chose this route because I crave tube experience
(thinking, building, listening with tubes) but I am not interested in
competing with the well-funded collectors buying up all the good stuff.
While reading QST late one night, I came across Crosby's 1963 articles...
soon found Kees Talen (K5BCQ)'s excellent HBR website... and now I am intent
on building a receiver.

I have seen the junker BC-453's on eBay. On one auction photo, I could even
make out "85KC" stamped on the side. Can anyone advise on the
characteristics of each unit in the set of three, and (if different) which
ones are suitable for use in an HBR? Are they typically recoverable in good
condition? Any problems with deterioration of materials in the can? Is the
top-hat knob for adjusting coupling, or just a cover?

Incidentally, does anyone have any experience or opinions on constructing IF
xformers as described on the following website?:
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/funwithtubes/IF_Can-1.html

Regards,

Chad KE4KMH
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From N2EY at aol.com  Sun Jan  8 15:07:50 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Sun Jan  8 15:11:35 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <12c.6ce635c4.30f2cb16@aol.com>

In a message dated 1/8/06 10:19:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
StephenTetorka@cs.com writes:


> like to homebrew one heck of a good receiver...and would appreciate your 
> generous help in the matter.

First question: what defines "one heck of a good receiver"?  

What one person considers important may be not worth anything to another 
person. 

> 
> I like to listen to Short-wave radio stations when I'm not operating on the 
> Ham bands - AM, SSB and CW.
> 

So - are we talking about a SWBC rx, or one that can "do it all"?

> At this time, I'd like to sharpen up my "Q" about receiver circuits, 
> technology etc. to help me better understand just why I should do something 
> one 
> way...as opposed to another...basically learn more about receivers than 
> explained in 
> the ARRL Handbook.
> 

The Handbook is a good start, of course, but there's lots more. One fact to 
remember is that *all* designs are compromises - there's no ultimate, perfect
answer.

> Sooo...would you kindly suggest some reading material, web sites etc...to 
> help me get smarter on the subject?
> 

The RSGB Handbook is a very good investment. For tube techniques, the
3rd or 4th edition (IIRC) are the best. The ones from the '60s, anyway.

The HBR website is essential, both for info and for references.

QST and other ham mags from the early '50s to the late '60s or so.

73 de Jim, N2EY
From waltah at earthlink.net  Sun Jan  8 17:20:00 2006
From: waltah at earthlink.net (Walter A. Hutchens)
Date: Sun Jan  8 17:22:24 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
In-Reply-To: <281.3bc23b0.30f2875e@cs.com>
Message-ID: <43C149C0.13751.1C00636@localhost>

Steve said:
> I'm like to homebrew one heck of a good receiver...and would appreciate
> your generous help in the matter.

This is what I've wanted to do all my life -- I mean, since about 16 y.o.   
Unfortunately it took 50-some years for my design and construction skills to 
get to where I could hb ANY receiver and get it to work.   And I still have 
two or three good unfinished (not quite working) projects sitting around for 
the day when my skills catch up with the challenges I dreamed up.

Thus, I'd suggest starting with something not above three tubes unless you 
already have some vacuum tube construction experience.    There's just so 
darn much art to learn and it can only be learned by doing.   

When you have *A* project that works, you'll know what you're ready to do 
next and have some idea which way you want to twist the trade-offs that 
N2EY mentioned.    If you are feeling fairly comfortable I don't think you 
could do better than something like the HBR-8.    With plug-in coils you can 
get whatever tuning ranges you like, by winding appropriate coil sets.   

I think I'd start with the receiver theory in the Radio Amateurs Handbooks 
of the mid-late 60's.   There are also some fine project receivers there.  
The RSGB handbooks Jim mentioned are also excellent on theory.   Beyond 
that I suggest G2DAF's extended discussion of receiver design principles; I 
believe that that was added to the HBR CD available from our listowner.

The conclusions in G2DAF's paper are somewhat dated, but the issues and 
the way you think about them in a design, are timeless.

Current project is a substantial complexification of the Handbook 2X4.   7 
tubes: 35W4 rectifier, 12AT7 push-pull mixer, 12AU7 push-pull oscillator, 
2x 19JN8 IF, 1/2 19JN8 (triode, diode connected) bias rectifier, 1/2 
19JN8 (triode) AGC detector, 1/2 12AU7 plate detector, 19JN8 1st audio 
stage, 1/2 12AU7 2nd audio, 1/2 19JN8 (triode) xtal BFO.   IF is 5400, LO 
tunes 1400-1900 giving coverage 3500-4000 and 6800-7300.  Half lattice 
crystal filter.  

This one works well but 'transformerless' design of a high gain selective HF 
superhet is not for the faint of heart because of the decoupling issues 
associated with having two separate grounds that have a voltage between 
them.

Walt
KJ4KV
From gswynar at durham.net  Sun Jan  8 17:29:01 2006
From: gswynar at durham.net (Ed Swynar)
Date: Sun Jan  8 17:32:53 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
References: <43C149C0.13751.1C00636@localhost>
Message-ID: <008901c614a2$f04355c0$f6305a45@CompaqS5000>

Greetings All,

Walt is right on the money 100% --- do NOT start out building your all-time
"dream machine" right from the get-go just yet! Get some practical "wins"
under your belt first...

I committed the error back in 1982 with the undertaking of Doug Blakeslee's
experimental 75-meter receiver, which was described in QST back in the early
70's...big mistake! I would have been FAR wiser to go for something along
the lines of The Mate For The Mighty Midget (see 1929 ARRL HANDBOOK, or
April 1966 QST), which I ultimately did do, some 14 years later...

After that small project, I felt qualiified --- and experienced enough ---
to SUCCESSFULLY tackle things like a 4-tube 1929-style regenerative
receiver, & The QST Super-12 1929-style 12-tube superhet, which I finished
here a couple of years ago...

Funny thing is, I would STILL like to build Blakeslee's ultiimate DX
machine...I KNOW I could do it some justice a second time around...

~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ





----- Original Message -----
From: "Walter A. Hutchens" <waltah@earthlink.net>
To: "HBR Receiver List" <hbr@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: [HBR] Rookie here


> Steve said:
> > I'm like to homebrew one heck of a good receiver...and would appreciate
> > your generous help in the matter.
>
> This is what I've wanted to do all my life -- I mean, since about 16 y.o.
> Unfortunately it took 50-some years for my design and construction skills
to
> get to where I could hb ANY receiver and get it to work.   And I still
have
> two or three good unfinished (not quite working) projects sitting around
for
> the day when my skills catch up with the challenges I dreamed up.
>
> Thus, I'd suggest starting with something not above three tubes unless you
> already have some vacuum tube construction experience.    There's just so
> darn much art to learn and it can only be learned by doing.
>
> When you have *A* project that works, you'll know what you're ready to do
> next and have some idea which way you want to twist the trade-offs that
> N2EY mentioned.    If you are feeling fairly comfortable I don't think you
> could do better than something like the HBR-8.    With plug-in coils you
can
> get whatever tuning ranges you like, by winding appropriate coil sets.
>
> I think I'd start with the receiver theory in the Radio Amateurs Handbooks
> of the mid-late 60's.   There are also some fine project receivers there.
> The RSGB handbooks Jim mentioned are also excellent on theory.   Beyond
> that I suggest G2DAF's extended discussion of receiver design principles;
I
> believe that that was added to the HBR CD available from our listowner.
>
> The conclusions in G2DAF's paper are somewhat dated, but the issues and
> the way you think about them in a design, are timeless.
>
> Current project is a substantial complexification of the Handbook 2X4.   7
> tubes: 35W4 rectifier, 12AT7 push-pull mixer, 12AU7 push-pull oscillator,
> 2x 19JN8 IF, 1/2 19JN8 (triode, diode connected) bias rectifier, 1/2
> 19JN8 (triode) AGC detector, 1/2 12AU7 plate detector, 19JN8 1st audio
> stage, 1/2 12AU7 2nd audio, 1/2 19JN8 (triode) xtal BFO.   IF is 5400, LO
> tunes 1400-1900 giving coverage 3500-4000 and 6800-7300.  Half lattice
> crystal filter.
>
> This one works well but 'transformerless' design of a high gain selective
HF
> superhet is not for the faint of heart because of the decoupling issues
> associated with having two separate grounds that have a voltage between
> them.
>
> Walt
> KJ4KV
> ************************************
> Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
> construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
> there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
>
>
> Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
>


From gswynar at durham.net  Sun Jan  8 17:32:42 2006
From: gswynar at durham.net (Ed Swynar)
Date: Sun Jan  8 17:36:23 2006
Subject: Fw: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <00a801c614a3$73eeea60$f6305a45@CompaqS5000>

Hi All,

Re. my earlier posting, make that the 1969 ARRL HANDBOOK that The Mate For
The Mighty Midget receiver is featured in, and NOT the 1929 edition...!

Fat fingers here --- sorry!

~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Swynar" <gswynar@durham.net>
To: <waltah@earthlink.net>; "HBR Receiver List" <hbr@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: [HBR] Rookie here


> Greetings All,
>
> Walt is right on the money 100% --- do NOT start out building your
all-time
> "dream machine" right from the get-go just yet! Get some practical "wins"
> under your belt first...
>
> I committed the error back in 1982 with the undertaking of Doug
Blakeslee's
> experimental 75-meter receiver, which was described in QST back in the
early
> 70's...big mistake! I would have been FAR wiser to go for something along
> the lines of The Mate For The Mighty Midget (see 1929 ARRL HANDBOOK, or
> April 1966 QST), which I ultimately did do, some 14 years later...
>
> After that small project, I felt qualiified --- and experienced enough ---
> to SUCCESSFULLY tackle things like a 4-tube 1929-style regenerative
> receiver, & The QST Super-12 1929-style 12-tube superhet, which I finished
> here a couple of years ago...
>
> Funny thing is, I would STILL like to build Blakeslee's ultiimate DX
> machine...I KNOW I could do it some justice a second time around...
>
> ~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Walter A. Hutchens" <waltah@earthlink.net>
> To: "HBR Receiver List" <hbr@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 5:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [HBR] Rookie here
>
>
> > Steve said:
> > > I'm like to homebrew one heck of a good receiver...and would
appreciate
> > > your generous help in the matter.
> >
> > This is what I've wanted to do all my life -- I mean, since about 16
y.o.
> > Unfortunately it took 50-some years for my design and construction
skills
> to
> > get to where I could hb ANY receiver and get it to work.   And I still
> have
> > two or three good unfinished (not quite working) projects sitting around
> for
> > the day when my skills catch up with the challenges I dreamed up.
> >
> > Thus, I'd suggest starting with something not above three tubes unless
you
> > already have some vacuum tube construction experience.    There's just
so
> > darn much art to learn and it can only be learned by doing.
> >
> > When you have *A* project that works, you'll know what you're ready to
do
> > next and have some idea which way you want to twist the trade-offs that
> > N2EY mentioned.    If you are feeling fairly comfortable I don't think
you
> > could do better than something like the HBR-8.    With plug-in coils you
> can
> > get whatever tuning ranges you like, by winding appropriate coil sets.
> >
> > I think I'd start with the receiver theory in the Radio Amateurs
Handbooks
> > of the mid-late 60's.   There are also some fine project receivers
there.
> > The RSGB handbooks Jim mentioned are also excellent on theory.   Beyond
> > that I suggest G2DAF's extended discussion of receiver design
principles;
> I
> > believe that that was added to the HBR CD available from our listowner.
> >
> > The conclusions in G2DAF's paper are somewhat dated, but the issues and
> > the way you think about them in a design, are timeless.
> >
> > Current project is a substantial complexification of the Handbook 2X4.
7
> > tubes: 35W4 rectifier, 12AT7 push-pull mixer, 12AU7 push-pull
oscillator,
> > 2x 19JN8 IF, 1/2 19JN8 (triode, diode connected) bias rectifier, 1/2
> > 19JN8 (triode) AGC detector, 1/2 12AU7 plate detector, 19JN8 1st audio
> > stage, 1/2 12AU7 2nd audio, 1/2 19JN8 (triode) xtal BFO.   IF is 5400,
LO
> > tunes 1400-1900 giving coverage 3500-4000 and 6800-7300.  Half lattice
> > crystal filter.
> >
> > This one works well but 'transformerless' design of a high gain
selective
> HF
> > superhet is not for the faint of heart because of the decoupling issues
> > associated with having two separate grounds that have a voltage between
> > them.
> >
> > Walt
> > KJ4KV
> > ************************************
> > Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
> > construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
> > there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
> >
> >
> > Retrieve reflector archived data via
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
> >
>
>
> ************************************
> Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
> construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
> there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
>
>
> Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
>


