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Author Topic: Using an SB220 on AM  (Read 100897 times)
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ke7trp
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« Reply #50 on: August 22, 2009, 12:56:26 AM »

I agree with most of that.  Ham Radio is actualy alot worse then CB in many respects. Especialy if you are young and on AM.


Clark
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Steve - WB3HUZ
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« Reply #51 on: August 22, 2009, 01:45:22 AM »

Who's young and on AM?

I agree with most of that.  Ham Radio is actualy alot worse then CB in many respects. Especialy if you are young and on AM.


Clark
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Steve - WB3HUZ
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« Reply #52 on: August 22, 2009, 01:50:14 AM »

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What a bunch of crap, hiding behind the "I can't help someone I know is doing something illegal" lingo, when in actuality, it was because they didn't want to help someone who <<might>> be a CB operator.

No crap. This is an amateur radio BB. Why would we want to help out CBers? They have their own BBs.
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KX5JT
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« Reply #53 on: August 22, 2009, 06:05:58 AM »

Who's young and on AM?

I agree with most of that.  Ham Radio is actualy alot worse then CB in many respects. Especialy if you are young and on AM.


Clark

Define young!
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AMI#1684
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« Reply #54 on: August 22, 2009, 08:57:32 AM »

There are some differences between services and even on ham bands but we all have something(s) in common.   And one thing is highly evident, we like to spew RF.  Isn't that good enough?
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Bob
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« Reply #55 on: August 22, 2009, 12:16:48 PM »

   I enjoy both services.  So do a LOT of amateur operators!  I know of at least one top ten finisher of most contests that runs 27.025.  Discretion is the better part of valor, hence the reason I actually KNOW who the person is.  If they where known in the amateur ranks, they would be looked down upon. 
OK, but what is it about 27.025 that attracts him?   I can't quite get my head round  technically competant people  doing "keydowns" and yammering on the Superbowl channel.   

Dennis let his call expire and gave up on amateur because of the same reasons.  WHY?  Why get a ticket to be part of some elitist club.
I can't quite get over this "elitist" idea.   Now maybe we don't act this way here in Canada?  I don't know.    You must have some real  snobs and  smug arrogant types where you are.    I think this "elitist"  claim is false.   I don't trust it, as I think the reasons are otherwise.

I ran in to the same problem asking for help here.  I put a name out, and all of a sudden, 3 people where jumping all over me, asking for call signs, etc.  I got news for you, YOU DON'T NEED  A CALLSIGN TO HAVE A WORKING TRANSMITTER,
  Actually, in Canada you do.  One may not possess a functioning transmitter, as that constitutes  an illegal radio station.   But I digress...

Again, I have no interest in CB per se, though I do operate there occasionally.     
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« Reply #56 on: August 22, 2009, 02:03:47 PM »

There are some differences between services and even on ham bands but we all have something(s) in common.   And one thing is highly evident, we like to spew RF.  Isn't that good enough?

As long as the participant(s) obey the rules of the radio service they are operating in, I have no problem with that. If they're motivated to engage in activities which are in violation of the rules of their radio service, I have no desire to help them. In my opinion, if you can't follow the rules, then "hit the road"!
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Steve - WB3HUZ
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« Reply #57 on: August 22, 2009, 02:31:47 PM »

My point exactly.  Amateur radio, like most anything else, is what YOU make of it, no matter your age. I have just as much fun now as I did when I got into amateur radio via AM at age 14. If ya wanna piss and moan and point fingers at others, you can do that at any age. If you wanna have fun and learn, you can do that at any age. It's all about you and your choices.



Who's young and on AM?

I agree with most of that.  Ham Radio is actualy alot worse then CB in many respects. Especialy if you are young and on AM.


Clark

Define young!
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ke7trp
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« Reply #58 on: August 22, 2009, 02:36:51 PM »

I am glad you got it all figured out Steve. 

Clark
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« Reply #59 on: August 22, 2009, 02:43:18 PM »

There are some differences between services and even on ham bands but we all have something(s) in common.   And one thing is highly evident, we like to spew RF.  Isn't that good enough?

As long as the participant(s) obey the rules of the radio service they are operating in, I have no problem with that. If they're motivated to engage in activities which are in violation of the rules of their radio service, I have no desire to help them. In my opinion, if you can't follow the rules, then "hit the road"!

