Here is Mike Sandman's web site, telephone man in Roselle, IL (west of Chicago)
http://www.sandman.com/button.html

Here is catalog page with diagram
http://www.sandman.com/pdf/Page10.pdf

Mike sells a telephone & cable installation products, tools, phone aprts, interference filters, etc.
http://www.sandman.com/

w9gb

From Carl, KM1H -

That would certainly not be my choice of capacitor for a HV doubler supply. First of all the ripple spec is far from good, the load life is low and the temperature rating is only 85C. Now for many hams the mantra is "Cheap Is Best" but this is not the time to count pennies.

However I suggest the 105C Cornell Dublier (CDE) 381LX series which is designed for switching supplies and is a superb cap for amp use. Ive been using that series since they came out for all my amp needs.

The Mouser # is 5985-450V150 @ $6.80 each in small quantities. Then reduce the heat in the PS compartment by replacing the equalizer resistors with 100K 5W MOX. Mouser # 286-100K @ .49 each.

The 330MF version of that cap fits perfectly in the SB-220 plastic blocks and noticably improves the regulation.

The amp you save may be your own.

Carl
KM1H
National Radio 1963-69
Member of NCL-2000 Design Team

Keith -

Have you called Alpha Radio Products?
http://www.alpharadioproducts.com/contact.asp

I dropped by the first week of September and they had a full stock room of spare parts. Alpha is busy with service work on various ETO / Alpha amplifiers.  There was a 374 waiting for its time on the service bench.

ETO Alpha serial number 2 was also waiting when I was there .. Dick Einhorn was very happy when he heard it came in.  Ronny Milsap had found it and was being refurbished for another amateur.

They have a new "Trouble Shooting and Technical Assistance Request Form" for amplifiers.
http://www.alpharadioproducts.com/support.asp

E-mail is not flawless and occasionally Alpha does not reply to customers within one working day.
Include your phone number and/or address in your e-mail.
You can also call them at 303-473-9232  extension 151.
Tech Support & Parts Ordering: service@alpharadioproducts.com

Greg
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TS-440@YAHOOGROUPS.COM

or
Bill Leahy, K0ZL - specializes in TS-440 repair
http://www.amateur-repairs.com/about.htm

John -

Well the replacement power supply board (from The Heathkit Shop) for the Swan 117XC is NOT being made (ON HOLD - due to lack of interest from Swan owners/restorers)
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/swan117xcpowersu.html

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From K9STH ....

You can purchase the 120 mfd @ 450 volt capacitors, part number 140-LS121M2W-2240 that cost $3.14 each ($18.84 plus UPS shipping for all 6) from Mouser.

I have replaced the same type of electrolytic capacitors that are used in the SB-200 that are in the Heath HP-23 series power supplies and the SB-400 / SB-401 transmitters with those $3.14 versions from Mouser and they work just fine.

Frankly, the SB-200 is definitely not a "rare" item and therefore there is no need to try and keep the linear "looking" original.  The new capacitors are going to be a lot smaller in physical size than the originals.  However, the new ones are going to work better than the originals.

The original Mallory "FP" capacitors for the SB-200 were 125 uF at 450 V (I think 1-3/8" diameter).
The SB-200 HV PC board holes were specific for "FP" twist lock style cans manufactured by Mallory/CDE in the 1960s -- so any other capacitor will require rework - OR you can "restuff" bad cans (specific web sites on how to do this).

RF Parts (CA) use to carry these Mallory replacements for the SB200, but they are now substituing their part number TVLU1775 Sprague 125uF ±20%  500VDC 1.4" in diameter x 4.0" tall ($19.95 each) - so six (6) new ones will cost you $ 120.00
http://www.rfparts.com/caps2.html#can

Antique Electronic Supply (AES) also carries some Mallory "FP" cans for restorers of older equipment.
https://secure.tubesandmore.com/

The Harbach PW-202 upgrade board is $ 105.00.

PA0FRI article on his SB-200 modifcaitons with photos.  He used "Snap-In" units for replacement.
http://www.mods.dk/view.php?ArticleId=3237

This restorer used Panasonic part number ECO-S2WB271EA (from DigiKey) 270 uF 450V 105 degree C parts.  They are PC (printed circuit) board snap-in caps, so you will have to drill holes in the PC board to use ---  use a pin vise and a sharp drill with the phenolic board.  Photo here:
http://www.dwave.net/~twomules/sb200_photo2.html

Also, you should add two diodes (e.g. 1N5404 in parallel, connected cathode to anode) across the meter movement terminals. A replacement meter for the SB-200 is close to unobtainium.
http://www.dwave.net/~twomules/sb200.html

Replacement aluminum electrolytics capacitors (CDE or Mallory) are readily available.  CDE has a web site catalog for a wide range of capacitors.  Notice that CDE also prominently posts the Load Life (in hours) of various capacitor models.  
Mouser is a CDE/Mallory distributor - and should be able to get any capacitor you see on the CDE web site.  CDE discontinued direct Internet sales earlier this year.
CDE Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

