Panoramic Radio Products - Panadapter/Spectrum Analyzers??

[Opcom]

Be sure to read panoramic-spa3a.pdf section 2-9:

2-9. The Model PS-19 power supply is factory
wired for 188-volt, 50- to 60-cycle operation.
In order to provide a stable power source, a
constant-voltage transformer is supplied. This
transformer must be considered an integral
part of the instrument and must be used at all
times. Do not, however, use the transformer
to supply power to auxiliary or additional equipment.
For satisfactory operation of the instrument,
the constant-voltage transformer must
be used only within the input voltage range and
only at the frequency specified on the ·nameplate.
N o r m a 11 y, a 95- to 130-volt, 60 cps
constant-voltage transformer is supplied. The
following voltage-frequency combinations are
available if specified on the purchase order.
Input Voltage Frequency Output Voltage

...

If so ordered, the equipment is supplied
without the constant-voltage transformer,
and is modified for operation from
a well-regulated ±1 p e r c e n t, 118-volt,
50 to 60 cps power source. The power
source must provide the same waveform
as a constant-voltage transformer or, if
the power source provides a distortionfree
voltage, the power supply is appropriately
modified at the factory.

[WBear2GCR]

In other words:

- we could not figure out how to make our circuits stable. And, we could not figure out how to regulate the important and critical voltages to keep the unit from drifting. well,  we could have, but that would have added a bunch of tubes, made the stock of transformers we bought useless too... So, we're selling you this bandaid transformer to fix the problem. -

I suspect that for casual ham use, this will prove unimportant, and that for measurement use it needed to drift less with line voltage.

We'll see... once I manage to get the thing fired up and running... I'm not likely to use any constant voltage AC transformers because I dislike the hummmmmm. I'll find a way to regulate or stabilize as needed. Or if needed.

[K4NYW]

In other words:
- we could not figure out how to make our circuits stable. And, we could not figure out how to regulate the important and critical voltages to keep the unit from drifting. well,  we could have, but that would have added a bunch of tubes, made the stock of transformers we bought useless too... So, we're selling you this bandaid transformer to fix the problem. -

Crikey - you'd think that anyone already using a pair of 6146s and a pair of 12AX7s for the B+ regulator wouldn't be worrying about extra tubes (which would be cheaper than a Sola regulator xfmr anyways). I'm guessing they wanted to regulate filament voltages of the oscillator and RF/IF gain stages so this thing really would be a piece of calibrated precision measurement gear and not just a relative value indicator.
And regulating filaments over a 95-130v ac mains input range ain't easy for a gadget with this many tubes.

[WBear2GCR]

Dunno - but to regulate the DC for a select number of those tubes, I'd think that a 6080 or 6336 would do the trick??

Well, we'll find out the real deal if and when the things come to life!

Spent two days searching for those old style twist lock AC connectors. Grrrr... found a whole lot of connectors. Not that one. The thing that BUGs ME is that I KNOW that I saw a few of them a month or so ago. You know "in a box". I saw them and thought to myself, "...well, aren't those the same ones that were on those old PA speakers? Hmmm, well if I should ever need them, here they are..." Right.

It's either go out and buy one at the local electrical supply or change the thing out for an IEC. Dunno, do I want to keep it stock? Do I?  Which is faster and easier, taking out the old twist lock or mounting in the IEC (which seems to fit in the round hole, but the screw centers are of course off by just enough so that you can't simply slip the screws in. Or hauling over to the electrical supply where they can tell me, no, we don't sell THOSE any more...

Yep.

                 _-_-

[K7MCG]

Is this the connector you're looking for ??
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/hubbell-7484-connector-power-hbl7484-twist-lock-f-3-wire-polarized-15amp-125-250v

73
Chuck K7MCG

[KA2DZT]

Is this the connector you're looking for ??
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/hubbell-7484-connector-power-hbl7484-twist-lock-f-3-wire-polarized-15amp-125-250v

73
Chuck K7MCG

Those small twist lock connectors were made different ways.  Some have the center ground pin, older ones didn't.  I think the older ones are obsolete.

Fred

[WBear2GCR]

Yep!

But I don't think they'll work unless they are brown bakelite?

I KNOW I have them... Monday I hike to the electrical supply. Tuesday? Tuesday I remember
where the box with them is hiding!!

                       _-_-

[Opcom]

In other words:

- we could not figure out how to make our circuits stable. And, we could not figure out how to regulate the important and critical voltages to keep the unit from drifting. well,  we could have, but that would have added a bunch of tubes, made the stock of transformers we bought useless too... So, we're selling you this bandaid transformer to fix the problem. -

I suspect that for casual ham use, this will prove unimportant, and that for measurement use it needed to drift less with line voltage.

