Ameritron has an entire series a products for ampflier keying
http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=ARB-704

http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?catid=6

M.A. Erickson, KK5DR web page on Icom keying interfaces - you can build
http://www.qsl.net/kk5dr/IcomKeyInterface.html

AmpKeyer
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ampkeyer.html

Icom info page
http://www.qsl.net/icom/

George -

Ameritron has all of the information you require for the AL-80B
http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=AL-80B

as well as an electronic version of the manual for this AL-80B amplifier.  Adobe Acrobat of manual:
http://www.ameritron.com/man/pdf/AL-80B.pdf

Modifications for operation on frequencies above 15 meters (10 and 12 meters) for US models.
Instructions for this modification are available by sending a written request for "Export Modification Instructions" along with a copy of your valid FCC amateur license.
There is no charge by Ameritron for this information. Export models ship with this modification already installed and have an "X" or "Y" following the serial number.  Standard frequency ranges are indicated in the chart on page 29 of the manual.

Rob -

His web site was working 10 days ago, when I last used it.
Yes - I see an HTTP error message - your are reporting -- when I attempt to access the web site.

I would NEVER make a comment (or conjecture) about a "business closing" on a public forum or discussion -- without first attempting to contact its owner -- this starts unfounded rumors -- that damages not only the business -- but the hobby.

Domain name "hijacking"; file server crash; DNS problems or failure of an ISP are ALSO reasonable explainations for this occurance and reported condition.

If you need to purchase some tubes from Tom, his contact information (phone, e-mail) is available.

w9gb
 

US Postal Service still works, you can always ask him, at:

THOMAS K HIX
190 EAST HWY
BOAZ, AL 35957  
USA

Yes, he has an e-mail address, but I do not normally post these - due to automated collector programs for e-mail addreses (SPAM collectors)

Where to look for parts?

Mouser Electronics is a good electronics part source (no minimum order)
http://www.mouser.com

DigiKey, Allied Radio and Newark are other good sources with on-line ordering and catalogs.

Greg
w9gb

BTW, Mike Bryce has designed a replacement board for the AC-4 power supply.
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/drakeac4rreplace.html

Greg
w9gb

"My soldering ability is what it is. I can’t do much about it."
Brian -

That is a lame answer.  Several very educational Internet sites on how to solder.  
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderfaq.htm

http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/solder.html

An hour of proper training (reding and practice) and you are ready to go.  Part fo the problem with "bad sodlering" is bad equipment (forget the Radio Shack stuff - not temperature controlled may not grounded).  
http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/wt9w/kit%20building.html

IF you want to repair electronic equipment get a good used Weller, Haako or Pace station - all under $80 used and new for $ 80 to $100 and a DVM/VOM.
http://www.mtechnologies.com/building/atoz.htm

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/circuits.htm

w9gb

Doug -

This can be a "fool's errand" ... from the economic side (In finance, this is sometimes referred to as "diminishing returns").  
Look at the diagram in the upper right of this web page:
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/dB.html

Notice you are NOT dealing with linear relationships (this use to be a standard exam quesiton for an Amatuer Radio License) - AS your move to the right (MORE POWER) the resultant increases in dB level are not as significant.  

IF you desired to increase your dB (and be heard well on the other side) - IMPROVE your antenna system!
A 100 feet of poorly installed coax can easily rob 1 to 3 dB before it even reaches the antenna.  Another analogy: "I want more water pressure since my irregation systems has leaks, corroded sprayers, ut I don't want to do the work to fix these"
=======================================
dB is an abbreviation for "decibel". One decibel is one tenth of a Bel, named for Alexander Graham Bell.  The measurement quoted in dB describes the ratio (10 log power difference, 20 log voltage difference, etc.) between the quantity of two levels, the level being measured and a reference.  To describe an absolute value, the reference point must be known. There are a number of different reference points defined.  Here are a few:  

+  dBV represents the level compared to 1 Volt RMS. 0dBV = 1V. There is no reference to impedance.
+  dBu represents the level compared to 0.775 Volts RMS with an unloaded, open circuit, source (u = unloaded).
+  dBm represents the power level compared to 1 mWatt. This is a level compared to 0.775 Volts RMS across a 600 Ohm load impedance.  Note that this is a measurement of POWER, not a measurement of VOLTAGE.

Not dummy usage -- just the "real thing"
http://www.ultimatecharger.com/dish.html

gb

Here is the KLV-550 manual
http://www.rmitaly.com/download/manuals/KLV550-manual_rel_500.pdf

gb

Peter -

Here is their web site in Italy.  All support questions must be in English or Italian.
http://www.rmitaly.com/home.asp

Although a seller is dumpign these on eBay - he will not respond - concerning FCC file number for certification, filing, etc. (TenTec, Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood and all other legitimate amatuer radio companies go through this process).

gb

Follow-up:

For North America, we have been use to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards for electrical connections.  The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has set standards for Europe [to unite various standards and conventions in Eastern and Western Europe]

Many US based electrical firms are NOW recommending power cords that incorporate the IEC Brown, Blue and Green/Yellow conductor color coding in place of the traditional North American (NEMA) Black, White, Green conductor color coding. (This is to standardize US products for broader acceptance in export market)

Wiring various country specific power cords to equipment before export, including shipment to the U.S., is simplified when standardizing on the IEC color coding system.

Both the U.S. and Canadian National Electrical Codes (NEC), as well as UL and CSA standards, ALLOW the usage of the IEC Brown, Blue, and Green/Yellow conductor color coding.

NOTE: We are talking about power or line cords for "equipment" - this does NOT change standard electrical wiring in North America.  Consult the latest 2005 NEC Handbook for additonal details or questions.

Greg
w9gb

Steve -

Actually, BROWN, BLUE and GREEN or Green w/Yellow tracer is EUROPEAN STANDARD for line cords (I come across these regularly) -
While the traditional US standard has been BLACK, WHITE, GREEN.

You have to be VERY CAREFUL in replacing line cords on old "All American Five"(AA5) radios that have no transformer (AC/DC operation) OR some tube receivers in the WW2 - 1970 era.
Some of these radios have a hot chassis and were switching the neutral line lead (Knight Star Roamer; Hallicrafters S38 series, others).  Get a schematic!  Also if you are doing this upgrade replace the line capacitors with X2 or Y2 safety capacitors - Just Radios have these available.
http://www.justradios.com/X2capacitors.html
http://www.justradios.com/Y2capacitors.html

The USENET group: rec.antiques.radio+phone
regularly deals with these questions for tube radio restorers.

w9gb

The IF for the HR-10B is about 1681 kHz (half lattice crystals are in back (middle).  This was the first receiver that I built in 1972.

w9gb

David -

I am fairly certain that the Swan trasnceivers used the Cinch-Jones "Rectangular Connectors" (also used in Drake and other amateur gear as well as military equipment in the 1970s and 1980s).  Cinch-Jones is Chicago based and connectors are still made and available from either Cinch or Molex (who purchased Beau - who also made this connector - interchangable).  Mouser has these in stock.
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=placeorder._orderoptions

Cinch Jones connectors are on page 899
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/622/899.pdf

Molex Beau connetors are on page 905
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/622/905.pdf

w9gb