DX-60 HV

[N8IE]

Hello,
I have a couple of DX-60's that have bad mode switches (burnt contacts on the HV line).
I've seen a few ways to fix them or simply use a toggle to switch HV manually, my question is there any reason not to let the HV line be on all the time and bypass a switch?

I'm sure there is. 

73
Dan, N8IE

[KM1H]

Use a switch to control a relay that switches the HV. You can do this before or after a wafer is ruined. I did it to mine before.

Carl
KM1H

[VA3AEX]

Dan: a timely subject for me as I'm planning a restoration of a $5 hamfest DX-60 basket case.  Fortunately its largely complete although looks like it sat in a wet barn for several years.

Carl: would be interested in the type of relay you used and what the voltage source was to power the relay.

Also mine has been modified to add an 0A2 regulator -- has anyone seen this before?

73

Alex VA3AEX

[N8IE]

Dan: a timely subject for me as I'm planning a restoration of a $5 hamfest DX-60 basket case.  Fortunately its largely complete although looks like it sat in a wet barn for several years.

Carl: would be interested in the type of relay you used and what the voltage source was to power the relay.

Also mine has been modified to add an 0A2 regulator -- has anyone seen this before?

73

Alex VA3AEX

Hello Alex,
I just finished a $40 HR-10B I found at a flea market this past spring.
All it needed was a re-tube, a new meter, and realigned.
It even came with the crystal calibrator.

I have a hanger queen DX-60 if you need any parts.

If I do use a toggle to switch the HV, I'd tap into the 6.3V filiment (pin 4 of tube 4 is a good choice) and build a simple voltage doubler and rectifier circuit to power the switch.

73
Dan, N8IE

[W1EUJ]

HR-10B.
So much effort.
So little receiver.

[N8IE]

HR-10B.
So much effort.
So little receiver.

 
Like my daughter says, "what ever....." 

73
Dan, N8IE

[VA3AEX]

Dan: mine needed both pre-amp/mod tubes (actually had them in my stash), some electrolytics and few zorched and split resistors.  The guy told me it was blowing fuses, but at $5 I couldn't resist as I have an HR-10 that will go with it.  The DX-60 has two split knobs (over tightened?) and the HR-10 is missing the S meter -- do you have spares you could part with?

73

Alex VA3AEX

[N8IE]

Dan: mine needed both pre-amp/mod tubes (actually had them in my stash), some electrolytics and few zorched and split resistors.  The guy told me it was blowing fuses, but at $5 I couldn't resist as I have an HR-10 that will go with it.  The DX-60 has two split knobs (over tightened?) and the HR-10 is missing the S meter -- do you have spares you could part with?

73

Alex VA3AEX

I should have the knobs but I used my only spare S-meter.
I'll get back with you tonight when I get home from work.

Tom, N0JMY runs a small business selling cap kits, his web page is http://www.hayseedhamfest.com/
I have bought kits for DX-60's and he came up with one for the HR-10. Nice guy and good products.

73
Dan, N8IE

[W1EUJ]

I have to add to this.

I bought a DX-60 cap, and Drake 2B cap from him. He emailed me not too long after I received the cap, letting me know that he noticed an issue with the latest 2B lots he received, that the tab markers were not in the right position (so that somebody reassembling the circuit using these tabs would get the wrong capacitances connected). He suggested a way to detect this and a fix, and a willingness to accept returns.

He lets me know when he receives the order, when it is filled, and when it ships. There is no moment where you don't know what's going on.

Then to the filter cap. It looks BETTER than the original,  demanding you clean up your chassis. It fits well. On the DX-60 kit, don't worry about holding onto the diamond plate from the original, he includes a new one. And just like the original, those half-moon, triangle and square markers are there.

He offers these in kits - when you get the filter cap, you also get all the other electrolytics in your radio. I wish he'd offer an option for adding plastic caps to the kit, for COMPLETE recapping. Save on shipping and handling from Digikey, etc.

A great boatanchor supplier. I did not get paid to write this.

[KM1H]

Dan: a timely subject for me as I'm planning a restoration of a $5 hamfest DX-60 basket case.  Fortunately its largely complete although looks like it sat in a wet barn for several years.

Carl: would be interested in the type of relay you used and what the voltage source was to power the relay.

Also mine has been modified to add an 0A2 regulator -- has anyone seen this before?

73

Alex VA3AEX

The same as mentioned. Doubled the filament voltage, a coupla 220 uF caps, 10K bleeder, a 12VDC relay that was in the junkbox and a 12V 5W zener. Mounted the relay on a piece of phenolic and used a nylon screw in case of an insulation breakdown/arc. No zaps yet.

Carl
KM1H

[W0GSQ]

I finally got around to mine last month. Took filament voltage from V4 and used a 6V AC relay from Mouser. Now I know the function switch will last plus I get a very nice "ker-thunk" when switch is turned. Should have done it sooner......

Steve

[WU2D]

My buddy Billy got his novice the same time I did and he had a Heath DX-40 and an HR-10 and all I had was a surplus BC-652  that covered only 80M and tuned fast. God was I jealous. That HR-10 was a premium receiver to me.

Mike WU2D

[W1EUJ]

I feel bad for any kid that saved up all that money to build the HR-10. God what a crappy receiver. You might as well have used an S-38.

[KM1H]

When I had my Novice several of my friends had a S-38C or D or a S-53A. Their dads thought a brand new radio was better than some used piece of junk.

I bought a used HQ-129X on my own with paper route money. Which was a step up from the homebrew regen I learned CW on or the BC-454 & 455 I bandspreaded and used for a few months.

Im still active, they never got their Generals. My hat is off to anyone who made it past those pieces of junk and stayed with the hobby.

