How was that receiver? From the description it sounds like an AR-3 with an RF stage and a product detector. How was sensitivity above 14 Mc?Originally Posted by KJ6BSO
First radio I ever built was one of these:
A Heathkit GR-54.
I was about 14 and, no, it didn't work the first time. My father and I had to go back through it and fix about a million cold solder joints.
Last edited by W1GUH; 06-22-2011 at 05:59 PM.
If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.
I traded it in on an SB-300 about forty years ago so I really can't remember many of the details. However, as I recall, it's limitation was not so much sensitivity as it was selectivity.
Last edited by NQ6U; 06-22-2011 at 07:16 PM.
All the world’s a stage, but obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.
I wish they still made kits like these :(
As do a number of us, but co$t is always the limiting factor. Given that your average SMT-based, synthesized $50 portable will outperform a GR-54 you're not going to interest a lot of folks - with the exception of the 'nostalgia' crowd.
"Everyone wants to be an AM Gangsta until it's time to start doing AM Gangsta shit."
I'd like to find a kit for AMBCB. Not some cheap ass version of a modern portable for 11 bucks. Something I could do some AMBCB DX with.
Look up the "Spiderweb" receiver project which appeared in an old Elementary Electronics magazine of the late '70s. If I still have the issue I'll make a photocopy for you.
As an alternative: Look for an ITT Mackay 3031A/AR or 3041A/AR. Maybe a 3030A/AR if you don't mind tuning with a decade-based thumbwheel switch arrangement. I have one each 3030AR and 3031A - they are definitely the hot ticket when it comes to AM BC DX. The only features missing are an IF shift and notch filter but one could use an external audio-based unit for the latter.
"Everyone wants to be an AM Gangsta until it's time to start doing AM Gangsta shit."
Well, I do still have my Hammarlund SP-600. That's one hell of a receiver for AMBCB. I also tune around AMBCB with a Yamaha CT-410II. That's how I made my first Canadian catch. It's the best solid state receiver for both AM and FM that I've ever used.
I was wondering about a kit I could experiment with. Probably more of a Winter project. These days I'm riding and reading up of scooter mods. Just found a service manual so I'm thinking of attacking the valve lash and the drive belt. I'm pretty sure that 15,000 miles that they claim the belt is supposed to last is an exaggeration. It might go that long, but not well.
As it turns out, I got more than just a brochure at Deerfield. I got the whole manual for the one-tube radio. Am going to scan it for the web (looking for a round tuit now). That would make a fun project....especially the part about finding the parts at hamfests. It's construction is fahnstock clips on a piece of plywood. Doubt that DX'ing is what that'll be good for, tho.
Last edited by W1GUH; 06-26-2011 at 06:15 PM.
If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.
I saw an article in CQ for a one tube "peanut whistle" crystal controlled transmitter. 117N7GT tube, designed so that it didn't need a transformer or anything else.
I was young enough to not know better. I used a cardboard shoebox. All I had available at the time.
Damn thing worked, too.
However, nothing was soldered (my dad didn't trust me with a soldering iron then... well, at least not his, but he used them to create sculptures, not fix electronics, can you say "acid core solder"?) and my younger brother had to play with the wiring... first time I ever blew up some electrolytic capacitors.
One of these days, I need to find that schematic and rebuild that. I already have another tube, I do need to find a socket for it...
On Edit: A little research reminded me that the article I was referring to was called "The Peanut Whistle" and it was in the August 1965 issue of CQ. Never did find a copy of the article, though.
...and, no sooner do I post that, a quick search finds a copy on eBay for a couple of bills. I remember the issue now, it featured astronaut Owen Garriot W5LFL on the cover. Should have it in a couple of days...
Last edited by W3WN; 06-29-2011 at 09:59 AM.
“Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. 90% of the people don’t care, the other 10% are glad it happened.” — Clint Hurdle, 2019
BAN THE DH!
Fudd's First Law of Opposition: If you push something hard enough, it WILL fall down.
Teslacle's Deviant to Fudd's Law: It goes in, it must go out.
"The 2020 election wasn't stolen, and speaking the truth is only a crime in countries ruled by tyrants" - Liz Cheney
“Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfed.” — Bernie Sanders
I found one of those 30 in 1 kits a few years ago from RS at a garage sale for $2. It had the parts mounted inside little clear plastic cubes that popped into place. They had open bottoms to help them fit into the board/frame better. I made a little AM transmitter that broadcast all the way down to the LW aviation beacon band! Whoops! I thought I was on 1590, and I was. I was also clear on 290 as well. Two double A batteries so let's hope it was just a house-wide thing with the little antenna I had.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote