|
Howdy guys and gals!
Is there anyone out there in radio land using a TC-2 or TC-6 on the air?
I have both? + the CC-1 convertor console and SC-2 // SC-6 receive converters. I am preparing to get it all on the air.??
I would like to compare notes on them and ? I'm planning to set up a TR-4C to use with both.
73/Rick
W7IMM
|
Have both.73.Tony wa4jqs?
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
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Show quoted text
-------- Original message --------
From: "Rick via groups.io" <myr748@...>
Date: 3/27/21 17:30 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
Howdy guys and gals!
Is there anyone out there in radio land using a TC-2 or TC-6 on the air?
I have both? + the CC-1 convertor console and SC-2 // SC-6 receive converters. I am preparing to get it all on the air.??
I would like to compare notes on them and ? I'm planning to set up a TR-4C to use with both.
73/Rick
W7IMM
|
Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past
used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not
stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting
drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My
answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for
tuning?"? OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of
that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters
at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low
noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a
few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not
as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying that
difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I
lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost
40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am
almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though I do
have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get
back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting
converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from
using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF
contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-27 2:30 p.m., Rick wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Howdy guys and gals!
Is there anyone out there in radio land using a TC-2 or TC-6 on
the air?
I have both? + the CC-1 convertor console and SC-2 // SC-6 receive
converters. I am preparing to get it all on the air.??
I would like to compare notes on them and ? I'm planning to set up
a TR-4C to use with both.
73/Rick
W7IMM
|
? Hi Peter, Ok, I just have to comment... I was going to when you said you were? going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964 standards but today, they are really drift monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced? version I call my FS-5 with advanced? stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with digital dial) you could have a Drake that is comparable to most new rigs in stability. Simple theory is, measure the PTO ?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the? band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based synthesizer) by the opposite amount to cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold, tune in the net, then listen all day without? changing the PTO, it is crystal locked! I also have a mode I call channel lock... Most operation nowadays is on even KHz frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz. Instant exactly “on frequency”, no ?complaints from the new guys? Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think. Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above, maybe I can get Bernie to help me release? it. 73, Gary WB6OGD?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
?
Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past
used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not
stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting
drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My
answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for
tuning?"? OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of
that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters
at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low
noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a
few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not
as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying that
difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I
lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost
40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am
almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though I do
have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get
back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting
converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from
using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF
contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
Peter I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.? Frequency was not that important as long as inbounds.? Drift was not too important- just retune the RX. Walk around a bit.? Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy! ? Bob KQ2Q
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 27, 2021, at 6:34 PM, wb6ogd <garywinblad@...> wrote:
? ? Hi Peter, Ok, I just have to comment... I was going to when you said you were? going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964 standards but today, they are really drift monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced? version I call my FS-5 with advanced? stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with digital dial) you could have a Drake that is comparable to most new rigs in stability. Simple theory is, measure the PTO ?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the? band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based synthesizer) by the opposite amount to cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold, tune in the net, then listen all day without? changing the PTO, it is crystal locked! I also have a mode I call channel lock... Most operation nowadays is on even KHz frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz. Instant exactly “on frequency”, no ?complaints from the new guys? Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think. Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above, maybe I can get Bernie to help me release? it. 73, Gary WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
?
Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past
used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not
stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting
drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My
answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for
tuning?"? OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of
that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters
at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low
noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a
few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not
as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying that
difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I
lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost
40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am
almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though I do
have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get
back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting
converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from
using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF
contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
Better yet call cq and not Be on 3.657.5.and not 3.657.000.
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-------- Original message --------
From: "kq2q via groups.io" <kq2q@...>
Date: 3/27/21 18:59 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.?
Frequency was not that important as long as inbounds.?
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX. Walk around a bit.?
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
On Mar 27, 2021, at 6:34 PM, wb6ogd <garywinblad@...> wrote:
?
?Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
? Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for tuning?"?
OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying
that difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though
I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
Bob:
Of course, so do I!? My 1st tx a homebrew 6L6 xtal osc, rock bound
on 40m.? I had ONE xtal.? I butchered my Mom's RCA radio/record
player (with her permission) to make that tx.? You HAD to tune
around or you'd never work anyone!
