[Johnson] Ranger died - reviving

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi,

I got my Ranger ready to run in the Stew Perry. Some contact cleaner got
the ancient drive control working again, transmitter all tuned up and
waiting for the Stew. Don't touch the drive control. So the Stew started
and I started with it. The ancient drive control pot finally opened. For
me the Stew ended right at the starting gun. I have some high voltage
transistors coming (already have the other needed parts) and I'll be
installing that for the screen voltage control of the driver tube.

I took the DX-100 out of the cabinet hoping maybe I could doctor it well
enough get into the Stew. It hasn't been powered up in many years and is
in the queue for overhaul. There is just no way. Caps too rotten. You
might know the drive control in the DX-100 also feels a little
"crunchy". I did order more than one transistor (evil grin). Those
transistors can withstand the full, solid stated B+ on the Ranger (750
volt rating) so the "wimpy" low voltage will be safe in both
transmitters.

I have a new audio filter that does a very nice job with my receivers
that I got finished just in time for the Stew. I got to listen in the
crowded 160 meter band and it does a very nice job helping to sort out
the signals. That thing completely eliminates *ALL* of the noise.
Doesn't completely remove all of the stations on the air that are
outside the filter's passband but does drive them to very low levels. At
the same time it seriously peaks up the "desired" signal. So I still
have an "audio panadapter". I'm liking that!  At least one thing turned
out right for me (grin).

73,

Bill  KU8H