[Johnson] Ranger VFO Access Question

[Roy Morgan]

On Dec 18, 2012, at 4:54 PM, whitebear1122 at comcast.net wrote:

> ...Johnson Ranger 1 ...  the frequency is moving a little bit here  
> and there.
>
> ... Has anyone here gotten good access to the VFO compartment other  
> than coming in on the side?  I fear the answer is something like  
> total vfo disassembly...

Scott,

No doubt Bill's reply reflects good experience on his part. I do seem  
to remember a discussion (quite some time ago) about taking the whole  
VFO housing off intact.  Do check the front of the housing to see if  
the shaft(s) come out the front through a slot that would let you get  
the whole housing off.

For sure, some of the nuts on the spade lugs under the chassis can be  
hard to get at, and all should be re-tightened with a drop of De-Oxit  
for good measure.

Alternatively, you may be able to loosen the housing along the three  
front edges by taking out the screws (off-set screwdriver?) and remove  
the top, sides and rear all in one piece.  NOTE: if you do this, mark  
the positions of the phenolic "shafts" that connect to the variable  
caps inside.

Also some time ago, there was been identified a problem resulting in  
drift, instability and warble in the VFO, especially on 40 meters, I  
think.  The problem is  poor ground connections between the VFO and  
the chassis and front panel, allowing energy from the final to get  
into the VFO and cause trouble.  The solution is to re-arrange ground  
points, replace fiber washers with metal ones, and possibly to put a  
wiping contact on the VFO cap shaft as it exits the front of the  
compartment.

I have copied a web site telling about this and showing the solutions  
in nice pictures.  Will send to any requester.

Final note:  if your radio has a fused line cord plug GET RID OF IT.   
It can make a widow of your wife.  Diatribe on this sent to any  
requester also.

Roy

Roy Morgan
k1lky at earthlink.net
K1LKY Since 1958 - Keep 'em Glowing!