Viking 1 $100 Nice or Think Twice?

[w1vtp]

Jeff

Looks really nice!  That Viking deserves to be on the air.  I looked carefully at your photos and it looks like some work was done to TVI it.  I've attached some hi res photos of mine.  I believe I see the back side of the shield on the meter.  I thought I saw a picture of a good treatment of the elect.. caps on the bottom but I couldn't seem to find them either on my computer or AMFone (can anyone help here?).

Keep us apprised of your progress.

Al

Two more photos follow

[w1vtp]

This shows the meter shield option

[ka4koe]

Not bad at all, Jeff. It will clean up well.

Philip KA4KOE

[W3RSW]

Interesting top cap. Direct solder job. Shows how long they last.

[w1vtp]

Interesting top cap. Direct solder job. Shows how long they last.

I think you are referring to my V1.  Yup.  It's working for now.  I have around a dozen 4D32's that I can replace it with when the time comes.  I think I would have done it differently like use a fahnestock clip but then, it probably would a once in a lifetime thing.

Al

[W3RSW]

Right. It's a compliment. Still have same one in my 32v2 that it came with from W3HM.
Hey, no worse that triple secret massive soldering of final transistors that are supposed to never fail. 

[BrianBurnsSWL]

Hey Rodger,

Where do you buy 4D32's for under $20? I've got a Viking 1 coming and I would like to have some spares.

Cheers,

Brian    Ex:W5BRO, K6UCD

[WQ9E]

Brian,

Every large hamfest I went to last year had them, look at any of the larger tube sellers.  I picked up 2 NIB for spares at Peoria for $35 total.  There was a ton of them dumped into surplus about a decade ago and they are still very common.  Or if you need one immediately Fair has them for $24.50.

[BrianBurnsSWL]

Hello Rodger,

Thanks for the quick reply!

I see them on Ebay for $24.50, but I suppose that Fair would be a more reliable place to get them. Do you have some advice about breaking them in? Given their age, I would guess that they need some TLC.

Cheers,

Brian

[BrianBurnsSWL]

Hey Brian W5HRO,

I tried to answer your email but was blocked. Also my old username and//or password don't work on your blog.

Cheers,

Brian Burns

[WQ9E]

Brian,

I have never run into a problem with a gassy 4D32 (knock on wood).  I don't think they have a rep for being problematic.

Most ebay sellers are fine and I have bought a lot of stuff there but I know Fair packs things properly and if there is a problem they take care of it.

A Viking 1 was one of the first boat anchors I restored and I bought a spare final and a 1,000 watt isolation transformer from Surplus Sales of NE when they used to show up at the Peoria hamfest (must have been around 1996).  I remember I was amazed that the tube was only $19.50 since they were not known for low prices and the sign advertised that it fit the Collins 32V series.  This must have been about the time the tube was starting to flood the market.

Unless 4D32 prices really go up it isn't worth it but the Johnson manual details the few simple changes needed to use the lower cost 829B and the power difference won't be noticeable.  I recall reading that some were shipped this way due to shortages during the Korean conflict.

[BrianBurnsSWL]

Hello Rodger,

When I worked as a Motorola tech back in 1954, we replaced a bunch of 829B's as they seemed to lose output fairly rapidly. The 4D32 has the reputation of being a rugged tube. I suppose that it had to be since it was used in WWII bombers.

Cheers,

Brian