[Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
Thu Jul 2 21:37:13 EDT 2015
I've sent a copy of the manual from Bama. Manuals for both
versions of the Valiant and the construction manual for the Valiant 1
are at:
http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/johnson/
Many of the manuals at BAMA are of mediocre quality but are
nonetheless useful. The newer ones, mostly in PDF form, are much
better. I would always look there first, certainly before buying a
manual. If you can get a good quality file there you can always print
it out or, if its large, get it printed and bound by one of the office
supply stores, I think they all do it. Also, you can get schematics
printed out blue-print size. When a schematic is crowded or complex
this is often helpful. If you get a couple of copies you can mark them
up with colored pencil or hi-liters to help trace wiring and paths
through switches, etc. Some schematics look like a map of the Chicago
classification yards and are a bit hard to read.
On 7/2/2015 12:40 PM, richard wrote:
> You See Richard it is men & Hams like you that make me JUST SIT UP SMILE as I did not think about the assembly manual & if it is anything like the one for my Heathkit HW-101 it will be worth it's weight in gold to me so I will have to get right after that & see if I can get one as I will look on e-bay where I got this manual for it .. Can't thank you enough for pointing that out to me..
> And I know what you mean about working on them as I did do & learn a lot with my HW-101 but it was because the manual and it being a kit that was of the most help to me & NO I do not want to give up on this Transmitter as there is just so much joy just looking at it much being able to use it as I did have that joy a few times before this happned.
> So I am off to e-bay to see about the kit manual..
> Thanks Richard..
>
>
>
>
> ....................
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Richard Knoppow <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com>
>> Sent: Jul 2, 2015 12:29 PM
>> To: johnson at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>>
>> The on-line handbooks for the Valiant leave a lot to be desired.
>> There is also an assembly manual that came with the kits. I think its
>> also on BAMA but if you can't find it I will send you one. It probably
>> will help to locate and identify components. I have found it helpful to
>> print out schematics and use colored pencils or hi-liters to trace out
>> the wiring. Also, where schematics come in two or more parts its very
>> helpful to print out all and assemble them with scotch tape. I have to
>> look again at the handbooks but I think there is also a block diagram
>> there. This is very useful because it gives you a simplified version of
>> the device. The Valiant is a pretty straight forward design and most
>> vacuum tube equipment is simple compared to the integrated circuit solid
>> state stuff around now. The Valiant is something like fifty years old
>> or older. It is still supportable and will work as well as it did
>> new. I don't think much current electronics will survive that long.
>> Another thing, once you trouble shoot something and fix it you will have
>> a kind of intimate knowledge of it that "appliance" operators never
>> have. Also, it really belongs you YOU.
>> One other piece of advice, maybe the most important: don't get
>> discouraged. If you start to feel you are getting nowhere put the
>> thing aside overnight or for a few days and come back to it fresh. You
>> will often see or understand things that eluded you before.
>>
>> On 7/2/2015 12:01 PM, richard wrote:
>>> Thanks Again Evan.
>>> I am warming up the tube tester to check the 6146.. You have give me great advice and I will follow it to the Big T..
>>> I wish I knew some of the hams of the day when a Ham was a Ham But dream on Richard..
>>> As to the checks you pointed out Here is where I fall short as I really don't know how to get threw Schematic I know the symbols but finding them in the Radio is far from seeing them in the Schematic if you know what I mean.. Like last night I wanted to check the Bias and the Schematic shows a coil to check for 70 volts but I could not find that coil under the Transmitter by V-21 tube socket all I saw was what looked like a smaller Rf choke coil so I had to give up but some things I wish there were pictures to help a guy out that would be a great Teacher.. any way I will see if I can find the points to do the checks you pointed out.. I have a Heathkit HW-101 that I picked up that looked like Death warmed over & I got a manual and it took me about 2 weeks working on it and now I have a really nice & working Radio that I did learn a lot on but the Manual was layed out such that you really had something to work with But this Johnson is another story.
>>> Thanks Again Evan for keeping coming back to me as I feel every time you do I do pick more Info from you..
>>> Richard
>>> Peoria , Arizona
>>>
>>> ......................
