[Johnson] Ranger 80M Drive

[Harry Vaught, KT4AE]

I've had this problem for years but didn't know it.  I thought it was 
solved with replacing R8, which had greatly increased in value.  This 
allowed me to get the 2.5 ma drive specified when tuning up.

I thought it was ok since the Ranger sounds fine on a monitor receiver, 
but since I picked up an SB-610 and started chasing that chirp I now 
know the truth.

On the upper part of 80 meters, say from about 3700 up, there is ample 
grid drive available when in "Tune".  After fully loading, if you switch 
the meter back to "Grid", there's only about 1.25 ma of drive and I 
can't get more by turning up the "Drive" control.  All other bands will 
remain at or near 2.5 ma when switching back after loading.  On the 
scope, it looks like a limiter has cut in at about maybe 60-70% output.

I've replaced R8 again and all the .005 caps on V3 and V4.

All bands, 160-10 including 11 meters and 3885 on crystal are fine 
except for the upper part of 80 meters on the VFO.  It just doesn't like 
that one bit of frequency multiplication.

Any thoughts?

Harry, KT4AE
Maryville, Tennessee


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