20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

Clayton wrote:
Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

Have a look at the Heathkit HW32 cct, http://bama.sbc.edu/heath.htm .
should give you a few ideas.

Steve H

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:43:09 -0700, Clayton wrote:
Radio Amateurs Handbook any copy printeted between 1963 to 1970.
Also back issues of QST for that era.

A tube TRX for SSB will minimally be around 11 tubes or more and not
simple. Just finding items like the power transformer will be a
challenge.

If you can find an old Heathkit HW32 (Monobander SSB series) and
rebuild it that might work better.

Allison


This might make a good contest: coming up with an SSB transceiver that
is capable of making real contacts on the air with a minimum number of
tubes. The IF and Xtal filter could be make bilateral for RX and TX, and
maybe using diode mixers (for the PD and TX mixer) might also allow
some bilateral shared stages in those areas as well. Even the TX predriver
could be switched for the RX RFA with some effort. I wonder how few
tubes it would take to make a 5-watt QRP xcvr for 20 meters? The
receiver doesn't have to be overly complex. A basic direct conversion
receiver could serve as the entire IF and detector, with the xtal filter in
front for single signal reception.

Pete k1zjh

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

wrote:
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:43:09 -0700, Clayton wrote:

Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

Radio Amateurs Handbook any copy printeted between 1963 to 1970.
Also back issues of QST for that era.

A tube TRX for SSB will minimally be around 11 tubes or more and not
simple. Just finding items like the power transformer will be a
challenge.

Nah!
http://www.hammondmfg.com/claspg.htm
http://www.edcorusa.com/products/class_x.html
http://www.triodeelectronics.com/

There's lots of transformers around. :-)


If you can find an old Heathkit HW32 (Monobander SSB series) and
rebuild it that might work better.

Allison

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

Clayton wrote:
Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

Why not re-work a 10 Meter(CB) SSB), Re-Tune the Rx. Front-end for 20
Meters, Use the 10 meter Tx as an Exciter to drive a 20 Meter Final.

This way 85% of the design work has already been done and tested !

Are you out to prove a point, or want a working rig ?? Tubes have been
obsolete for fifty years !! Why else would you attempt to build a
Sideband rig using parts that have been out of production for several
generations. If you are going to wind coils and Rf transformers why not
wind them for transistor stages. Transistor Rigs (CB) are CHEAP. Tube
type rigs have long been relegated to the Scrap Heap.

Yukio YANO VE5YS

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

"Yukio YANO" wrote in message
news:4Wvqi.11098$rX4.6907@pd7urf2no...
Clayton wrote:
Are you out to prove a point, or want a working rig ?? Tubes have been
obsolete for fifty years !! Why else would you attempt to build a Sideband
rig using parts that have been out of production for several generations.
If you are going to wind coils and Rf transformers why not wind them for
transistor stages. Transistor Rigs (CB) are CHEAP. Tube type rigs have
long been relegated to the Scrap Heap.

Yukio YANO VE5YS


What's wrong with building a tube radio?? Tubes are actually more
available now then they were twenty years ago. There are thousands
of tube rigs still in daily use. There are several companies that
deal exclusively in vintage electronics. It's a hobby, and if someone
enjoys vintage technologies, so be it. I enjoy the best of both worlds.

BTW, have you priced a Hallicrafter SX-88 or 115 lately? A decent
Collins R390?? Heck, many transistors are becoming just as obsolete.
State of the art is DSP and software defined radios these days.

Pete k1zjh

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

"Clayton" wrote
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?


The ARRL published a series of small books on SSB( receivers,
transmitters,
xcvrs, amps, and theory) between the 50's and the 70's. I have two of the
series that I use as reference material. One of the articles was a 3-tube
transmitter for 20M. There are several other interesting projects that might
fit your
requirements.
One additional pointer... the Bill Orr Radio Handbook (exact edition
unknown,
but the cover was bright red!) had a monoband transceiver project that was a
very
neat, simple, and well designed transceiver. It had many features in common
with
the Swan transceivers of the 60's and 70's....
Wish I could be of more exact help, but I've passed on most of the older
books
to make room for antenna tubing in the shop.
Good luck with your projects.

