[Johnson] HeathKit VF-1 Viking 2 wiring

[Glen Zook]

Download the manual for free from BAMA at

http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/heath/vf-1/

All the information that you need is there.

However, the VF-1 will be more stable if you do the
following:

First of all replace the 6AU6 tube with a 6AH6 tube. 
This is a direct replacement and this will definitely
stablilze the VFO.  Heath had to do this with the
early Apache transmitters to get the VFO stable enough
to use on SSB.  The only thing that you might have to
do is to "touch up" the variable capacitors (one on
the 160 meter section and one on the 40 meter section)
to retain the calibration.  This is because the 6AH6
has a slightly different interelectrode capacitance
than the 6AU6.  The inductor tuning should not change.

Next replace the 0A2 screen regulator with an 0B2. 
This drops the screen voltage to a regulated 108
volts.

Then do NOT use the transmitter for the power supply. 
Run the VFO with a regulated 150 volt power supply
(you can use the 0A2 removed from the screen circuit
to regulate this voltage).  The original
specifications call for 300 volts as the B+.  However,
the VF-1 is VERY happy with 150 volts regulated as the
input and this helps additionally with stability.  No
modifications to the unit are required.

Finally, do NOT try to key the VFO on CW.  It will
definitely chirp.  This is true of just about any
older VFO.  When the transmitter is put in the
transmit position then a relay should be used to turn
on the VFO continuously.

The VF-1 can definitely be used with a PL-259 instead
of the pseudo crystal plug.

There are actually 2 different versions of the VF-1. 
However, the differences are cosmetic only.  The
earlier version (which is "rarer") has 3 lines around
the permiter of the front panel; has a more "bronze"
color; the lettering is a dark brown; and has circles
painted around the small knobs.  The later version has
only 2 lines; is a more "silver color"; the lettering
is more of a black color; and there are no circles
around the knobs.

Glen, K9STH


--- Ron Lawrence kc4yoy <kc4yoy at carolina.rr.com>
wrote:

Can anyone help me with the wiring mods needed to use
a HeathKit VF-1 VFO with my Viking 2 transmitter? The
VFO came to me wired for a Globe Scout. I need to know
what the wiring is for it to be powered by the Viking.
Also the VF-1 has a plug for a crystal socket, can I
change it to a PL-259 to connect to the VFO connection
on the Viking which is a SO-239.










Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


       
____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat? 
Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. 
http://tv.yahoo.com/