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Thread: Started fixing the Cheyenne

  1. #1
    Silent Key Member 5-25-2015 W1GUH's Avatar
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    Started fixing the Cheyenne

    And the results are very encouraging. All the tubes light up and get hot, and no magic smoke was seen or smelled. In fact, at first the scent that emanated from it was that of "New Heathkit". Very healthy sign, at least for the radio!

    I can hear the VFO working good in a receiver with a probe by the driver tube; probably indicates that up to the driver all's cool. But I can't peak the signal with the driver tune control, nor does it work about 80. Visual inspection shows lots and lots of crud on the bandswitch, so de-oxit is called for. BUT, despite putting both bottes that I have in a "safe" place last time I straitened up, do you think I can find either? Nope!!!! "Putting it in a safe place" can so often translate to "Safe from me ever seeing it aging!" Argh!!! Well, gotta go on a searchin' safari (with apologies to the Beach Boys.)

    There are only a small handful of mic caps to change and no paper caps (Damn! Heathkit really put good stuff in their radios) so that'll be easy. And the few that there are are in the final tank circuit so would have no effect on driver tuning. My money's on de-oxit getting that baby working. THEN I can get on the window with REAL AM!

    The PS remains solid. The final pulls 175 ma and the PS doesn't complain at all. (Sure glad that's a 6146!) So...soon's I get this lack of drive fixed it's goin' on the road.

    Looking ahead...

    The G-76 is not far behind. I've picked up the DC supply for the Eico 753 and that is a prime candidate to power the G-76. Voltages are very compatible, and there's lots of room in that for the necessary modifications. The main one is a relay to switch the B+. Already have the relay & it should be a very simple job to put that in.

    Pix later. Oh, yea...what's the best way to get crud off the chassis? There's lots of it and it'd be nice to get it purtied up to match the pretty exterior, which is in very good shape.
    If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.

  2. #2
    SK Member 04/29/2020 w2amr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by W1GUH View Post
    And the results are very encouraging. All the tubes light up and get hot, and no magic smoke was seen or smelled. In fact, at first the scent that emanated from it was that of "New Heathkit". Very healthy sign, at least for the radio!

    I can hear the VFO working good in a receiver with a probe by the driver tube; probably indicates that up to the driver all's cool. But I can't peak the signal with the driver tune control, nor does it work about 80. Visual inspection shows lots and lots of crud on the bandswitch, so de-oxit is called for. BUT, despite putting both bottes that I have in a "safe" place last time I straitened up, do you think I can find either? Nope!!!! "Putting it in a safe place" can so often translate to "Safe from me ever seeing it aging!" Argh!!! Well, gotta go on a searchin' safari (with apologies to the Beach Boys.)

    There are only a small handful of mic caps to change and no paper caps (Damn! Heathkit really put good stuff in their radios) so that'll be easy. And the few that there are are in the final tank circuit so would have no effect on driver tuning. My money's on de-oxit getting that baby working. THEN I can get on the window with REAL AM!

    The PS remains solid. The final pulls 175 ma and the PS doesn't complain at all. (Sure glad that's a 6146!) So...soon's I get this lack of drive fixed it's goin' on the road.

    Looking ahead...

    The G-76 is not far behind. I've picked up the DC supply for the Eico 753 and that is a prime candidate to power the G-76. Voltages are very compatible, and there's lots of room in that for the necessary modifications. The main one is a relay to switch the B+. Already have the relay & it should be a very simple job to put that in.

    Pix later. Oh, yea...what's the best way to get crud off the chassis? There's lots of it and it'd be nice to get it purtied up to match the pretty exterior, which is in very good shape.
    409 or spray 9 should remove the chassis crud. Be careful , don't get it on any painted surfaces.

  3. #3
    La Rata Del Desierto K7SGJ's Avatar
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    A guy I used to work with restored Collins stuff. He removed anything delicate, covered the chassis with Murphy's, let it sit awhile, swished it around with a paint brush, hosed it off, and let it dry in the sun. Then he would go ahead restore the radio; and when finished they looked showroom great. I never saw any signs of rust or any other negative effects. I think if it were me I'd hit it a lick with the air hose after the water rinse.
    A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory

    RIP ALBI-W3MIV RIP RUSS-W5RB RIP BOB-VK3ZL





  4. #4
    Silent Key Member 5-25-2015 W1GUH's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by K7SGJ View Post
    A guy I used to work with restored Collins stuff. He removed anything delicate, covered the chassis with Murphy's, let it sit awhile, swished it around with a paint brush, hosed it off, and let it dry in the sun. Then he would go ahead restore the radio; and when finished they looked showroom great. I never saw any signs of rust or any other negative effects. I think if it were me I'd hit it a lick with the air hose after the water rinse.
    Murphy's what?
    If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.

  5. #5
    Silent Key Member 5-25-2015 W1GUH's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by w2amr View Post
    409 or spray 9 should remove the chassis crud. Be careful , don't get it on any painted surfaces.
    I'll give it a try.
    If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.

  6. #6
    La Rata Del Desierto K7SGJ's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by W1GUH View Post
    Murphy's what?
    Murphys oil soap. http://www.colgate.com/MurphyOilSoap...iginal-formula
    A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory

    RIP ALBI-W3MIV RIP RUSS-W5RB RIP BOB-VK3ZL





  7. #7
    Silent Key Member 5-25-2015 W1GUH's Avatar
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    Are these two suggestions for crud, pitting, or both? The chassis is heavily pitted.
    If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.

  8. #8
    La Rata Del Desierto K7SGJ's Avatar
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    I don't think there is much to help the pitting. The Murphys cleans up the chassis very nicely. Perhaps the pits won't be as noticeable once the crud is cleaned out. If not, well, ......you know.............that's the pits.
    A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory

    RIP ALBI-W3MIV RIP RUSS-W5RB RIP BOB-VK3ZL





  9. #9
    Silent Key Member 5-25-2015 W1GUH's Avatar
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    Thanks. 409...Murphy's....elbow grease --
    If it's a war on drugs, then free the POW's.

  10. #10
    Administrator N8YX's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by W1GUH View Post
    Thanks. 409...Murphy's....elbow grease --
    How goes the project?
    "Everyone wants to be an AM Gangsta until it's time to start doing AM Gangsta shit."

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