|
natanw6xr
Guest
|
 |
« on: May 04, 2010, 09:45:45 PM » |
|
I picked up a completely refurbished Johnson Ranger I at NearFest and I'm having a bit of a problem getting the Ranger to operate a Dow Key Relay. My plan was to use the 110 V available at the ceramic socket on the rear panel when the PTT is actuated. The socket looks like it will accept a FT243 xtal holder but the pins are too large to fit. So what might be plan B to energize the Dow Key to mute the RX and change the coax from the rx to the transmitter. Ideally, I want to minimize cutting or beavering (a technical term) the chassis given the condition this Ranger is in right now. I'm sure there is a simple solution I am once again missing.
Thanks,
Natan W6XR
Freeville, NY
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
W1GFH
Guest
|
|
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2010, 10:37:26 PM » |
|
Yank two pins from an old tube socket and solder them to the ends of a short length of zip cord. Nicen up the joints with heatshrink tubing. Perfect fit for the Ranger's 110V relay socket.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Pete, WA2CWA
Moderator
Member
 Offline
Posts: 8272
CQ CQ CONTEST
|
|
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2010, 11:10:48 PM » |
|
FT-243 crystals will not fit into that crystal type holder. Find an old HC6/U crystal. Many of the old CB crystals were this. Unsolder the housing from the base. Gut the crystal stuff. Solder an insulated wire to each pin, punch or drill a hole in the top of the housing, slip the wires through the hole, and then reassemble and tack solder the housing back to the base. Add a piece of masking tape around the housing for insulation and gripping. "Old timers" used this technique and I think something similar was once published in Hints and Kinks.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
|
|
|
|
N3DRB The Derb
Guest
|
|
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2010, 06:59:32 AM » |
|
I have some new white ceramic FT 243 xtal holders (Millen) if it would fit I'll be happy to send you one.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
W1GFH
Guest
|
|
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2010, 08:09:07 AM » |
|
The hacked metal HC6U xtal method is a little sporty with 110VAC, but some people like it:  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
WQ9E
Member
Offline
Posts: 3305
|
|
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2010, 09:31:56 AM » |
|
I use the hacked HC-6U method with all my Johnson rigs. You might need to spread the pins a little bit to ensure a tight fit.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Rodger WQ9E
|
|
|
|
WA3VJB
Guest
|
|
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2010, 10:08:04 AM » |
|
Nicen up the joints
The technical jargon on here never fails to amaze me. : ) |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
w6xr
Guest
|
|
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2010, 02:59:33 PM » |
|
There are times when I surprise myself and alas, this is one of those times. My connector parts box had components of the newer type "N" connector, specifically the center pin! The tip of the center pin is of course beveled and the body has a hole in it to facilitate passage of hot flowing solder. So since it fit perfectly into the ceramic socket, I added a slight coating of solder, then flowed solder to my wire now placed into the body of the center pin and I had a fine business connector for powering my Dow Key relay. The cost was minimal and the connection can be tight, permanent or damn near permanent. Put some shrink wrap on the wire and center pin and it even looks fine biz too.
So maybe tonight I can try out the new Ranger, assuming all else is just fine business!
Thanks to all who suggested the various resolutions to my simple problem.
73
Natan W6XR
Freeville, NY
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
WBear2GCR
Member
Offline
Posts: 4150
Brrrr- it's cold in the shack! Fire up the BIG RIG
|
|
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2010, 08:47:37 PM » |
|
Fyi, I don't bother to mute my receiver... the isolation from the Dowkey is enough to make the signal from my hotrod Valiant2 to about 40 over... makes a nice in room monitor... keep the speaker back about 7-8 feet... the Ranger is lower power so should be fine... might be worth trying... Btw, nice meeting you at Nearfest!  _-_-bear |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
K5UJ
Contributing
Member
Offline
Posts: 2814
|
|
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2010, 12:24:55 AM » |
|
it's moot now, but you could probably curl in the edges of the xtal can hole with a unibit or something like it sort of reeming them in so they don't cut into the shrink tubing and wire insulation.
General question--what is so wonderful about the Dow-Key relays on HF and 160? I am asking because I thought I'd just make up a TR relay with an aluminum project box, 3 UHF jacks and get a DPDT relay with whatever coil v. I need and RF voltage rating and mount it in there and go. I figure the Z bump at HF won't be a problem will it? As long as there is no relay chatter from RF getting into the coil.
If I am missing something you get with Dow-Key pse tell me before I waste time and money of materials and I'll add it to my hamvention shopping list. I can understand needing one for 6 meters and up.
Rob
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Not taking crap or giving it is a pretty good lifestyle."--Frank
|
|
|
Ralph W3GL
Contributing
Member
Offline
Posts: 748
|
|
« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2010, 12:30:10 AM » |
|
Rob,
Put your "relay in a box" on the output of the RF generator
and your good to go thru 6 meters...
With a 3p/dt relay you can even do the receiver muting thing!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
73, Ralph W3GL
"Just because the microphone in front of you amplifies your voice around the world is no reason to think we have any more wisdom than we had when our voices could reach from one end of the bar to the other" Ed Morrow
|
|
|
K5UJ
Contributing
Member
Offline
Posts: 2814
|
|
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2010, 07:56:15 AM » |
|
Thanks Ralph that's a great idea! wish I could think of these things on my own  Rob |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Not taking crap or giving it is a pretty good lifestyle."--Frank
|
|
|
The Slab Bacon
Member
Offline
Posts: 3929
|
|
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2010, 03:11:57 PM » |
|
Rob,
Put your "relay in a box" on the output of the RF generator
and your good to go thru 6 meters...
With a 3p/dt relay you can even do the receiver muting thing!
I've been doin that for years with no problems. At 50 ohm impedances and moderate power levels, it doesnt even have to be an RF rated relay. I usually use the bigger (10A contacts) "ice cube" relays. they work just fine! Thanks Ralph that's a great idea! wish I could think of these things on my own Rob Thatz what you got us for! !  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"No is not an answer and failure is not an option!"
|
|
|
|
W1GFH
Guest
|
|
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2010, 06:24:42 PM » |
|
General question--what is so wonderful about the Dow-Key relays on HF and 160?
They're really not any better than a hefty open frame contactor relay you can wire up with coax jumpers yourself. The Z bump to the Xmtr is negligible. Some people don't even bother with enclosures or shielding. However, if you come across a Dow Key cheap (or free), they make the T/R wiring at the back of the rig a little faster, neater and more convenient. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
W1GFH
Guest
|
|
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2010, 08:45:26 PM » |
|
I recall I had one of those. It ran so hot you could fry steaks on it! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
WQ9E
Member
Offline
Posts: 3305
|
|
« Reply #15 on: May 08, 2010, 12:18:58 PM » |
|
I recall I had one of those. It ran so hot you could fry steaks on it! I have one and it would make a great coffee warmer if it didn't make the coffee evaporate so quickly  It gets used when I want to quickly pair up a receiver and transmitter without worrying about relay control voltages but it never becomes a permanent part of a setup. It is one of the few pieces of gear that gets too hot for the cats to love. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Rodger WQ9E
|
|
|
|