Pete,

My point is / was, I came and asked about the part value.  And as soon as I typed the name of someone, it turned into a fiasco.  A simple name.  A FIRST name.  But, I digress, this is getting to the point of being nowhere near topic.

And it's the same people that do it time after time, so no, it ISN'T the community as a whole (ham radio), but a select few elitists that believe for some reason, rose petals exit their backside.

I also agree with you on the legality issue, but I'm also a realist, and know that ALL radio services have outlaws.  I won't pass judgement on someone because of the way they choose to operate their radio.. Life is too short to alienate potential friends / information because they might run 100 watts on 11 meters!  OOooohh, call the CIA / FBI  / FCC / INS / blah blah blah.  Seriously.

Anyway, this is completely off thread now.

To the Canadian gentleman, who knows what makes them do it...  Why do people drag race?  It IS a thrill when you hit the PTT on the D104 or footswitch, and watch the line section meter edge to the 40-45 kw level, and pin when you give it any modulation.  I mean, when your running the same or greater PEP than a broadcast station is allowed, it WILL give you a woody.

I will say I've run across a LOT more tolerant amateurs in .ca than I have in the US.  In Canada, in general, people seem to be a lot more tolerant of personal freedoms, even though from what I've seen the country itself has less than we do.  I've never run across a canadian amateur that hasn't been willing to help, regardless of license class... Interesting, since you pointed out that is CLEARLY in violation of the law (as it is here, KNOWINGLY helping someone break or you know is going to break the law...  ALTHOUGH, we may own pretty much any transmitter (subject to export restrictions, etc) we can get our hands on, no laws there (generalization).

I enjoy all radio services.  Amateur radio is a WELCOME addition to my radio addiction.  I can always find DX, always find someone to talk to and have a civil conversation with.  Granted, since upgrade to general, I find myself on 11 meters a LOT less..... BUT, I still have my radios,  and they still are connected to antennas.  Just no DX, and THAT'S my forte... DX and technical sides.


--Shane



--Shane

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KD6VXI
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« Reply #60 on: August 22, 2009, 02:46:33 PM »

Quote
What a bunch of crap, hiding behind the "I can't help someone I know is doing something illegal" lingo, when in actuality, it was because they didn't want to help someone who <<might>> be a CB operator.

No crap. This is an amateur radio BB. Why would we want to help out CBers? They have their own BBs.

Maybe because it WAS an amateur that asked, for another amateur.

The CB part of it came because I mentioned a first name.

It wasn't like I came on here and said "I have a CBer that has a johnson he runs into a pair of tetrodes, and he needs to know the value of XXX so he can get his 50 kilowatt hammer back"...  It was "Hey, anyone have the value of XXX on chassis YYY"....  Got the response, said "Thanks, and thanks from ......"... Which fired up a hornets nest of "CBer CBer CBer"... Culminating in me having to post a callsign to get some aholes off my back.

One must keep context in mind!

--Shane
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Steve - WB3HUZ
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« Reply #61 on: August 22, 2009, 02:58:57 PM »

Yes, one must keep the context in mind. You are new here and no nothing of the history of this forum. Yet you want to paint with a broad brush. There are almost 2900 members here. You can P&M about a few so called AHs or you can choose to have fun. It has nothing to do with CB versus amateur. It has to do with attitude. Your call.
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Steve - WB3HUZ
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« Reply #62 on: August 22, 2009, 04:30:18 PM »

LOL. Take all the cheap shots you want. I'll keep having fun and you can keep pissing and moaning about amateur radio and AM.


I am glad you got it all figured out Steve. 

Clark
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W1RKW
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« Reply #63 on: August 22, 2009, 04:39:18 PM »

Remember the SB220?
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Bob
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W1GFH
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« Reply #64 on: August 22, 2009, 04:45:10 PM »

I can't quite get my head round  technically competent people  doing "keydowns" and yammering on the Superbowl channel.   

I have listened there and it sounded like a bunch of people with distorted audio shouting rhyming hip hop slogans with fake accents. Not my cup of tea. But as long as they stay there and don't bother anybody, I say, to each his own.
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WD8BIL
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« Reply #65 on: August 22, 2009, 05:15:34 PM »

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I won't pass judgement on someone because of the way they choose to operate their radio..

