[Johnson] The Viking II

[Glen Zook]

It probably is the fact that as you switch between
meter functions that it is a "break before make" type
of switch.  It has to be because you would be
conncecting the cathode to the grid and so forth if it
were a make before break type of switch.  For a few
microseconds the meter is not shunted and therefore is
reading the entire current and not just the small
percentage that it reads when properly shunted.  Thus
it will hit the pin if you have the rig keyed when
switching the meter.  I would unkey the transmitter
and then move the meter switch and then rekey the
transmitter to get the reading.

When transmitting I would leave the meter in the
"plate" (which actually reads cathode current)
position.  Remember that when you are reading cathode
current that you need to subtract the screen current
from the reading to get "actual" plate current.  In
the case of the 6146 this runs around 12 mA per tube. 
A "round" figure to subtract is 25 mA from the cathode
reading for transmitters running a pair of 6146 tubes.
 

The manufacturers usually didn't tell you about the
screen current to make you think you were running a
little bit more power which makes things a "bit"
easier on the final amplifier tubes.  Also, back when
the FCC regulations specified input power and not
output power this helped keep you legal!

Now, for a "real" experience with meters try having a
transmitter with a moving-vane type of movement! 
Those were used on the old Heath DX-20, DX-35, WRL
Globe Chief series, Johnson Viking Adventurer, etc. 
They "bang away" every time you key the rig!  You have
to hold the key down for a few seconds for them to
even settle down enough to read the "plate" or "grid"
current!

Glen, K9STH


--- KENNETH A CRIPS <w7itc@msn.com> wrote:

I have just noticed something about the metering on
the Viking, are they all this badly dampened. When I
switch to the grid setting the meter pegs itself on
the stop and then settles down to the 6 mil's I have
it set for. I wonder if this is a switching problem?


=====
Glen, K9STH

Web sites

http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco

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