I get a laugh out of those who complain of someone being "off
frequency".? Heck, we have even have had a little knob for
correcting just that called RIT for more than 40 years now?
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-27 3:59 p.m., kq2q wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and
tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.?
Frequency was not that important as long as
inbounds.?
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX.
Walk around a bit.?
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
?
?
Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone
wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM,
VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
?
Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I
have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB,
they are not stable enough as is for any of the
digital modes.? I was getting drift complaints on
occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My answer...."do
you have big knob on the front of your radio for
tuning?"? OK - not really....but I did think that!?
Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4
that was running the xverters at the time.? Need to
check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit
from a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did
some simple comparison testing a few years ago against
my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as
sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying
that difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I
just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was
possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF
DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost
surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though
I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and
am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be
using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter
transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.?
Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m
station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the
mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
OK Gary - now you're just embarrassing me!? ;-)
Yes, I WILL build one of these as I need the experience in that
area.? The trouble will be getting time to do it.? I've even been
giving up a lot of skiing this winter to finish house renovations.?
Almost done.....and THIS summer will be dedicated to Ham Radio
projects for the 1st time in 3 years.? I need to finish a 2nd shack
next where the 5m dish is going, run a lot of u/g coax lines through
conduit, build a mount for the dish (10' tower has been there for
almost 3 years), and completely re-arrange the main shack which is
becoming exclusively the vintage shack.? Things got sidetracked
2-1/2 years ago while pouring the concrete bases for the two
towers.? Just as we were finishing up the 2nd pour, the ground caved
in next to one of the towers and I fell in, slamming my hand on the
form on the way in and breaking my hand.?
Regarding the Drake transverter stability.....some of that drift
comes from the oscillator in the rx converters which provide the
injection signals at 130 Mhz (for the TC-2) and 36 Mhz (for the
TC-6) as I recall.? I should really measure how stable they are
after reasonable warm-up.? And yes, I know there are stable options
for those too.? I have a Bodnar programmable oscillator that would
do the trick.
I am looking forward to seeing what the FS-5 can do and will put one
on the list of "to-do's".
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-27 3:34 p.m., wb6ogd wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?
Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants
something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS
<ve7ps@...:
?
Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in
the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they
are not stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.?
I was getting drift complaints on occasion from the SSB
guys at times.? My answer...."do you have big knob on the
front of your radio for tuning?"? OK - not really....but I
did think that!? Indeed some of that drift could be from
the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters at the time.?
Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from
a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple
comparison testing a few years ago against my SSB
Electronics xverters and they were not as sensitive,
though I did not go as far as quantifying that
difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I
just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was
possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing
when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost surrounded by
mountains where I am now in DN09, though I do have a good
shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get
back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter
transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.?
Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m
station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
You Fogel the new Q&A hams have no ideal what rit title tune load or null are for. You have to be on .000.or your off freq.73.Tony wa4jqs?
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-------- Original message --------
From: "VE7PS via groups.io" <ve7ps@...>
Date: 3/27/21 19:09 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
Bob:
Of course, so do I!? My 1st tx a homebrew 6L6 xtal osc, rock bound on 40m.? I had ONE xtal.? I butchered my Mom's RCA radio/record player (with her permission) to make that tx.? You HAD to tune around or you'd never work anyone!
I get a laugh out of those who complain of someone being "off frequency".? Heck, we have even have had a little knob for correcting just that called RIT for more than 40 years now?
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-27 3:59 p.m., kq2q wrote:
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.?
Frequency was not that important as long as inbounds.?
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX. Walk around a bit.?
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
?
? Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
? Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for tuning?"?
OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying
that difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though
I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
Well should have been fogot. Rit.tit. duh
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-------- Original message --------
From: "Tony Deprato via groups.io" <tony.deprato@...>
Date: 3/27/21 20:02 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
You Fogel the new Q&A hams have no ideal what rit title tune load or null are for. You have to be on .000.or your off freq.73.Tony wa4jqs?