From windy10605 at juno.com  Sun Jan  8 20:09:40 2006
From: windy10605 at juno.com (windy10605@juno.com)
Date: Sun Jan  8 20:15:32 2006
Subject: Fw: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <20060108.190941.2388.3.windy10605@juno.com>

Hi Steve and others,

Welcome !  I'm sure many others will jump in to provide information on
what is a good receiver and what is a great receiver, discussions abound.
The HBRs and DAF receivers were very good for their time and still offer
a great and fun receiver project to those inclined to try one which
"glows in the dark".

Someone else asked about BC-453 85Khz transformers vs winding your own.
The 85Khz transformers are excellent and I would much prefer using them
vs winding your own from scratch unless you have a space problem. I
discussed modifying the smaller 455Khz transformers to narrow them up in
the "Hints and Kinks" section of the HBR Receiver web site. I also have a
number of 85Khz transformers available (as do several others and some
were offered for sale recently for $10 each). I have spectrum analyzer
plots of those transformers and original JW Miller 100Khz transformers
for comparison in the "Hints and Kinks" section. Like I said, the 85Khz
IFs are excellent if you can afford the physical size.

It's great to see some discussion on the relector. 

I'm basically in "lurking mode" right now and spending most of my hobby
time 1) kitting MicroStar 2000 Radio Control kits (on my main web site),
2) supplying people with AMEGLO GB-1 (AMECO AC-1) decals and a blank
chassis and helping Mark source parts for a complete kit later this year,
on the "AmecoAC1" web site, 3) redesigning some portions of the Drake-2B
receiver which I've always considered one of the better, simple,
comercial receivers, and 4) designing, improving, and developing
potential kits for Software Defined Radios like the SoftRock-40, on the
"Softrock40" web site  

......... it's a REAL switch to go from a nice glowing 6EW6 and a 600V 
0.1ufd tubular cap to 0.5mm pitch QFPs and 0805 resistors and capacitors.
Hard on the eyes too.

73 Kees K5BCQ


--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: StephenTetorka@cs.com
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 10:18:54 EST
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <281.3bc23b0.30f2875e@cs.com>

Hi all:

de Steve, WA2TAK.

I'm like to homebrew one heck of a good receiver...and would appreciate
your 
generous help in the matter.

I like to listen to Short-wave radio stations when I'm not operating on
the 
Ham bands - AM, SSB and CW.

At this time, I'd like to sharpen up my "Q" about receiver circuits, 
technology etc. to help me better understand just why I should do
something one 
way...as opposed to another...basically learn more about receivers than
explained in 
the ARRL Handbook.

Sooo...would you kindly suggest some reading material, web sites etc...to

help me get smarter on the subject?

On the flip-side...I truly appreciate homebrews made by others...and if
there 
are any HBR's out there for sale, I'd like to know too.

Thank you.

73
Steve
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and 
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ 
there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/


Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
From StephenTetorka at cs.com  Mon Jan  9 09:59:42 2006
From: StephenTetorka at cs.com (StephenTetorka@cs.com)
Date: Mon Jan  9 10:03:39 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <8a.354da0f8.30f3d45e@cs.com>

Hi guys:

Thanks guys for taking the time to reply - it is greatly appreciated.

Good remarks: what's important, do it all...compromises...experience.

Let me start with the last - experience.
I may not be a circuit/design guy but I sure have hands on experience..built 
my first and homebrew 75 transmitter at age 15 in 1963...repaired airborne ( 
F-102 ) radar weapons equipment in the USAF...just restored my DX-100 ala GTO @ 
99.9%..(glad to  send pix should you like to see it)

Importance and "do it all" kinda go together...I'd really like: 3 Mc to 150 
Mc; AM, SSB, CW...and VHF-FM for 6 & 2 meters reception...or add a VHF 
converter latter?
Sorta like a Nems-Clark unit, I'd say.

I would say #1 feature would be super-Bandspread for CW work.
This leads me to ask:  just how is "bandspread" specified?? in Mc per degree 
for rotation...Mc per delta picofarad of the variable capacitor?

Compromises...I guess when I know them and understand them...I will have 
achieved the education I need right now ..hihi

Time...ahhh...THE issue.
Well gents..I ain't got much time.
Matter of fact, as I was away from Ham radio for 40 years...I'm in a hurry 
making up for this lost time...so kindly excuse my unenlightened enthusiasm.

Question please:  where does one find a selection of enclosures into which 
the chassis is placed?
This subject is #2 in importance to me as I'm a avocational 'artist'...style, 
appearance, quality, ease...etc are important elements for me...the most 
important = Simple.

Yes...simple and minimal.

Guess I got my work cut out for me - huh?

Regards,
Steve
From ianmwilson at earthlink.net  Mon Jan  9 16:12:03 2006
From: ianmwilson at earthlink.net (Ian Wilson)
Date: Mon Jan  9 16:16:04 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
Message-ID: <003901c61561$5a8feab0$6802a8c0@PowerSpec>

[Sorry for reposting - the first time didn't appear here --ian.]

Hi Steve,

Another rookie here.

I started looking at HBR information about 6 months ago. It's interesting to
see how the different variations evolved.

For my first 'real' tube receiver I decided not to go the HBR route.
Instead, I made use of an old SSB 10.7MHz filter that I had in the junk box,
plus a couple of 10.7MHz IF transformers scavenged from a Heathkit AM/FM
tuner. I used a triode mixer (12AT7) and an interesting switchable detector
that I found in Amateur Radio Techniques. Some pictures and schematics:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ianmwilson/id3.html

I haven't "finished" this receiver I'd like to add an S-meter, and a 10.7MHz
xtal/mixer to the VFO so it will act as a transmitter VFO also.

My current receiver interest is the "SuperX" idea that can be found in many
ARRL Handbooks. This uses a 1700kc IF, so it can tube 40m and 80m without
bandswitching. A single xtal filter can be switched in. I had the great luck
to be given a chassis with much of this in place, am just waiting for some
peace and quiet post-Xmas :)

There must be an HBR lurking in my future, because I stumbled across a NOS
Miller 3-gang tuning capacitor a few weeks ago.

Good luck with your receiver building exploits!

73, ian K3IMW




From n2ey at aol.com  Mon Jan  9 16:35:17 2006
From: n2ey at aol.com (n2ey@aol.com)
Date: Mon Jan  9 16:39:01 2006
Subject: [HBR] Tuning Rate and Bandspread Specification
Message-ID: <8C7E37BB804A4FC-19C-368@MBLK-R07.sysops.aol.com>

There was a question about "bandspread" - but I think it was really about tuning rate.
 
The way I've always specified tuning rate is "kc per knob turn" - how many kilocycles one complete 360 degree rotation will take you. Since few designs are truly linear, this is often a range, such as "16 to 20 kc per knob turn". 
 
The Southgate Type 7 uses the capacitor from a BC-221 freqmeter. About 5 kc. per knob turn (4 to 6, depending on which end of the dial). Just about right for CW operation IMHO. 
 
Older rigs tended to have "fast tuning" - often as fast as 100 kc per turn! I think this was due to
both economy factors and the type of operation that was common in the old days, when transmitter
QSY was difficult-to-impossible, and one tuned the whole band after a CQ.
 
"Bandspread", as I learned it, is a measure of how much a given number of kc are spread out on the dial.
If a linear dial 5" long covers a 500 kc. band, the bandspread is therefore 100 kc per inch.
 
The Southgate Type 7 uses a circular drum dial 6" in diameter, and a band of about 250 kc. is spread out over a half-revolution of the dial. Works out to about 25 kc. per inch. 
 
73 de Jim, N2EY
From hbrnut at earthlink.net  Mon Jan  9 18:43:55 2006
From: hbrnut at earthlink.net (Darrell, WA5VGO)
Date: Mon Jan  9 18:47:35 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
In-Reply-To: <8a.354da0f8.30f3d45e@cs.com>
Message-ID: <5.2.0.9.2.20060109173914.00bb1fa0@mail.earthlink.net>

For anyone with some decent experience in homebrewing, the HBR-11 is tough 
to beat as a good starter receiver. Build up the HBR-8 and get it working 
right. Then add the extras. The receiver works well and is easy to build 
and get going. By the way, for someone that really wants to build one, here 
is an excellent beginning:
http://cgi.ebay.com/JW-Miller-Large-Dial-with-Vernier-on-Panel-More-look_W0QQitemZ5850995255QQcategoryZ1502QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You'll get a good vernier dial, and the Cadillac of variable capacitors, a 
Polar.

