Possible Sillytronix Model 90 VFO Revamp?

[KC4VWU]

I was wondering if anyone has been there before? I have several and was contemplating some mods to add provisions for 80M use and most importantly, more output to use with tube rigs. From what little info I have on it, I'm guessing I could add a voltage amp (maybe a 6AU6) to beef up the output requirements and switch in extra L/C in the oscillator tank for 80M coverage. 40M operation is possible with it's coverage as is. Plenty of room in the enclosure for playing; plentiful and CHEAP!

Phil

[WQ9E]

Phil,

Sounds like a good idea and the Swan VFO drives are pretty smooth making recycling of these units into a better life an excellent idea.

Isn't the VFO itself solid state?  If so you might not want to add a lot of heat internally creating additional drift issues.  The 70's era ARRL handbooks had a SS VFO with an added SS amplifier for driving older rigs and that might give you some good planning ideas.  It might turn out that you will want to basically gut the unit and use the drive mechanism, capacitor, case, etc. as the foundation for a good homebrew unit.

I have seen a lot of these at hamfests but the price asked still indicates they must still be in high demand for 11 meter use-but maybe that is changing.  It seems the demand for FT-101 series radios has fallen off at hamfests.

Rodger WQ9E