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "VE7PS via groups.io" <ve7ps@...>
Date: 3/27/21 19:09 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
Bob:
Of course, so do I!? My 1st tx a homebrew 6L6 xtal osc, rock bound on 40m.? I had ONE xtal.? I butchered my Mom's RCA radio/record player (with her permission) to make that tx.? You HAD to tune around or you'd never work anyone!
I get a laugh out of those who complain of someone being "off frequency".? Heck, we have even have had a little knob for correcting just that called RIT for more than 40 years now?
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-27 3:59 p.m., kq2q wrote:
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.?
Frequency was not that important as long as inbounds.?
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX. Walk around a bit.?
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
?
? Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
? Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for tuning?"?
OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying
that difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though
I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
Hi Gary,
I have the Drake C-line twins as well as a Drake FS-4 synthesizer.
The FS-4 is as stable as a rock regardless of temperature swings, so I know that Drake had the ability to build driftless gear way back when. ?I just don’t understand why they didn’t apply that frequency and phase locking technology to the C-line.
At any rate, I would love to be able to apply that technology to my R-4C, but don’t know where to begin. ?
— Steve, W?PZ
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 27, 2021, at 4:03 PM, Tony Deprato <tony.deprato@...> wrote:
?
Better yet call cq and not Be on 3.657.5.and not 3.657.000.
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "kq2q via groups.io" <kq2q@...>
Date: 3/27/21 18:59 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.?
Frequency was not that important as long as inbounds.?
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX. Walk around a bit.?
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
On Mar 27, 2021, at 6:34 PM, wb6ogd <garywinblad@...> wrote:
?
?Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
? Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not stable enough as is for any of the digital modes.? I was getting drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for tuning?"?
OK - not really....but I did think that!? Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters at the time.? Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did some simple comparison testing a few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying
that difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though
I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.? Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
--
Steve? W0PZ
|
For one thing it probably would have been way too expensive for the price point of the rigs. Phase locked loops had been around decades before that but it was only cheap IC technology that brought them to the forefront. The CB radio craze helped with that. How do you build a cheap 40 channel consumer radio good enough to meet FCC specs without a raft of crystals? The PLL01 chip of course. It was a game changer. I was told a story by a Hy-Gain engineer once that suggested that chip may have been based on one of their designs which was essentially the same generation of tech that was used in the 7-Line. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sat, 27 Mar 2021 21:12:27 -0700 "Steve Beaman" <beamanator@...> wrote: Hi Gary,
I have the Drake C-line twins as well as a Drake FS-4 synthesizer.
The FS-4 is as stable as a rock regardless of temperature swings, so I know that Drake had the ability to build driftless gear way back when. I just don’t understand why they didn’t apply that frequency and phase locking technology to the C-line.
At any rate, I would love to be able to apply that technology to my R-4C, but don’t know where to begin.
— Steve, W?PZ
On Mar 27, 2021, at 4:03 PM, Tony Deprato <tony.deprato@...> wrote:
?
Better yet call cq and not Be on 3.657.5.and not 3.657.000.
Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S? 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "kq2q via groups.io" <kq2q@...>
Date: 3/27/21 18:59 (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Transmitting Convertors
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.
Frequency was not that important as long as inbounds.
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX. Walk around a bit.
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
On Mar 27, 2021, at 6:34 PM, wb6ogd <garywinblad@...> wrote:
?
?Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were
going to build my cheap FS-4.. I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced
version I call my FS-5 with advanced
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
frequency and if it drifts, you offset the
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
? Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB, they are not stable enough as is for any of the digital modes. I was getting drift complaints on occasion from the SSB guys at times. My answer...."do you have big knob on the front of your radio for tuning?" OK - not really....but I did think that! Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4 that was running the xverters at the time. Need to check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit from a good low noise preamp ahead of them. I did some simple comparison testing a few years ago against my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying that difference.