Darrell, WA5VGO






At 09:59 AM 1/9/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi guys:
>
>Thanks guys for taking the time to reply - it is greatly appreciated.
>
>Good remarks: what's important, do it all...compromises...experience.
>
>Let me start with the last - experience.
>I may not be a circuit/design guy but I sure have hands on experience..built
>my first and homebrew 75 transmitter at age 15 in 1963...repaired airborne (
>F-102 ) radar weapons equipment in the USAF...just restored my DX-100 ala 
>GTO @
>99.9%..(glad to  send pix should you like to see it)
>
>Importance and "do it all" kinda go together...I'd really like: 3 Mc to 150
>Mc; AM, SSB, CW...and VHF-FM for 6 & 2 meters reception...or add a VHF
>converter latter?
>Sorta like a Nems-Clark unit, I'd say.
>
>I would say #1 feature would be super-Bandspread for CW work.
>This leads me to ask:  just how is "bandspread" specified?? in Mc per degree
>for rotation...Mc per delta picofarad of the variable capacitor?
>
>Compromises...I guess when I know them and understand them...I will have
>achieved the education I need right now ..hihi
>
>Time...ahhh...THE issue.
>Well gents..I ain't got much time.
>Matter of fact, as I was away from Ham radio for 40 years...I'm in a hurry
>making up for this lost time...so kindly excuse my unenlightened enthusiasm.
>
>Question please:  where does one find a selection of enclosures into which
>the chassis is placed?
>This subject is #2 in importance to me as I'm a avocational 'artist'...style,
>appearance, quality, ease...etc are important elements for me...the most
>important = Simple.
>
>Yes...simple and minimal.
>
>Guess I got my work cut out for me - huh?
>
>Regards,
>Steve
>************************************
>Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
>construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
>there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
>
>
>Retrieve reflector archived data via 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr



From StephenTetorka at cs.com  Tue Jan 10 10:10:52 2006
From: StephenTetorka at cs.com (StephenTetorka@cs.com)
Date: Tue Jan 10 10:14:52 2006
Subject: [HBR] HRS's?
Message-ID: <69F6DAD4.67ED0E2E.A5481B25@cs.com>

Hi all:

As I'm very new...might someone explain the differences with the various HBR numbers.

Here's a 'big' question...how & why is "IF" choice important?

Regards,
Rookie Steve
From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Tue Jan 10 12:50:26 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Tue Jan 10 12:54:09 2006
Subject: [HBR] HRS's?
In-Reply-To: <69F6DAD4.67ED0E2E.A5481B25@cs.com>
Message-ID: <000701c6160e$57800a00$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Steve,  the hbr numbers are explained in a table showing all the models on
the HBR page.  About i.f. frequency,....  generally a higher i.f. for the
first conversion will reject images better (those signals that are twice the
i.f. frequency away from the desired signal)  1600 khz or higher is adequate
without putting in an extra rf stage;  before dual conversion sets became
more common, 455 khz was common and to get really good image rejection, an
extra stage of rf tuning was used in the best sets.  Why would you want low
freq. i.f..... Because the selectivity improves/stage with lower i.f.
frequencies when tuned i.f. transformers are used (cheap way to go).  This
is why 100 khz i.f.'s are used for the second i.f. in HBR's,  namely to
improve the selectivity without having to resort to expensive items like
crystal or mechanical filters and with a reasonable number of stages.  The
use of tuned i.f. transformers in the HBR design drives the wagon.. .  Low
second i.f. frequency to get selectivity and sufficiently high 1st i.f.
frequency to  attain image rejection.  Best regards,  Dan.       

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of StephenTetorka@cs.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 7:11 AM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] HRS's?

Hi all:

As I'm very new...might someone explain the differences with the various HBR
numbers.

Here's a 'big' question...how & why is "IF" choice important?

Regards,
Rookie Steve
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From gswynar at webmail.durham.net  Mon Jan  9 10:17:26 2006
From: gswynar at webmail.durham.net (gswynar@webmail.durham.net)
Date: Tue Jan 10 15:44:18 2006
Subject: [HBR] Rookie here
In-Reply-To: <8a.354da0f8.30f3d45e@cs.com>
References: <8a.354da0f8.30f3d45e@cs.com>
Message-ID: <58913.198.208.159.19.1136819846.squirrel@198.208.159.19>

Hi Steve,

Well, it sure does sound like you're bound & determined to build this rig,
so I'll pass on some "nuggests" to you, all based upon personal experience
here...! Hi Hi

First-off, don't get TOO hung-up about finding / buying the "ultimate"
suitable "enclosure" for your receiver --- MAKE one! I've done it LOTS of
times, using suitably-sized aluminum panels & "L" brackets. Use whatever
chassis you might as the "foundation", & go up from there (hint: it makes
things a LOT easier if you can somehow squeeze in a sheet, or two, of
Reynold's Do-It-Yourself aluminum cane metal in the euation).

As for time --- or a LACK Of it! --- I recall seeing someplace long ago,
wherein a novelist once said that when it comes to writing, if you're
inspired, you can do it standing up in a subway car. Homebrewing to me is
the same. I've built TONS of stuff over the years, & I simply took the
time to MAKE the time. One of my favourite tricks to squeeze more hours
out of the day is to wake-up during the week an hour, or so, earlier than
normal.

NOBODY around to bother you for "honey dews", no kids, no nothing --- just
you & your project. It certainly worked for me, and my enthusiasm for what
I was doing carried the day.

Good luck with whatever you might eventually execute there...

~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ






> Hi guys:
>
> Thanks guys for taking the time to reply - it is greatly appreciated.
>
> Good remarks: what's important, do it all...compromises...experience.
>
> Let me start with the last - experience.
> I may not be a circuit/design guy but I sure have hands on
> experience..built
> my first and homebrew 75 transmitter at age 15 in 1963...repaired airborne
> (
> F-102 ) radar weapons equipment in the USAF...just restored my DX-100 ala
> GTO @
> 99.9%..(glad to  send pix should you like to see it)
>
> Importance and "do it all" kinda go together...I'd really like: 3 Mc to
> 150
> Mc; AM, SSB, CW...and VHF-FM for 6 & 2 meters reception...or add a VHF
> converter latter?
> Sorta like a Nems-Clark unit, I'd say.
>
> I would say #1 feature would be super-Bandspread for CW work.
> This leads me to ask:  just how is "bandspread" specified?? in Mc per
> degree
> for rotation...Mc per delta picofarad of the variable capacitor?
>
> Compromises...I guess when I know them and understand them...I will have
> achieved the education I need right now ..hihi
>
> Time...ahhh...THE issue.
> Well gents..I ain't got much time.
> Matter of fact, as I was away from Ham radio for 40 years...I'm in a hurry
> making up for this lost time...so kindly excuse my unenlightened
> enthusiasm.
>
> Question please:  where does one find a selection of enclosures into which
> the chassis is placed?
> This subject is #2 in importance to me as I'm a avocational
> 'artist'...style,
> appearance, quality, ease...etc are important elements for me...the most
> important = Simple.
>
> Yes...simple and minimal.
>
> Guess I got my work cut out for me - huh?
>
> Regards,
> Steve
> ************************************
> Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
> construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/
> there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
>
>
> Retrieve reflector archived data via
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
>

From shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com  Thu Jan 12 17:26:12 2006
From: shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com (shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com)
Date: Thu Jan 12 17:30:31 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <20060112222612.3778BBA482A@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>

OK, I got a couple of BC-453B's, and I see the real nice IF
transformers. BUT... I also see some other stuff, like a nice dial and drive
and probably some other stuff I do not yet appreciate.

It's obvious I could use the BC-453B as a kind-of tunable IF but the
band (190-550kHz) may be less than ideal (a different command set
receiver higher up in the HF band might have been more appropriate there.)
Were there any HBR-themed receivers that recycled, say, the dial drive or
the dial drive and VFO from a BC-453B or other command receiver?

Wow, I haven't messed around with military surplus in this way for
a couple of decades now.  Lookin' forward to a lot of fun!

It's not like I need the VFO or dial from the BC-453B, as I've
accumulated some other nicish drives (big dial-string Millens and
National Velvet Verniers) over the years, but it'd be a shame
to waste everything else in the set. Just looking to find a use
for every part of the buffalo :-).

Tim.
From Hopperdhh at aol.com  Thu Jan 12 18:02:41 2006
From: Hopperdhh at aol.com (Hopperdhh@aol.com)
Date: Thu Jan 12 18:07:05 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <fd.235bed65.30f83a11@aol.com>

 
Tim,
 
There was an article in January, 1960, CQ Magazine about a 3 Band Command  
Receiver that used the BC-453 as a tunable IF.  Great article.  I  built the 
receiver when I was 16 way back in 1960.  I could barely read a  schematic in 
those days.  It was by far the finest receiver a novice could  ask for.  I used 
the 3.5 Mc octal crystal from the 3-4 Mc command  transmitter so the 80 M 
novice band came in from 200 to 250 Kc -- about 10 turns  of the dial!  Total cost: 
about $25!  Over the years I've built  about 5 of them all together.  I have 
one under construction as we  speak.  I don't seem to be in a hurry to finish 
it.  There  are just too many other projects.  Talk about stability!  You can 
pick  it up off the table and slam it down and the CW note doesn't change at  
all.  What is amazing is the quality of all the components used in those  
receivers.  I also have the one that covers the BC band.  At night  there is a 
station on every 10 Kc mark.  It hasn't been aligned since it  was new.
 
Command Sets forever!
 
73, Dan K9WEK
 
 
In a message dated 1/12/2006 5:27:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com writes:

OK, I  got a couple of BC-453B's, and I see the real nice IF
transformers. BUT...  I also see some other stuff, like a nice dial and drive
and probably some  other stuff I do not yet appreciate.

It's obvious I could use the  BC-453B as a kind-of tunable IF but the
band (190-550kHz) may be less than  ideal (a different command set
receiver higher up in the HF band might have  been more appropriate there.)
Were there any HBR-themed receivers that  recycled, say, the dial drive or
the dial drive and VFO from a BC-453B or  other command receiver?

Wow, I haven't messed around with military  surplus in this way for
a couple of decades now.  Lookin' forward to a  lot of fun!

It's not like I need the VFO or dial from the BC-453B, as  I've
accumulated some other nicish drives (big dial-string Millens  and
National Velvet Verniers) over the years, but it'd be a shame
to  waste everything else in the set. Just looking to find a use
for every part  of the buffalo  :-).

Tim.
************************************
Visit the HBR  Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and 
construction  notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ 
there is also a mirror (faster  response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/


Retrieve reflector archived  data via  
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr





From N2EY at aol.com  Fri Jan 13 22:03:40 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Fri Jan 13 22:08:11 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <28e.3f0f251.30f9c40c@aol.com>

In a message dated 1/12/06 6:03:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
Hopperdhh@aol.com writes:


> There was an article in January, 1960, CQ Magazine about a 3 Band Command  
> Receiver that used the BC-453 as a tunable IF.  

Is there a scan of this article available anywhere? Or a description of how 
it was done? (I'm presuming the three bands are 160, 80 and 40)

73 de Jim, N2EY
From waltah at earthlink.net  Sat Jan 14 07:10:34 2006
From: waltah at earthlink.net (Walter A. Hutchens)
Date: Sat Jan 14 07:26:44 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
In-Reply-To: <20060112222612.3778BBA482A@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>
Message-ID: <43C8A3EA.1534.66BD32@localhost>

Tim wonders ...
> OK, I got a couple of BC-453B's, and I see the real nice IF
> transformers. BUT... I also see some other stuff, like a nice dial and
> drive and probably some other stuff I do not yet appreciate.
> 
> It's obvious I could use the BC-453B as a kind-of tunable IF but the
> band (190-550kHz) may be less than ideal (a different command set
> receiver higher up in the HF band might have been more appropriate there.)

