|
|
|
1456
|
eHam Forums / Elmers / In praise of the Weller Gun
|
on: December 11, 2005, 06:36:14 AM
|
|
DPT: The other popular one is Wen, but they won't work for this without a lot more work. On a Wen, the tips extend into the gun body. When you remove the tip, there is no metal exposed, so you would have to build some rods to go into the gun body.
Weller purchased Wen Electric (which was based here in Chicago) in late 1970s. I used the Wen 75 watt pistol iron (sold at Coast to Coast hardware stores) to assemble my first Heathkit code oscillator and HR-10B receiver.
The tips are no longer made by Weller – and are a bit scarce (from time to time they appear on eBay)
As you said, it was a nice design -- dropped mine on the basement floor a few too many times and I retired it around 1976 -- when I discovered the Weller TCP series (surplus from Collins plant in Cedar Rapids, IA). I have not looked back since -- have used a number of other mfg stations -- and I keep coming back to simplicity and reliability!
Greg
w9gb
|
|
|
|
|
1457
|
eHam Forums / Elmers / In praise of the Weller Gun
|
on: December 11, 2005, 06:28:57 AM
|
|
Weller Electric started with the "Weller Gun" soldering iron. The original wood prototype model was donated to the Smithsonian a few years ago. The first soldering iron station, which offered true “temperature control” was the TCP series (acronym for “Temperature Controlled Pencil”) in the early 1950s. Using a "Maginstat" switch and tips with a metal alloy in tip base changes its magnetic properties at a specific temperature. (It helped that Weller started in Easton, PA and some of the best metallurgy knowledge at that time was just down the road in Bethlehem, PA (1950s - largest steel mill in world)
I have a wide selection of Weller TCP series units that I have restored. These are easy to repair and used units are readily available from a number of sources.
Read the Product Reviews here on eHam.net .. look under Ham Workbench/Test Equipment.
w9gb
|
|
|
|
|
1458
|
eHam Forums / Amplifiers / Power combiners.
|
on: December 02, 2005, 03:30:20 PM
|
Franklin, Alan is correct - its not easy (for the casual amateur) or inexpensive. this approach is used by commerical designers (e.g. Harris) for solid-state TV and FM transmitters. I saw one of the first Harris designs over 10 years ago, when Channel 12 (WSUI) replaced their original 1950s GE TV transmitter. Ron Purkey, W9NUP Wrote an article for VHF Communiaations (UK) in 1999 titled: "Another RF Combiner / Splitter" Third Quarter Issue 1999; pages 131 - 135. He built a 1 KW VHF (2-meter) amplifier using 4 MRF 141G modules (running 28v @ 60+ amps) with a splitter and combiner. The amp takes about 50 watts of drive and keeps the fans running over the heat sinks. This is not the normal "Rat Race" type of combining, but rather based on the Myat Engineering E*Star product: Which permits any number of odd or even modules to be employed, making it nice for growing as can be afforded. K5OE is hosting photos of the amplifier on his web site. http://members.aol.com/homebrewpics/w9nup_front.jpghttp://members.aol.com/homebrewpics/w9nup_rear.jpghttp://members.aol.com/homebrewpics/w9nup_top.jpghttp://members.aol.com/homebrewpics/w9nup_bottom.jpgI understand that Myat Engineering was so overwhelmed with Euroepan inquiries (prospecitive builders) after the VHF Comm article that they removed information of this specific product from their web site. w9gb |
|
|
|
|
1461
|
eHam Forums / Elmers / Heathkit HW 8 transmitter
|
on: November 27, 2005, 09:32:50 AM
|
KQ0RP The Iowa QRP Club was formed to promote amateur radio low power operation, to hone operating skills, improve building skills, and to introduce the hobby to prospective new amateur radio operators. membership is limited to current Iowans, former Iowans, those with strong Iowa ties, border states (border counties), and in some cases by special invitation. The Iowa QRP Club was born in 1998 when John Burnley, NU0V and Larry Stambaugh, WB0RMT, discussed forming a QRP club in Iowa because of the growing interest in this realm of amateur radio. It was suggested that a club be formed to bring together Iowa QRPers to share information, ideas, projects, and promote fellowship among the Iowa QRP community. Since that time, the Iowa QRP club has grown to over 60 members and continues to grow. The Iowa QRP Club holds regular meetings, publishes an e-mail newsletter, has a slow speed CW net, and participates in QRP operating contests and events. Iowa QRP Group (160 memebers - last count) Photos http://www.qsl.net/kq0rp/photos.htmlI know John Burnley, NU0V (one of the Iowa QRP club founders) over 20 years ago - when we both worked at Dial/Greyhoud Corp. He is in Urbandale. Larry Stambaugh, the other founder lives north of Marshalltown. w9gb |
|
|
|
|
1462
|
eHam Forums / Elmers / ASTATIC D-104 TO KENWOOD 870.
