Date: Fri, 30 Sep 94 04:30:30 PDT From: Ham-Equip Mailing List and Newsgroup Errors-To: Ham-Equip-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Ham-Equip@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Ham-Equip Digest V94 #352 To: Ham-Equip Ham-Equip Digest Fri, 30 Sep 94 Volume 94 : Issue 352 Today's Topics: HTX-202 add-ons Viking Ranger Xmtr Send Replies or notes for publication to: Send subscription requests to: Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Ham-Equip Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-equip". We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 21:09:12 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!olivea!news.hal.COM!darkstar.UCSC.EDU!nic.scruz.net!cruzio!brettb@network.ucsd.edu Subject: HTX-202 add-ons To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu I have an HTX-202 and before I go out and buy a lot of more expensive equipment, I'd like to optimize my use of this dependable little HT... So far I've added on the RS lapel mike, a few whip antennas from various sources for portable use, and a discone up on the roof for use at the home QTH. I see that RS is coming out with a power amp for use with this model and look forward to that. Can any of the more experienced folks recommend other add-ons for this unit? Specifically, I ordered the catalogue from Down East Microwave earlier today... can I use any of their transverters with this unit? How about a GaasFet pre-amp? What's the best way to go for packet? THX for any help de KC6UPU grid CM86XX. -- Brett Breitwieser (brettb@cruzio.com) (KC6UPU, Grid CM86XX) Clinical Hypnotherapist (Certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists) Director, Axis Mundi: *Axis Mundi* as the Image of *Proto Phallos* Member, Therapists for Social Responsibility ------------------------------ Date: 28 Sep 94 09:38:28 -0400 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!concert!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!alison.sbc.edu!grimm@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Viking Ranger Xmtr To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu In article <940925220045109@digcir.cts.com>, lin.robertson@digcir.cts.com (Lin Robertson) writes: an artisan, restoring a Viking Ranger asked: > > 1. How in the heck are you supposed to get a CW sidetone from > these things? It would be nice if you could hear your keying. This was one of the great inconveniences of that era. When I was using my Ranger and a Hallicrafters SX-96 to work CW on 11 Meters before it became the Citizens Band, I built a little oscillator that was keyed by RF. > > 2. Is it possible to use my Vibroplex Brass Racer keyer/paddle > combo without torching the Curtis chip inside? Not knowing what kinda transistor is used in the Curtis chip for keying, I would have to say that your guess is as good as mine. I can't remember exactly what the voltage is on the grid of the 12AU7 keyer tube in the Ranger, but it could be easily measured at the key jack. My guess is that it is just a few volts negative to possibly as much as 50 volts negative. > > 3. There are TWO 1/4 jacks in the back...one is for the key, > obviously, but the other is ??? Upon putting a 1/4" plug into > it, the main relay in the xmtr deactivates when the function > switch is on "phone"...is this some sort of PTT switch? > Not sure what this is. I believe that it must have been added by the owner. The back panel of my Ranger had the 1/4" socket for the key, a microphone jack, the coax connector, a two-pin ceramic 115vac external relay keying jack, and a 9 pin tube socket/plug with a cover on it. This latter connector was used to get the audio out to drive the big modulator to your AM kilowatt final amp. > 4. Loading a tube final is quite a new experience! Are you > supposed to tune the coupling for maximum plate current, then > dip the final, THEN re-tweak the coupling again, then re-dipping > the final until you get "maximum smoke" from the the in-line > wattmeter I'm using? There's a trick to this, I know...what is > it? Well, according to my memory in the Tune position you tune the Buffer tuning knob for an indication of grid current and adjust the drive control for a reading of 2.5 ma on the 0-10 scale. You would then set the meter from grid to plate, swetch to Phone and immediately tune the final to resonance (dip) on the meter. You increase loading as you suggest, redipping as you go until you have a plate current of about 130 ma. on the 0-200 scale. On cw you should load up to about 140-150 ma. Remember to peak the grid to 2.5 ma. and dip the plate to 130 ma. and the 6146 will last quite a while provided you don't take too long doing all this. > > Thanks in advance for your help with my first fumbles toward a vintage > AM/CW station. You've gotta be having fun! ___________________________________________________________ Kenneth D. Grimm K4XL grimm@alison.sbc.edu ___________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ End of Ham-Equip Digest V94 #352 ******************************