This is one of the great design questions of the 'old technology' receiver 
game.  

The tuning capacitors are outstanding.   Stable, solid, smooth tuning, no 
backlash.  Disadvantages: You have to deal with a dial covering ~330 
degrees to use the full swing of the cap and the knob shaft interferes with 
the space for the dial.   If you recalibrate the orginal dial it works fine but 
you've got a single band.   If you put a pointer on in place of the dial disk 
you can do multiple bands but the inner bands get cramped.

The BC-453 cap is very high capacitance.   Better matches to tuning the 
RF/mixer section of the usual HF ham receiver are the BC-454 or 455 caps, 
the latter especially if tuning a narrow range like 200 or 250 kcs.   You can 
use series caps to make adjustments but may wind up with a very non-linear 
scale with the -454 cap.   I used a BC-455 cap for my HBR-type design.

At least two other approaches would work:  

1.  Use BC-453 receiver (or transplant the converter/IF stages) as a tunable 
IF.    You'd have to put two stages of conversion ahead of that, because 190 
kcs is definitely not a high enough IF to avoid images.   For example you 
might use a BC-455 cap in the front end, converting to a broadband IF 
roughly 2650 kcs-3010 kcs based on 2830 kcs IFTs from the BC 455, then 
use an osc. fix tuned at 3200 kcs to convert that to 550 kcs-190 kcs for the 
tunable IF.   

2.  Use a BC-455 cap with padding to tune a 250 or 500 kcs range -- maybe 
3500-4000 kcs -- and use a crystal controlled converter ahead of that.   
Use either 1415 kcs or 2830 kcs IFTs with either a crystal filter -- you'd 
have to order those crystals at ~$25 each -- or a second conversion, which 
is the HBR design.

You can't go with just the 1415/2830 IFTs unless you're willing to accept a 
very wide bandwidth.   

There are two other IFs in the command series, one used in the BC-946 
which tunes the broadcast band; those are 239 kcs and might be 
satisfactory in a double conversion design if you want to do mainly AM.   Or 
you could use the BC-946 converter/IF with a crystal controlled front end;  
since the -946 covers a 1 mcs range this would be a good start for a general 
coverage receiver, although image rejection would be a bit 'soft' at the 550 
kcs end of the range.   You might modify the -946 front end to cover 1-2 
Mcs -- that would work a lot better, image wise.  

The -946 was much prized as a broadcast band tuner for use with a high fi 
and they weren't as common as the other sets.   However you might find a 
junker with the parts you need.

The Navy used a receiver covering 1.5-3 Mcs; I don't recall the number.  
That IF was 705 kcs I think but I can't see a particularly good use for it 
and these receivers are pretty uncommon compared to the others.

Multiple conversion designs need a lot more than this sort of back-of-the-
envelope thinking.  Like, does one of your oscillators show up right in the 
middle of one (or every!) band?   

The IF transformers are good quality although not designed for high 
ultimate rejection or great skirts.   The BC-453 units have excellent 
selectivity -- four of them will get you down around 2 kcs BW.   However, 
they're 85 kcs, meaning that your receiver needs to be double or possibly 
triple conversion.  

They are a natural fit to the HBR series since those are double conversion 
to start with.   My HBR-type used BC-454 IFTs (originally 1415 kcs) retuned 
to 1665 kcs with a 1750 kcs crystal for the second oscillator to match the 
85 kcs '453 units.   That design works fine.   

Getting your selectivity at 85 kcs forces you to a double conversion design 
because you have to have enough selectivity ahead of this IF to get rid of 
the image which is only 170 kcs away.   You'll have image trouble even on 80 
with such a low IF unless something else is used ahead of it.   

I have retuned the command receiver BFO coils for the second converter 
job, but they're not terribly stable so they're less than ideal.  

Other useful parts -- the 3H filter choke is adequate for any small receiver 
design but either have spares or check carefully before drilling any holes 
as some of them have suffered from moisture over the years.   The output 
transformer is useful only if you either run headphones or use another 
matching transformer to get to a loudspeaker impedence.   The little antenna 
trimmer caps (~15 mmf I think) are fine for uses like that -- I used one for 
the calibrator cap on my HBR-type and a BC-453 trimmer (higher 
capacitance) for an antenna trimmer on that set.

The command series equipment has several different kinds of knobs that 
can be used.   I use the antenna terminals; if your panel is thicker than a 
command receiver you can use a command TX antenna terminal -- it has a 
longer shank.   You have to run a 4-40 die down the shank to thread the rest 
of it.  

Toss the paper caps in cans.   Many (the majority?) are defective.   Some 
will test okay but fail within a few hours.   The ARC type 12 sets that were 
Aircraft Radio Corp's follow on product for the civil aviation market after 
the war use a very similar design, however, and I've never seen one of those 
caps with a problem.   

If you enjoy activities like beating your finger with a small rock, you can 
even use the plug-in front end coil assemblies.   My HBR-type (with the -455 
tuning cap) takes coil sets through the front panel right below the chassis 
level.    This is NOT a very practical design; the metalwork has to be fairly 
precise and mechanically sturdy if it is to be satisfactory.  Getting good 
performance requires higher-Q coils than the command coils on the higher 
bands so you have to put toroids in those cans and you have to precisely trim 
each coil by cut and try.  

The result works well -- probably better than the W6TC design in that you 
change only one coil assembly instead of three individual coils for band 
changes and because the coils are under the chassis and get some 
ventilation through the gap in the front panel, there's less drift.   But the 
purpose of the W6TC design was a sound BUILDABLE receiver that would 
be a good performer by the standards of the day; my HRO-like adaptation 
gives up a lot of 'buildability.'   

I use the 3-48 machine screws EVERYWHERE.  You have to come up with the 
corresponding nuts and/or a 3-48 tap but the 'net makes that easy.

I have a pretty complete set of command receiver metalwork saved to 
provide drilling templates for the parts.

Walt
KJ4KV





From N2EY at aol.com  Sat Jan 14 08:57:10 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Sat Jan 14 09:01:56 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <1c7.3896a076.30fa5d36@aol.com>

In a message dated 1/12/06 5:27:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com writes:


> OK, I got a couple of BC-453B's, and I see the real nice IF
> transformers. BUT... I also see some other stuff, like a nice dial and drive
> and probably some other stuff I do not yet appreciate.

Nice audio transformer, small filter choke, sockets, and a few other goodies.

The carbon resistors, in my experience, are really good ones as such 
resistors go. The paper caps in metal cans along the sides vary from 
still-good-after-60+-years to dead shorted. But they're easy to deal with.

> 
> It's obvious I could use the BC-453B as a kind-of tunable IF but the
> band (190-550kHz) may be less than ideal (a different command set
> receiver higher up in the HF band might have been more appropriate there.)

Not really.

The higher-band ARC-5s have higher IFs, and aren't as selective as the 
BC-453. They also cover more kc., so the tuning rate is faster and the dial more 
crowded. 

They're also less common until you get to the 3-6 Mc. version.

You *can* use a 3-6 Mc. rx as the basis for a ham rx - I've done it. The 
problem is the tuning rate is 100 kc per turn of the knob, there's one dial mark 
per 100 kc., and the selectivity is wider than you need for AM due to the 1415 
kc. IF. Such an rx can be improved by making an IF stage regenerative and 
swapping the tuning cap with one from a 6-9 Mc. rx, but that's a bit of work and 
the results aren't like the BC-453.

Most of all, if you want more than one ham band with an ARC-5, you need to 
build a converter anyway. 

> Were there any HBR-themed receivers that recycled, say, the dial drive or
> the dial drive and VFO from a BC-453B or other command receiver?
> 

Not that I know of, but it could be done. Best candidate is the cap from a 
BC-455 (6-9 Mc version). The others have too much C and the wrong plate shape.


> Wow, I haven't messed around with military surplus in this way for
> a couple of decades now.  Lookin' forward to a lot of fun!
> 
> It's not like I need the VFO or dial from the BC-453B, as I've
> accumulated some other nicish drives (big dial-string Millens and
> National Velvet Verniers) over the years, but it'd be a shame
> to waste everything else in the set. Just looking to find a use
> for every part of the buffalo :-).
> 

I prefer the dial drives/capacitors from the ARC-5 transmitters and the 
BC-221 freqmeters. Much better than anything made for the civilian market, and 
easier to use.

73 de Jim, N2EY





From N2EY at aol.com  Sat Jan 14 12:31:43 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Sat Jan 14 12:36:27 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <2cc.1a510b0.30fa8f7f@aol.com>

In a message dated 1/14/06 7:22:42 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
waltah@earthlink.net writes:


> Tim wonders ...
> 
> 
> The tuning capacitors are outstanding.   Stable, solid, smooth tuning, no 
> backlash.  Disadvantages: You have to deal with a dial covering ~330 
> degrees to use the full swing of the cap and the knob shaft interferes with 
> the space for the dial. 

At least one design I saw solved that problem by mounting the cap behind the 
panel on spacers, and put a large pulley on the dial gear. The pulley drove a 
dialcord to move a pointer on a slide-rule type dial.


  If you recalibrate the orginal dial it works fine but 
> 
> you've got a single band.   If you put a pointer on in place of the dial 
> disk 
> you can do multiple bands but the inner bands get cramped.
> 

If you do the tunable-IF thing, you only need one calibration.



> At least two other approaches would work:  
> 
> 1.  Use BC-453 receiver (or transplant the converter/IF stages) as a tunable 
> 
> IF.    You'd have to put two stages of conversion ahead of that, because 190 
> 
> kcs is definitely not a high enough IF to avoid images.  

I have found that with two tuned circuits at the signal frequency, images are 
not a problem on 80 and 40 meters. The trick is to use the 550 end of the 
dial more than the 190 end.

For example, to work 80 CW I use a crystal at 4050 kc. 3500 is at 550 and 
3750 is at 300. For 75 'phone, a crystal at 4300 puts 3750 at 550 and 4000 at 
300.

Since you need two xtals to cover 80 meters anyway, might as well get ones 
that do the job best.

For 40 I use a 7550 xtal, which favors CW over 'phone. A 'phone op might go 
for a 6750 xtal. 

Or have a bunch of them - with the right oscillator circuit, all you do is 
switch xtals.


 For example you 
> 
> might use a BC-455 cap in the front end, converting to a broadband IF 
> roughly 2650 kcs-3010 kcs based on 2830 kcs IFTs from the BC 455, then 
> use an osc. fix tuned at 3200 kcs to convert that to 550 kcs-190 kcs for the 
> 
> tunable IF.   
> 

W2PPL described a receiver based on the '453 which did something like this. A 
lot of stages, though.


