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Re: AMECO AC-1 issues

John Lonigro
 

Bob:

If you do a Google search on Ameco AC-1 schematic, you'll find a schematic someone posted.  On it, he mentions the secondary is 200-300 volts center tapped at 50-100 ma.  On a different schematic, I saw the filter capacitor is rated at 450 volts, so you know the filtered DC must be less than that, probably quite a bit less. Hope this helps.

Out of curiosity, how were you able to blow the transformer?  You'd think the fuse would have blown first.

72,

John AA0VE

On 07/14/2015 11:44 PM, weaselradio1@... [4sqrp] wrote:
 

I have an AMECO AC-1 that I bought 35 years ago and I am just now trying to see if it can be used. Unfortunately, I let the magic smoke out of the power transformer tonight. I really hate to give up on a toy, but does anyone know what the secondary windings output voltages might be and more to the point, where one of these puppies can be procured. I'm betting its toast, and I need to start looking for an alternative transmitter. Any help out there?
Bob
KE0FAT


AMECO AC-1 issues

weaselradio1@...
 

I have an AMECO AC-1 that I bought 35 years ago and I am just now trying to see if it can be used. Unfortunately, I let the magic smoke out of the power transformer tonight. I really hate to give up on a toy, but does anyone know what the secondary windings output voltages might be and more to the point, where one of these puppies can be procured. I'm betting its toast, and I need to start looking for an alternative transmitter. Any help out there?
Bob
KE0FAT
Re: Springfield Mo

Ray Cadmus
 

This link will point you to several groups in the area.

http://www.w0omd.org/p/links.html

Regards,

ray���� W0PFO

--

On 07/14/2015 10:14 PM, Tiana Hall TianaHalldds@... [4sqrp] wrote:
�


I thinking about moving to Springfield Mo. I wonder what type of Ham Radio activity is in this area? I know this group started is this area. Are there other active Ham clubs in Springfield area?

Thanks Tiana KE5ODX
Springfield Mo

tianahalldds
 

I thinking about moving to Springfield Mo. I wonder what type of Ham Radio activity is in this area? I know this group started is this area. Are there other active Ham clubs in Springfield area?

Thanks Tiana KE5ODX
T1 Autotuner for sale

Jim Sheldon
 

This is still available - I figured to give the 4SQRP group first crack at it before posting it elsewhere.
 
Jim - W0EB
 
 
 
_________________________________________________________________________
 
I have an Elecraft T1, QRP auto tuner,  that I'd like to see get a good home.  It will handle 20 watts (5 times normal QRP levels) with ease and it has latching relays to keep battery usage to a minimum. It will match a wide range of antenna configurations.  A special cable (optional) is available from Elecraft that integrates it with a Yaesu FT-817 and will operate using the FT-817's "Tune" button.
 
This one was built by me, tested with a 4SQRP SS40RX/TX and meets all Elecraft's specs.
 
Elecraft's price for the kit is $139.95 plus shipping.  I'm asking $130 for it, including shipping to anywhere in the U.S. (PayPal or USPS money order accepted).  I'd prefer not to ship it internationally due to the high cost of postage.
 
Please email me off list to w0eb@... for pix or further details and the f
irst "I'll take it" (by date/time of the email) gets right of first refusal.  
 
Jim Sheldon, W0EB
2029 East Evanston Dr.
Park City, KS 67219-1618
 
 
  
 
 
Re: Ozark Patrol

w3bbo1@...
 

I couldn't leave my Ozark Patrol on the shelf...it kept calling me!  It bothered me that when the regen control was turned fully counter-clockwise, there would be no voltage at the collector of Q1.  I started off by re-heating every connection with the iron.  Still zero volts at Q1.

Looking closer at the regen pot (R4), its tabs look like they could be better positioned on the solder tabs.  I remove C13 and unsolder the pot.  Re-aligned the tabs into proper position and re-soldered everything.  Turning the power back on to the unit I have a couple volts at Q1 with the R4 pot fully counter-clockwise.

I hook up the antenna and ground connections and...hey, I got signals! 

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.  Thanks to 4sqrp for making the kit available.  I don't think it will replace my K2, but should be fun to play with!

73 de Bob W3BBO  
FW: [qfox] N8SS 20M Thursday Fox Announcement

Dale Putnam
 



N1IX, Dave, and I will be the foxii for Thursday.

