[Johnson] Need Viking Ranger EXPERT

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi John,

The original Ranger had a simpler keying circuit that Johnson upgraded long before the Ranger 2. They also sold a kit to upgrade the earlier keying circuit. Does yours have the original circuit or the upgraded circuit? The upgrade has a small sub chassis on the left side of the VFO box - looking at it from the front. You will be able to see part of the upgrade though the vent holes on top. It has a couple of tubes on that sub chassis.

Johnson also sold the Ranger as a kit or factory assembled. The factory built rigs have the parts riveted onto the chassis and the kits have screws and nuts. You will have to remove the transmitter from the cabinet to see this difference. Rivets can make repairs more difficult. Some problems occur with age through oxidation between the chassis and parts fastened to it. With the screws and nuts you can loosen and retighten the screws to "cure" a lot of problems magically. Not so simple with the rivets.

There also a voltage regulator dropping resistor inside the VFO box that runs very hot and is known failure point. Hams have replaced it with higher wattage resistor and relocated it out side the VFO box to remove the heat source. Others just replace it in situ.

Do you have the manual?

Mine has the keyer upgrade and was sold as a kit (screws and nuts). I was lucky to have acquired mine from the original owner/builder who was radio engineer and maritime radio officer.

73,

Bill  KU8H

Bark less - wag more

> On Mar 19, 2023, at 11:43 PM, John King via Johnson <johnson at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> I have a nice Johnson Viking Ranger of 1960 vintage that precedes the Ranger II. It has a problem in the keying circuit that existed prior to my acquisition  of the Ranger. Since the problem existed while the former owner owned it, I don't know the problem with the keying Circuit.
> I need someone who can direct me in repairing the keying circuit in the Ranger. At the age of 85, I am not much on trouble shooting a circuit that I know very little about. It would be appreciatedif a knowledgeable person could walk me through learning what the problem with the keying circuit actually is.
> If someone can assist me with troubleshooting the keyerCircuit I will greatly appreciate the help and be forever grateful.
> Please email me.Thanks and 73., JOHN KING K5PGW
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