> 2.  Use a BC-455 cap with padding to tune a 250 or 500 kcs range -- maybe 
> 3500-4000 kcs -- and use a crystal controlled converter ahead of that.   
> Use either 1415 kcs or 2830 kcs IFTs with either a crystal filter -- you'd 
> have to order those crystals at ~$25 each -- or a second conversion, which 
> is the HBR design.
> 

There are xtal filters out there with a center frequency of 1400 kc - I think 
they were made for RACAL receivers. I use two of them in the Type 7. They 
show up on that auction place at reasonable prices from time to time - they're 
gray rectangular boxes. Input and output Z is 2000 ohms. I won't tell what I 
paid for mine at Gaithersburg back in 1989....

The most common are 500 Hz but other BWs exist. They work with 1415 
transformes.

But if you're going to build a custom 3.5-4 Mc. front end around the BC-455 
cap, why not go all the way and use a conventional IF like 455 kc? Doesn't have 
to be dead-on 455 - most IFTs will go 500-430 or so, and you can always add 
C. There are still "a few" FT-241A xtals out there.....

> 
> There are two other IFs in the command series, one used in the BC-946 
> which tunes the broadcast band; those are 239 kcs and might be 
> satisfactory in a double conversion design if you want to do mainly AM.  

And can deal with BC station feed-through!


 Or 
> 
> you could use the BC-946 converter/IF with a crystal controlled front end;  
> since the -946 covers a 1 mcs range this would be a good start for a general 
> 
> coverage receiver, although image rejection would be a bit 'soft' at the 550 
> 
> kcs end of the range.   You might modify the -946 front end to cover 1-2 
> Mcs -- that would work a lot better, image wise.  

Trouble is, a -946 is going to be premium priced, and they're rare enough 
that it's kinda sad to tear one up.


> 
> The -946 was much prized as a broadcast band tuner for use with a high fi 
> and they weren't as common as the other sets.   However you might find a 
> junker with the parts you need.

Even junkers are prized.


> 
> The Navy used a receiver covering 1.5-3 Mcs; I don't recall the number.  
> That IF was 705 kcs I think but I can't see a particularly good use for it 
> and these receivers are pretty uncommon compared to the others.
> 

Same deal as a 946.


> The IF transformers are good quality although not designed for high 
> ultimate rejection or great skirts.   The BC-453 units have excellent 
> selectivity -- four of them will get you down around 2 kcs BW.   However, 
> they're 85 kcs, meaning that your receiver needs to be double or possibly 
> triple conversion.  
> 
> They are a natural fit to the HBR series since those are double conversion 
> to start with.   My HBR-type used BC-454 IFTs (originally 1415 kcs) retuned 
> to 1665 kcs with a 1750 kcs crystal for the second oscillator to match the 
> 85 kcs '453 units.   That design works fine.   
> 

Also puts a harmonic of the 1750 at the low end of each band.
> The output 
> transformer is useful only if you either run headphones or use another 
> matching transformer to get to a loudspeaker impedence.  

I would not try to run that much audio through them.

Those little audios have lots of uses. The primary is about 20,000 ohms and 
the secondary is 4000 ohms, which makes them useful for interstage audio and 
such. Transformers from a "B" model have a tap at about 300-600 ohms, making 
them very useful to drive LC audio filters. (If your audio trans has Terminal 6, 
it's a B model)

Many of my homebrew receivers use an Arc-5 audio output trans. The B tap 
feeds an external LC audio filter, and then to either headphones or an external 
"speaker driver" amplifier. Moving the LC audio filter and last audio stage out 
of the rx eliminates a lot of heat, space, and also permits using them with 
multiple receivers. 
> 
> Toss the paper caps in cans.   

Or open them up, clean out the insides, and refill with modern caps. Saves 
you from having to work in the cramped quarters of the ARC-5. Plus you can set 
up an assembly line and repack a bunch of them at once.
>  But the 
> purpose of the W6TC design was a sound BUILDABLE receiver that would 
> be a good performer by the standards of the day; my HRO-like adaptation 
> gives up a lot of 'buildability.'   

Excellent points - TC was going for "reproducibility", I think. Making an 
exact copy was very possible in those days. It can still be done *if* you can 
find the parts.

I think the main point of the W6TC designs was to produce a receiver that 
could be made from all-new parts that were available back then (late 1950s - 
early 1960s) direct from catalogs and mail-order. I recall a picture story in QST 
showing the various stages of construction of one ham's HBR-16. He simply made 
up a parts list, ordered everything on it from a mail-order house, and then 
built the thing. You see it go from a pile of parts to a drilled chassis and 
panel to the finished rx. 

Today we face the challenge of building with what we have or can get easily. 
A very different game!

One thing I find amazing is that the whole series - HBR-14, HBR-16, HBR-8/11 
- were designed, built, written up, etc., over a period of only a few (5?) 
years. IIRC, you could get notes, templates and photos from TC for a nominal sum 
that probably just covered his cost of duplication.

Imagine!

73 de Jim, N2EY


From shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com  Sat Jan 14 13:25:55 2006
From: shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com (shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com)
Date: Sat Jan 14 13:30:36 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
In-Reply-To: <43C8A3EA.1534.66BD32@localhost>
References: <43C8A3EA.1534.66BD32@localhost>
Message-ID: <20060114182555.4ED0FBA4834@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>

A big thanks to all for hints on BC-453 and like usability as tunable
IF and parts sources!

Especially Walt (KJ4KV) and Jim (N2EY). Not that the other comments
weren't useful too, but their writing was right-on-track for what
I was thinking about doing in the HBR context, as well as putting
other parts to use!

The chassis for my HBR-16-somewhat-alike has been ordered,
I've already made a little box housing a VFO coupled to my big
Millen dial, and I've hooked up the 85kHz transformers to a sweep
generator in preparation of getting everything lined up. Realistically
I won't have a chunk of spare time to get everything done until this
summer at the earliest (and there are other neglected projects like
the R-390A yellow striper from the bottom of Fair Radio's pile) but
the journey will be fun, I'm sure!

Tim.
From Hopperdhh at aol.com  Sat Jan 14 14:25:33 2006
From: Hopperdhh at aol.com (Hopperdhh@aol.com)
Date: Sat Jan 14 14:30:11 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <20d.10e24130.30faaa2d@aol.com>

 
To those with a BC-453 receiver gathering dust:
I have scanned the article and sent it to Jim.  I don't have a web  site, so 
if any others would like a copy of the article "3 Band Command  Receiver" (80, 
40 and 20 M) let me know,and I'll send it once to the entire  list.  (1 meg 
.pdf file -- dial up connection!)  Although its not HBR  like the W6TC 
receiver, it is a decent receiver on 80 and 40, and a relatively  easy project which 
won't deplete the junk box completely.
73, Dan K9WEK
 
 
In a message dated 1/13/2006 10:03:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
N2EY@aol.com writes:

In a  message dated 1/12/06 6:03:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
Hopperdhh@aol.com  writes:


> There was an article in January, 1960, CQ Magazine  about a 3 Band Command  
> Receiver that used the BC-453 as a  tunable IF.  

Is there a scan of this article available anywhere?  Or a description of how 
it was done? (I'm presuming the three bands are  160, 80 and 40)

73 de Jim,  N2EY
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web  Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and 
construction notes...... via  http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ 
there is also a mirror (faster response)at  http://k5bcq.edebris.com/


Retrieve reflector archived data via  
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr





From shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com  Sun Jan 15 08:25:48 2006
From: shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com (shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com)
Date: Sun Jan 15 08:30:27 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
In-Reply-To: <20d.10e24130.30faaa2d@aol.com>
References: <20d.10e24130.30faaa2d@aol.com>
Message-ID: <20060115132548.9050A84801A@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>

Dan wrote:
> To those with a BC-453 receiver gathering dust:
> I have scanned the article and sent it to Jim.  I don't have a web  site, so 
> if any others would like a copy of the article "3 Band Command  Receiver" (80, 
> 40 and 20 M) let me know,and I'll send it once to the entire  list.  (1 meg 
> .pdf file -- dial up connection!)  Although its not HBR  like the W6TC 
> receiver, it is a decent receiver on 80 and 40, and a relatively  easy project which 
> won't deplete the junk box completely.

I've taken Dan's scan and put it on the web at

  http://www.trailing-edge.com/~shoppa/3BandRX.pdf

Thanks Dan!

Tim.
From gswynar at durham.net  Sun Jan 15 08:28:35 2006
From: gswynar at durham.net (Ed Swynar)
Date: Sun Jan 15 08:33:35 2006
Subject: [HBR] WANTED: Crystal
Message-ID: <001301c619d7$9a81d1e0$c0305a45@CompaqS5000>

Good Morning All,

Many thanks for your taking the time to read this...

I'm currently collecting the parts needed to build the "T-9'er" hybrid CW transmitter, which was featured in the October 1971 (pp. 15-21) issue of QST magazine (see also the 1975 edition of the ARRL HANDBOOK). Mine will be strictly a mono-band 160-meter version, however, and I hope to incorporate flexibility into mine, such that it might readily use either 6146's (per the original write-up), OR 807's...

Anyway, the design uses a heterodyning scheme, i.e. a 5-MHz VFO mixing with a 7.0-MHz crystal, to produce output on Topband --- and here's where I need the help: does anyone reading this have a 7.000-MHz crystal (EXACTLY 7.000-MHz) stashed away & now long-forgotten in ye olde junque boxxe, that is currently collecting dust...? The case/holder type is of no particular consequence.

If so, what might you want for it in terms of either $$$, or trading fodder...?

Please advise, with my thanks in advance...!

~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
From waltah at earthlink.net  Mon Jan 16 07:17:40 2006
From: waltah at earthlink.net (Walter A. Hutchens)
Date: Mon Jan 16 07:21:38 2006
Subject: [HBR] G2DAF Receiver coils
In-Reply-To: <001301c619d7$9a81d1e0$c0305a45@CompaqS5000>
Message-ID: <43CB4894.23568.6FB918@localhost>

... are still being posted on eBay.

The latest auction is at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5854928750&
ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1

These are for the Mk 1 only -- either cascode front end, or 6BZ6 -- not the 
Mk 2 with the push-pull circuit.   

Evidently quite a few chaps are serious about building this receiver because 
there've been several coil sets auctioned (seller took some time off at the 
holidays) but the last selling price was about $90.  

This is a fine design, easily the equal of the best commercial ham sets of the 
time and I think it would beat them all if you substituted a 6EH7 RF stage.   
Weaknesses: I'm not convinced it's capable of the warm-up stability the 
author claims as the LO is undistinguished and operates at 5 Mcs.   A push-
pull front end (as in the Mk 2) would handle large signals better.   A single 
conversion design would be better for large signal handling.

The only competitor I'm aware of is the W5OMZ receiver: single conversion 
(premixed) using a 7360 beam tube mixer.   But he stuck a 6AZ8 sharp-cut 
off pentode ahead of it!   Also the use of a single pentode premixer and a 
so-so mixing scheme gave him some spurs in every band.   

He used miniductor for the front end coils on the lower bands; that would 
partially make up for the poor choice of an RF stage by reducing the off-
channel signal strength.   Toroids would be even a bit better.

