[HomeBrew] Crystal Socket Question

[DavidE Benedict]

ejcristjr at gmail.com writes:
>** Please do NOT cross-post messages when posting to HOMEBREW **
>
>I'm in the process of building the Crystal Tester/Analyzer from W1FB's
>Design Notebook, and I believe published in QST a long while ago. All of
>the
>parts listed are easily obtainable except the crystal sockets (Y1 and Y2).
>The sockets in the picture look like HC-6 sockets available from Dan's
>small
>parts, but I ordered a couple and a standard HC-49 crystal doesn't even
>come
>close to fitting in it. Does anyone know the type of crystal sockets W1FB
>used? If so, where might I be able to get them. Last, does anyone know of
>a
>substitute or work-around. I thought about using an IC socket modified for
>the task such as is listed on the Hendrick's site - I've used this mod for
>several PCB's but I can't figure a reasonable way to to secure the socket
>to
>a panel front. Any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks Gene (KB3ONA)
>

I don't know how much help this is...

In my old HF days we used FT-243 crystals (post circa 1957). Various
suppliers had both phenolic and ceramic sockets available for them. Don't
know where you get them now, but I would try a crystal company... I think
PR Crystals is still in business!

We often used a substitute (cheap work-around) for the FT-243 crystal
socket...a vacuum tube socket for "octal" tube types, like 6L6, 6SG7, 5U4,
etc. These sockets would accomodate 2 FT-243 crystals in each socket at
the same time. The spacing between certain non-adjacent pins on the socket
were a perfect fit, both for the FT-243 crystal spacing and for its pin's
diameter.

If all this is of no use, look up a crystal-type you have interest in in
Newark (online or catalogue) and the sockets for it should be referenced.
Or, find the vendor of the crystals in Newark and drop them a telephone
call or an email. Even Newark themselves offer free tech support and they
are quite helpful.

David Benedict
W7DBH