The further adventures of the Heathkit AT-1

Work has been conspiring to eliminate my spare time but I was able to spend a few hours over the Easter holiday to clean up the shack and make space to put the Heathkit AT-1 on the desk again. I have been able to spend a little time going over parts that need to be replaced and making a list.

The Heathkit AT-1 chassis with case and VFO-1 behind.

There doesn't seem to be any show stoppers although the wafer of the meter switch has broken in two and will need to be repaired. If I'm not able to repair it then thankfully it is fairly simple and replacement rotary switch can be substituted.

This isn't going to be a museum quality restoration but the changes that were made to this transmitter in the past were sensible and if left in place are representative of period modifications. The original meter for example was not the highest quality and a Western or Simpson replacement would be an improvement. The original slide switches have been replaced with period snap-toggle switches which are also an improvement over the original.

The Heathkit VFO-1 however has been modified for grid-block keying which is a significant departure from the original and I plan to revert it back to cathode keying. Although a technical improvement it is not in keeping with the original design and needs to be undone. Everyone will have their own opinion but I think if I wanted modern circuits I'd get a more modern rig, so the VFO-1 will be returned to stock.

Hopefully I can carve out a bit of time here and there to work on this and slowly return it to working condition.

Heathkit's first amateur transmitter - Heathkit AT-1

The Heathkit AT-1 represents the commercial embodiment of the simple Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) transmitter using a crystal controlled 6AG7 oscillator plus a 6L6 final output tube.

Although it was possible to design and build a simpler transmitter, the goals of output power and stability could become mutually exclusive when trying to operate with only one tube. For a novice class license holder of 1951 the Heathkit AT-1 represented a solid performing rig that would be relatively easy to construct and operate.

The Novice remained the primary entry license until the Morse code requirement was eliminated for Technician licenses in 1990. On HF it permitted code transmissions only, with a maximum power of 75 watts, (input to the transmitter's final amplifier stage) on limited segments of the 80, 40 and 15 meter bands.

For $29.50 and the loan of a few tools you could get some use out of that new novice license

The earlier MOPA circuit from the ARRL handbook of 1941 below shows a layout remarkably similar to the circuit of the AT-1 although it is designed for plug in coils rather than the band-switching arrangement of the later Heathkit transmitter.

MOPA transmitter using a 6L6 and an 807 as the power amplifier (ARRL Handbook 1941)

For a little added complexity MOPA transmitters generally offered better stability of frequency and keying waveform than single tube crystal controlled or self exited rigs. The straight forward design of the AT-1 should have looked familiar to novice class hams after studying the ARRL handbook or other radio publications.

Heathkit AT-1 Circuit diagram showing band-switching arrangement and link coupled output

Once the novice had upgraded his license the AT-1 could be expanded by the addition of the Heathkit VF-1 variable frequency oscillator to allow transmission on any frequency within the allowed band.

The Heathkit VF-1 Variable Frequency Oscillator

The VF-1 covered 160-80-40-20-15-11-10 meters and used an OA2 voltage regulator tube to provide a stable voltage for the oscillator. Ceramic coil forms, solid construction and high quality components were used to help increase stability.

It was recommended that to correctly couple an antenna to the AT-1 you would use an antenna coupler such as the Heathkit AC-1 which also included a low pass filter.

The Heathkit AC-1 Antenna Coupler. Designed to attach to a single wire by the insulated post on the front panel.

Heathkit AC-1 Antenna Coupler circuit diagram

Although Heathkit did not produce a AM modulator for the AC-1 there is provision for modulator connection on the rear panel. The earlier ARRL manuals have several suitable circuits for modulators that would work with the AC-1. Most functioned by driving a modulation transformer with the output from an audio power amplifier. The secondary of the modulation transformer would be carrying the DC plate supply for the power amplifier tube plus or minus the instantaneous voltage of the audio waveform. By changing the plate voltage to the final amplifier tube the radio frequency output would be controlled by the amplified audio frequency resulting in amplitude modulation.

The KN-Q7A - A new 40M SSB 10W transceiver kit

Amateur radio kit builders have had greater opportunities to construct high-end equipment thanks, in part, to more economical production processes. Online services allow kit manufacturers to farm out circuit board production to large workshops where jobs are batched together into larger production runs with significant cost savings. A number of suppliers are now willing to sell in smaller amounts while maintaining low costs due to automated on-line processing. The end result has been an increase in the number of kits available of significant complexity including rigs with using sideband, digital signal processing and software defined radio.

One new SSB rig kit is the KN-Q7A available from Adam Rong BD6CR/4, designed by Shi Ke BA6BF. The KN-Q7A is a 40M SSB transceiver in a compact case with VXO tuning and 10W power out. This style of rig would be ideal for back-packing, camping or as a compact emergency transceiver.

