ART-13 PROBLEMS

[W9BHI]

I just finished the  HB supply for my ART-13 project.
The filament pins in the tube socket for the 813 are sizzling and not making good contact.
All of the pins on the 811A's and the 813 are black from oxidation.
The 1625's don't light and I checked the 24 volts going to the one and it was there.
the series connection between the two is good and so is the ground connection.
The pins in the sockets on the 1625's have lost their grip and are not making contact.
First of all, what can be used to clean the sockets?
How can I tighten up the pins on the 1625's?
Thanks,
Don W9BHI

[KC4VWU]

Are you sure all the tubes are fully seated in the sockets? I know how it sounds, but believe me, it CAN happen with the ART-13's. The rearmost 1625 grounds through the dropping resistor built to the dummy panel that covers the hole for the LFO. A small pick can be used from the topside to tension the sockets... if all else fails and be very careful, you don't want to replace those multiplier sockets because they are buried!   Been there, know it.


Good luck, Phil

[KC2TAU]

Make sure the 1625's are fully seated in their socket. I thought I had a problem with loose sockets for the 1625's but I actually wasn't pushing the tube hard enough into the socket. It takes a decent amount of pressure but they will eventually fully seat in the socket and be in there quite firmly.

[W9BHI]

I cleaned the 813 and 811A sockets.
I cleaned the 1625 sockets and then realized that I wasn't seating them all the way.
It's working and putting out 120 watts carrier but poor modulation, only about 250 watts or so.
Running an amplified D-104 and still not enough audio to drive it.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Don W9BHI

[AJ1G]

Running an amplified D-104 and still not enough audio to drive it.

Do you have the microphone type selector switch (its hidden behind the tune up chart on the upper right side of the front panel) selected to DYNAMIC vs CARBON? 

I originally ran my ART-13 with a my  good buddy amplified D10-4 (complete with an ivory backplate with the original ops "Cinnamon and Teddy Bear" handles and an eagle scrimshawed on it) and had plenty of drive with the switch at DYNAMIC.  I'm presently driving it with a Peavy cardioid dynamic into a Shure octave band EQ and feeding line level output from the EQ into the ART-13 mic jack with the switch at DYNAMIC.  Have plenty of drive to spare with that setup.  I'm thinking that if the switch is at CARBON, you will not get enough drive from the D104 , there is also the issue of hitting the D104 output with the carbon mic DC excitation voltage that can't be a good thing for it.

[N8ETQ]

   D ooh!  That-ll Do it!

/Dan

Running an amplified D-104 and still not enough audio to drive it.

Do you have the microphone type selector switch (its hidden behind the tune up chart on the upper right side of the front panel) selected to DYNAMIC vs CARBON? 

[W6TOM]

 Assuming you have the mic switch selected for dynamic and the tubes are good in the speech amp there could be another issue or two.

 The speech amp is connected with the rest of the radio with a jones plug, I had to remove the speech amp and clean the jones plug contacts and exercise then. There are 2 screws on each side of the speech amp that hold it in place. I also found removing the 837 tube made it easier to pull the speech amp out without damaging something else. I also had interference issue with the tek nuts on one side and had to loosen the chassis panels so I could get more clearance.

 Another problem I had was after the radio warmed up for awhile I lost all modulation, looking at the speech amp schematic I decided to replace C203 a .5 uf electrolytic and C205 a .001 of pare capacitor, as luck would have that restored modulation.

 I'm using an amplified D-104, it works well with this radio, I get good audio reports. I also tried a T-17 microphone I use with my GRC-9 sets, modulation was not as good nor were audio reports.

 I have three of these radios, two ART-13 sets and just got an ATC set going a few months ago, I run off a DY-17A dynamotor. these are a lot of fun but a Gold Plated PITA to work on, little consideration appears to have been given to ease of repair.

[W9BHI]

That dirty leaky little C203!
Replaced it and the radio has carrier of 135 and audio peaks of 520 watts!
Great sounding audio too.
I used the Antek  toroids for the plate and screen.
I used a 27 volt 13 amp Meanwell set to 28 volts for the filaments.
I get 1250 and 385 volts under load.
I'm happy now

[W6TOM]

 OK!!! Nice feeling to get one of these running again!!

[N8ETQ]

   Good Job! OM,

   This is Classic, "Gold Plated PITA to work on".