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Evan Rolek <k9sqg at aol.com>
>>>> Sent: Jul 2, 2015 11:36 AM
>>>> To: ramnaz at peoplepc.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>>>>
>>>> Richard,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yes, DO be careful. With high voltage, you don't get a second chance.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The Valiant design is problematic in my opinion. At the very least they should have mentioned a caution in the owner's manual. Too, it is a bad idea to mix 110 v or more in the same cable as the mic audio.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The new breed of hams lack a lot of practical knowledge and experience that novices 50 years ago had.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yes, a shorted, or nearly shorted tube, can cause excessive current to be drawn and thus over heat that RF choke, causing it to smolder. The only tubes that should affect VFO calibration are the VFO tube and buffer, the rest should not affect frequency calibration. But sounds to me like you have some 6146 tube problems BUT might want to check voltage levels to make sure the tubes are getting the right plate, screen, etc. voltages.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Evan, K9SQG
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: richard <ramnaz at peoplepc.com>
>>>> To: johnson Valiant Help <Johnson at mailman.qth.net>
>>>> Sent: Thu, Jul 2, 2015 2:26 pm
>>>> Subject: Re: [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks Evan.
>>>> So far you are the only one to keep answering me back as I am
>>>> getting reply's but no one sticking in there with me.. I am watching out in
>>>> what I am doing with this transmitter but who would know it would shock you
>>>> threw the Microphone plug when I have had many radios over the years & never had
>>>> that happen but now I know & have put black tape on the plug but even doing that
>>>> I have been turning it on & Off in needed.. What would be great is to find
>>>> someone in my area that know way more than I to give me some help but I don't
>>>> what few Hams I do know don't give one thing about building or working on
>>>> anything and the one man I know that can fix about anything wants $100.00 an hr
>>>> so I am trying to get help & learn outside that $100.00 an hr but if need be I
>>>> will take it to him but some things are just an easy fix & so I felt I might
>>>> find some things out on here Plus I want to learn as much as I can & over the
>>>> years I have fixed some things that were easy fix's .. OK you said that
>>>> it
>>>> might be a shorted tube in that area. Well is it True that if I take the tubes
>>>> out to check them and change any of them then I will have to re-do the VFO as I
>>>> did check all the tubes but the 5-6146 & I found 2 bad ones & put good ones back
>>>> in & the VFO was way off & I had to go threw the VFO Calibration to get it back
>>>> on track But either way with the 2--6146 doing as they did last night I think I
>>>> should get the tube tester back out & go threw them. I thought this transmitter
>>>> was petty stock by as I see different pictures of the Valiant I see that some
>>>> things have been removed and have read why they were removed.. Anyway what are
>>>> your thought on things?? Also on the Rf plate choke if a tube or TUBE's were
>>>> going bad would that cause them to heat up as I am sure that is what I noticed
>>>> last night just before I shut it down.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message------
>>>>> From:
>>>> Evan Rolek <k9sqg at aol.com>
>>>>> Sent: Jul 2, 2015 10:45 AM
>>>>> To:
>>>> ramnaz at peoplepc.com
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for
>>>> awhile
>>>>> Richard,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> First order of business is safety, if you're not
>>>> familiar with working with high voltage, best to consult or work with an
>>>> expert.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, that Johnson design is poor in that it puts 110 volts on
>>>> the mic cord. Best to have the transmitter off when connecting/disconnecting
>>>> the microphone, due to the design that can put 110 volts on the mic case
>>>> etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> I believe that stack of coils you're referring to is the RF
>>>> plate choke. Sounds like there is a problem in that area like a shorted tube or
>>>> something. Looks like there is some diagnostic work still needed to find the
>>>> failed component(s).
>>>>> 73,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Evan
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original
>>>> Message-----
>>>>> From: richard <ramnaz at peoplepc.com>
>>>>> To: johnson Valiant Help
>>>> <Johnson at mailman.qth.net>
>>>>> Sent: Thu, Jul 2, 2015 12:21 pm
>>>>> Subject: Re:
>>>> [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>>>>> Thanks Evan.
>>>>> The VFO turns
>>>> nice & easy but I did get a shock when I unplugged
>>>>> the microphone plug last
>>>> night & I noticed that if I don't push the plug in fast
>>>>> & just go slow it will
>>>> key up the transmitter tell it is in all the way..
>>>>> ONE
>>>>> other thing .. near
>>>> the back by the 3 -6146 tubes there is a stack of pink
>>>>> colored coils next to
>>>> R-13 and that stack of coils I think were just about to
>>>>> get hot as I saw some
>>>> kind of trace of smoke starting to come from them when I
>>>>> noticed the 6146 tube
>>>> getting real blue but I shut it down pretty fast but I
>>>>> did see the stack of
>>>> coils wanting to start to smoke . So I am not sure as to
>>>>> turning it back on
>>>> and seeing if it does it again but right now I am just
>>>>> leaving well enough
>>>> alone tell I get more input as to what to check for on the
>>>>> tube getting a blue
>>>> dancing flame inside & then another time a different tube
>>>>> got yellow /blue and
>>>> both times I cought it right away & shut
>>>>> down..
