[Heathkit] Annoying VF-1 problem...another follow-up...problem solved!

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

First of all, since it looks like my last post to the reflector didn't 
make it (wrong address perhaps) many thanks to all of you who 
sent me such useful and practical suggestions. You are all a great 
bunch!

Secondly, I want to share with you what I did to the VF-1 to attempt 
to solve this problem which appeared from the first day I had this 
one. I bought it from a ham after advertising a request for one on 
another reflector. It was all original including knobs.

After I aligned it and checked the tubes, I attempted to use it, but 
immediately discovered the jumping and drifting back and forth, 
making it, as far as I was concerned, unusable for practical ham 
use.

So, I replaced ALL the fixed capacitors with new, good quality ones 
from Mouser, except the two small temperature compensating 
caps. Then I replaced all of the resistors with new ones. I replaced 
all the wimpy wire originally used in the frequency determining 
parts of the VFO with #12 THHN solid, carefully and exactly formed 
to fit with no stress or tension on the wires.

On advice from several of the group, I very carefully removed and 
cleaned all ground lugs and nuts and bolts, and cleaned all metal-
to-metal joints in the entire chassis. Then I used copious quantities 
of DeOxit 5 everywhere I thought it would do any good at all.

Lastly, I substituted 6AU6s and 0A2s from my stash thinking that 
perhaps I had a bad tube or one with loose elements.

After re-assembly and testing, the orginal problem had not changed 
at all, although now I could pound on the table beside it and it 
wouldn't change frequency at all.

So, although I was VERY suspicious of the two small temperature 
compensating caps, since they are very difficult to get to, 
necessitating disassembly, and since I don't know where to get any 
replacements anyway, I decided to eliminate any possibility that the 
problem was caused by the three 4.5 to 25 pfd NPO ceramic 
trimmers (one for each band).

I removed the 40 meter one and replaced it with two fixed mica 
caps.

Viola! Problem gone. Stable as a rock. No drift, no jumping. Rats!

Now, does anyone know where I could find some exact 
replacements? Although they could have a bit more maximum 
capacity, the physical shape for mounting is pretty important.

Fair Radio Sales has some small NPO ceramic trimmers of the 
correct value, but they don't mount anywhere near as solidly as the 
originals.

BTW, it keys beautifully, either by cathode keying or by grid-block 
keying, although it is slightly clicky.

Ken Gordon W7EKB