Title: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 25, 2019, 01:06:42 PM I did like to have a digital read-out for my HRO, R1155 etc without modifying the receiver. Si I bought the low cost programmable digital counter at Ali express, Epay etc. for a few bucks. The counter has a capacitor input that did allow me to put 5 Volts DC at the input via a 56 Ohm resistor and a ferrite beat. to power a remote RF amp to pick-up the RF from the LO of the receiver. The RF amp is nothing more than a J-FET to get a very high input impedance. The FET should be one that take approx 10 - 15 mA at zero gate volts, I used a BF245, but a J310 and alike should work fine. The drain goes via a thin coax to the counter, pic's attached. The counter performs perfectly and is programmed to subtract the 456 KHz IF.
Just left to make is a small case with power supply. Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 25, 2019, 01:07:46 PM and the last pic
Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: N3GTE on February 25, 2019, 05:34:46 PM Sure beats the heck out of trying to read those little charts!!! Terry
Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: KK4YY on February 25, 2019, 06:19:52 PM Nico,
I see those counters from China on Epay for less than 12 USD shipped (to USA). I can think of a few places I could use them around here. I'm going to add it to my "wish list". If I understand correctly, you needed to add the amplifier just so you wouldn't need to make a direct connection to the receiver instead, relying on a "gimmick" capacitor. Well done. Don Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: N3GTE on February 25, 2019, 07:04:26 PM I've use them on the work bench to check reciever's lo by using a couple turns of hookup wire around the mixer tube. Also can use them to set the lo w/o using a signal generator.
Terry Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 25, 2019, 10:25:10 PM Hi Don.
The counters indeed are less than 12 $. And they are real easy to program for IF offset, gate time etc. The amp is more to be able to enter the signal through a thin coax cable and remain a VERY loose coupling with the oscillator indeed without a physical connection. So it transforms the very high impedance to a current source to drive 50 Ohms. Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: Opcom on February 25, 2019, 11:44:39 PM Cool. I could watch my SX-28 drift with that!
Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 26, 2019, 09:37:46 AM What radio is that on your work bench Terry?. I have a nice collection of radio's from 1926 to 1938. Love to restore them.
Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: N3GTE on February 26, 2019, 02:09:41 PM Hi Nico
It a big old Philco 41-300. Here's technical stuff: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/423/M0013423.htm Great sounding set w/push pull 42's in the output and - feedback. Terry Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: WD8BIL on February 26, 2019, 02:53:52 PM Nice job Nico!
What is the value of the gate resistor? Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 26, 2019, 05:00:47 PM I used 470 kOhm, but non critical.
Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 26, 2019, 05:24:00 PM Nice radio Terry, not only technical, but also for decoration.
Here is an other interesting radio, a Manufrance BA36 from 1936 Tone control by bandwidth change of the IF, Balanced detector (+ and - output) and each leg driving balanced preamp using 2 EF6 tubes and balanced output amp with EL2. Balancing is assured more by common cathode resistors. But my favorite is a 1926 radio, pics attached. It looks new, also the tubes are new, quite unbelievable. Such a find is quite rare. Title: Re: digital receiver readout without modifications Post by: PA0NVD on February 26, 2019, 05:24:56 PM diagram of the detector and output of the manufrance AMfone - Dedicated to Amplitude Modulation on the Amateur Radio Bands
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