For your SB-200, I recommend that you look at the PW-202 board from Harbach Electronics.
The PW-202 is a complete replacement for the old SB-200 power supply board. It features matched computer grade filter capacitors, modern 1000 volt diode rectifiers and a precision high voltage meter resistor string. Included with the PW-202 is the Harbach soft-start module, which reduces the turn-on inrush current to a mere 6 amperes.
http://www.harbachelectronics.com/reference/harpg2cart.htm
Jeff Weinberg - W8CQ
Harbach Electronics
468 County Road 620, Polk, OH  44866
Telephone & Fax (419) 945-2359

Harbach also has a SoftKey module SK-201, to reduce the SB-200 keying voltage for usage with modern solid state transceivers.  Jeff has the SK-201 installation instructions available here:
http://www.harbachelectronics.com/pdffiles/sk-201.pdf

While you have the SB-200 on the workbench, take time to read and review photographs from
SB-200 Amplifier Rebuild Notes by Bob Norgard, KL7FM
http://home.gci.net/~rnorgard/ampnotes.html

Bob did have a kit of parts available at one point, but many of the parts mentioned in his notes are readily available from: Mouser; DigiKey; and RF Parts

Todd -

The .206" microphone plug for the Drake (and Collins) is readily from Switchcraft (The plant and HQ is oat 5555 N Elston in Chicago, IL  .. close to your QTH!!!).
http://www.switchcraft.com/

There are several local distributors/dealers in the Chicago area where you can order (or pick it up at the counter).  Switchcarft customer service on Monday morning at: 773-792-2700. Switchcraft "in stock" part search by Distributor/Dealer
http://www.stkcheck.com/evs/mfg.asp?mfg=switchcraft

Weekend Internet ordering?

Allied Radio (S250 & S260 in stock)
http://www.alliedelec.com/

Mouser (S250 & S260 in stock)
http://www.mouser.com/
 
The .206" plug comes in a 2 conductor and 3 conductor version. Adobe Acrobat Diagram
http://www.switchcraft.com/products/pdf_files/jack-135b_schematic.pdf

Solder Lug & Cable Clamp
Part number: S250 Black Handle M1002
Part number: S280 Shielded Handle T10581 or A10071

For applications requiring polarization (use of plugs of different sizes) to prevent insertion of incorrect equipment Littel-Plug® phone plugs featuring a sleeve and tip diameter of .206 inches are available. Mate with Number S128 Extension Jax® and S11 Littel Jax® jacks. Number S260 used interchangeable with Military Type M642/51 (Switchcraft Number 480) plugs. Mate with jacks S12B, S13B, M444, MT342B, MT344B and others.

Patrick -

Here are the Astatic D104 wiring diagrams and pre-amp schematics.
http://www.barovelli.com/radio/astatic/astatic.htm

The Astatic crystal elements are sensitive to HEAT &  SHOCK (destroys the crystal structure inside)

If you have a dead Astatic crystal element (Hi-Z) in your D-104, a replacement Kobitone crystal element (25LM022) is available from Mouser -- bottom right of page 1312
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/624/1312.pdf

You have the option of placing a new dynamic Heil element in your D-104 - instead of replacing the bad crystal element.  Bob Heil (Heil Sound) now offers a HC104 Conversion kit specifically for Astatic D-104 owners. Bottom right of this web page.
http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/hcelements.htm

The HC104 conversion kit includes the Heil HC 5 element (low impedance dynamic) that will work straight into the Kenwood, Yaesu and ICOM rigs.  ICOM users MUST decouple the ICOM 8 volts!  Bob has included a 1 mfd. non polar capacitor in the kit for use with ICOM radios.
The kit includes the Heil XT -1 high impedance transformers, so that the microphone can be used with high impedance input vintage (like you Heath HW-101) transceiver.
The kits includes a custom mounting ring and cover foam to properly mount the HC 5 element within the D-104 microphone head!!

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This is the Moonraker UK web site
http://www.moonrakerukltd.com/

The Moonkraker VR 3000 vertical antenna
20,15,10 meters
3.8 meters in height
reported gain: 3.5 dBi
photograph appears to show at least one trap
RADIALS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS ANTENNA

Moonraker sells a separate VR-KIT1 (radial kit)
These 3 adjustale radials can be extended to a maximum length of 2.3 meters.

IF this is a quarter (1/4) wavelength vertical HF antenna -- then the radial system IS PART OF THE ANTENNA!!

You can send your support question to:
http://www.moonrakerukltd.com/contactus.php
e-mail: info@moonkrakerukltd.com

What do you mean by "the relay all in place".  

Place a DUMMY LOAD on the Ameritron 500 ALS whenever conducting tests.