Antennas here are KT34XA at 100' and KT34A at 20'.

Will start out split and go to simplex as soon as the pile is manageable. If all goes well the deserving should all be in the log and I will be begging for QSOs by 0229z.

Turn your beams toward Detroit and see you in the 14050-14070 wood.

Earl
N8SS
Re: Ozark Patrol

w3bbo1@...
 

Thanks to everyone who have commented and/or made suggestions.  Still no success with the regen and I think I'll follow Curt WB8YYY advice to set it on the shelf for a few days.  This morning, I did continuity checks, even removed the toroid to count turns and check the "sense" of the winding.  I'll let it rest for a couple days, then take another shot at it.

73 de Bob W3BBO
July SSS Standings

John Lonigro
 

Enclosed are the latest standings from the SSS, which include Sunday's reports and a few soapbox comments. Bill, KV6Z is pulling away, especially since Terry was unable to join in on the fun due to having company that night. I was going to add my pitiful excuse for not participating, but it was embarrassing. Let's just say it involved two dummies, one behind the controls and another at the antenna input.

Anyway, enjoy the report and soapbox comments.

72,

John AA0VE
Re: Ozark Patrol

Bill Cromwell
 

Hi Bob,

I don't have an Ozark Patrol but I do have some regens. Does the Ozark radio have a tickler coil or a tapped coil for the feedback? If the connections or winding sense of one winding or part of one winding is 'reversed' you will have degenerative feedback instead of regenerative feedback. Your symptoms sound like exactly that.

73,

Bill KU8H

On 07/13/2015 08:11 PM, Bob Reisenweber w3bbo1@msn.com [4sqrp] wrote:

When the latest batch was announced, I immediately sent in my order and received the kit last week. Sunday, I put everything together and to my disappointment, no signals. This is the first kit that hasn't worked for me from the get-go. (Built the K2, Sierra, SST, OHR-100 and others) I've checked everything twice, both component ID and location. The headphones seem better than the speaker...lots of hiss, but no signals.

I've made three different "gimmick capacitors" and even tried using my Elecraft XG-1 signal generator to insert a signal at 7.040 to no avail.

What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions welcomed. With the regen control fully counter-clockwise, the Q1 collector (can) is at 0 Volts. Increasing the regen pot shows voltage. The more clockwise you turn the control, the more the voltage increases. Something is screwed up.

Thanks,

73 de Bob W3BBO
Re: Ozark Patrol

ai9e_qrp@...
 

Bob, check to be sure that you have continuity through the toroid winding.  It can be a challenge to get the insulation stripped on the enamel wire.

73 Dave NM0S
OT: FS Elecraft T1 Miniature 20W Auto Tuner

Jim Sheldon
 

I have an Elecraft T1, QRP auto tuner,  that I'd like to see get a good home.  It will handle 20 watts (5 times normal QRP levels) with ease and it has latching relays to keep battery usage to a minimum. It will match a wide range of antenna configurations.  A special cable (optional) is available from Elecraft that integrates it with a Yaesu FT-817 and will operate using the FT-817's "Tune" button.
 
This one was built by me, tested with a 4SQRP SS40RX/TX and meets all Elecraft's specs.
 
Elecraft's price for the kit is $139.95 plus shipping.  I'm asking $130 for it, including shipping to anywhere in the U.S. (PayPal or USPS money order accepted).  I'd prefer not to ship it internationally due to the high cost of postage.
 
Please email me off list to w0eb@... for pix or further details and the first "I'll take it" (by date/time of the email) gets right of first refusal.  
 
Jim Sheldon, W0EB
2029 East Evanston Dr.
Park City, KS 67219-1618
Re: Ozark Patrol

Curt
 

Bob

as you know its often something simple, non obvious.  look over things carefully to make sure nothing is making contact with something else.  zero volts on collector of Q1 sounds fishy.  also check the orientation of things -- I am remembering backwards caps and also check the transistor orientation.  after letting it sit for a day or two, possibly you will see the fault.  even the designer can't fathom everything that I or you could misplace.  when its working, its an impressive sound when tuned in.  remember also this thing requires 3 hands to tune. 

73 Curt
SSS Scores

John Lonigro
 

So far, I've got 6 people reporting their scores. Tomorrow afternoon I plan to update the data base, so please send in your score if you haven't done so yet. Remember, all you need to tell me is your name, call, 4SQRP member number, and the number of <5 Watt QSOs you had between 7:00 and 9:00 last night. Soapbox comments are always welcome.