Mike W5CHR
Memphis

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

"Uncle Peter" ) writes:
wrote in message
...
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:43:09 -0700, Clayton wrote:
Radio Amateurs Handbook any copy printeted between 1963 to 1970.
Also back issues of QST for that era.

A tube TRX for SSB will minimally be around 11 tubes or more and not
simple. Just finding items like the power transformer will be a
challenge.

If you can find an old Heathkit HW32 (Monobander SSB series) and
rebuild it that might work better.

Allison


This might make a good contest: coming up with an SSB transceiver that
is capable of making real contacts on the air with a minimum number of
tubes. The IF and Xtal filter could be make bilateral for RX and TX, and
maybe using diode mixers (for the PD and TX mixer) might also allow
some bilateral shared stages in those areas as well. Even the TX predriver
could be switched for the RX RFA with some effort. I wonder how few
tubes it would take to make a 5-watt QRP xcvr for 20 meters? The
receiver doesn't have to be overly complex. A basic direct conversion
receiver could serve as the entire IF and detector, with the xtal filter in
front for single signal reception.

Pete k1zjh


Somebody already suggested the "Imp" that was in one of the later ARRL
SSB manuals (and the same author came up with a solid state version later),
and presumably had appeared in QST before that.

A different way of dual use, without the bilateral stages, is to have
a balanced mixer, the filter, IF strip, and then a balanced mixer. By
using broadband mixers, the first stage is either the receiver mixer,
or the balanced modulator for the transmitter. Then the balanced mixer
at the output of the IF stage is the product detector on receive, and
the conversion mixer on the transmit. The signals all go down the
strip in the same direction, and relatively little switching is needed.

One of those ARRL SSB manuals had such a transceiver, nice and small,
albeit with transistors.

Though, I seem to recall there was a transceiver made out of subminiature
tubes in the late fifties or early sixties. Unless I'm confusing it
with something else, it was in the Bill Orr Handbook.


Michael VE2BVW

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

Yukio YANO ) writes:
Clayton wrote:
Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

Why not re-work a 10 Meter(CB) SSB), Re-Tune the Rx. Front-end for 20
Meters, Use the 10 meter Tx as an Exciter to drive a 20 Meter Final.

This way 85% of the design work has already been done and tested !

Are you out to prove a point, or want a working rig ?? Tubes have been
obsolete for fifty years !! Why else would you attempt to build a
Sideband rig using parts that have been out of production for several
generations. If you are going to wind coils and Rf transformers why not
wind them for transistor stages. Transistor Rigs (CB) are CHEAP. Tube
type rigs have long been relegated to the Scrap Heap.

THat's a bit of a stretch, fifty years ago transistors were hardly capable
of replacing tubes. Yes, there was solid state equipment coming off
the line by 1957, but much of it wasn't particularly great, designers
not having figured out how to make good transistor equipment.

Even forty years ago, tubes were still going strong.

Now if you'd said tubes were obsolete thirty years ago, that's far
more likely to get agreement. By then solid state had risen
sufficiently that no new tube based equipment was being introduced
(well, the exception being the output stage or stages).

There is all kinds of old parts lying around, waiting for that
day when someone would finally build that "dream rig". Of course
nodoby is going to be able to buy tube type components at their
local parts emporium, even if the local parts emporium still
exists), but then even forty or fifty years ago those who
had to buy off the shelf just like in the magazine article
often suffered, since they had to rely on what the magazine
article said and had to rely on what they could get at the
store.

But anyone who shows a certain level of capability can scrounge
parts and make do with what they can find, so it's not particularly
that big a deal that someone wants to build with tubes. IN a lot
of cases, the parts are just waiting to be used, since others
have declared them "obsolete".