I will!
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« Reply #66 on: August 22, 2009, 05:20:24 PM »

I can't quite get my head round  technically competent people  doing "keydowns" and yammering on the Superbowl channel.   

I have listened there and it sounded like a bunch of people with distorted audio shouting rhyming hip hop slogans with fake accents. Not my cup of tea. But as long as they stay there and don't bother anybody, I say, to each his own.

Thank these guys for making sure BPL dies.
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W1VD
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« Reply #67 on: August 22, 2009, 06:07:14 PM »

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It IS a thrill when you hit the PTT on the D104 or footswitch, and watch the line section meter edge to the 40-45 kw level, and pin when you give it any modulation.  I mean, when your running the same or greater PEP than a broadcast station is allowed, it WILL give you a woody.

Why not put a legal broadcast or shortwave station on the air then? Can't run with the real big boys? Let's hear the excuses...
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N3DRB The Derb
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« Reply #68 on: August 22, 2009, 09:54:52 PM »

I dont think you can put a am BC station on.  Dont you have to buy a existing station and it's associated CP/license/call?
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KX5JT
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« Reply #69 on: August 22, 2009, 10:19:45 PM »

Remember the SB220?

Wow, this thread sure had gone to the bottom feeders.  As an amateur radio operator, I take pride in being a legally authorized radio station operator.  Outlaw operation should never be glorified.  It's simply a ethics question for me. 

I operate an amateur radio chat room on IRC and we often get either illegal cb'ers or even pirates that come and ask questions about how to do something that is obviously illegal.  I always try to set the example not by deriding or degrading the individual but simply being an example and pointing out that what they are proposing is against the law.  I then refer them to The Amateur's Code http://kx5jt.net/amateurcode.html

Notice the last one is

PATRIOTIC...station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

Does that not also mean to operate LEGALLY in accordance to the law of our country?
I believe it does.  It's the RIGHT thing to do.  Okay, that's my opinion.  Everyone has one.  Flame me if you want but it's correct and no one can argue it isn't.

Of course then I go on to tell them how great the Amateur Radio service is and how much fun I have in it, extolling the virtues, etc.  I actually have sparked interest in our wonderful service on more than one such occasion and may have even been responsible for *gasp* some new callsigns!  (One or Two even learned *gasp* MORSE CODE!!! )

/soapbox off

Anyway, I REALLY was enjoying the TECHNICAL discussion of the SB-220 on AM.  I hope you guys get back on that issue soon.

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ke7trp
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« Reply #70 on: August 22, 2009, 10:29:56 PM »

I for one and really tired of this whole "no code general" type of banter. Who the hell cares?  If a man is licensed, He is licensed.  He has done what is required of him by law. 

Clark
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« Reply #71 on: August 22, 2009, 10:43:43 PM »

Quote
It IS a thrill when you hit the PTT on the D104 or footswitch, and watch the line section meter edge to the 40-45 kw level, and pin when you give it any modulation.  I mean, when your running the same or greater PEP than a broadcast station is allowed, it WILL give you a woody.

Why not put a legal broadcast or shortwave station on the air then? Can't run with the real big boys? Let's hear the excuses...

I actually tried, and the paperwork that was involved for a low power station was just insane.

Then, I asked a broadcast engineer for help in doing such (I had a community and more than a handful of people in a "small town" that had NO local station inquiring) by the name of John Bartal.  He informed me, in no uncertain terms, that as soon as I had the paperwork all done, the surveys, etc., it pretty much was a free-for-all, and the guy who could put the station up FIRST, would win... Meaning, one of the low power specialists, one of the religious broadcasters (for shortwave), etc.

So, I actually DID TRY to do just what your asking, I DID inquire to a licensed Broadcash Engineer (based out of the Santa Maria, Ca area... I was in central California at the time, and he was in charge of 2 AM stations and an FM station in the Bakersfield area), and it wasn't cost effective...

Just the cost of GETTING the license can cost more than building a 15 kilowatt station.  Period.  And, according to the ENGINEER I INQUIRED WITH, it's still no 'sure thing' for the little guy, I was told I would pretty much do the legwork for a small low powered specialist to come in and take me over.

