$125, what I have invested in it. Plus shipping costs, which will be a bear.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
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$125, what I have invested in it. Plus shipping costs, which will be a bear.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
Hell yeah! I'm in! Let me know how much shipping is.
Ok. It's yours pending shipping arrangements.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
Considering the weight of the 520, and light it's not (I see some online listings that show it at 16 kg. which means roughly 36 lbs) let me see what's going to be involved to do it right.
BTW, did I mention that I have the manual and the DC cord as well? No mike, but I do have the 8-to-4-pin adapter with it.
Sad to see him departing the DDS market. I think a lot of the older analog gear is worth a time and money investment when it comes to a performance upgrade such as a DDS-based VFO.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
Cubic, Drake, Heathkit, Ten-Tec. All used LMOs/PTOs at some point in their product history and in most cases that's the only real shortcoming with any of the stuff. Well...with the possible exception of
Ten-Tec's audio-derived AGC.
Joe's going to hold a couple of his DDS boards for me...these programmed for use with the Corsair series of radios. I've a little project in mind: DDS conversion of both a C-II and the matching external VFO. The Corsair is going to get a few performance upgrades while I'm in it, and I think I'll have a new front panel fabricated and lettered. Maybe some knobs which match my Omnis and Paragons...concentric ones for the AF/RF Gain and a couple other controls so I can gain real estate for some extra functionality. There's a mod floating around for the radio which allows one to bypass the PBT assembly entirely, allowing for a quieter receive section. So...build up a circuit which allows front-panel defeat of the PBT, controlled by a rotary switch. Gang the Notch and BP Offset controls...perhaps a squelch control in the newly opened panel spot?
You get the idea.
The VFO gets another front panel as well. I'll carefully preserve the original and the PTO then come up with a digital readout for the thing. Maybe use the same blue LEDs that I have in my Omni VI and figure a way to convert the Corsair's OEM readout to use them.
This is why I'm not looking for a "collector quality" C-II. When the aim is to turn it into a C-III, a fixer-upper (albeit one that isn't beat to crap) will do nicely.
Hmmm.
If memory serves, Joe's DDS board was capable of being both the "A" and "B" VFO in & of itself. (If I'm wrong, I may be thinking of another one that's been out there). If that's truly the case, you would no longer require the external VFO with a Corsair/Corsair II that's had the DDS upgrade. Considering the going price for the 263/263G Remote VFO, that is an upgrade worth considering.
There may be a small market out there for a DDS based Remote VFO that would be the functional equivalent of a 263/263G (or similar 5 MHz based VFO for other radios), with the enhancements of a dual VFO in one. Especially to someone who has a fully functioning analog radio, but would like the digital readout on the RVFO, along with the other "enhancements" that the DDS provides, all without making modifications to the main rig.
BTW, did any of those emails WRT a used C2 pay off? Or are you still looking into it?
On edit... disregard, I see in the other thread that it did. Excellent!
But I already have a 263 in the bag. Or shall I say, "on the shelf". ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by W3WN
As far as "Why would I need one with a DDS conversion": Think very carefully about the 263 and the unique feature it brings to the table when used with a Corsair; consult the Owner's Manuals as needed. That in and of itself is why I want one of these ensembles.
Oh yes, of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by N8YX
I'm actually surprised that so few rigs since the Corsair/Corsair II, including their successors, have had that feature, in one form or another. It does come in handy when you're working split and trying to find the calling station!
Or receiving two separate frequencies in-band.Quote:
Originally Posted by W3WN
Imagine the possibilities.
One can listen to the phun on 14.275 and 313 at the same time. Or 7.185 and 7.200. Or 3.840 and 3.843 - you get the idea...
Yeah. But what a waste of a good rig with a great feature.Quote:
Originally Posted by N8YX
:lol:
Yea, I like the dual RX a lot, but mostly so I can keep track of long winded nets while ragchewing elsewhere on the same band.
36 pounds is right! That sucker is heavy!Quote:
Originally Posted by W3WN
Manual and DC Cord? That's candy!
Thanks Ron!
I listen to those bozos on 7.200 quite a bit. I still haven't figured out who's is a bad guy, and who isn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by N8YX
7.185? I'll have to go listen. :)
I wouldn't call them "bozos." That's an insult to the memory of Larry "Bozo the Clown" Harmon.
hey I get on 7200.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
I haven't heard you. When I do, I'll say hello!Quote:
Originally Posted by W2IBC
I listened for a couple of hours today and almost every QSO was above board and interesting. Normal ham radio topics, etc. Then somebody called someone a "white nigger" and it all went to hell from there. I had Steven JR turn the rig off.
Music on the frequency at the moment. They's creeping out of the woodwork again.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
And "creeping" is exactly the right word to use.Quote:
Originally Posted by N8YX
I was on for a bit around 730pm'ish edt.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
prob N2FUV calling people niggers again.
The same synthesized voice which has targeted 'KFM on occasion now has 'FUV in its sights. When the FCC finally collars that one it'll be berrrry interesting to see who's behind the curtain.Quote:
Originally Posted by W2IBC
yeah it will, I do know FUV gets on 7200 and says how he hates nigs,rednecks,hillbillies,and everything else so any time I hear anyone talk about someone dropping the n word on 7200 my 1st thought is always fuvQuote:
Originally Posted by N8YX
Steering this back to radio equipment:
I contacted Ten-Tec this week regarding some parts for a 253 antenna tuner. Mind you, the pre-RKR outfit could supply spare parts for stuff as old as a Power Mite.
They have none of the stuff I needed in stock, including the ever-popular plastic end caps used on the front panels of damn near every piece of gear made from the Corsair series through the Paragon and Omni VI days. I was able to readily obtain these just two years prior with no sign of them being discontinued. Now...no longer available.