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original
>>>> Message-----
>>>>>> From: Evan Rolek <k9sqg at aol.com>
>>>>>> Sent:
>>>>> Jul 2, 2015 8:56
>>>> AM
>>>>>> To: ramnaz at peoplepc.com,
>>>>> Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>> Subject: Re:
>>>> [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for
>>>>> awhile
>>>>>> VFO coupler failure manifests
>>>> itself in several possible ways. Lack
>>>>> of VFO frequency change, sticky
>>>> operation, "grinding" sound when rotating the
>>>>> VFO knob,
>>>> etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The only way I could envision the coupler causing
>>>>> "tube
>>>> flashing" is if the coupler broke and prevented frequency change, and then
>>>>> one
>>>> switched bands, "moved" the VFO frequency in-band when in fact the
>>>> frequency
>>>>> wasn't actually changed, and then an attempt to tune up in a
>>>> severely out of
>>>>> resonance condition causing excessive peak voltages in the
>>>> output network.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Evan,
>>>> K9SQG
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original
>>>>> Message-----
>>>>>> From: richard
>>>> <ramnaz at peoplepc.com>
>>>>>> To: johnson Valiant
>>>> Help
>>>>> <Johnson at mailman.qth.net>
>>>>>> Sent: Thu, Jul 2, 2015 11:35 am
>>>>>> Subject:
>>>> Re:
>>>>> [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>>>>>> Hello Roger.
>>>>>> Can't
>>>> thank you
>>>>> enough for the reply.
>>>>>> If my problem is with the
>>>>>> Coupler how
>>>> would I know as
>>>>> I have moved the transmitter around a lot on it's
>>>>>> side many
>>>> times and then
>>>>> back sitting right side up .. I do have a new coupler
>>>>>> coming
>>>> as I saw on e-bay
>>>>> a guy was making them and he talked about how they
>>>>>> break
>>>> easy so I bought
>>>>> one...Is there a test to check the coupler and would
>>>> that
>>>>>> cause the tubes to
>>>>> do as they are. I will try to see how to get to it
>>>> as I can
>>>>>> take the side
>>>>> panel off the VFO Box & Look and then I will get
>>>> back to you with
>>>>>> what I find
>>>>> but I am waiting for the new one to
>>>> come..
>>>>>> Thanks Again Roger.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Richard
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ..................
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From:
>>>>> Rodger
>>>>>> Singley
>>>> <WQ9E at btsnetworks.net>
>>>>>>> Sent: Jul 2, 2015
>>>> 5:53
>>>>> AM
>>>>>>> To:
>>>>>> ramnaz at peoplepc.com, Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>> Subject:
>>>> re:
>>>>> [Johnson] Done For
>>>>>> Tonight & for
>>>> awhile
>>>>>>> Richard,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The
>>>>> Valiant/SX-101 is a nice
>>>> vintage
>>>>>> setup and it is what I used as a novice when
>>>>> I got my license in
>>>> 1975 and
>>>>>> recreating this setup in 1994 is what gave me my
>>>>> start in
>>>> collecting and
>>>>>> restoring vintage gear. I am currently traveling and I
>>>>> just
>>>> saw your list
>>>>>> postings. When I return home I will send you a
>>>> short
>>>>> document of hints I have
>>>>>> put together for the Valiant, I own 2
>>>> Valiant
>>>>> transmitters and a Valiant II and
>>>>>> have repaired several for
>>>> friends; I also
>>>>> own most of the other vintage models
>>>>> >from Johnson so I have
>>>> spent a fair
>>>>> amount of time inside them :) But one
>>>>>> caution before you go
>>>> further is there
>>>>> is an insulating coupler used in the VFO
>>>>>> drive which is
>>>> easily damaged and
>>>>> this usually happens when the Valiant is
>>>>>> turned upside
>>>> down (with the case
>>>>> off) and the front panel flexes which will
>>>>>> break the
>>>> coupler. It fortunately
>>>>> can be repaired fairly easily but it is
>>>>>> unique
>>>> with different input and output
>>>>> shaft sizes so it is best not to break
>>>> it
>>>>>> in the first place. The safe
>>>>>> st
>>>>> approach is to loosen the set
>>>> screws in this
>>>>>> coupler before flipping the
>>>>> transmitter over, this allows it
>>>> to slide on its
>>>>>> shaft rather than trying to
>>>>> hold the panel in
>>>> place.