We'll see... once I manage to get the thing fired up and running... I'm not likely to use any constant voltage AC transformers because I dislike the hummmmmm. I'll find a way to regulate or stabilize as needed. Or if needed.

well that's a bit harsh, before knowing for sure why this was required. Note the book says 'waveform' also. It is a mystery. Maybe it is just about filament voltage regulation and the closer regulation of unregulated voltages, no big deal. In those days the line voltage was not as stable as it is today.

[WBear2GCR]

Very exciting so far.

Fired it up.
Produces nice bright trace.
Sweep rate works fine.
White, long persistence phosphor.
No indication it "sees" the input from my sig gen.
But this ought to be fairly straight forward to troubleshoot.
(famous last words, eh?)
One could hope for a dead tube of course.

Have it mounted up on shelves in an aluminum 19" frame rack.
   Looks boss! 

Looks like this is going to be great fun!!

                         _-_-

[K4NYW]

Bear has got a trace!  Excellent....

BTW on the p/s conversation, ALL the B+ is already regulated - that's what those two big fat 6146's are doing there in the p/s - none of your dinky little 6336s or 6080s for a manly piece of gear like this one. The HV for the scope tube isn't regulated but that doesn't matter much.

I know where my stash of ole-timey twist locks is - right in that box labeled "TMC power connectors". TMC loved 'em - I don't but I do lunge for them whenever I spot one or two at a hamfest.

Have fun with your analyzer.

Nick K4NYW

[K4NYW]

AC connectors - here are my notes from an old conversation re: TMC gear -
-------------------
Clarification - the 3-wire grounded-type twist-lock female plug will
NOT work in the 2-wire male receptacle.
The 3-wire plug is larger than the 2-wire.

The 2-wire female twist-lock plug should be a NEMA ML-1R (Hubbell
HBL7464V) - the back shell and strain relief don't look like the old
kind, but should be much better. I have not tried these since I still
have enough of the old brown style.

The 3-wire female twist-lock plug should be a NEMA ML-2R (Hubbell
HBL7593 or HBL7593V) - I am NOT sure about that since two Hubbell data
sheets seem to contradict each other!

See http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/wiring/catalogpages/Page-B05.pdf
---------------------------------------

[K7MCG]

FWIW-
I have a box of old stock Hubbell 7484 Twist-Lock connectors (dated 1980).  I don't know if there were any changes to this design between these connectors and those sold today as HBL7484.

I do know that these connectors will successfully mate with the connectors on the Panoramic SSB-50 analyzer that I sold this week, and on the BC-1031B panadaptor and  Navy REB panadaptor that I can reach this afternoon to check.

Very sorry, but my limited stock is not for sale, unless you have a Panoramic SA-1, SB-1, SA-2 or SA-2A manual (not my scans...) to include in the deal. Just providing this information to try to help.  YMMV.
73
Chuck K7MCG

[WBear2GCR]

Hey - I used the official WA1QIX^TM connector system!

Some 3M black vinyl electrical tape and two gen-yew-wine Radio Shack^TM alligator clips + line cord!!

I will mock and shame my stash of twist locks for them to appear!
They may be in your box or drawer of parts, since they likely fell down into the black vortex hole that
moves about my bench, exiting in your box or drawer.

                   _-_-

[Opcom]

I believe it is a 5ADP7/A CRT. If so, the white is actually a blue-white, and there is a yellow persistence.
If it's up so bright it really looks white, that is very hard on it.

Use caution as that P7 phosphor has no aluminization and the yellow long persistence part of the compound phosphor is much more easily burned than a regular 5ADP1A non-aluminized 'green' scope tube.

[WBear2GCR]

it's a blue white, and not that bright, and it is swept... I'll keep that in mind and back it down a little.
Maybe keep my eyes out for a spare... just in case I get it working! 

A day or so to clean off the bench, and maybe I can actually do SOME WORK SOMETIME. Grrrr.

but I am truly excited about the prospect of running this beast!

I've been to my Doctor, but he has no cure, for I've got receiver fever!!

[W7TFO]

Bear-Boy:

E-mail me a pencil rubbing of that twist-lock job.  Lots of vintage little ones here...

73DG

[WBear2GCR]

Dennis, not worth the postage!!
But thanks very much for the offer.

Besides, for now the WA1QIX^TM connection method will suffice.

Send me some of those big bottle tubes instead, alrighty??

                          _-_-