Changing crystal cases.

[KF9CM]

While cleaning my Ham shack, I came across approximately 30 crystals for a BC-669 receiver. They're all on a base frequency of 3885 Khz. I would like to transfer the crystal and holders to FT-243 cases. Unfortunately they made 1/2" x 1/2" holders and these are 3/4" x 3/4". I could mill out the FT-243 cases to fit the 3/4" x 3/4" holders or go to the old Bliley round type holders. I'd like to stick with the FT-243 1/2" pin spacing. Any ideas ?


TNX de Gary, KF9CM

[KL7OF]

Is it possible to make a pin adaptor so no disassembly of the crystal is necessary?

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I would try the following:
Remove the innards of the FT-243 holder.
Using a saw, cut the top half of the FT-243 case off leaving about 1/4 inch at the bottom.
Then pinch the pins of the larger holder as best you can, and then trim them to some short length leaving enough to solder a tinned wire on each one.
Heat each pin of the FT-243 holder and slide each wire in.
Try to verify continuity between the stub pin on the large holder to each pin on the FT-243 holder.
Add epoxy between the holders, push and butt them together, and wait to set.
Obviously, the larger holder will overhang the bottom half of the FT-243 holder but it may not make a significant problem.

[W6TOM]

  I have a GRC-109 that takes FT-243 crystals and I have bunch of HC6U crystals I would like to use so yesterday I made a few adapter. Using a HC6U socket I drilled three holes in the top of a used FT-243 crystal, the two outside holes were for the holder's pins onto which I soldered some thin wire, the center hole was for a BRASS 440 screw to hold the HC6U holder, I had to file the nut to fit. I used epoxy to seal the case.

 Here are a few pictures

[W6TOM]

  The second adapter I made a bit different, I cut a 1/2 inch off the top of the FT-243 case, locate the the center between the pins and drilled a whole using ny drill press so it would be straight and tapped for 440 thread. As before I soldered wires onto the HC6U holder and used a BRASS 440 screw and epoxy to seal and hold it all.

   Both variations work fine, a few pictures.