This one has much cleverness but also several weaknesses like that RF stage: 
Yes, it worked but performance was unnecessarily compromised.

I keep trying to combine the best of all the designs but I also keep making 
innovative serious design mistakes.   Maybe someday ...
 
The G2DAF Mk 2 used a less-than-unity-gain RF stage in order to have a 
place to apply AGC.  It's perfectly possible to apply AGC to a push-pull 
mixer.   Using toroids you can get tolerable off-band rejection with a single 
coil.   Presto!  No RF stage required, no front end tracking, accurate 
balance (for rejection of IF feedthrough) becomes easier to achieve.

These ideas are working fine in a seven tube (1 rectifier) 'transformerless' 
80-40 band imaging receiver.   It's an excellent performer, with the only 
problems being just a tiny bit of hum (really not noticible, but annoying!) 
and I haven't yet been able to balance the oscillator injection to reduce the 
spur from MY conversion scheme.

Walt
KJ4KV
From N2EY at aol.com  Mon Jan 16 07:35:48 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Mon Jan 16 07:40:46 2006
Subject: [HBR] BC-453, other than IF transformers
Message-ID: <205.10961bb2.30fced24@aol.com>

In a message dated 1/14/06 2:26:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
Hopperdhh@aol.com writes:


> I have scanned the article and sent it to Jim.  

I want to thank Dan again for that scan, and also Tim for putting it on his 
site. I thought I'd seen all of the BC-453-and-converter articles, but that 
three-bander is new to me.

What's different about it is that rather than use a bunch of small chassis 
for various components, it puts them all on one rather-large chassis so you have 
a complete 80/40/20 receiver in one piece. Yet the project isn't nearly so 
massive as W2PPL's conversions in QST.

There are some things in the article that I'd do differently, such as 
connections to the '453 and some details in the audio and converter. I'm sure all of 
us could find something to change. Point is, it's a great starting point, and 
if you use a decent-sized chassis there's plenty of room to experiment and try 
out ideas. And the result will be a receiver that is a good "standard of 
comparison" for other projects. 

If you have or can get a BC-453 in decent condition, take a look at the 
article before hacking it up for the parts.  

73 de Jim, N2EY
From N2EY at aol.com  Mon Jan 16 21:15:06 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Mon Jan 16 21:20:42 2006
Subject: [HBR] Xtal Filter on That Auction Place
Message-ID: <86.3689e6b0.30fdad2a@aol.com>

Folks,

Here's a filter someone may find useful:

item 5855296886 (alpha crystal filter)

This is the filter I built the Type 7 around. Center frequency 1400 kc., bw 
500 cycles at 3 dB, 8 poles. Apparently meant of RACAL receivers - I didn't 
know that when I got mine back in 1989. 

Could probably be used in a BC-454 with just a little retuning. 

(insert standard "no connection with seller" disclaimer HERE)
    
73 de Jim, N2EY
From future212 at comcast.net  Sat Jan 21 23:36:14 2006
From: future212 at comcast.net (DW Holtman)
Date: Sat Jan 21 23:42:16 2006
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
Message-ID: <43D30BBE.6090509@comcast.net>

Hello,

I have a question that I hope that someone can help me with.  I'm 
looking to build a Product Detector for a R-390A receiver. The R-390A 
has a BNC connector on the back with the If of 455 KHZ coming out. What 
I want to do is build a quality detector in a chassis that will mount in 
a standard 19 inch rack. The mechanics I can handle. What I'm looking 
for specifically is

1.  Tube gear.
2. Built in AGC circuit, with at least 2 time constants, ie; fast and 
slow as well as MGC using manual RF attenuation (pot).
3. At least 2 maybe as much as 4 If stages for better selectivity.
4. Don't know yet is it is better to use cans or crystal/mechanical filters.
5. Don't need a high power audio amp, will feed audio back onto the 
R-390A and use the onboard audio amp.

What I'm looking for is a construction project from an old ARRL handbook 
or QST article for a quality receiver. I will only use the If strip and 
the detector and low power audio amp. If anyone has any suggestions on 
what year handbook/'QST might have something promising, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any information.

73's
DW Holtman
WB7SSN




From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Sun Jan 22 11:51:54 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Sun Jan 22 11:57:52 2006
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
In-Reply-To: <43D30BBE.6090509@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <000301c61f74$26849b90$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi DW in nearby Utah, in commenting I may be mentioning things you already
know but I just want to clarify how I think about it.  With the 390a,
there's quite good selectivity coming out the i.f. BNC connector so you
don't have to improve on that with an external i.f. unless you're talking
about selectivity below the 1 khz mechanical filer, say for cw,  where
perhaps you might use a narrow crystal lattice filter  The 390a already has
the mechanical filters operating for the signal coming out the i.f.
connector, and a single xtal filter for single-signal cw.   All you need is
the product detector/bfo,  the agc circuit and perhaps an audio stage to
adjust the level before feeding it back into the diode load connection on
the back of the receiver.  I built all this for a 390a/390 with solid state
components but the same could be done with tubes,  probably the HBR circuits
with 6BH6 bfo/6BY6 PD  could be used (change freq to 455 khz) with a small
power supply to accompany.   I think these schematics are on the HBR site.
But maybe the most serious consideration is the agc circuit itself which has
to put out a voltage to be fed to the agc bus of the 390a, on the back also.
The solid state version I built (not my design) does this and improves on
the built-in agc of the 390 for ssb.  It needs to provide a negative voltage
up to about -20 volts or so for strong signals  I don't know that I've seen
a tube design for that in an external unit,  but maybe my memory is not that
good. I'll take another look through the early 390a mod articles that I have
and might find something.  Some builders tend to ignore the agc aspect,  or
try to fix the 390 internal agc.   best regards,  Dan (WA)   

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of DW Holtman
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 8:36 PM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector

Hello,

I have a question that I hope that someone can help me with.  I'm looking to
build a Product Detector for a R-390A receiver. The R-390A has a BNC
connector on the back with the If of 455 KHZ coming out. What I want to do
is build a quality detector in a chassis that will mount in a standard 19
inch rack. The mechanics I can handle. What I'm looking for specifically is

1.  Tube gear.
2. Built in AGC circuit, with at least 2 time constants, ie; fast and slow
as well as MGC using manual RF attenuation (pot).
3. At least 2 maybe as much as 4 If stages for better selectivity.
4. Don't know yet is it is better to use cans or crystal/mechanical filters.
5. Don't need a high power audio amp, will feed audio back onto the R-390A
and use the onboard audio amp.

What I'm looking for is a construction project from an old ARRL handbook or
QST article for a quality receiver. I will only use the If strip and the
detector and low power audio amp. If anyone has any suggestions on what year
handbook/'QST might have something promising, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any information.

73's
DW Holtman
WB7SSN




************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From windy10605 at juno.com  Mon Jan 23 20:33:20 2006
From: windy10605 at juno.com (windy10605@juno.com)
Date: Mon Jan 23 20:41:45 2006
Subject: [HBR] HBR new members
Message-ID: <20060123.193320.3320.0.windy10605@juno.com>

We've had a burst of activity with people signing up. Let me welcome the
new members to the HBR reflector. We're now at 152 people ....quite 
surprise for basically one tube receiver design from the early 60s. It
certainly made an impression on me when the articles came out in QST.

73 Kees K5BCQ
From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Tue Jan 24 00:06:44 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Tue Jan 24 00:12:47 2006
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
In-Reply-To: <43D30BBE.6090509@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <000601c620a3$f8b18760$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi again,  I looked thru my pile of 390a mod's,  past articles,  etc and
found no tubed external PD projects, or circuits for the agc in an external
unit.  I did find Lee's original article on the internal PD mod using the
bfo socket for a 6BE6 PD but you are probably familiar with that.  If you
use the HBR circuitry,  you might want to consider a version of agc used in
the 67/68 17th edition Radio Handbook Deluxe HBR Receiver,  which is more
elaborate than the "standard" HBR circuit.  I have no experience with it so
can't vouch for it... Just a thought.  It's a hang circuit designed for
ssb/cw with fast attack and selectable release,  uses 3-triode 6BC7 and
12au7,  best regards,  Dan.   

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of DW Holtman
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 8:36 PM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector

Hello,

I have a question that I hope that someone can help me with.  I'm looking to
build a Product Detector for a R-390A receiver. The R-390A has a BNC
connector on the back with the If of 455 KHZ coming out. What I want to do
is build a quality detector in a chassis that will mount in a standard 19
inch rack. The mechanics I can handle. What I'm looking for specifically is

1.  Tube gear.
2. Built in AGC circuit, with at least 2 time constants, ie; fast and slow
as well as MGC using manual RF attenuation (pot).
3. At least 2 maybe as much as 4 If stages for better selectivity.
4. Don't know yet is it is better to use cans or crystal/mechanical filters.
5. Don't need a high power audio amp, will feed audio back onto the R-390A
and use the onboard audio amp.

What I'm looking for is a construction project from an old ARRL handbook or
QST article for a quality receiver. I will only use the If strip and the
detector and low power audio amp. If anyone has any suggestions on what year
handbook/'QST might have something promising, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any information.

73's
DW Holtman
WB7SSN




************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Tue Jan 24 07:05:09 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Tue Jan 24 07:11:30 2006
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
In-Reply-To: <43D30BBE.6090509@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <000301c620de$6c9b6670$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi, my oversight.  The hang agc circuit is also in the Jan 1963 QST article
on the HBR "Added Versaltility for the HBR 16" which is probably an easier
article to find on the HBR site,  Dan. 

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of DW Holtman
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 8:36 PM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector

Hello,

I have a question that I hope that someone can help me with.  I'm looking to
build a Product Detector for a R-390A receiver. The R-390A has a BNC
connector on the back with the If of 455 KHZ coming out. What I want to do
is build a quality detector in a chassis that will mount in a standard 19
inch rack. The mechanics I can handle. What I'm looking for specifically is

1.  Tube gear.
2. Built in AGC circuit, with at least 2 time constants, ie; fast and slow
as well as MGC using manual RF attenuation (pot).
3. At least 2 maybe as much as 4 If stages for better selectivity.
4. Don't know yet is it is better to use cans or crystal/mechanical filters.
5. Don't need a high power audio amp, will feed audio back onto the R-390A
and use the onboard audio amp.

What I'm looking for is a construction project from an old ARRL handbook or
QST article for a quality receiver. I will only use the If strip and the
detector and low power audio amp. If anyone has any suggestions on what year
handbook/'QST might have something promising, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any information.

73's
DW Holtman
WB7SSN




************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Tue Jan 24 07:12:45 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Tue Jan 24 07:18:49 2006
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
In-Reply-To: <43D30BBE.6090509@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <000401c620df$7c56d8a0$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

DW,  see W7QBR Improved HBR-16 Receiver schematic page 1 on the HBR page for
the agc circuit I mentioned,  Dan. 

