[Novice-Rigs] Re: Ameco AC-1

[Lee Bahr]

The Ameco AC-1 used a 6V6 GT oscillator tube and a 6X5 GT rectifier tube.
Looking  at the transmitter from the front, the crystal plugged into the
right side of the tube socket on the left side of the chassis in front of
the power transformer.  The 6V6 plugged into the front middle socket
slightly forward from the transformer and just to the right of it.  The 6X5
plugged into the rear center socket just to the right of the transformer.
The tank coil plugged into the socket most furthest to the right on the
chassis.

Some of us in the Houston QRP club are building an improved version of this
transmitter right now.  The look is the same but our unit includes on the
rear panel an AC cord clamp, fuse holder, SO-239 coax connector, ground lug,
and 1/4 inch key jack.  The 80 meter coil has a padder cap mounted within
the coil to increase the variable loading capacitor total capacitance.  The
power supply filter cap uses a 30 mfd electrolytic instead of a 20 mfd
electrolytic as used in the later AC-1 versions.  Our units will have silk
screened front panels.  All parts are new, readily available from present
day suppliers.  The transmitter will work as an original.  Our name and
model is the HAMECO AC-1H.  You would have to study our transmitters and
really know Ameco AC-1 to realize these are clones.  The chassis are
aluminum, primed with zinc chromate primer and painted with grey hammertone
paint..  The chassis is 2 x7 x5.  (original AC-1 is 2 1/2 x 7 x 5).  Both
variable caps are 365 pf.  That is why the 80 meter coil has a fixed silver
mica put in parallel with the loading variable in order to achieve maximum
loading.

Lee Bahr, w0vt
Houston
Houston MosQRPetos