|
on: November 27, 2005, 09:23:50 AM
|
IF you intend on using the Heil HM-4 or HM-5 elements in teh D-104, this inforamtion can be found on the Heil Sound web site. Look near bottom of this web page: http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/radioconnections.htmThis baffle board can be easily made from the cardboard of a shoebox or printed circuit epoxy material. Cut the baffle to fit the inside board. When dry, using a very small low wattage soldering iron, solder small #24 gauge STRANDED - not solid wire to the two small solder points of the element. Punch a hole in the baffle board and exit those wires to the other side of the board. (See the hand microphone drawing). ----- D-104 ASTATIC - The D 104 does not need a baffle board as the internal metal back plate IS a baffle board. Simply cement the HEIL element right to that. It is usually best to cement a very thin piece of foam between the two to eliminate any vibrations that may carry through to the element. As with all of the microphone installations, it is also best to place a THIN - acoustically transparent piece of foam in front of the element which serves as a windscreen 'breath blast' filter. Most microphones will already have some type of filter in them. ----- SINCE you already have the HM-4 and HM-5, you can contact Heil Sound about getting the instructions and the foam rings for the D-104 head (found in the HC-104 kit) that you don't have!! Heil Sound Ltd. 5800 North Illinois Fairview Heights, Il 62208 Phone: 618-257-3000 - Fax: 618-257-3001 E-mail: info@heilsound.com=== w9gb |
|
|
|
|
1464
|
eHam Forums / Elmers / Heathkit HW 8 transmitter
|
on: November 27, 2005, 08:56:41 AM
|
|
Mike -
Where are you in Iowa? I lived in Iowa for 10 years (grew up in west-central Illinois) and still know a large number of amatuers in various parts of the state. There is also a very active Iowa QRP group of like minded QRP builders, restorers and homebrewers.
Your HW-8 is a a 25-year old TRANSCEIVER kit.
You should be hearing CW signals on the lower 50 KHz of the bands (20 & 15 meters during day; 40 & 80 meters at night) with a good outdoor wire antenna -- antenna connector is the RCA jack in back.
This might be a problem with this radio due to original kit construction??
You can contact Mike Bryce with any specific HW-8 questions -- he has repaired and asistsed a numebr of amateurs.
w9gb
western Chicago suburbs
|
|
|
|
|
1465
|
eHam Forums / CW / Ten-Tec Century 21 and HAMCO keyer
|
on: November 27, 2005, 08:46:42 AM
|
Your call sign does not appear in the QRZ database. Unofficial Ten-Tec web page http://mywebpages.comcast.net/w8kc/tentec.htmlThe Century 21 (C-21) was Ten*Tec's answer to the call for a low priced, entry level, novice rig in the mid 1970's. Very popular, and the C-21 helped many Novices upgrade to General class quickly. This is partly in thanks to the attention paid to its superb CW operation including 3 filter bandwidths. Direct conversion receiver, but without the broadcast band blow-by of the Power Mite. The C21 was also available as a "digital" version with large LEDs replacing the dial. 35 watts RF output, 80-10 meters. 120VAC powered. BE PREPARED to rebuild the PTO of this transceiver (known, well documented problem). No Big Deal @ $25 and a couple hours of your time (or a technician's - IF you can not handle small parts). Here is Monty, N5ESE excellent website on the C-21 PTO REBUILD http://www.io.com/%7En5fc/c21_pto.htm |
|
|
|
|
1466
|
eHam Forums / CW / Ten-Tec Century 21 and HAMCO keyer
|
on: November 27, 2005, 08:25:05 AM
|
The Ten-Tec Century 21 transceiver http://www.rigpix.com/tentec/century21.htmdoes NOT have an internal electronic keyer for usage with a "twin" or iambic style paddle (Hamco, Scotia, Vibroplex Brass Racer, Bencher BY-1). The Century 21 works with a straight key or semi-automatic (pendulum action) bug (Vibroplex Original). Several small extrnal electronic keyers ont he market (including a couple from Ten-Tec that matched the Century 21). w9gb |
|
|
|
|
1467
|
eHam Forums / CW / ? on Kent TP-1
|
on: November 27, 2005, 08:12:30 AM
|
|
BTW, the sealed bearing block IS PREASSEMBLED.
IF you have a problem with the sealed bearing block - contact R.A. Kent - DO NOT ATTEMPT HOME REPAIR.
w9gb
|
|
|
|
|
1468
|
eHam Forums / CW / ? on Kent TP-1
|
on: November 27, 2005, 08:10:52 AM
|
The Kent Twin Paddle (TP-1) is one of my favorite paddles -- largely due to it finger spacing between the paddles is wider than many other paddle -- an advantage for large hands!! RA Kent Engineers (UK) can supply and parts or answer you questions. http://www.kent-engineers.com/R.A. Kent TP-1 Assembly Instruction / Notes http://www.kent-engineers.com/TWINassembly.htmYou can order spare Parts on-line for your Kent Morse keys and paddles. Just go to the page for your Kent Key product and click on the parts link! This will give you a listing of all the parts for that product. http://www.kent-engineers.com/twinspares.htmMy TP-1 kit was missing the Kent logo. Arrived via Royal Mail (within a couple of days) w9gb |
|
|
|
|
Loading...
|
Show Posts