It's kind of interesting that you dismiss building with tubes,
but then turn around and suggest the solution is to modify a
CB rig. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but someone
wouldn't be building in the first place if the "wanted something
already tested".

Michael VE2BVW

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

) writes:

One of the common things back then was seperate TX and RX.
Though some would build a single band Trasnciever and use it
with a Transveter to cover other bands.

Yes, it was more common to see separates. ON the other hand, when
there were actual transceivers described, they did tend to use
common circuitry between transmit and receive. Solid state, because
of their size and low cost, has made it pretty easy to build
complete separates (minus the oscillators) in one box, which of
course does have the advantage of making switching pretty easy.

One advantage of separates is that it looks less daunting. Build
the receiver, and you have something finished, and even have it
for testing the transmitter. Then build the transmitter. The
overall product may require more work, but at least it's broken
down into more manageable pieces.

Othere QST articles QST April 1961, A 75M SSB tranceiver.


I'd bet back issue reprints of QST articles are available from ARRL..

Traditionally, and I'm not sure why it would have changed, you could
get back issues for a reasonable fee, and if they didn't have any
of that issue, the specific article for a reasonable fee.

Of course, one can also get back issues on CDROM, and for someone
interested in the tube era, it might make sense to get a set from
the era when tubes were still pretty common in QST, but late enough
that things had developed well.

Old Handbooks of course not only have the construction articles, but
the peripheral information that might be needed by someone starting
to build tube equipment at this point. That 75metre SSB transceiver
that you mention, it showed up in a number of Handbooks in the early
seventies, and yes, it sure looked neat for an 11 year with his
first Handbook in 1971.

Michael VE2BVW

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:43:09 -0700, Clayton wrote:

Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

Radio Amateurs Handbook any copy printed between 1963 to 1970.
Also back issues of QST for that era.

A tube TRX for SSB will minimally be around 11 tubes or more and not
simple.
"Just finding items like the power transformer will be a challenge."

NOPE, that is urban legend BS or must be working for a Far East exporter
(Purpose of the "weak dollar" is to strengthen these mfg. in world market -
not kill them).

Just in greater Chicago area there are at least 3 major mfg. that have been
around for 75+ years -- and turning out hundreds a day plus custom requests.
Triode Electronics JUST handles the Dynaco rebuild requests -- they are
providing brand new units exceeding original 1950 specifications (better
materials and mfg facilities)
http://www.triodeelectronics.com/

Heyboer - Grand Rapids, MI
http://www.heyboertransformers.com/index.shtml

Heyboer also handles the profesional musicians/bands/professional
restorers/audiphile market -- that still use vacuum tubes for that soft warm
sound!
http://www.heyboertransformers.com/tubeamps.shtml

There are a LARGE number of US transformer manufacturers -- USE the GOOGLE
with the Internet!!

If you can find an old Heathkit HW32 (Monobander SSB series) and
rebuild it that might work better.

Yes, that is a viable solution for a tube based radio. A solid state design
is also possible.

gb

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

"Michael Black" wrote in message
...
"Uncle Peter" ) writes:
wrote in message
...
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:43:09 -0700, Clayton wrote:
A different way of dual use, without the bilateral stages, is to have
a balanced mixer, the filter, IF strip, and then a balanced mixer. By
using broadband mixers, the first stage is either the receiver mixer,
or the balanced modulator for the transmitter. Then the balanced mixer
at the output of the IF stage is the product detector on receive, and
the conversion mixer on the transmit. The signals all go down the
strip in the same direction, and relatively little switching is needed.


I did that with a small solid state transceiver for 160 and 80 meters. The
mixers were DBMs. I think I wrote up the bilateral IF for Ham Radio,
but never got around to publishing the entire project..

One of those ARRL SSB manuals had such a transceiver, nice and small,
albeit with transistors.

