[NJARC] Star Roamer (was Reflexed Superhet?)

[Al Klase]

Nick,

Looks to me like they opted for an extra stage of audio, using a 12AX7 
dual triode in place of something like a 12AV6.  This left them needing 
a diode for the detector.  Being a late design solid-state diodes were 
now in vogue.  They used a second one for a noise limiter as well.

Al

NICHOLAS SENKER wrote:
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> _______________________________________________
> Regarding the Star Roamer, I was responding to your question of why the crystal or diode detector wasn't used more often in AA 5s to eliminate a tube and thus cut costs.  I don't intend to use the Star Roamer in the DX contest.  I agree it can't be taken seriously as a communication receiver, but it is 'cute' and interesting as a first intro into short wave.
> Back to the AA 5s, it seems the 12AV6 or comparable tube served several purposes; detector, AVC, and audio amp thus merely substituting a  diode would still present problems.  I am not really familiar with a reflex design so maybe I'm not really appreciating the point you were trying to make.
> Nick Senker
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Ruccolo <jr6v6gt at yahoo.com>
> To: New Jersey Antique Radio Club <njarc at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:18:58 -0500 (EST)
> Subject: Re: [NJARC] Star Roamer (was Reflexed Superhet?)
>
> Visit our web site - See http://www.njarc.org
> _______________________________________________
> Hi Nick,
>
> I don't think the Star Roamer was a reflexed super.
> But I think it did use an oscillating IF stage as a
> quick-and-dirty BFO (for copying Morse Code) like the
> later S-38's and lots of other entry-level
> communications receiver wannabes did.
>
> If you're thinking about using it in the DX contest, I
> have one word of friendly advice: DON'T. Anything
> without an RF stage in categories D and E puts you at
> a serious disadvantage. I've already talked myself out
> of using a similar radio, a Heath GR-64.
>
> Someone in the club once described the Star Roamer as
> "the cheesiest radio ever to have an S-meter." But the
> Star Roamer *is* a cute little sucker, though. ;-)
>
>
> JR
>
>
> --- Al Klase <al at ar88.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> Visit our web site - See http://www.njarc.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> NICHOLAS SENKER wrote:
>>
>> My Knight 'Star Roamer' uses a diode detector.  Does
>> that qualify as a producion radio?
>> Nick Senker
>>
>>
>> Hi Nick,
>>
>> I'm not sure in what context you ask this question.
>> For the purposes of the DX contest, let's consider
>> it category D.  I checked both the 1969 Allied
>> Catalog and the Star Roamer manual
>> http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/knight/str-rmr/
>> Neither makes any claims that this is a
>> "communications receiver."  I feel this is fair for
>> this and other similar simple radios like
>> Hallicrafters S-38, S-120, etc.  I don't think
>> anyone with an RCA 15K or such is going to feel
>> threatened.
>>
>> RECEIVER CATEGORIES:
>> A - Crystal radios
>> B - Primitive tube receivers (homebrew also) -1 to 2
>> tubes plus power supply
>> C - 1920's Battery sets (homebrew also) -batteries
>> or modern power supply is OK
>> D – Other tube radios sold for home entertainment.
>> E – Amateur, commercial, and military tube-type
>> communications receivers.
>> F – Transistor radios introduced before 1970.
>>
>> -- 
>> Al Klase – N3FRQ
>> Flemington, NJ
>> http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/
>>
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>>     
>
>
>
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-- 
Al Klase - N3FRQ 
Flemington, NJ 
http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/