The Hallicrafters S-38 series and many others (All American 5) of that era --
these are AC/DC radios -- and should be used with an AC isolation transformer
on the electronics repair workbench -- FOR YOUR SAFETY.

Hallicrafters Collector
http://www.hallicraftercollector.com/

Phil Nelson and many experienced antique radio (AM/SW) restorers can provide
correct guidance throughout their projects
http://www.antiqueradio.org/halli08.htm
Replacing Capacitors in Old Radios and TVs
http://www.antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

John Schmitz's S-38 restoration (northern Chicago suburbs):
Complete S-38 rebuild from bare chassis
http://www.schmitzhouse.com/Johns_Electronics_08.htm

Bob Piekarz, in LaGrange Park, IL (just down the road).
http://www.radioantiques.com/mall.html

Bob attends most of the antique radio shows and a few hamfests in Chicago area.
http://www.radioantiques.com/index.html
He had these S-38 backs and bottoms made by the same Chicago factory
that made them originally for Hallicrafters (which was HQ in area).

Retro-Tronics offers replacement laser-cut panels, have all Hallicrafters S-38 models.
http://www.retro-tronics.com/sales.php?type=Radio%20Back

I would recommend RadioDaze for parts.
They have replacement Multi-section electrolytic capacitors
in cardboard tube -- if you desire authentic look.
http://www.radiodaze.com/category/355.aspx

Bill Turner (St. Louis area) is also a good source for restoration parts
http://www.dialcover.com/capacitors2.html

Brian Ripley, The Hallicrafters S-38 Guy (Utah)
http://www.the-s38-guy.com/

Readily available from multiple sources, from McMaster-Carr, automotive parts stores, Mouser, and Digi-Key.

A well stocked hardware store, such as Ace or any other chain that carries the HILLMAN GROUP - PARTS BOXES
http://wedo.hillmangroup.com/

have a large selection of rubber grommets.
Measure size of hole and pick correct grommet size.

Ray -

When restoring the Hallicrafters S-38 models, the SAFETY AC Line Capacitors at the line cord input (AC mains)
http://www.the-s38-guy.com/Page_9.html

Just Radios -
http://www.justradios.com/safetytips.html

http://www.ehow.com/info_8649387_differences-x2-y1-y2-capacitors.html

and rubber grommets should be changed (new) to assure safety and proper operation.
http://www.stanwatkins.com/hals38.htm

How To Stop A Killer : Proper wiring S-38 ON/OFF switch.
http://www.the-s38-guy.com/Page_2.html

Dave -

Thanks for sharing.  I sent your web link to an amateur, who desires
to move from assembling kits (paint by numbers) to original design/build.

Greg, w9gb

Our Brick ...

Looking for the Axial Incandescant Lamp used in the meters of the Yaesu FT-901/902 ?
OR countless 1960s - 1980s Asian manufactured radios, stereos, amplifiers, and amateur radio equipment??

NEWARK / ELEMENT14 -- STOCKS THIS PART, 56 cents each (versus $5 on eBay)

PHOTO
http://export.farnell.com/productimages/farnell/standard/42250748.jpg

Manufacturer: CML INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Newark Part Number: 26M7281
Manufacturer Part No: 3820AL
 
Technical Data Sheet (21.79KB)
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/9757.pdf

LAMP INCAND WIRE LEAD 8V 600mW
Supply Voltage: 8V
Lamp Base Type: Wire Leaded
Power Rating: 600mW
MSCP: 0.23
Average Bulb Life: 5000h
Current Rating: 100mA
Lead Style: Axial Wire Terminal
Lens Style: Tubular, T-1 1/5, 4.3mm
RoHS Compliant: Yes

IF it has markings for POLARITY (+, -), THEN it is an Electrolytic capacitor.

RADIAL style - Both Leads come out of barrel (can) end.
AXIAL style - One lead comes out of each barrel (can) end.

REPLACE with Same (Electrolytic), OBSERVE Polarity.
===
MODS?

IF they are not outlined at Fox Tango -- THEN Question author's technical knowledge.
http://foxtango.org/FT901/FT-901-902%20Web%20Page.htm

FT-901DM AF Unit, PB1705
http://foxtango.org/FT901/graphics/FT-901_AF_Unit_PB1705.jpg

Questions tell me, you have not worked around AM Broadcast transmitters of this era.
In addition, this model did not have a long production run (2 years), used a 100 watt exciter.

Contact Mike Monnier, W8BAC or Greg, K9QI --
http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=33349.0;attach=36325
IF you need details on $$ and time for Vanguard conversion work/restoration.
A matching network needs to be built, etc.
John, K5PRO may have a copy of the complete Vanguard II manual (for station engineer).

Subscribe to AMFONE.NET
http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?topic=18318.0

The Gates Vanguard II is a 1 kW AM broadcast transmitter (550 - 1700 kHz)
 that used the 4CX3000 tetrode RF tube.  It used a first generation solid-state exciter (100 w)
 and had a Built-In Dummy Load !  

It was built at the Gates/Harris plant in Quincy, IL only from 1966 to 1968.
The Quincy Amateur Radio Clubs have a number of retired Gates employees,
so that is a good place to start.
http://www.oldradio.com/archives/hardware/gates-tx.htm

That rack was about 29 inches wide, 78 inches (6-1/2') high, and 30 inches deep.
It weights 700 pounds !
Power: 230 VAC, single phase, 3-wire.  There were SPECIALS (208 V), so you have to check.
These units were NOT efficient, as I remember/heard -- as low as 30%
Going to need a good electrical feed !

The Vangaurd II is shown on page 16 of the 1968 Gates Catalog (red cover)
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Gates-1968-Harris-No-98.pdf

The Vangaurd II model is NOT shown in my 1971 Gates Catalog (green cover).