>>>>>>> I am reading email and
>>>>>> keeping up with the
>>>>> online class I
>>>> am teaching via a little Asus transformer PC
>>>>>> which is very
>>>>> portable but not
>>>> great for reading a lot of text so I haven't
>>>>>> closely read all
>>>>> of the
>>>> postings but if you aren't sure the bias filter
>>>>>> capacitors have
>>>> been
>>>>> replaced these should be done immediately. Bias supply
>>>>>> issues will
>>>> cause a
>>>>> number of faults and some can be very damaging to other
>>>>>> components.
>>>> If
>>>>> replacing bias filter capacitors be careful with capacitor
>>>>>> polarity
>>>> since the
>>>>> bias supply capacitors are installed with the positive
>>>>>> terminal
>>>> connected to
>>>>> ground-opposite of the more common negative to
>>>> ground
>>>>>> orientation.
>>>>>>> More
>>>>> to follow along with an email attachment
>>>> of Valiant
>>>>>> repair and operational
>>>>> tips once I return home to IL shortly. I
>>>> am currently in
>>>>>> the soggy Smoky
>>>>> Mountains which isn't great for hiking and
>>>> 12 miles away there
>>>>>> is a big
>>>>> evacuation because of a CSX train derailment
>>>> with toxic gas leaking.
>>>>>> Apparently CSX couldn't wait until the 4th to
>>>> start
>>>>> their
>>>>>> explosions.
>>>>>>> Rodger WQ9E
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -------- Original
>>>> Message
>>>>> --------
>>>>>>>> From:
>>>>>> richard <ramnaz at peoplepc.com>
>>>>>>>> Sent:
>>>> Thursday, July
>>>>> 02, 2015 4:39 AM
>>>>>>>> To:
>>>>>> Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Subject: [Johnson] Done
>>>>> For Tonight & for awhile
>>>>>>>> Well as I
>>>> said in my last note I was going
>>>>> to check the Bias & then check
>>>>>> it out on
>>>> 40 meters and so I tuned up my
>>>>> antenna for 40 got the Valiant tuned up
>>>>>> and
>>>> was doing some 123s and 1 of the
>>>>> 3--6146 started to get yellow / green
>>>> and
>>>>>> so I shut it off and will wait for
>>>>> the man I bought it from to return
>>> >from his
>>>>>> trip and then let him look at it
>>>>> and I wonder if anyone looked him
>>>> up on QRZ his
>>>>>> call is NE7X Tom and he has a
>>>>> nice big set up he built. Well
>>>> anyway I will call
>>>>>> it a night or morning as it
>>>>> is 2:30 am and there is
>>>> nothing I can do with the
>>>>>> Transmitter doing as it
>>>>> is.
>>>>>>>> Maybe I will be
>>>> back sometime with other
>>>>>> questions who knows..
>>>>>>>>
>>>>> 73
>>>>>>>>
>>>> Richard--- AKA--- KB7FDF--- FDF= Far
>>>>>> Distant Friend Just what all
>>>>> Hams
>>>> Are..
>>>> Richard
>>>>> Morris
>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>> Johnson
>>>>>> mailing
>>>> list
>>>> Home:
>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>>>>> Help:
>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post:
>>>>> mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>> Message delivered
>>>> to
>>>>> wq9e at btsnetworks.net
>>>>>>>> This list hosted
>>>> by:
>>>>>> http://www.qsl.net
>>>>> Please help support this email
>>>> list:
>>>>>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Richard
>>>>>> Morris
>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>>> Johnson
>>>>>> mailing
>>>>> list
>>>>>> Home:
>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>>>>>> Help:
>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>>>> Post:
>>>>> mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>> Message
>>>>>> delivered
>>>> to k9sqg at aol.com
>>>>>> This
>>>>> list hosted by:
>>>> http://www.qsl.net
>>>>>> Please
>>>>>> help support this email
>>>> list:
>>>>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>> Richard
>>>>> Morris
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>> Johnson
>>>>> mailing
>>>> list
>>>>> Home:
>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>>>>> Help:
>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>>> Post:
>>>> mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> Message
>>>>> delivered to k9sqg at aol.com
>>>>>
>>>>> This
>>>> list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>>> Please
>>>>> help support this email list:
>>>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Richard
>>>> Morris
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Johnson
>>>> mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>>>> Help:
>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Message
>>>> delivered to k9sqg at aol.com
>>>>
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please
>>>> help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Richard Morris
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Johnson mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>>> Message delivered to 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>> --
>> Richard Knoppow
>> 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
>> WB6KBL
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Johnson mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
>> Message delivered to ramnaz at peoplepc.com
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> Richard Morris
> ______________________________________________________________
> Johnson mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Johnson at mailman.qth.net
> Message delivered to 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
--
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL
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