[Johnson] Re: THE VIKING II AND FRIED HAM

[Rodger]

I agree with Glen that if the fuse blows there is a need to locate the 
cause and I also install the fuse inside the equipment.  I purchase  
inline fuse holders with the wire already attached from 
www.allelectronics.com; they are only 40 cents each in quantity 10 or 
more.  I install them in the hot (black, load, etc.) lead and insulate 
with heat shrink and these provide an easy, no holes modification.  
Another possibility for the Johnson/Heath plugs, but not one that I 
recommend, is clearly mark one prong of the "suicide plug" as being hot 
(or load), install the proper rated fuse in that side and then install a 
significantly higher current rated fuse in the prong that becomes 
neutral so the hot fuse should always go first.  I don't like this 
solution however because it relies too much on the operator not 
forgetting/making a mistake and it still doesn't provide the "automatic" 
connection to ground that a 3 wire plug would.  Of course an improperly 
wired outlet would also be bad in this situation.  This is sort of like 
breaking the guide pin off of one of the octal type connectors and then 
just putting alignment marks on the connectors-sooner or later a mistake 
is going to happen, if not to you then to the next person who gets the 
equipment. 

On a similar issue, I note the schematic for my just acquired Gonset 
GSB-201 shows that both poles of the power switch are in parallel for 
both 120 and 240 volt operation.  If this is really the case and not 
just an error on the schematic, then I will be making a change to this 
circuit.  I don't want one side of the 240 volt line permanently 
connected.  They also made the cooling fan relay controlled so it only 
works in transmit, a change I think I will also undo.  A final 
interesting note is that the manual specifies that the power must always 
be turned off before changing the bandswitch and this seems a bit odd.  
As you would expect the bandswitch is on the "cold" side of the blocking 
capacitor and has no DC on it so I presume Gonset was being extra 
cautious to make sure the switch wasn't turned while transmitting.  I 
imagine those who follow the instructions AND switched bands a lot put 
considerable stress on the 572B cathodes.

73, Rodger WQ9E

Glen Zook wrote:
> When I replace the "suicide plugs" on equipment I
> usually just put one of the plastic horizontal mount
> fuse holders (still available even from Radio Shack)
> somewhere on the underside of the chassis as close to
> the entry point of the new 3-wire cord as possible. 
> often I can find an existing machine screw (insert a
> slightly longer one in place of the existing screw) or
> else drill a small hole.  
>
> Since fuses don't blow without reason if it does blow
> I have to take the unit out of the cabinet anyway. 
> That way the "modification" is not visible from the
> outside yet the safety of the 3-wire cord is obtained.
>
> Glen, K9STH
>
>
> -
>
>
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>
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> Glen, K9STH
>
> Website:  http://k9sth.com
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>  
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