The New Station Control Center - Pics

[K1JJ]

After a bit of work, Dick the Bruiser is ready for service.

Using three different keying inputs, (FT-1000D or Class E or HPSDR)  it will produce a multitude of 24V keyed, 12V keyed,  ground keyed and floating keyed outputs.  It also distributes the fixed 24V and 12V supply voltages from a central point.

All relays are 12V.   I used what I had in the junque box, so they don't match.... :-)

The second picture - look closely and you will see the lights on the back that come on when a fuse blows.

Now it's a matter of hooking up all the connectors and getting the station back on line.

T

[K1JJ]

White with black lettering, of course.

Anyone remember Dick the Bruiser from Saturday Afternoon Wrestling in the late 50's?

T

[Tom WA3KLR]

FB OM!

[W3RSW]

Your definitely the RCA phono plug king.  Wow! I can see how Dick got his name.

[Mike/W8BAC]

I remember the bruiser well. Here is a stab from the past and a name suggestion for your next project. "Leaping Larry Shane"

By the way, Nice switching center. Good job on the diodes to quench the surge when the field collapses. BA stuff isn't too sensitive to that but the pulse can kill a hollow state rig quick.

Mike

[W1RKW]

Love the name!

GORT uses blown fuse indicators too.

[K1JJ]

Yep, the original wrestlers probably got paid $50 a night...   The price has changed, but the scripts are the same.


One of our famous AMfone artists sent me the brochure version below.

He also suggested I put ferrite beads and chokes on the interconnecting cables - which I will.

T

[W2VW]

Love the name!

GORT uses blown fuse indicators too.

I suggest blowing a fuse once in a while just to make sure the indicators are working

Ask Al VTP.

[W1RKW]

Dave,
good suggestion. I do test them from time to time simply by pulling the fuses. Never actually blew one though.  I homebrewed indicators using neons in the AC distribution box within the rig.

[ka1bwo]

Tom great job!!! So how do you connect the rigs to the master control panel?? RF, Audio, linear amplifier, antenna, speakers

Does anybody remember this guy  Killer Kowalski. The reason I remember him
Margie and I saw him at the R&R Truck Stop restaurant in North Stonington, CT. This was in the early 70's he was having breakfast early morning like 1:00AM.    

[K1JJ]

Tom great job!!! So how do you connect the rigs to the master control panel?? RF, Audio, linear amplifier, antenna, speakers

Does anybody remember this guy  Killer Kowalski. The reason I remember him
Margie and I saw him at the R&R Truck Stop restaurant in North Stonington, CT. This was in the early 70's he was having breakfast early morning like 1:00AM.    

Yep, I remember Killer Kowalski.  Also remember  a guy called BoBo Brazil.


Here's a video of Dick the Bruiser teamed up with Andre the Giant in a tag team match -  in the early 70's.  He had a long career.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgQ_Ea06C5k


The control box is just for PTT DC control of the various gear in the shack. Anything that needs keying, muting or fixed voltages gets connected. The alternative is a bunch of stray relays, wires and supplies hanging around creating a mess.

T

[KB2WIG]

A man for all seasons.

[Mike/W8BAC]

 Killer Kowalski, Man that's a name I haven't heard or thought of in a very long time. I'll see your Bobo Brazil and raise you a "Haystack Calhoun" and throw in "The Shiek". I didn't know Detroit Big Time Wrestling was known so far away. I grew up here and it was part of life. Sorry about your thread T.

Mike

[ka1bwo]

Tom, what did you use for the front panel lettering? Looks really good can't be rub-on lettering is it?  What did you use to bend the chassis?

[W9GT]

Those guys used to wrestle in Fort Wayne once in awhile...I remember Mitsu Arakawa....he was always throwing salt in his opponent's face (frequently Dick the Bruiser) .  Also remember the Lumberjack guy...what was his name?  Eric.... ?   Ah...those were the good old days!

73,  Jack, W9GT

 

[KB2WIG]

I think the Lumberjack guy was Michael  Palin.


klc

[K1JJ]

Oh yeah, The Sheik!  I remember him too.  I didn't know it was Detroit wrestling.  It used to be on the local channel in Hartford.   What a low budget gig before the over the top WWF came into being.   Notice there's no jumping off the top of the ring ropes yet.

Joe, to label the panels, here's what I do...  I paint the panel bright satin white - as close to the color of a white sheet of paper as possible.  Then I just print out the labels on a normal piece of white paper off the computer.  Use black lettering.  Use sissors to cut each label close to the lettering. I use a thin film of RTV to hold the label to the panel.  The white paper matches the panel so that the letters look close to floating.  If you make a mistake, the RTV peals off with little effort, but does not damage the paint.

When ready to type the labels, I look at the panel and write down all the labels. Then type them in. Very fast and custom.

It's a cheap and easy way to go.  Just be neat with the RTV and you're all set.

I imagine if colored paper was used, a different panel color could be used.

The better way to go would be to buy some clear plastic sheets, designed for the purpose, that can be cut and stuck on the panel.


To bend the chassis:  I don't have a brake. So instead, I use 1" X1" angle aluminum to hold the two panels at right angles. Drill and use 6-32 screws.  You can build anything using this tecnique -  from chassis to cabinets.

T

[KA2DZT]

Tom,

I notice that you have some big diodes on the relays.  What type do you use?  I have 1000PIV 3amp diodes that should be OK for damping back emf.

Let me know what you think.

Fred

[Jim, W5JO]

Are you sure you want to name it Dick the Bruser?  What about Gorgeous George?

[WD8BIL]

Nice job on the relay o matic, Tom!

AH yes, Bobo Brazil was famous for his koko butt!
There was Flying Fred Curry, Johnny Powers, Haystacks Calhoun, Bull Curry (Fred's bro)and Hacksaw Jim Duggan w/ his 2x4!

Saturday morning fun!

Note the resemblance to a famous AM gangsta!

[ka1bwo]

Nice job on the relay o matic, Tom!

AH yes, Bobo Brazil was famous for his koko butt!
There was Flying Fred Curry, Johnny Powers, Haystacks Calhoun, Bull Curry (Fred's bro)and Hacksaw Jim Duggan w/ his 2x4!

Saturday morning fun!

Note the resemblance to a famous AM gangsta!

Not only a gangsta but a legendary Symbol for the Johnson Company. There is a reminder on every piece on Johnson equipment ever built. Now you know why he knows so much about the Johnston Stuff.
 

[K1JJ]

I think Haystack Calhoun is related to Dave the ApeMan, but not sure.    Haystack was probably as well known as Andre.  Andre's head was bigger than my whole chest.


Joe, I use these  6A 1KV diodes cuz I have a small bag of them left over from a HV supply project. 

1A @ 1KV (1N4007) would be fine.

T

[W1RKW]

Yeah, the Johnson Viking always reminded me of Tim.

[ke7trp]

That looks neat, Good job.  i wonder if all the RCA's are grounded to the chassis?  Some of them on mine are insulated.  Then the negative side goes to isolated contacts. 

I am to young to remember most of those wrestlers.  I do remember Andre the giant. rowdy roddy piper is the one that stands out to me.


C

[K1JJ]

That looks neat, Good job.  i wonder if all the RCA's are grounded to the chassis?  Some of them on mine are insulated.  Then the negative side goes to isolated contacts. 

C

Clark,

Yep, all RCA's are grounded.   I only have two applications when the contacts must float, so use two RCA's there.

The unit is now in service and working FB.  The only remorse is that the pretty white panel faces away from the op chair to connect to the cables. I have to look at the relay side... sigh.   Think I'll make a pletty cabinet for it with soundproofing.

T