73

/Dan

[W9BHI]

Here are some pictures of the power supply.
It is only 12X8X3.

Don W9BHI

[MikeKE0ZUinkcmo]

Don,

Nice work on the power supply.   I also have an ART-13 project I'm gathering components for.   I have the switcher "A" supply en-route, the plate HV transformer, choke, caps, diodes etc, but have yet to order the 400V transformer.  Looking at your pics, I'm curious where you got the B+ wire and chassis connector for same.  Am I correct in presuming the HV wire has silicone insulation?

Mike
KE0ZU

[w1vtp]

/Dan

Very handsome pair of art13's you have there.  I have one here.  I'll be using the classic heavy iron approach for my PS

Al

[W9BHI]

Mike,
The wire is some 40KV stuff I have had around a while, it's not silicone insulated.
The HV connectors are Millen type.
I got them from KE9PQ.
I used the 300 volt Antek toroid but if I were to make another supply I would use the 350 volt one.
The 400 volt supply on this one wound up being 380 volts under load.
Some say that 425 to 450 is better.

Don W9BHI

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Congrats! Seems like a good number of these rigs have returned to the airwaves in recent months & years. Heard a fellow yesterday on the Old Friends net down here in NC using his Navy version, the ATC. Audio was a bit restricted but strong. He was running a D-104 as well.

They are very stout set and capable of a remarkably strong signal for the expected power output. Winding up the HV does make a difference, of course.

Recently located the final connector needed to get mine lashed up with the dynamotor (I'm a glutton for punishment), just need to build the cables. Will be using it with the RAX-1 triplets ala PB4Y-2 on Mike/KC4TOS' aafradio site. He's been a HUGE help to me during the process. Need to locate the three dynamotors for the triplets(and build those cables too), then it's off to the races. Hope to get the ATC running soon.

[ka4koe]

Just curious. Fair Radio still advertises ART-13s for sale. Any opinion on the condition of these radios he sells?

PHILIP
KA4KOE

[W9BHI]

I dunno, how could you be guaranteed that everything was there and it wasn't just a parts unit?

Don W9BHI

[W3GMS]

Don,
Where did you get your 27V switching supply?

Looks great!

Joe, W3GMS

[W9BHI]

Joe,
I got it from Powergate LLC.
It is a Meanwell SE-350-27.   $45.90
27 volt @13A.
I readjusted it to 28 volts.

Thanks,
Don W9BHI

[W3GMS]

Thanks Don. 

Joe, W3GMS

[W6TOM]

 I'm running a DY-17A dynamotor to power my ART-13 sets (I have 2 ART-13's) and my latest find an ATC set. I'm using a military power supply as PP-1104 which I'm told was originally designed to charge forklift batteries. I call this supply "AMPSZILLA", it can be configured for 14 volts at 100 amps or 28 volts at 50 amps. Even with this supply the voltage really sags on start up of the dynamotor.

  I had a problem with the ATC set, K-104 would chatter on start up of the dynamotor, one end of the relay is connected to 24 volts and a ground is applied to energize, coil is a 140 ohms. I put a blocking diode in series with the 24 volt end of the coil and a 3300 uf, 50 volt rated capacitor across the coil. That stopped the chatter, neither of my ART-13 sets had this problem.

 Real radios don't just glow in the dark, they run off of dynamotors too!!

[MikeKE0ZUinkcmo]

Joe,

Five bucks cheaper, and no shipping.  The usual place, item # 111013207232.

[iw5ci]

Congrats! Seems like a good number of these rigs have returned to the airwaves in recent months & years. Heard a fellow yesterday on the Old Friends net down here in NC using his Navy version, the ATC. Audio was a bit restricted but strong.

PRESENT

[W3GMS]

Joe,

Five bucks cheaper, and no shipping.  The usual place, item # 111013207232.

Thanks Mike! 

Don,
I am assuming that your not noticing and noise from that particular switcher when you go to receiver?   Some switchers are better than others when it comes to EMI.

Joe, W3GMS

[W9BHI]

Good luck with the PS from china.
I bought from a chinese dealer ONCE on Ebay, never again.
If there is something wrong with it or never receive it, you are screwed.
The agravation is not worth trying to save a few bucks.
My .05 (inflation)

W9BHI