SUGGEST you talk to Phil Alexander, Barry Mishkind, Dave Riddle, AMFONE.net, and
oldradio.com for Gates transmitters of this era.
http://www.oldradio.com/archives/hardware/Gates/Vanguard.htm

===
Mike, W8BAC took on the project of the earlier Gates Vangaurd model restoration/conversion.
http://www.w8bac.com/vanguard.html

Good match for my GATES Gatesway II Audio Console.
It would be a good candidate as a dedicated 160 meter AM transmitter, with 2 crystal selection.

Post a photo, when you are finished with repair and restoration.

The original 1SS16 Schottky barrier diode is 5 Volts, 30 mA rated to 900 MHz,
with a forward breakdown voltage of 0.50 Volts.
==
The 1N34A and 1N60 are common Germanium diodes, for lower voltage circuits.
Voltage and current ratings for Germanium Diodes still found today.

1N34A : 65 Volts, 50 mA
1N60 : 45 Volts, 50 mA
1N270 : 100 Volts, 40 mA
1N277 : 110 Volts, 75 mA

===
Schottky Barrier Diode, BAT-46
Lower forward break down voltage than a Germanium diode at less than 10 mA.
Forward breakdown voltage is 0.25 , while Germanium diodes are 0.35 volt.

The CM Coupler in the Yaesu FC-902 Antenna Tuner uses 2 diodes, D101 and D102.
1SS16, Schottky barrier diode, Yaesu part number: G2090038
http://www.foxtango.kc9foz.com/FT101ZD-901-902/fc902.pdf

Yaesu used this same diode in other Yaesu equipment, such as the mixer unit of the
FT-7 and FT-9xx transceivers.
==
DO NOT subtitute a generic silicon diode in this CM coupler unit.

A Silicon diode has a voltage drop between 0.6–1.7 volts.
A Schottky diode has a voltage drop between approximately 0.15–0.45 volts.
A Germanium diode has a voltage drop of approximately 0.30 volts.

The lower voltage drop of the Schottky provides higher switching speed and efficiency.
==
Couplers for amateur radio equipment (Drake, Heath, etc) that used meters (SWR, etc.) often used germanium diodes (1N34A, 1N60, 1N270).
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/index1/1N270.pdf

Substitution of these germanium diodes with modern Schottky diodes is common.
I use the Central Semiconductor CDSH270, Schottky replacement for 1N270.
This part is readily available from Mouser.
http://www.centralsemi.com/PDFs/products/CDSH270.PDF

Small signal Schottky diodes, like the 1N5711, 1N6263, 1SS106, 1SS108 or the BAT41–43, 45–49
can also be substituted for the 1SS16 in your FC-902
--
w9gb

Norm's RotorService was owned by Norm, it was based in Frederick, Maryland for decades.
When Alliance Mfg. (Alliance, OH) closed in 1996, Norm stepped in and
bought remaining inventory, designs, molds, and documents for HD-73, U-100 series.

OLD ADDRESS:
Norm's Rotor Service
5263 Agro Drive
Frederick, MD 21703
(301) 874-5885

Several years ago, two amateurs from Birmingham, Alabama bought the business,
as Norm retired, and moved operations to that location.
http://www.rotorservice.com/

===
Craig, at The Rotor Doctor (CATS) in Ohio also repairs USA mfg. rotators.
http://www.rotor-doc.com/

C.A.T.S.
7398 State Route 105
Pemberville, OH 43450
419-353-2287
(Fax: 419-354-7746)
===
Yaesu USA Service rebuilds broken Yaesu/Kenpro (Japan) rotators, when parts are available.

Yaesu USA
6125 Phyllis Drive
Cypress, CA 90630 USA
1-714-827-7600
http://www.yaesu.com/?cmd=ContactUs&DivisionID=65
For Technical Support or Customer Service call, (714)827-7600 between 8AM – 5PM PST
For Parts Department call (714)827-7600 between 8AM – 5PM Pacific Standard Time.

You have Seven Batteries Plus retail stores in your neighborhood --
Off-Shelf (quick purchase) and they have recycling abilities on site.

Royal Palm Beach, FL    551 N. State Road 7   561.333.5332
Lake Park / PB Gardens, FL    1250 Northlake Blvd   561.881.8900
Lake Worth, FL    6250 Lantana Road   561.304.0707
Jupiter, FL    6390 W. Indiantown Rd   561.743.7733
Coconut Creek, FL    4450 N State Rd 7   954.623.6066
Ft Lauderdale, FL    1551 E. Commercial Blvd   954.771.0838
Ft Lauderdale, FL    1360 SE 17th Street   954.306.8563

CDE TR-44 Service Manual
http://www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/download/CDE%20TR44.pdf

Alby --

eHam.net has an amateur radio HF Amplifier Review Section !!
http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/10

VERY SIMPLE RULES to identify illegal CB amps.

1. There are only a very small number of amateur radio HF amplifier mfg.
2. KK5DR made a buying guide for NOOBIES.  READ IT.

Rates-an-amp by Matt Erickson, KK5DR
http://www.kk5dr.com/amplist.htm

3.  Does the amp look like an import, or someone built in basement ?
(Palomar, Dave Made, Magnum, X-Force, Texas, etc.) --
pass another illegal CB amplifier for ignorant buyers.
4. Does the amplifier have a name that is appealing to the trucker sub-culture ?
PASS
===
IF the amplifier is NOT in Matt, KK5DR amplifier list OR listed in eHam.net Reviews ===
PASS, and Save $$ for GOOD purchase.  IF you buy Junk -- it has No Resale value!