[Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile

richard ramnaz at peoplepc.com
Fri Jul 3 00:23:57 EDT 2015 

Cool I do understand what you are saying

-----Original Message-----
>From: Evan Rolek <k9sqg at aol.com>
>Sent: Jul 2, 2015 8:13 PM
>To: ramnaz at peoplepc.com
>Subject: Re: [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>
>Richard,
>
>
>OK on testing the tubes but be aware that a tube tester only goes so far and does not replicate the HV of the Valiant nor the RF stresses.
>
>
>
>Yes, it will take some learning to know how a schematic symbol compares with an actual part picture.  BUT there is hope.  ASSUMING  there are NO modifications to the transmitter, you can start at a tube, for example.  Then go pin number by pin number and see what is on the schematic, and then what the things look like on the transmitter.  You will eventually develop a sense of what resistors look like, capacitors, coils, etc.
>
>
>73,
>
>
>Evan
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: richard <ramnaz at peoplepc.com>
>To: johnson Valiant Help <Johnson at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Thu, Jul 2, 2015 3:02 pm
>Subject: Re: [Johnson] Done For Tonight & for awhile
>
>
>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
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>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>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
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>>>This
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>
>>
>>
>>Richard
>>Morris
>>______________________________________________________________
>>Johnson
>>mailing
>list
>>Home:
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/johnson
>>Help:
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>> 
>
>
>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
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> 


Richard Morris

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