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can. I just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02. I am almost surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter transmitting converter that is fun to play with too. Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
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Rick - I wanted to chime in - I've had TC2/TC6/SC2/SC6 set up in the past with R4/T4X series (still have the equipment, just no space in operating position to set it all up currently), and one minor inconvenience I found was that CW mode is in lower sideband offset, which means (meant in my case) that switching from SSB to CW was more than just changing the mode switch(es). Also, the final tube in the TC2 is type 8643 (a dual tetrode something like a 5894 but a bit larger) which isn't very common (although I ran into some used tubes of the same type bearing a Motorola part number years ago.) Never tried the units with TR4 so don't know if the (LSB-arranged) CW offset behaves the same; could be a little more complicated if no RIT. By the same token, could probably transmit CW by putting a clean sine wave into the mic jack (using the kind of connections used for digital modes nowadays) and transmitting in USB mode.
Good luck getting your station set up!
Dave
|
Peter
Btw- I Speak; ?Strat, Tele and Blackface.? Also, ShoBud pedal steel, Lapsteel, Hammond B3 and Leslie 122.
Betcha you know them critters too.?
Bob. Kq2q
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 27, 2021, at 7:09 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...> wrote:
?
Bob:
Of course, so do I!? My 1st tx a homebrew 6L6 xtal osc, rock bound
on 40m.? I had ONE xtal.? I butchered my Mom's RCA radio/record
player (with her permission) to make that tx.? You HAD to tune
around or you'd never work anyone!
I get a laugh out of those who complain of someone being "off
frequency".? Heck, we have even have had a little knob for
correcting just that called RIT for more than 40 years now?
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-27 3:59 p.m., kq2q wrote:
Peter
I can remember when I would CQ on 40 meters and
tune at least +\- 25 kHz up and down for a response.?
Frequency was not that important as long as
inbounds.?
Drift was not too important- just retune the RX.
Walk around a bit.?
Nowadays if you are 73 cycles off; oh boy!
?
Bob KQ2Q
?
?
Hi Peter,
Ok, I just have to comment...
I was going to when you said you were?
going to build my cheap FS-4.. ?I might be
able to actually push you over the edge..
The Drake’s were very stable by 1964
standards but today, they are really drift
monsters....
What i am running here is an advanced?
version I call my FS-5 with advanced?
stability.
If you build Bernie and my FS-4B hardware (with
digital dial) you could have a Drake that is
comparable to most new rigs in stability.
Simple theory is, measure the PTO
?frequency and if it drifts, you offset the?
band oscillator (Si5351 crystal based
synthesizer) by the opposite amount to
cancel the PTO drift. ?I am doing this now
and it is terrific, turn the Drake on cold,
tune in the net, then listen all day without?
changing the PTO, it is crystal locked!
I also have a mode I call channel lock...
Most operation nowadays is on even KHz
frequencies, so I only lock to the KHz.
Instant exactly “on frequency”, no
?complaints from the new guys?
Real easy tuning, my Kenwood can’t even do
this!
Parts cost can be as low as $11, I think.
Plus, you have all bands with NO old drifted
crystals needed.
My FS-5 design is still being developed but if anyone
wants something like the above,
maybe I can get Bernie to help me release?
it.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD?
On Mar 27, 2021, at 2:45 PM,
VE7PS <ve7ps@...:
?
Rick:
I am not currently on the air with my TC-2/6 but I
have in the past used them.
While not too bad for casual VHF operating on CW/SSB,
they are not stable enough as is for any of the
digital modes.? I was getting drift complaints on
occasion from the SSB guys at times.? My answer...."do
you have big knob on the front of your radio for
tuning?"? OK - not really....but I did think that!?
Indeed some of that drift could be from the R-4/T-4
that was running the xverters at the time.? Need to
check that out further one day.
The receivers are not all that hot and would benefit
from a good low noise preamp ahead of them.? I did
some simple comparison testing a few years ago against
my SSB Electronics xverters and they were not as
sensitive, though I did not go as far as quantifying
that difference.?
I like to operate them just for fun, because I can.? I
just wish I lived in an area that some VHF DX was
possible...this after almost 40 years of VHF/UHF
DX'ing when I Iived in EN86 and FN02.? I am almost
surrounded by mountains where I am now in DN09, though
I do have a good shot at the moon most of the time and
am planning to get back into EME again. I won't be
using the Drakes!