I think that may have been the rig by Benjamin Vester (if my memory hasn't
messed up his name!) That was a cute project that always fascinated me.
At the time I was in my early teens and didn't have the skills to duplicate
it. Late 50s or early 60s IIRC.


Though, I seem to recall there was a transceiver made out of subminiature
tubes in the late fifties or early sixties. Unless I'm confusing it
with something else, it was in the Bill Orr Handbook.



I'd like to look that one up for a read if your ever recall where it
appeared!!


Michael VE2BVW


73

Pete k1zjh

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

"Uncle Peter" ) writes:

One of those ARRL SSB manuals had such a transceiver, nice and small,
albeit with transistors.

I think that may have been the rig by Benjamin Vester (if my memory hasn't
messed up his name!) That was a cute project that always fascinated me.
At the time I was in my early teens and didn't have the skills to duplicate
it. Late 50s or early 60s IIRC.

That's it. It's in both the fourth and fifth editions of the SSB Manual.
Looking now, I see that it is listed as originally in QST for June 1959,
which seems terribly early. It looks like something that would have
been published in the mid-sixties.

What's surprising is how small it is. That sort of construction is
hard in itself, but at a time when people were still just getting
close to transistors it becomes amazing.


Though, I seem to recall there was a transceiver made out of subminiature
tubes in the late fifties or early sixties. Unless I'm confusing it
with something else, it was in the Bill Orr Handbook.



I'd like to look that one up for a read if your ever recall where it
appeared!!

I was vague about that because I'm not sure what I'm remembering. There
was an article in CQ about the "Argonaut", I think in the early sixties
but maybe late fifties, about this miniature SSB transmitter or transceiver,
and the DXpedition it went on (so maybe it was just a transmitter, to
get some new countries on the air on SSB, where there'd already be
receivers). It wasn't a construction article, but the intro mentioned the
consctruction details were published elsewhere. Either in the Bill Orr
Handbook, or the "Editors and Engineers" SSB handbook (which were either
Howard W. Sams, or would a tad later be engulfed by Sams).

But I'm not sure if that had subminiature tubes or not. Thinking about
it now, such a rig seems vaguely familiar, so maybe I did see the book it
was in at the Library in the early seventies when I started reading such
things. THere definitely is some memory that is stronger than that CQ
article, but I don't know what.

Michael VE2BVW

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

Thanks Everyone,
I'm not new to working with tubes just putting something together this
size is a bit daunting...
Tubes and crystals are not a problem either,I have plenty of both.

I'll look over all of your posts a bit closer and see what I can work
out.

I Appreciate the help Guys
Thank You

20 Meter SSB Transceiver?
 

On Jul 28, 9:48 am, wrote:
On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:17:04 GMT, Yukio YANO wrote:
Clayton wrote:
Hi,
I am looking for some plans for a simple(beginners) 20 Meter SSB Tube
Transceiver and was wondering if somebody had any good plans or web
site they could point me to?

Any help would be greatly Appreciated
Thank You

Why not re-work a 10 Meter(CB) SSB), Re-Tune the Rx. Front-end for 20
Meters, Use the 10 meter Tx as an Exciter to drive a 20 Meter Final.

This way 85% of the design work has already been done and tested !

I've done that, the intermod is terrible in most CB rigs. After
scrapping most of the RX frontend was it brought to the decent level.

Are you out to prove a point, or want a working rig ?? Tubes have been
obsolete for fifty years !! Why else would you attempt to build a
Sideband rig using parts that have been out of production for several
generations. If you are going to wind coils and Rf transformers why not
wind them for transistor stages. Transistor Rigs (CB) are CHEAP. Tube
type rigs have long been relegated to the Scrap Heap.

First it's under 40 years since the last of the new production tube
rigs.

The HW-101 (OK, it had a couple semiconductors in it but I won't hold
it against it, it's still a "tube rig") was still for sale by Heathkit
up till 1980 or so.

That'd be 27 years ago.

Tim.