John, 'DPO possibly called it right in a review thread on another site. I have a feeling if I want a new U.S. produced transceiver it'll either be a K3S or a DZKit Sienna.
Looks like it's time to start hoarding junkers if I want to keep my Sevierville gear on the air. Damn sad.
I received my DDS Kit. No directions, but I am hoping I can find something online..... I'd hate to have to figure this out myself.
Please don't take that as a complaint. It's not. I am overjoyed that Joe helped me out. Awesome guy!
I'm just doubting my abilities...... :)
One of my local buddies is consulting for RKR now, on the Alpha side... Specifically the high powered auto tuners. He's affirmed that the old parts support is pretty much over. Shame, but not surprising.
So, maybe my Ten Tec Museum will achieve a little more value? :dunno:
I do think the DDS route is a good solution for longevity.
Well, it's getting harder and harder to figure out what's going on in TN. John Henry KI4JPL, the former head of engineering, is saying all the right things... making it clear that he is no longer an employee and is going by what he hears.
It's not entirely a surprise, though it's sad, that the large stockpile of NOS parts is pretty much gone. Between the new ownership setting their own policies, and the move to new quarters (and dumping a LOT of old stuff, not just parts inventory) in the process, it was inevitable. And in all fairness, they never had an unlimited parts supply. Some stuff is just plain unobtainium, either due to age, or due to the side effects of the move.
Even so, as I've said to some privately, the impression I'm getting is that RKR may simply not have sufficient cash on hand at present... they may have overextended themselves in the buyout. IF that is the case, and it is purely speculation on my part based on my reading of the tea leaves, let's hope that it is a temporary situation (word I have from my sources is that TT just got a large commercial order, which was a big shot in the arm).
It would be nice if we knew more about what's going on, but it is a privately owned company and they have no public or legal obligation to reveal their inner workings.
Meanwhile, the web vultures are flying over what they presume is a soon to be corpse, and they're letting everyone know it. I received over the weekend an email from someone telling me that all is lost, see the forums Over Yonder and on eHam for details, since I didn't know. (Obviously the schmuck didn't pick up that I was already participating in many of these threads... why let the facts get in the way of an opportunity to dig up more dirt and spread it around?).
No, things aren't looking good... but the company's not dead yet. I'm not ready to start digging the grave, let alone start putting the dirt back in on the coffin.
All of mine still work very well, with the exception of the Omni D series B and it's "getting goofy" PTO. I have one more rebuild kit around here somewhere.
I had to go to the local crafts store to find some elastic cord to restring the dial indicator on the Argonaut 505 but other than that, it's working great. Neat little rig.
Want some honest to god no shit dial cord?Quote:
Originally Posted by K6BSO
Thanks, but it won't work on the 505, which uses elastic cord. It functions as both cord and spring, stretching as you tune up the band and contracting as you tune down. I discovered that it's important to run the pointer all the way back to the low end of the dial at the end of a operating session because it relieves the stress on the elastic.Quote:
Originally Posted by K7SGJ
The older PM2 I used to have was the same way. :)
Question for you guys. This DDS Kit wants 5V for the Encoder. I'm planning on using a 7805 Regulator to provide that 5V since I am unable to find 5V in the radio. I am going to need to mount it to something and that means chassis. Can you mount a voltage regulator with-out insulators to ground (Mount the tab with screw, washer and nut) with-out creating havoc?
How much current does the DDS pull? You may be able to get away with a 78M05 in a TO-39 package. If a heatsink is required, there are round snap on heatsinks that are just air cooled. I believe, without looking, they will do around a half an amp. The good news is with the snap on heat sink, a chassis mount is not required. There are also heatsinks available for the 7805 that does not require sinking to the chasis. Obviously, it just depends on the current requirement and how much heat you need to dissipate.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
Attachment 14341
That reminds me, if you run into Don WØDM in your travels and travails, tell him I said "hi". We used to communicate, on & off, but somewhere along the way fell out of touch. Good guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by WØTKX
I used to get the Boulder ARC club newsletter (on exchange with mine) for awhile; that too fell into the cracks somewhere along the way. Pity, too, it was a good read.
I have not forgotten about you, just haven't had a chance to get some boxes and pack things up right. We spent most of last weekend at Point Park U for Family Weekend, so I had almost no free time left.Quote:
Originally Posted by KA9MOT
Quoting from a manual I have open at the moment:Quote:
Originally Posted by W3WN
"Ten-Tec's service department can repair and service virtually everything we have built going back to our first transceivers in the late 1960's. It is our ability to continue offering service on these rigs that has led to their re-sale value remaining high and has made a major contribution to our legendary service reputation."
Read those words CAREFULLY, RKR...and reconsider your ill-advised decision to terminate service and parts support for those legacy products.
Ask any Harley Davidson dealership where the lion's share of their profits come from. Hint: It isn't from the sales of new units. With few exceptions, I can stroll down to my local franchise and get a 1985-up Big Twin piecemeal from their service spares catalog.
Does W4PA know what happened to all the old parts?
:chin:
You can ask him.Quote:
Originally Posted by WØTKX
But keep in mind that Scott's kinda busy running Vibroplex right now.
An interesting bit in the Swap section of QTH, posted a few days ago. Guess T-T cannot provide repair parts - specifically, the CPU - for an Orion. If the same can be said for the O-II or the Omni VII...things don't look good.
Take your time. I have tucked some funds away for you and hopefully it will be enough. If not.... I'll have to pilfer from the Wal*Mart fund and we all know who that enrages......Quote:
Originally Posted by W3WN
Just send me an email when you're ready Ron.
I'm taking my time with this Omni..... scary stuff here....