If you don't keep track of the Service Bulletin releases for your big 3 rig, the factory updates are out of sight and out of mind. 

On the other side, *many* Service Bulletin modifications often end up in the next production run and some are implemented on existing production runs left in stock. 

There are also aftermarket improvements for big 3 rigs, offered by other hams and firms, to consider as well.


73

FCC does not "approve" Amateur Transceivers. 

That is the job of each licensed Amateur Radio Operator. 


source: http://www.arrl.org/part-15-radio-frequency-devices

And, just because a particular transceiver is able to cover 11 meters does not necessarily mean that said device could not pass Conformity tests. 

It is up to YOU, the licensed amateur radio operator, to make sure that you are not transmitting outside of the amateur bands. 

I'll bet a lot of the same hams protesting here are also the a lot of the same ones who have already performed the Transmit Mod on their own YaeComWood radios...

Just sayin'...


73

I knew that was a piece of Solder Wick from the first pic, and as I said before, it looks just fine. 

I use Solder Wick to repair broken traces like that quite a bit, works well unless the circuit is involved with frequencies higher than around 200 MHz where enlarging such a trace may cause excess capacitor detuning.  That, of course, is not going to be a problem in this PS board.  The addition of the extra copper from the Solder Wick should be very ample enough Current handling there. 

Touching it up again to make it prettier didn't hurt anything. 

Move on.


73

Internal metering is there just to keep an eye on things, it is not a lab grade measurement. 

This is much like the gauges on the automobile dashboard. 

Your sentence quoted above has far more relevance, now it is just a matter of who you are going to believe, that unamplified, fixed resistor voltage divider and panel meter, or your own lyin' ears. 

I'd be willing to bet that your amp with the Harbach kit is working just fine. 

73

Come on, guys. 

A kit company that is able to keep development going forward without resorting to having to sell you an entirely new model is "manipulation"? 

Not every situation demands a conspiracy theory. 

If you don't want the improvement offered, don't buy it. 

There are likely plenty of others who enjoy the experimentation, knowledge from experience and the joy of kit building who will. 

And if here aren't, the company either responds by changing their marketing and production, or ceases to be viable. 

In the case of Elecraft, it is highly likely that they are responding to their majority market base. 

The "big three" also offer upgrades, filters, and other goodies, are they also "manipulating" you? 

Don't let anybody steal yer joy.

73

Are you sure that the second pic shows a burnt trace? 

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7623/dscn8781a.jpg

that could be an intentional cut of pcb board trace, done at mfr time. 

Can't see what's on the topside of the board there from here, but be careful about simply reconnecting that trace without knowing what is being hooked to what.

The other repair looks great.


73

Many Digital Multimeters can be found that have a fast moving BARGRAPH display below the digital numbers that can show the same peaking/nulling trends as the old D'arsonval meter movement with needle. 

Check out Fluke and the myriad of Fluke knockoffs that feature the Bargraph Display, that is what it is there for. 

Awhile back I watched a ham remove his DMM from the circuit and break out his old VTVM and attach to the same place because of that Peaking process, and when I pointed out to him that his Fluke has the Bargraph on it for that purpose, he didn't really seem to know what the Bargraph was there for and so proceeded to over-explain his foible to save face mostly. 


73

Hold that thought, for it is what separates the ham operators from the rest of the amateurs. 

73

Clean and lube the controls on your old rig and try with dummy load and local rcvr again. 

Really. 

I mean that.

Cleaning of all controls should be done before anything else and often clears up many problems such as you describe.  They are manmade, which means they will NOT heal all by themselves.  They get dirty.  The contacts can get very dry, can get slightly corroded.  Some of the signals or voltages they have to carry are so small that dirty contacts can make a HUGE difference in performance.


73

A beginner is likely to want to be able to read voltages that are more in line with the voltages printed on the squidmatic or in the service manual.  At 20K ohms/volt, those readings are likely to often be lower than the printed voltages and the confusion may not be worth the experience. 

Check the drawing specs on the schematic, often the draftsman will tell you what type of meter was used to obtain the printed voltages. 

The more experienced troubleshooter can use the '260 and get the job done simply because experience with the subject lets that troubleshooter understand that the lowered plate or screen voltage taken is expected due to the meter's input impedance loading down the circuit while the beginner could spend a lot of wasted time chasing down the "missing" voltage level. 

Then there is the matter of use for certain critical alignments, where the meter loading could lead to a totally bizarre adjustment which would only lead to more tail chasing. 

The cost of a usable DMM is now so low that there is no reason not to be without one. 


73

You should not attempt to use that VOM in troubleshooting the tube receiver because it is going to load the circuits down too much, resulting in erroneous voltage readings. 

The Simpson 260 VOM's input impedance is 5K ohms per volt IIRC. 

That means that the VOM itself would act like a resistance across any measured testpoint, and the resistance is low enough that it would "load the circuit down" resulting in a reading that would likely be far lower than it really is. 

The VTVM uses an amplifier between the input and the meter movement, such that the input impedance was much higher, typically around 10M ohm per volt. 

Nowadays, it would be less expensive for you to pick up a Digital Multimeter for the purpose, these will have high impedance inputs of 10, 11 Meg ohms or better and will do a fine job. 

If you try to use that VOM to compare to voltage points on a schematic, it won't match them at all.  Don't even try it.  Get a VTVM or a DMM. 


73

Get a can of Deoxit and clean and lube each switch and control, one at a time, being sure to move that control its full travel at least ten times while its contacts are still wetted with the good stuff. 

Do that for every switch and control BUT any main AC switch, leave that dry. 


73

Listen for all the boatanchor rigs with the flaky power regulation.  Heathkits that sound like sick chickens. 

As already mentioned, today's rigs, just count on the greater majority of 'em being a 9. 


73

Another experiment just recalled from those days, I very carefully smashed the glass envelope of a Germanium diode, 1N60, 1N34, etc. type, and then created a miniature Cat's Whisker detector by soldering the lead ends to a small piece of circuit board such that the whisker could be placed into contact with the crystal manually. 

That works just like the old Cat Whisker with the crystal in a holder, only the movements required are both much smaller and also just about every point on the crystal seemed to work well, for the most part. 

Carbon rod taken out of a spent AA battery cell, disassembled with dikes and washed in the sink is a way to get a bit of good carbon on the cheap. 

Bits of pot metals, bits of zinc, various thermocouple metals and such, you also start to develop an eye for the kind of surface corrosion that makes for a diode. 

Try measuring the DC Voltage Drop across your Foxhole Detectors.  Keep records. 


73

We'll bear with you, but your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to research ways to better get a skyhook in the clear and still not get into trouble. 

It is possible. 

Stealth antennas

Magnetic Loop antennas

Vertical disguised as flagpole (with plenty of hidden radials under the sod)

You can do it.


73