As a reference, there are 4 or 5 licenses issued for the area I was looking in.  None of them have been worked on other than the initial surveys....  As soon as the surveys where done, the SW religious broadcasters started inquiring on the sites, and the BC stations specialing in satellite downlinks and unmanned "revenue generators" started inquiring....  Meaning, as soon as someone did the necessary work, they were sure to jump on it.

That's what I found, when trying to get a LEGITIMATE shortwave or low powered (not part 15) AM or FM radio station in operation.  I had the IDEAL location, 6500 feet ASL, with 100 watts, I had good reports from 200 miles north of Bakersfield to Disneyland!

Anyway, I'll answer more questions on the SB220.....  Otherwise, it's a pissing contests, and I'm perfectly comfortable with the size of my external dangler, thank you.


--Shane
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N3DRB The Derb
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« Reply #72 on: August 23, 2009, 06:17:48 AM »

bc radio is not glamourous at all. Once you get into radio for money, you become a prisoner of the business end of things. You wind up not doing what you love but becoming part of the commercial radio
culture.

When the dollar enters, the fun leaves. it becomes just another job. You're forced to conform or you wont last long. Forever a slave to ratings and $$$$$.

this is the only kind of bc radio thats fun, where it's so small the $$$ dont take over.

http://www.americanprofile.com/spotlights/article/1887.html

ok, back to the sb 220....
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Steve - WB3HUZ
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« Reply #73 on: August 23, 2009, 11:29:56 AM »

Quote
Otherwise, it's a pissing contests, and I'm perfectly comfortable with the size of my external dangler, thank you.

How about your internal dangler?


As far as the SB-220, as W2JBL has proven, the amp can be used successfully on AM. He's shown this in decades of use. And yea, he's been known to make a few old buzzard transmissions. So go ahead and put that SB-220 on and pin our S-meters!
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K5DBX
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« Reply #74 on: April 26, 2010, 06:47:47 PM »

I know it has been a while since anyone has posted on this thread, but I thought I might share a couple of things you can workover on the SB-220 to improve it's performance. One area most needing attention is the power supply tank circuit. I have increased mine from around 20mfd @ 3kv to around 55mfd @ 3kv by replacing the caps with 470mfd/450volt 30x55mm long life Panasonics with the original hardware, and using 100k-ohm Dale/Vishay 10 watt resistors replacing the 30k/7w originals. It makes the HV stiffer, and runs cooler with the bleeders load reduced.

The second area of attention was the parasitic suppressors on the 3-500z's. Using true ceramic composite resistors @ 47ohm/4.5w rated at well over 4Kv continuous stab voltage, (expensive and large....13 bucks each and 1/2" in diameter) and using them as formers for 100nH coils made with 12 guage solid copper. (2 turns 24mm round x 12mm wide) It's self-resonant frequency was around 500+ Mhz so it worked well even in the 10 meter band. The ceramic composite resistors are truly non-inductive and one of the best replacements for carbon composite. Also, removing the floating grids and firmly grounding them as Eimac suggests, removes much of the resonant problems from using the "super-cathode" driven design proposed by Collin's engineers, and adopted by Heath in this design.

Lastly, and most importantly, was the fan. Building from a fairly good design to start with, I did not go with Harbaugh's replacement, (since the motor in mine was just fine) I chose instead to replace the nylon fan blade (250~275 cfm @ 3000rpm original) with a nylon one from Grainger which was rated at 450cfm @ 3000 rpm. I then did some research on the way in which the fan was placed inside the amp, and it's open blade design. By utilizing a fan shroud, 30mm in width around the circumference of the opening including the bottom opening, it increased the overall performance by more than about 20%. (that doesn't include the increased cfm from using a higher cfm blade) Using a shroud over open blade design is a significant improvement. I used 16 guage aluminum, 30mm wide from the hardware store and formed it to the current opening inside the RF deck area, and made a separate section for under the chassis to completly shroud the fan blade itself.  I used the current screws holding the rf deck separator to attach these items to the chassis itself. It does a great job of now pulling air in from the transformer/capacitor area as well, aiding in the cooling of these components.

You can get a glimps of this rebuild over at http://www.k5dbx.com  
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