IF you take the 500 ALS keying contacts and "short then" - the amplifier should key up properly.  IF it DOES - then the problem is with your radio / relay construction.

Testing your relay system
Conenct the radio to a DUMMY LOAD
Place a DVM or VOM (using in the resistance/OHMS setting) across the contacts / wires from your radio/relay system.  With the radio NOT keyed (in receive) -- the resistance should be infinite (OPEN contacts).
When you transmit -- the resistance should be zero (or very close) - CLOSED contacts.
IF this is not a case -- you have a wiring problem - go back and check the documentation you are using OR your work.

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The December 2005 issue of QST (ARRL) covers the cosntructon of a 100 watt HF amplifier (with SWR measurement & low-pass filtering) which uses the IRF454 transistors (Toshiba 2SC2290 can be substituted with specific changes as noted in article)

G3TSO 140 watt amplifier
http://www.qsl.net/g3tso/Homebrew_page2.html

http://www.qsl.net/g3tso/HFLinearFrameSet1.html

As for scaling to a 600 watt amplfier, a 140 watt amplifier requires 20 amps at 13.8 VDC, so most smart designers for 600 watt solid-state designs use 28 volt or 50 volt RF transistors -- to reduce the power supply wire size/weight.  In fact the Ameritron/MFJ  600 watt solid-state base station amplifier -- takes this exact approach.

The RF Electronics 600 watt and 1 kW kits which use 13.8 VDC devices can be "reworked" for 28 or 50 volt devices.  I do not believe that Lee Martin, KD4YBC has this information - but other kit builders have performed these adaptations (change bias component values, etc.).
http://users.aol.com/rfelectron/rfelect.htm

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Additional information on Icom microphones.

List of Icom microphones (Icom America)
http://icomamerica.com/support/documents/microphones.asp

Microphone pre-amp schematic (M.A. Erickson, KK5DR)
http://www.qsl.net/kk5dr/micamp.html

Microphone pre-amp with EQ schematic (M.A. Erickson, KK5DR)
http://www.qsl.net/kk5dr/EQ.html

Icom Worldwide web site has ALL of the manuals for their products, as well as many of their desk microphones.  Many of the hand microphone schematics can actually be found withint he owner's manual fo the radios they were designed for.
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/index.htm

The Icom SM-5 desk microphone has a built-in pre-amplifier.

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Heil Sound article (by Bob Heil)
http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/icom_fix.htm

WHAT ABOUT THOSE ICOM INPUTS?
Or - "which microphone CAN I use on my ICOM ?"
Early ICOM - that's every ICOM before the great PRO series - had very low level microphone preamplifiers. Traditionally they are - 15dB down in gain from the standards set by Collins, Kenwood, Yaesu, etc. years ago. ICOM came to America in the early 70's with their "zero" models 720, 730 and 740 all which had NO mic preamps built in. The microphone preamplifiers were in the microphone ! How stupid. This did not allow you to use any other microphone but THAT mating microphone since half of the audio circuits were in the mic. With enough outrage and complaints they finally moved the preamp section into the radio starting with the 735, 745,751, etc. however, those front ends were -15 dB down in gain from everyone else, still making it difficult to use anything but the ICOM preamplified microphones.

Our dynamic elements will work with many of those early models (not the "zero" models) by using the compression all the time at a low level. A compressor at low levels actually acts as a low level preamplifier. Adjust the mic gain to about 3/4 open and set the compression about 4 to 6 dB and those great little 735, 751, etc. usually will work with our dynamic elements such as the HC-4 and HC-5.

ICOM AMERICA knew of this problem and a few years ago invited Heil Sound to help solve the problem and solve, we did by developing our high performance Heil "ic" electret. Not the usual 15 cent import electret but a very high quality condenser electret as used in many studio microphones. The electret, by its design has LOTS of output and will drive the early ICOM rigs (not the "zero" models) to full output and sounds terrific. Your 775, 781,761,751, etc. NEVER, and we do mean NEVER has sounded better ! About time !

All of these products work well with the great little IC 706. You need the ADM-706 modular adapter and with one of the new high performance Heil "iC" elements in the "iCM", Traveler 706, etc. will make a new transceiver out of the little jewel. The IC 706 will NOT work well with our HC or GM elements, as the 706 is short on mic preamp gain, so you need to solve the low audio problem with one of the new Heil "iC" products. Be sure and adjust the carrier balance control (Q4 or Q6) for the desired transmit tone. This is VERY important.

So, the bottom line for those wonderful old 735,745,761,765,756,781,775,751, etc... use any of our products using our new high performance Heil IC electret elements. The HMM-ic, PRO-SET IC, PRO-SET PLUS! IC, BM-10 IC, or the wonderful "iCM" microphone.
These are the products that should probably be called the "ICOM FIX" !
-- Bob Heil