[HBR] Building an "IF strip" in a separate box

[Bill Cromwell]

Cal wrote:

Hello to all:

I am considering building the 1610 and 100 kcs IF strip into one single
"strip" type chassis.  In my past experience, I have seen something
similar
in some of the surface search radar and IFF equipment I have worked on
while
in the Navy aboard a frigate. I thought the concept was neat since one
could
simply change out the entire strip (and work on it later) while I spare
took
its place.  Has anyone done anythign similar with this in tube radio
building? Any possible drawbacks?  Thanks. Cal. N6KYR/4

Hi Cal,

You might do something like that to make the I.F. strip more accessible
for service like you did with those naval radars. Most of the receivers
I've had don't need that kind of access probably because they don't get
the abuse a naval radar might get. I do know that it works well for
radio experimenters for 'plug and play' modules in experiments and
testing. I am putting together some things like that but I don't want
them in my "final" radio. It will likely need more room forcing a bigger
radio and will be heavier, too. Sometimes my radios go to Field Day or
to other activities away from home. I also have bad dreams about a
modular radio spilling parts along the way to such places ala the
breadcrumbs in the children's story <laugh>.

It should be possible to thoroughly test the strip (and any other
"module") before final installation in the radio. As for losing pieces
along the way I like the plug-in coil approach and I might make "band
modules" instead of using bandswitching and there is a risk of losing
some of the pieces that way. You just have to recognize those things and
make your choice.

I think you should go for it! Let us know how it works out for you.

73,

Bill  KU8H