I also have a P & H 6-150 100 watt 6 meter
transmitting converter that is fun to play with too.?
Brings back memories from using one of these in our 6m
station at VE3ONT during the VHF contests in the
mid-70's.
73
Peter
VE7PS
|
Thanks? everyone for the info on them.? I have to assume that after warm up they'll be stable enough for SSB use on 6 and 2.
Dave, I thought the 8643 might be hard to find but I found 3 of them on eBay (NOS) for around $20 or so.? I now have 5? so I don't think I'm going to run out anytime soon!
I don't think I'll need a pre-amp for SC-6 but I'm sure the SC-2 will probably need a little help. ......if the noise increases when the antenna is connected, improving the front end sensitivity doesn't help a lot.
I also don't think anyone could reasonably expect to use these things on any digital mode any more than you might use the C-line for digital. BUT, I have to say that I did use my Drake C-line (bought it new)? on teletype in the 70's? it worked fine and didn't drift enough to prevent using 170hz shift.
I am still amazed when I'm talking with other boat-anchor types on the low bands and someone invariably breaks in and tells US we're "Off Frequency" I always ask the guy I am talking to if I am on his frequency and he says? "of course"
Then we tell the newcomer that he's off frequency.? It's still amazing that some licensed hams cannot seem to tune an SSB signal correctly!
|
My usual response to that is "no, you are off MY frequency". Then if I am not in a hurry I will follow it up with something like "the manufacturer of your radio has kindly provided a large knob for the express purpose of tuning signals. It is called "variable frequency oscillator", and for good reason. You may want to learn how to use it". I am bemused by the modern op's obsession with exact frequency. They have to be on the .000, and they freak out if they can't log it usually because their computer control failed. In the worst cases they don't know how to work the rig and make contacts if the computer control breaks. With very little knowledge of the art of radio or troubleshooting skills, they run to the internet for help. Sad. In a bad day scenario where one is expected to just get a signal on the air and start passing traffic as soon as possible they probably wouldn't have a clue. I can just see someone standing in the comms tent with a CAT cable in his hand and a confused look on his face, wondering where to plug it in... Which is why I think that if FD wants to maintain any semblance of being an emergency communications drill they should ban CAT control and FT/JT modes. But I digress. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sun, 04 Apr 2021 00:03:01 -0700 "Rick" <myr748@...> wrote: I am still amazed when I'm talking with other boat-anchor types on the low bands and someone invariably breaks in and tells US we're "Off Frequency" I always ask the guy I am talking to if I am on his frequency and he says? "of course"
Then we tell the newcomer that he's off frequency.? It's still amazing that some licensed hams cannot seem to tune an SSB signal correctly!
|
Great, entertaining and educational thread. ?Yes, I am committing some time to building the FS-B as well. ?Thanks everyone for contributing to the hobby and the Drake community.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Apr 4, 2021, at 11:13 AM, Jim Shorney < jshorney@...> wrote:
My usual response to that is "no, you are off MY frequency". Then if I am not in a hurry I will follow it up with something like "the manufacturer of your radio has kindly provided a large knob for the express purpose of tuning signals. It is called "variable frequency oscillator", and for good reason. You may want to learn how to use it". I am bemused by the modern op's obsession with exact frequency. They have to be on the .000, and they freak out if they can't log it usually because their computer control failed. In the worst cases they don't know how to work the rig and make contacts if the computer control breaks. With very little knowledge of the art of radio or troubleshooting skills, they run to the internet for help. Sad. In a bad day scenario where one is expected to just get a signal on the air and start passing traffic as soon as possible they probably wouldn't have a clue. I can just see someone standing in the comms tent with a CAT cable in his hand and a confused look on his face, wondering where to plug it in... Which is why I think that if FD wants to maintain any semblance of being an emergency communications drill they should ban CAT control and FT/JT modes. But I digress. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sun, 04 Apr 2021 00:03:01 -0700 "Rick" < myr748@...> wrote: I am still amazed when I'm talking with other boat-anchor types on the low bands and someone invariably breaks in and tells US we're "Off Frequency" I always ask the guy I am talking to if I am on his frequency and he says? "of course"
Then we tell the newcomer that he's off frequency.? It's still amazing that some licensed hams cannot seem to tune an SSB signal correctly!