Carl
KM1H

[N8IE]

Dan: The DX-60 has two split knobs (over tightened?) and the HR-10 is missing the S meter -- do you have spares you could part with?

73

Alex VA3AEX

Hello Alex,
Sorry to take so long getting back. Finally made it to the bottom of the workbench and found two good looking knobs.

Are you good in QRZ? If so they'll be in the mail!

73
Dan, N8IE

[VA3AEX]

Dan:
Sorry didn't get back to you earlier.  Was in NJ for Thanksgiving and had no access to a computer.  My address is good on QRZ and would really appreciate the knobs!

Alex

[N8IE]

Dan:
Sorry didn't get back to you earlier.  Was in NJ for Thanksgiving and had no access to a computer.  My address is good on QRZ and would really appreciate the knobs!

Alex

I'll get them in the mail Monday!
Hope you (and everyone) had a safe and happy thanksgiving.

73
Dan, N8IE

[wa2zdy]

When I had my Novice several of my friends had a S-38C or D or a S-53A. Their dads thought a brand new radio was better than some used piece of junk.
. . .

Im still active, they never got their Generals. My hat is off to anyone who made it past those pieces of junk and stayed with the hobby.

My first receiver was a Halliscratchers SX140, not a great receiver by any definition.  It was originally a kit and whoever built mine did a poor job that was later made worse by a golden screwdriver specialist.  (An attempt had been made to change the 6m capability to 11m as one example!)  When I upgraded to my brother's HQ120, I learned what the bands (well, below 20m anyway) really sound like.

As you alluded though, learning to make contact and have fun using junk like that SX140 was a near-priceless education.  I believe I am the operator I am today because I learned to deal with so much worse.

My transmitter was a rockbound 6L6 on 7123 from a 1938 QST.  Radio Moscow's 7125 carrier did not make things easier, and 40m was my only band - with just the one rock.

No, the HR10 is not a great receiver.  Lots of kids had them, but plenty had worse.  (Think S38, S120, Heath SW717, etc.)   None of us knew how poor our receivers were; we just had fun making contacts and learning to be good operators.   

Yeah, I was jealous of the occassional guy with an SB101, or the kid on Daddy's S-line, but not anymore.  I had experiences they never did; I think I'm a better ham now for it.  If I had a DX60/HG10/HR10 now, my son would be learning ham radio the way I did 34 years ago.

As a General, summer 1976:

[WB2YGF]

Yeah, I was jealous of the occassional guy with an SB101, or the kid on Daddy's S-line, but not anymore. 
As a General, summer 1976:

Yeah, I know the feeling.  My friend had an Drake 2NT/2C (gifts) while all I could afford was a Heath AT1/VF1 (6L6, 30W) and a Lafayette HA 800, broad as a barn (no filter).  I got up at 4AM to work CW when 80M was less crowded.  Later my friend upgraded to a Drake C-line (R4C/T4XC) while I upgraded to a DX60/HG10/HQ-110AC.   Operated as AB2YGF in 1976!  Lots of fun times.

[Carl WA1KPD]

Agree.

Those were fun times.

I started with a Lafayette KT-320 and A Jonson Adventurer. The KT-320 was real exciting when you hit the table wile on a 15 meter QSO.
But back in 68 that band was open and I would rush home from school every afternoon to work it. Xtal bound and I tuned up and down listening for a reply. Had some great QSOs One highlight was working PY5ASN who's call I recognized from a Gotham Verticals ad. I felt as if I had worked the President.
Upgraded after mowing a lot of lawns to a Drake 2B. The linear and accurate frequency readout along with stability and sensitivity were COOL.

Had some of my best QSOs in those days.
73
/KPD

[WB2YGF]

The KT-320 was real exciting when you hit the table wile on a 15 meter QSO.

On 10 meters, the VF1 drifted so bad they had to follow me down the band!

[N8IE]

Dan:
Sorry didn't get back to you earlier.  Was in NJ for Thanksgiving and had no access to a computer.  My address is good on QRZ and would really appreciate the knobs!

Alex

Hello Alex,
Did the knobs arrive yet?

73
Dan, N8IE

[VA3AEX]

Not yet Dan...post is slow this time of year though.  Thanks for following up!

73  Alex

[n9ysq]

Hey guys. Sort of new to am. I bought a dx 60 at a local fest recently.  What should I look for before power up for safety?  Guy said it worked but I want to be safe.  I also want to use my d104 with it. Can I just replace the mic with a 1/4 inch jack? My MT1 has a 1/4 inch jack and I want to convert the mic for use on both. Plan to use a National 140 for rx. I am very concerned about safety my 2 year old loves radio already. I will probably add a back board (likely peg) to keep fingers out. 

[N8IE]

Hey guys. Sort of new to am.

Hello and welcome. I'm a bit of a noob myself, at least to AM.

I bought a dx 60 at a local fest recently.  What should I look for before power up for safety?  Guy said it worked but I want to be safe.

R.T.F.M.! Get familiar with the radio and you should not have any problems. The function switch on mine burned up and I had to move the HV line to a toggle switch (this is a common problem with the DX-60) there is also a mod where you can move the HV line to a relay and switch it there. Too late for mine. 

I also want to use my d104 with it. Can I just replace the mic with a 1/4 inch jack? My MT1 has a 1/4 inch jack and I want to convert the mic for use on both.

Don't see why you could not. I use an amplified Silver Eagle D-104 on mine.

Plan to use a National 140 for rx.

I use either an SX-99 or the HR-10B.

I am very concerned about safety my 2 year old loves radio already. I will probably add a back board (likely peg) to keep fingers out.

That's a good place to start. Just teach him right from the begining and have him keep his hands in his pockets! 

73
Dan, N8IE