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of DW Holtman
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 8:36 PM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector

Hello,

I have a question that I hope that someone can help me with.  I'm looking to
build a Product Detector for a R-390A receiver. The R-390A has a BNC
connector on the back with the If of 455 KHZ coming out. What I want to do
is build a quality detector in a chassis that will mount in a standard 19
inch rack. The mechanics I can handle. What I'm looking for specifically is

1.  Tube gear.
2. Built in AGC circuit, with at least 2 time constants, ie; fast and slow
as well as MGC using manual RF attenuation (pot).
3. At least 2 maybe as much as 4 If stages for better selectivity.
4. Don't know yet is it is better to use cans or crystal/mechanical filters.
5. Don't need a high power audio amp, will feed audio back onto the R-390A
and use the onboard audio amp.

What I'm looking for is a construction project from an old ARRL handbook or
QST article for a quality receiver. I will only use the If strip and the
detector and low power audio amp. If anyone has any suggestions on what year
handbook/'QST might have something promising, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any information.

73's
DW Holtman
WB7SSN




************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From future212 at comcast.net  Tue Jan 24 08:30:12 2006
From: future212 at comcast.net (DW Holtman)
Date: Tue Jan 24 08:36:43 2006
Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
In-Reply-To: <000601c620a3$f8b18760$2f01a8c0@DansDell>
References: <000601c620a3$f8b18760$2f01a8c0@DansDell>
Message-ID: <43D62BE4.1060509@comcast.net>

Dan,

Thank you for taking the time to send me all of the very good 
information and ideas. The hang AGC circuit in the 67./68 handbook is 
something that I will take a close look at. I'm going to look on Ebay 
today and see if someone is selling the 67/68 handbook. Also check the 
local librarys, they carry several old handbooks, not sure about the 67/68.

I'm looked at Captain Lee  product detector, bought a Jan Skirrow, don't 
think much of it. What I think is really cool is the military converters 
such as the CV-591. I looked at the schematic for it and want to build 
something similar to it.

I'm looking for a 19 inch rack mount cabinet. I plan to mount My R-390A, 
R-392 etc in a rack. I would like to build a period Product Detector. I 
know that with time, I could find a military one on Ebay,  but would 
rather build one myself, now that I  have the time. I have enjoyed home 
brewing for quite a while.

Thanks Again,
73's
DW Holtman
WB7SSN


Dan Merz wrote:

>Hi again,  I looked thru my pile of 390a mod's,  past articles,  etc and
>found no tubed external PD projects, or circuits for the agc in an external
>unit.  I did find Lee's original article on the internal PD mod using the
>bfo socket for a 6BE6 PD but you are probably familiar with that.  If you
>use the HBR circuitry,  you might want to consider a version of agc used in
>the 67/68 17th edition Radio Handbook Deluxe HBR Receiver,  which is more
>elaborate than the "standard" HBR circuit.  I have no experience with it so
>can't vouch for it... Just a thought.  It's a hang circuit designed for
>ssb/cw with fast attack and selectable release,  uses 3-triode 6BC7 and
>12au7,  best regards,  Dan.   
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
>Behalf Of DW Holtman
>Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 8:36 PM
>To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [HBR] Product Detector
>
>Hello,
>
>I have a question that I hope that someone can help me with.  I'm looking to
>build a Product Detector for a R-390A receiver. The R-390A has a BNC
>connector on the back with the If of 455 KHZ coming out. What I want to do
>is build a quality detector in a chassis that will mount in a standard 19
>inch rack. The mechanics I can handle. What I'm looking for specifically is
>
>1.  Tube gear.
>2. Built in AGC circuit, with at least 2 time constants, ie; fast and slow
>as well as MGC using manual RF attenuation (pot).
>3. At least 2 maybe as much as 4 If stages for better selectivity.
>4. Don't know yet is it is better to use cans or crystal/mechanical filters.
>5. Don't need a high power audio amp, will feed audio back onto the R-390A
>and use the onboard audio amp.
>
>What I'm looking for is a construction project from an old ARRL handbook or
>QST article for a quality receiver. I will only use the If strip and the
>detector and low power audio amp. If anyone has any suggestions on what year
>handbook/'QST might have something promising, please let me know.
>
>Thank you in advance for any information.
>
>73's
>DW Holtman
>WB7SSN
>
>
>
>
>************************************
>Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
>construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
>mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
> 
>
>Retrieve reflector archived data via
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
>
>
>
>
>************************************
>Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and 
>construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ 
>there is also a mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
> 
>
>Retrieve reflector archived data via http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr
>
>
>
>  
>


From shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com  Wed Jan 25 19:25:49 2006
From: shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com (shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com)
Date: Wed Jan 25 19:32:15 2006
Subject: [HBR] OT: QST on CD-ROM from ARRL
Message-ID: <20060126002549.92C7CBA484E@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>

This is sort-of on topic because I'm mostly interested in 50's/60's
era QST's that would also have HBR-era projects in them, so I'm asking
here:

Has anyone bought the 5-years-of-QST-on-CD-ROM sets from the ARRL? Is
there any way of viewing it on Linux? Any way of printing schematics
etc. from the articles?

I'm tempted to be buy several of the sets, at which point I guess I could
buy a cheap low-end Windows-based CD just for reading them.  I'd
probably end up being interested in 40 years or so of 'em (1940 through
1980 roughly) at which point the PC would be cheaper than the CD's...

Are the schematics, pictures, and ads reproduced accurately enough on the
CD-ROM's for them to be usable?

Tim.
From richard.arland at verizon.net  Wed Jan 25 22:25:18 2006
From: richard.arland at verizon.net (Rich Arland)
Date: Wed Jan 25 22:31:53 2006
Subject: [HBR] HBR Reflector
References: <20060124090040.63BEE85A04B@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <016801c62228$227d21a0$6501a8c0@a>

Kees and everyoone:

I am one of the "newbies" and have long been interested in the Ted Crosby
series of receivers. I had a HBR-16 in college and somewhere in a PCS move
with the USAF it got "lost". Sure wish I had it today...complete with the
big Eddystone slide rule dial!!

I am now doing my homework to get together the parts for a HBR-8. IF I am
successful in obtaining the parts and building the receiver I will then move
on to the HBR-11.

I am looking forward to enjoying this list.

vy 73

Rich Arland, K7SZ



> We've had a burst of activity with people signing up. Let me welcome the
> new members to the HBR reflector. We're now at 152 people ....quite
> surprise for basically one tube receiver design from the early 60s. It
> certainly made an impression on me when the articles came out in QST.
>
> 73 Kees K5BCQ

From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Thu Jan 26 08:47:09 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Thu Jan 26 08:53:43 2006
Subject: [HBR] OT: QST on CD-ROM from ARRL
In-Reply-To: <20060126002549.92C7CBA484E@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>
Message-ID: <000001c6227f$0199b780$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi,  I have some of the early QST cd's,  1920's and earlier,  and they open
with  MS office viewer using XP on my machine (probably the default viewer
since I have MS Office on my machine).  I think they are tif files.  On my
Fedora Core linux machine,  they show up as tif files and when I went to
view one of the pages,  I'm asked to install GIMP,  which I think I have on
the installation disks but I haven't installed it to date.  I am reasonably
sure this will work since a tif file is pretty standard stuff.  Hope this
helps.  The quality of the files for printout is pretty good and being able
to see all the ads is pretty interesting and informative.  You can spend
lots of time perusing some of this old stuff. Out of curiousity,  I just
followed the menu for installing GIMP,  which was pretty trivial since I
think it was just configuring the files,  and viewing the pages now works
more or less as for XP,  with a folder showing thumbnails of each page of
the month being viewed, etc.  And the file opens in GIMP.  Best regards,
Dan.   

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:26 PM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] OT: QST on CD-ROM from ARRL

This is sort-of on topic because I'm mostly interested in 50's/60's era
QST's that would also have HBR-era projects in them, so I'm asking
here:

Has anyone bought the 5-years-of-QST-on-CD-ROM sets from the ARRL? Is there
any way of viewing it on Linux? Any way of printing schematics etc. from the
articles?

I'm tempted to be buy several of the sets, at which point I guess I could
buy a cheap low-end Windows-based CD just for reading them.  I'd probably
end up being interested in 40 years or so of 'em (1940 through 1980 roughly)
at which point the PC would be cheaper than the CD's...

Are the schematics, pictures, and ads reproduced accurately enough on the
CD-ROM's for them to be usable?

Tim.
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From Bill at LizCurtisHiggs.com  Thu Jan 26 09:17:03 2006
From: Bill at LizCurtisHiggs.com (Bill Higgs)
Date: Thu Jan 26 09:23:38 2006
Subject: [HBR] Re: QST on CD-ROM
Message-ID: <01c501c62283$2e070530$6400a8c0@BILLDESKTOP>

Tim,

I have the QST CD-ROMs from 1950-1964. Every page is a .tif file, which should be readable by any graphic program which will handle this format, including GIMP.

The schematics print fine and are quite usable, but do note that the scanning process makes most photos pretty much unreadable.

I think much later versions of the CD-ROMs (after QST went to electronic layout) used .pdf files, also readable by the corresponding LINUX program.

73,
Bill, NT4C
From djmerz at 3-cities.com  Thu Jan 26 09:24:35 2006
From: djmerz at 3-cities.com (Dan Merz)
Date: Thu Jan 26 09:31:07 2006
Subject: [HBR] OT: QST on CD-ROM from ARRL
In-Reply-To: <20060126002549.92C7CBA484E@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>
Message-ID: <000101c62284$3bb4cd10$2f01a8c0@DansDell>

Hi again,  I explored my linux machine a bit more for viewing the QST cd.
GIMP is probably not the most convenient way to view,  since it's a graphics
editor/paint program.  I'm not an experienced linux user so bear with me.  I
tried Evince Document Viewer,  which was part of my linux Fedora install,
and that presented a much more readable image without much effort,  very
similar in appearance to what I get on the xp machine.  There are probably
other bells and whistles for viewing with linux but the tif files on the QST
cd's I have work ok upon first trial.  My QST cd's are 8 to 10 years old;
I'm assuming the ARRL current distributions are the same file types and can
be viewed similarly but that might be a point worth looking into before
buying. ARRL should be able to tell you.   Dan. 

-----Original Message-----
From: hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net [mailto:hbr-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:26 PM
To: hbr@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBR] OT: QST on CD-ROM from ARRL

This is sort-of on topic because I'm mostly interested in 50's/60's era
QST's that would also have HBR-era projects in them, so I'm asking
here:

Has anyone bought the 5-years-of-QST-on-CD-ROM sets from the ARRL? Is there
any way of viewing it on Linux? Any way of printing schematics etc. from the
articles?

I'm tempted to be buy several of the sets, at which point I guess I could
buy a cheap low-end Windows-based CD just for reading them.  I'd probably
end up being interested in 40 years or so of 'em (1940 through 1980 roughly)
at which point the PC would be cheaper than the CD's...

Are the schematics, pictures, and ads reproduced accurately enough on the
CD-ROM's for them to be usable?

