The AM Forum

A 1953 design cathode-follower build in that old Moto cabinet.  Boatloads of metalwork in panels.

looks good so far, I still have a few more things internal to finish before firing up.  

She uses 5Y3GT, 6V6GT, 6SF5, & 6SN7GT lineup.  PW dials are nice, but a real job to restore.

73DG

It is looking good DG!  Nice re-task of the Motorola cabinet.

Looks great!   What is the brown cylinder that looks like a coil form?

Indeed it is a Hammy coil form, set back in an NOS Notional can as used on the FB-7.

Presently winding them with 7-40 Litz.  Changeable from the front is ergonomic over behind the panel.

73DG

That's a beautiful set! Us po' folks with no mill or lathe or laser have to make do. Nice work on it!

Hand cut panels, sanded by hand, but I do have an old drill press...

Laser?

Mill?

Lathe?

Not yet.  Just a good set of electronics hand tools and a boatload of Greenlee punches.

Thanks for the kudos, makes the hours worth it.

73DG

Excellent work Mr. DG! 

Some things in particular that I like.  The first being the front access plug in coil.  I also like the symmetry of the knob placement!  Let us know how it works when you fire it up. 

Have you read Surviving Technology by Bruce Vaughan's NR5Q (sk)?  He made some  good discoveries in the 100 or so regen sets he built.  He also published a lot of articles on the subject in ER.   He linked variable link coupling into the first stage and it appears to be a real good way to minimize overload on strong signals.  The other think he found out that an RF stage was really not necessary and created more problems than it was worth.  The regenerative detector itself he operated at some very low voltages and noticed very smooth operation.   Being in good mechanical stability was an important attribute on his build list as well. 

Good luck in finishing it up and can't wait to hear the results of your labor! 

Joe, W3GMS     

How did you etch your name/call in there? I'm happy to do things by hand but don't have practice in that sort of detail.

GMS...yep, got Bruce's book.  Lots of interesting history, but I thought I'd seen the "utimate regen" schematic before.  Sure enough, it was in the '47 handbook by some other ham.  Hey, if it works, use it.

The National coil housing worked out to be a great way to mount & shield the coil, but still make it easy to access and minimize hand effects.

Pat...the lettering is just a cheap plastic lettering guide and Rapidiograph pen from the art store, sprayed over with poly clear gloss.

73DG

Velly nice. Love that cab.
High domed forehead, velly smart fellow in there.

A lettering guide as in a simple template, and the pen , a 'technical pen' as in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_pen ?

I see lettering guides with just holes in them, and then templates that would guide a pen tip.

Ok I'll have to try that. I have never liked the way rub-on or stick-on labels look - it is always evident the backing plastic is there.

So the pen's ink does not run under paint? Some care required there?

That is "one of the best lookin regens out there!"

Of course you have some work ahead before you can declare total victory.