|
I remember dancing all night long with my Swan ! We had a rule the group would pick out a station and he was control frequency everyone would tune to him and no it never was me Hihi
73s Byron AC9PA
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Apr 4, 2021, at 10:13 AM, Jim Shorney <jshorney@...> wrote: ? My usual response to that is "no, you are off MY frequency". Then if I am not in a hurry I will follow it up with something like "the manufacturer of your radio has kindly provided a large knob for the express purpose of tuning signals. It is called "variable frequency oscillator", and for good reason. You may want to learn how to use it". I am bemused by the modern op's obsession with exact frequency. They have to be on the .000, and they freak out if they can't log it usually because their computer control failed. In the worst cases they don't know how to work the rig and make contacts if the computer control breaks. With very little knowledge of the art of radio or troubleshooting skills, they run to the internet for help. Sad. In a bad day scenario where one is expected to just get a signal on the air and start passing traffic as soon as possible they probably wouldn't have a clue. I can just see someone standing in the comms tent with a CAT cable in his hand and a confused look on his face, wondering where to plug it in... Which is why I think that if FD wants to maintain any semblance of being an emergency communications drill they should ban CAT control and FT/JT modes. But I digress. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sun, 04 Apr 2021 00:03:01 -0700 "Rick" <myr748@...> wrote: I am still amazed when I'm talking with other boat-anchor types on the low bands and someone invariably breaks in and tells US we're "Off Frequency" I always ask the guy I am talking to if I am on his frequency and he says "of course"
Then we tell the newcomer that he's off frequency. It's still amazing that some licensed hams cannot seem to tune an SSB signal correctly!
|
I do not think it is so much that they can not turn ssb . BUT that they have been feed channel, channel ,channel , on both CB and 2 mts. Radio clubs do not seem to care anymore in helping a new ham learn theory they are more interested
in getting more members. The Sad thing is that today we have Q and A hams.. most of us old guys who had to set the test before an FCC? staffer . had to know the different types of Osc’s and class of amp’s . I remember in 1962 when I took my general test a
question .(what is wrong with this circuit ? ) and the next one ( what type of Osc. Is this ). We have hams now that have no ideal how to change a fuse and think that their OCF dipole is the best ant made cause they can get a 1:1 swr with their tuner on all
bands. It is sad but this all started in the 70’s if I recall when the boys in Newington started pushing for numbers and not people with knowledge. You can tune the bands today and just about every qso is on .000 and heaven forbid if you call cq on? 14.185.05??
instead of .000. I hear all the time guys telling each other that they are 200 cps off freq come down to .000
As a new ham in the early 60’s with my used S40B receiver I was glad if I could get within a couple of kcs of 14.185. when Dad let me have his SX 101A I was in ham heaven.. with that 100kc cal installed to set the 100 kcs marks.
Then Drake came out with the C line 1 kcs readout.. what more could a ham ask for ..hi hi.
Today if someone tells me I need to get on .000 I just ask WHY ? are you rock bound ? you do know what that big knob in the center of your radio is for ?. Rude ? maybe but I know where I am when I key the rig. And I DO NOT miss the days
when I used an old BC -221 to set my receiver band edges ..
73 Tony WA4JQS
?
?
I am still amazed when I'm talking with other boat-anchor types on the low bands and someone invariably breaks in and tells US we're "Off Frequency" I always ask the guy I am talking to if I am on his frequency and he says? "of course"
Then we tell the newcomer that he's off frequency.? It's still amazing that some licensed hams cannot seem to tune an SSB signal correctly!
|
I love it when a net is called, and late check-in tells the OP that he is off frequency.? Cringe worthy, to say the least! ? Joe – W7RKN ? <<CLIP>> I am still amazed when I'm talking with other boat-anchor types on the low bands and someone invariably breaks in and tells US we're "Off Frequency" I always ask the guy I am talking to if I am on his frequency and he says? "of course"
?
|
Gary WB6OGD
Jim Shorney