Tim.
************************************
Visit the HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and
construction notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ there is also a
mirror (faster response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/
 

Retrieve reflector archived data via
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr




From shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com  Sat Jan 28 07:26:18 2006
From: shoppa_hbr at trailing-edge.com (shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com)
Date: Sat Jan 28 07:33:09 2006
Subject: [HBR] Socket for BC-453 IF transformers?
Message-ID: <20060128122618.F3D7DBA485A@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>

The IF transformers in a BC-453 have 4 or 6 female pins on the bottom,
and they mate with chassis-mount plugs that have 4 or 6 male pins.

Is there an "obvious" way to find/fabricate new chassis mount plugs?

Off the top of my head I'm thinking about a PC board with 4 or 6 keystone
(or maybe even Molex) pins in a matching pattern.

The BC-453 chassis-mount plugs seem to be very securely mounted to
the chassis (somehow integrated to lips stamped in the sheet metal?
It doesn't look like there's a lot holding them in but there must be
a lot?) The material is semi-transparent and may even be mica? It's
a fabrication technique that I'm obviously not familiar with and if
anyone cares to educate me, I'll gladly listen!

The symmetry of the chassis sort of has me in a trance-like awe at
the moment. The beauty has me convinced that it's some piece of
alien technology - the 3x3 grid of plugs/sockets, the terminal strips
with resistors in a square rotated 45 degrees at the center, the
metal-can caps in a regular array around the edges, it's a masterpiece!

And all those 3-48 screws!

How many command sets were made? Any history of the plants that made them?

Tim.
From AAF-Radio-1 at cox.net  Sat Jan 28 08:09:20 2006
From: AAF-Radio-1 at cox.net (Mike Hanz)
Date: Sat Jan 28 08:16:28 2006
Subject: [HBR] Socket for BC-453 IF transformers?
In-Reply-To: <20060128122618.F3D7DBA485A@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>
References: <20060128122618.F3D7DBA485A@mini-me.trailing-edge.com>
Message-ID: <43DB6D00.3050800@cox.net>

shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com wrote:

>The IF transformers in a BC-453 have 4 or 6 female pins on the bottom,
>and they mate with chassis-mount plugs that have 4 or 6 male pins.
>Is there an "obvious" way to find/fabricate new chassis mount plugs?
>

Not in my experience.  The later postwar ARC equipment male connectors 
for the equipment use #2-56 nuts on the rear of the pins so you can 
dismantle those for use in the transformers, but you still need to come 
up with a mounting scheme for the pins, or simply solder wire into the 
holes (ugh.)  The postwar 85kHz transformers are solder types, so I 
guess it isn't so much that as the sacrilege... :-)

>Off the top of my head I'm thinking about a PC board with 4 or 6 keystone
>(or maybe even Molex) pins in a matching pattern.
>

Sounds like a good approach to me.

>The BC-453 chassis-mount plugs seem to be very securely mounted to
>the chassis (somehow integrated to lips stamped in the sheet metal?
>It doesn't look like there's a lot holding them in but there must be
>a lot?) The material is semi-transparent and may even be mica? It's
>a fabrication technique that I'm obviously not familiar with and if
>anyone cares to educate me, I'll gladly listen!
>

You're exactly right - mica set in an aluminum rim, and essentially a 
'riveting' of that rim into the chassis.  It is possible to get them out 
of a junker - the easiest way is to use tin snips to cut out the section 
of chassis one is on and then snip up to the edge of the rim and then 
complete the cut by pulling the chassis bit apart while trying to avoid 
distorting the mica and rim.  Some folks just leave a square chassis 
section attached and mount it on the main chassis.

>The symmetry of the chassis sort of has me in a trance-like awe at
>the moment. The beauty has me convinced that it's some piece of
>alien technology - the 3x3 grid of plugs/sockets, the terminal strips
>with resistors in a square rotated 45 degrees at the center, the
>metal-can caps in a regular array around the edges, it's a masterpiece!
>

Even more so when you consider the basic layout was established about 
1934.  You can see the 1937 Type K predecessor at 
http://aafradio.org/NASM/Hmmmm.html

>How many command sets were made? Any history of the plants that made them?
>

Gordon White covered a good bit of that in his CQ magazine Surplus 
Corner articles during the 1960s, and like any open ended question about 
a single complex picture, it all depends on how you want the answer.  
Several companies were ultimately involved, and the variations are 
complicated.  I think the beacon receivers like the BC-453 were the most 
numerous in the long run, in part because the radio range system  was so 
long lived.

73,
Mike de KC4TOS

From Hopperdhh at aol.com  Sat Jan 28 08:53:42 2006
From: Hopperdhh at aol.com (Hopperdhh@aol.com)
Date: Sat Jan 28 09:00:38 2006
Subject: [HBR] Socket for BC-453 IF transformers?
Message-ID: <237.5e7c83f.310cd166@aol.com>

 
Tim,
 
Here is how I think is the best way to use the BC-453 IF Transformers in a  
new project.  Open the cans by removing the 4 screws in from the sides of  the 
can to the base.  Run small (number 22 Teflon) wires into the  individual 
holes that the plugs went into but don't solder them to the  holes.  Solder the 
wires to the lugs inside the can.  Mount the cans  to the chassis by the 4 
vertical screws into the bottom of the cans.  This  way the cans could be returned 
to their original condition if it ever became  necessary.
 
Dan Hopper K9WEK
 
 
In a message dated 1/28/2006 7:26:38 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com writes:

The IF  transformers in a BC-453 have 4 or 6 female pins on the bottom,
and they  mate with chassis-mount plugs that have 4 or 6 male pins.

Is there an  "obvious" way to find/fabricate new chassis mount plugs?

Off the top of  my head I'm thinking about a PC board with 4 or 6 keystone
(or maybe even  Molex) pins in a matching pattern.

The BC-453 chassis-mount plugs seem  to be very securely mounted to
the chassis (somehow integrated to lips  stamped in the sheet metal?
It doesn't look like there's a lot holding them  in but there must be
a lot?) The material is semi-transparent and may even  be mica? It's
a fabrication technique that I'm obviously not familiar with  and if
anyone cares to educate me, I'll gladly listen!

The symmetry  of the chassis sort of has me in a trance-like awe at
the moment. The  beauty has me convinced that it's some piece of
alien technology - the 3x3  grid of plugs/sockets, the terminal strips
with resistors in a square  rotated 45 degrees at the center, the
metal-can caps in a regular array  around the edges, it's a masterpiece!

And all those 3-48  screws!

How many command sets were made? Any history of the plants that  made them?

Tim.
************************************
Visit the  HBR Receiver Web Site with over 100 pictures of receivers and 
construction  notes...... via http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ 
there is also a mirror (faster  response)at http://k5bcq.edebris.com/


Retrieve reflector archived  data via  
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr





From N2EY at aol.com  Sat Jan 28 11:17:49 2006
From: N2EY at aol.com (N2EY@aol.com)
Date: Sat Jan 28 11:24:57 2006
Subject: [HBR] Socket for BC-453 IF transformers?
Message-ID: <2c0.40eca61.310cf32d@aol.com>

In a message dated 1/28/06 7:27:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
shoppa_hbr@trailing-edge.com writes:


> The IF transformers in a BC-453 have 4 or 6 female pins on the bottom,
> and they mate with chassis-mount plugs that have 4 or 6 male pins.
> 
> Is there an "obvious" way to find/fabricate new chassis mount plugs?

K9WEK's method (add wires from the inside) is the best, IMHO. I use the 
following color code:

Red - B+
Blue - Plate
Green - Grid
Black -  Cold end of grid winding (ground or AVC line)

At least two wires from the IFT are going to tube pins anyway.

> 
> Off the top of my head I'm thinking about a PC board with 4 or 6 keystone
> (or maybe even Molex) pins in a matching pattern.
> 

The pins are small banana plugs. You're asking for work to fabricate them.


> The BC-453 chassis-mount plugs seem to be very securely mounted to
> the chassis (somehow integrated to lips stamped in the sheet metal?
> It doesn't look like there's a lot holding them in but there must be
> a lot?) The material is semi-transparent and may even be mica? It's
> a fabrication technique that I'm obviously not familiar with and if
> anyone cares to educate me, I'll gladly listen!

They're mica, held in crimp rings. Leave them alone.

*IF* you have a chopped-up receiver chassis, it is possible to cut out a 
piece of chassis that includes the plug and the threaded inserts to hold the 
mounting screws. 

I've done it. Lots of work even if you know what you're doing, and it's not 
really any better than K9WEK's method unless you change IFTs frequently. Worst 
of all, it hacks up an irreplaceable chassis unless you have one that is badly 
hacked up already.
> 
> The symmetry of the chassis sort of has me in a trance-like awe at
> the moment. The beauty has me convinced that it's some piece of
> alien technology - the 3x3 grid of plugs/sockets, the terminal strips
> with resistors in a square rotated 45 degrees at the center, the
> metal-can caps in a regular array around the edges, it's a masterpiece!

The Ancient Ones knew what they were doing, that's all. Anybody tells you 
that tubes are "primitive" just doesn't know.


> 
> And all those 3-48 screws!
> 

SAVE THEM!


> How many command sets were made? Any history of the plants that made them?
> 
> 

I don't know the plants or exact numbers, but something like a million were 
made. Many were destroyed in war or left behind as not worth bringing back.

Many that were surplussed wound up being hacked to pieces by hams for their 
parts, or for conversions, etc. That's why they're rare now.

The story is told around here of one surplus shop in the 1950s that would 
give away a free BC-453 with every purchase of $5 or more. They had stacks of 
'em. Many hams turned down the free '453 because they already had several...

(sigh)

73 de Jim, N2EY
From gswynar at durham.net  Sat Jan 28 14:41:19 2006
From: gswynar at durham.net (Ed Swynar)
Date: Sat Jan 28 14:48:37 2006
Subject: [HBR] 1929 Signals ON THE AIR! --- CORRECTION (Ooops!)
References: <00dd01c6242c$0a1a1400$b6305a45@CompaqS5000>
	<55c4690f9d125b5d382826ff94cd2ce7@mindspring.com>
Message-ID: <001301c62442$d3e32cc0$c7305a45@CompaqS5000>

Hi John,

You are so right --- my FAT FINGER SYNDROME continues to afflict me, I'm
afraid...!

To all reading, I stand corrected...and please see the CORRECT address
below, courtesy of KU4AF...

Many thanks, John!

~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ



----- Original Message -----
From: "John Marshall" <johnmars@mindspring.com>
To: "Ed Swynar" <gswynar@durham.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: GB> 1929 Signals ON THE AIR!


> Good stuff, Eddy, especially your Rollins Rocket!  I found the
> recordings OK from the AWA home page, but the URL you posted was
> missing an "s".  It should be
> http://www.antiquewireless.org/1929transmitters.htm.  Since you posted
> to some lists I don't subscribe to, I'll leave any correction to you.
>
> John, KU4AF
> Pittsboro, NC
>