It would be interesting to see how this would pair with the NUE-PSK Digital Modem for a ultra-compact portable PSK31 station if the VXO could be made to tune to 7.035 MHz

The KN-Q7A - 40M with VXO SSB 10W

The KN-Q7A is available directly from http://crkits.com/ or from their US distributor http://www.qrvtronics.com/HAM-Radio

Price for the KN-Q7A kit is $125 USD, a suitable microphone is available for an additional $25 USD.

Specifications

• Dimension: 153 mm x 97 mm x 40 mm, not including protruding features
• Weight: 500 g or 1.1 lbs
• Power Supply: 12~13.8 V, 3 A
• Current consumption: 30 mA in RX and about 2 A in TX @ 13.8 V
• RF output: about 10 W PEP @ 13.8 V
• Spur suppression: better than -43 dBc
• Sensitivity: better than 0.5 μV at 10 dB SNR
• IF filter: 6 pole crystal ladder filter + 1 pole post IF amplifier crystal filter
• IF bandwidth: about 2.0 kHz
• IF frequency: 8.467 MHz or 8.192 MHz, depending on the selected tuning range
• Frequency tuning range: about 20 kHz in VXO type. Five options: 7.050~7.070 MHz,
7.080~7.100 MHz, 7.145~7.165 MHz, 7.200~7.220 MHz, or 7.280~7.300 MHz
• Connectors:
• Speaker output: 3.5 mm connector, mono output
• Microphone input: 8-pin, can be configured to be compatible with electret
microphones
• Antenna connector: SL-16 type (M or SO-239 type equivalent), rear panel mount
• Controls:
• IF Gain Control: act as volume control
• Tune Control
• On board RF Attenuator trimmer to eliminate broadcast interference

Radio Kits that Teach

There continue to be great kits produced that aid in learning the fundamentals of radio theory and construction. Two that I really admire are the Elenco radio trainer kits, available in both AM/FM and AM only versions. They do require some soldering so, if you haven't soldered before, I would recommend a soldering starter kit like the AmeriKit Learn to Solder Kit or similar. The AmeriKit costs around $15 and includes a basic soldering iron.
Possibly the best part of the radio kits are the detailed instruction manuals that step through the theory behind each section as it is constructed. This is more than just a assemble and go kit, the aim is to come away with an understanding of how radio signals are turned into intelligible audio.
Both Elenco kits are available from a variety of retailers, you can source your own or I will include links to Amazon if you prefer.

Elenco AM / FM Radio Kit - $30
Elenco AM Radio Kit - $18

Although this probably sounds like an advertisement for the Elenco kits I'm not affiliated with Elenco, I just happen to like their kits and educational gear.

An oscilloscope clock - Recycling vintage equipment without destroying it.

As a fan of vintage electronics, and vintage technology in general,  I love to see things being re-used rather than being dumped in the trash. This has the very desirable effect of preventing sometimes toxic chemicals from being released into the environment and reduces the demand for new parts that can also involve toxic chemicals during their manufacture.

The only downside to this recycling is that frequently the original function of the equipment is lost so I was pleased to see this creation from Bob Alexander. He has combined one of the oldest types of test equipment with some of the newest microprocessor based devices to bring us a Oscilloscope Clock that still functions as an oscillloscope!

Heathkit oscilloscope with AVR Oscilloscope Clock module

Bob ran into some problems while installing the AVR Oscilloscope Clock Module but was able to invert the horizontal output from the clock module before feeding it into the scope. To read about his build in detail have a look at : An Oscilloscope From the Trash

A small modification to the rear panel to allow setting the clock and switching between clock and scope.

Check the video below for a demonstration of the Sparkfun AVR Oscilloscope Clock Module in action on a significantly newer oscilloscope.

Deathrays and the garage home-brewer

In days past home-brewers would often be at the forefront of new and developing technologies. Apple Computer got their start in a suburban garage, Marie Curie refined radium in little more than a garden shed and the founders of Hewlett Packard worked out of a home garage in Palo Alto.

Unfortunately we moved away from encouraging kids to "tinker" in the garage and instead we've supplied ready made entertainment in the way of game consoles, demographically targeted TV and an endless series of extra-curricula activities ... all ultimately aimed at preventing boredom and keeping kids busy.

To see some impressive tinkering, take a look at this great build from Teravolt.org. Its certainly something that could be dangerous if used incorrectly but the assumption that something is unsafe unless proved otherwise and the knowledge to know the difference is sometimes better that relying on a commercial manufacturer's assurance that everything is ok ... because sometimes it isn't.

X-Ray Machine from Teravolt.org

I don't think well raised kids will take to the streets in rampaging mobs if they are allowed to become 'bored' and I think there is the possibility that through their inventiveness they will discover and create things we haven't even imagined. Given the tools, basic education & a measure of respect we could see more garage pioneers in the coming years. While I understand the value of robot kits and 'following directions' I am more enthusiastic about the Maker movement and the great selection of micro-controllers and electronic building blocks they have created.

