[Heathkit] Calibrating VF-1?

[Randy Perkins]

Hi Mike,

I have been told by some others that the 160 meter coil normally has 
that gap near the end. It measures about 6.5 Ohms DC resistance. It is 
difficult to count the turns due to the wire is extremely small (AWG # 
30+). After closer inspection, I doubt that the coil has been modified, 
it has several coats of varnish.
I did check the 2.2 K and 22 K ohm resistors and they check pretty 
close. I have gotten quite a few suggestions of things to check so I 
have my work cut out for me.
Thanks, Randy, W5KCM

Michael Waldrop wrote:
> 
> Hi Randy,
> 
> Missing turns on the 160 meter coil will definitely creates an alignment 
> issue, at least on
> the low bands.
> 
> I doubt the coil's wire gauge is heavy. Maybe someone has an original 
> unmodified VF-1
> that can determine the wire size and turns. If you rewound the coil you 
> would have to
> ensure the coil is stable and does not move around or is lose on the 
> form. A couple coats
> of varnish could do this. The wire sould be solid enamel wire which can 
> be obtained at
> various parts outlets on the Internet.
> 
> 73
> Mike
> W5RKL
> 
> 
> 73
> Mike
> W5RKL
> 
> --- On *Mon, 8/11/08, Randy Perkins /<w5kcm at sbcglobal.net>/* wrote:
> 
>     From: Randy Perkins <w5kcm at sbcglobal.net>
>     Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Calibrating VF-1?
>     To: w5rkl at yahoo.com
>     Cc: "Kevin Ward" <n2ie at arrl.net>, "Bob Macklin"
>     <macklinbob at msn.com>, heathkit at mailman.qth.net
>     Date: Monday, August 11, 2008, 1:04 PM
> 
>     Thanks Mike. I will check the two resistors. I picked up this VF-1 a 
>     while back at a hamfest and it is very clean and looks to be put 
>     together very well. Possibly it has not been used in many years. One 
>     thing I noticed is that the 160 meter coil looks to have some turns 
>     removed near the end of the coil. Possibly someone knows exactly how 
>     many turns and what size if wire should be on this coil.
> 
>     Thanks, Randy, W5KCM
> 
>     Michael Waldrop wrote:
>     > You might want to perform the voltage checks on page 18 of the manual. I
>     also
>     > recommend checking the two grid leak resistors, 2.2K and 22K. The VF-1 is
>     quite
>     > old and with age resistors can and will change values which will affect
>     the oscillator.
>     >
>      
>     > 73
>     > Mike
>     > W5RKL
>     > 
>     > 
>     > --- On Sun, 8/10/08, Bob Macklin <macklinbob at msn.com> wrote:
>     > From: Bob Macklin <macklinbob at msn.com>
>     > Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Calibrating VF-1?
>     > To: "Kevin Ward" <n2ie at arrl.net>
>     > Cc: heathkit at mailman.qth.net
>     > Date: Sunday, August 10, 2008, 9:50 PM
>     > 
>     > Does it jump as you are changing the position of the main tuning capacitor
>     > or as you are adjusting the coil?
>     > 
>     > If the coil is all the way to the max inductance you may have an bad or
>     > unsoldered capacitor.
>     > 
>     > One thing to do is unscrew any solder lugs associated with the tuning
>     > elements and retighten them.
>     > 
>     > Bob Macklin
>     > K5MYJ
>     > Seattle, Wa,
>     > "Real Radios Glow in the Dark"
>     > ----- Original Message ----- 
>     > From: "Kevin Ward" <n2ie at arrl.net>
>     > To: "Bob Macklin"
>      <macklinbob at msn.com>
>     > Cc: "Randy Perkins" <w5kcm at sbcglobal.net>;
>     > <heathkit at mailman.qth.net>
>     > Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 7:21 PM
>     > Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Calibrating VF-1?
>     > 
>     > 
>     >> Randy -
>     >>
>     >> I agree with Bob - look closely at the main tuning capacitor,
>     >> particularly the rotor wipers.  As to the drive issue; look in the
>     AT-1
>     >> manual.  IIRC, there is a circuit change for the crystal oscillator to
>     >> kill the feedback and make it behave as a buffer.
>     >>
>     >> Kevin  N2IE
>     >>
>     >>
>     > 
>     > 
>     > 
>     > 
>     >       
>     > 
> 
>