The 6 scores reported so far are from Tom (WA4ZOF), Phil (W0XI), Bill (KV6Z), Gary (KF7WNS), Darryl (KK5IB), and Chas (W2SH).

72,

John AA0VE
Ozark Patrol

Bob Reisenweber <w3bbo1@...>
 

When the latest batch was announced, I immediately sent in my order and received the kit last week. Sunday, I put everything together and to my disappointment, no signals. This is the first kit that hasn't worked for me from the get-go. (Built the K2, Sierra, SST, OHR-100 and others) I've checked everything twice, both component ID and location. The headphones seem better than the speaker...lots of hiss, but no signals.

I've made three different "gimmick capacitors" and even tried using my Elecraft XG-1 signal generator to insert a signal at 7.040 to no avail.

What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions welcomed. With the regen control fully counter-clockwise, the Q1 collector (can) is at 0 Volts. Increasing the regen pot shows voltage. The more clockwise you turn the control, the more the voltage increases. Something is screwed up.

Thanks,

73 de Bob W3BBO
NAQCC MWN

Scotty Long
 

Hey folks quick reminder the NAQCC Midwest MWN Net, from Nebraska...is tonight 40m on or around 7117 +/- kHz at 9:00PM CDT, 0200 UTC. 

Sent from my iPad

73 Scotty Long NU0S
NAQCC MWN NCS
Net Manager-Coordinator 
Member 3715

Follow me on Twitter for live net updates and QRP in the field... @NU0Slong 
Re: Chinese Pixie Part II

John Clements
 

I agree Lee, we did this at our local club to generate activity and get some of the newer tech's, with rocks on their segment and the supplied 50 ohm resistor, experience in building and to show the fun they can have getting their licenses upgraded.  In short, most of these little kits won't make it on the air but we all had a blast building and making a few table-top QSO's for mere pennies.  There was enough fun that a few of the new tech's have either already upgraded or want to start a general class this fall.  Even better is getting constantly asked "what's the next project?"  Mission accomplished! 
Re: Chinese Pixie Part II

Bill Cromwell
 

Hi,

I just got one of those kits as a door prize at the Michigan QRP Club annual picnic. I'll build it up but I'll use replacement transistors as suggested and probably get a different crystal even though I have an Extra Class ticket - just to make sure I have more hams to talk to. Thanks for the tips about the transistors and the output filters.

On 07/13/2015 12:40 AM, Lee l@w0vt.us [4sqrp] wrote:

The condenses of those that have built these rigs is, they do work "as is" with less then advertised power because the two transistors are of poor quality. Put in two decent transistors and they put out much more power. As for the two included cores, any ham with a little knowledge realizes the powdered iron core goes in the pi-network. I assume the kit provider figured US hams were at least smart enough to realize this. I have numerous examples of these rigs myself, but have not bothered to date to build them up. When I do it, I'll make sure to use a couple adequate replacement transistors. These little kits are a super bargain, they just need a little "tweeking". They would make excellent little rigs to be used by a local club for local code practice amoung themselves. Crystals to change them over to higher 40 meter frequencies a Tech can be purchased for around $2.00. The silk screened glass PC board alone is worth $7!!!
Lee, w0vt
Send in your score

John Lonigro
 

Today is Monday. If you participated in the SSS last night, please get your score in ASAP. I have a medical test later this week and need to be finished tallying the scores by Wednesday morning. Otherwise, I don't know when I'll get to it. With three birthdays plus a relative having knee surgery next week, my spare time is going away until August.

Bottom line: Please get your score in today if at all possible.

Thanks and 72,

John AA0VE
Re: Chinese Pixie Part II

Don Wilhelm <w3fpr@...>
 

I doubt that a single PI section low pass filter can achieve the -43 dB 2nd harmonic suppression that is required by the current FCC regulations.
Many old designs suffer from that same limitation.  There is no longer an exemption for QRP transmitters.
The original Pixie was OK because it was built before that regulation was in place.  But all transmitters built after January 1, 2003 must meet that requirement.  See FCC part 97.307(d).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/13/2015 12:40 AM, Lee l@... [4sqrp] wrote:
 

  As for the two included cores, any ham with a little knowledge realizes the powdered iron core goes in the pi-network.  I assume the kit provider figured US hams were at least smart enough to realize this.
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