Looking through a hard-drive using the Teravolt.org X-Ray source

New video from ARRL : The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio

From the ARRL:
ARRL's new video, "The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio," is an 8-minute video that follows some of the innovative, imaginative and fun ways "hams" use radio technology in new and creative ways. The presentation is directed toward the DIY (do it yourself) movement, which is inspiring a new generation of creators, hackers and innovators. The message should be helpful for existing members to shape the ways they understand and talk about ham radio.

Coil Winding using the Gingery Coil Winder

Anyone who has seen the video below from KC9KEP will probably be wondering where he got the coil winder used to make those high Q coils with universal windings.

The design itself is based on the Morris Register Company (MoReCo) Coilmaster and modified for home brewing by Dave Gingery. His excellent book is available from lindsaybks.com and provides plans that use parts and tools commonly available in the home workshop.

Gingery coil winder by KC9KEP

Another resource for coil winders is a page from K5BCQ that shows the original Coilmaster, a different home brew plan and a large volume of useful information.
A vintage text is also available which covers inductor (coil) design in significant detail and should be downloaded by anyone who REALLY wants to know what they are doing. It is available here.

Bad news for kit builders in the EU

G4ILO Writes ...

I’m not the first blogger to mention this item of news but it is certainly one topic that I could not allow to pass by without comment. According to the IARU Region 1 website, the EU Commission will be revising the EMC Directive and removing the exemption of amateur radio kits and modified equipment from its provisions. Products that are currently exempted would be subject to inspection and certification, a process which would make the production of kits hopelessly uneconomic. It would also potentially spell the end of home building and modification and prevent the importation of kits from the USA and other havens of relative sanity. No, this isn’t one of my April 1st spoof stories released from the Drafts folder by mistake!
I would hope that the IARU, the RSGB and other European amateur radio societies will make urgent representations to the EC to stop this proposal. But this is just one scary example of why I and many other like-minded people feel that we in the UK would be better off out of the European Union.
In fact, most of Europe would be better off without it in my opinion. Could somebody explain why, at a time when European governments are supposed to be cutting back on public expenditure, they continue contributing billions every year (only recently having voted an increase – the UK alone contributes £51 million per day) in order to fund this unelected and unaccountable Commission to employ people who live in cloud cuckoo land to produce unwanted, unnecessary and unasked-for legislation?

Original Article

New project - Heathkit SB-101

I've recently been presented with a Heathkit SB-101 transceiver, Heathkit SB-600 speaker and Heathkit HP-23A power supply courtesy of Philip KJ5OW of the Katy Amateur Radio Society.

The SB-101 is a hollow state rig, the only solid state components being a few diodes. It uses the well known, and fortunately fairly common, 6146 output tubes in the finals.

The manual is available here : Heathkit_SB101_Manual

Heathkit SB-101 Transceiver

There looks to be a little work required before this rig is put on the air, a few resistors have cracked for reasons unknown and the rubber belts need replacement in the load and tune controls. It is something worth taking time on as the SB-101 is a well regarded rig that is still a strong performer today. There have been some modifications made to support an external linear master oscillator (VFO) which will need to be looked at but are probably fine as they stand.

I pulled my Heathkit HD-1410 keyer out of storage and was pleased to find it was the same color and style, matching the SB-101.

Heathkit SB-101 transceiver, SB-600 speaker, HP-23A power supply and HD-1410 electronic keyer.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1967-70 (Improved SB-100[1965-7])
Bands: 80 - 10 (500kc) (2 Mhz on 28-30 mhz)
Modes: CW & SSB
Power: 180W PEP SSB & 170 input CW - 6146 Output Tubes
Frequency Control: LMO- Linear Master Oscillator (Like PTO)
Selectivity: 6 Pole filter 2.1kc @ 6db down (Accessory CW filter 400hz)
Contstruction: Aluminum Chassis & Cabinet-Printed circuit board wiring
Keying: PTT and VOX voice operation, VOX with sidetone for CW
Power Supplies: AC or DC power supplies availiable
Microphone: High Impeadance Desk or Mobile Microphones availiable.
Frequency Control: Local LMO/Xtal, Remote VFO/SB-640 w/Mod

Accessories: SB-200 Linear Amplifier, SB-500 2mtr Xvtr, SB-600 Speaker, SB-610 Monitor Scope, SB-620 Panadapter, SB-630 Station Console, SB-640 Remote VFO & SB-650 Digital Read-out.

Features: Easy to operate, TX & RX circuits track, RX RF Preamp, Easy to calibrate and read dial calibration, Two-Tone Green wrinkle paint, Switched Metering, Construction Manual very comprehensive.

Heathkit Transceiver Resources:

• Heathkit HW & SB series parts : http://www.ultrawebb.com/OHP/index.htm
• Heathkit HW & SB series modifications : http://boatanchor.com/Heath/HW101MOD.PDF
• Digital Dials for Analog Rigs : http://www.aade.com/
• Dialcord replacement for o-ring drives : http://nrwilliamson.tripod.com/dialcord.jpg
• General HW & SB repair information : http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/102/102.html