Len Over 21 wrote:

In the case of the mixing-by-crystal-banks plus VFO (or "PTO" for
most Collins radios), there was a dependency on the quartz
crystals being correct. Those were typically in the 30 to 50 PPM
(plus-minus) accuracy by themselves. That was GOOD accuracy
for the 50s to 60s time frame...but one band might be off on the
low side while another band might be off on the high side.

That "off on the low side while another band might be off on the high
side" stuff might be correct if not for the individual band trimmers
featured in all such equipment. R.L. Drake and Ten-Tec also used PTOs
in their equipment.

With TCXOs or VTCXOs (Temperature Compensated Crystal
Oscillators, fixed or Voltage-controlled), the drift on modern
"all band" (HF that is) transceivers can be within 1 PPM after
calibration. The old Collins "PTO" (Permeability Tuned
Oscillator) achieved stability of 50 to 100 PPM over a full
military temperature environment (-55 C to +85 C) but they
were not inexpensive. Collins amateur equipment was often
at the top of the money line when they were marketing for
the hams.

Ten-Tec and Drake equipment achieved similar accuracy and were sold at
much lower prices than comparable Collins gear.


Besides, "real hams" don't use any FM on HF...they hardly
ever go above 30 MHz. :-)

Is this just another things you've heard from someone else, Leonard?
While I use 2m FM, most of my operation on 6m, 2m and 70cm is on SSB or
CW. I have the latitude to choose a band I like and to operate there.
I can do this from my home or from my car.

The subject has gotten out of hand in here with all the PCTA
extras eager to beat on any NCTA by taking a phrase out of
logical context. :-)

It surely does get out of hand but not because of anything being taken
out of "logical context". It happened because you spouted off about
something you weren't up on. You compounded things by not admitting to
your lack of knowledge. You tried to fine tune your original statements
and were snagged yet again.

Those all have expensive ready-builts in
their "shack" and - naturally - those rigs are the closest thing
to perfection as anything.

Jim's isn't ready built. Mine is. They're both as close to perfection
as anything. Why would that bother you?

They don't seem to know squat
about the inner technology involved in frequency synthesizers
so they want to "get even" with anyone who does. Sigh.

"Tney" seemed to know enough to chew you up and spit you out on your
synthesizer spur and phase noise gaffes. You'd better bring yourself
up to date, old fellow.

Dave K8MN