Re: Crystals and ARC5s

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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

AJSOENKE
Maybe you don't remember, but 40 years ago when  the ARC5s were still around,
they were used mostly by Novices who had a few  legal requirements to meet -
75Watts Max, CRYSTAL controlled xmtr freq PLus, the  ARC5s were very cheap and
easy to pass on to a friend.  The  most  common XTAL I remember was 7175 KC
right in the middle of the then novice  band.  A lot of 3587 KC around also for
80M and 40M doubled.

Al  WA6VNN  




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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

N2EY
In a message dated 6/15/07 11:12:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, AJSOENKE
writes:


> Maybe you don't remember, but 40 years ago when the ARC5s were still
> around, they were used mostly by Novices who had a few legal requirements to meet -
> 75Watts Max, CRYSTAL controlled xmtr freq PLus, the ARC5s were very cheap
> and easy to pass on to a friend.

I remember because I was there. I was one of the first 2 year Novices, in
1967. I still have several ARC-5s (aka "Command Sets" or "SCR-274Ns").

But at least around here those transmitters weren't too popular with Novices.
Converting an ARC-5 tx to xtal control was almost as much work as building a
simple xtal controlled transmitter, and the ARC-5 would only cover one band.
They made great VFOs, though.

The ARC-5 receivers were very popular, though. But they didn't have the great
filtering and slow tuning rate of Elecraft rigs. The ultimate example was to
build
a simple crystal-controlled converter for 80 and 40 meters to feed the
190-550 kc. ARC-5 receiver (BC-453), aka the "Q5er". A Novice dream rx for less than
$25.

 I still have several ARC-5 hangar queens in the inventory. Usually I got
them after they'd been through several owners and were heavily modified. You
don't want to know how many I tore down for the parts.

Google my call to see my shack. Unfortunately the K2 was in its travel case
when the picture was taken.

73 de Jim, N2EY




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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

Vic K2VCO
In reply to this post by AJSOENKE
[hidden email] wrote:

> The  most  common XTAL I remember was 7175 KC
> right in the middle of the then novice  band.

That was a daytime-only crystal.

7175 was one of Radio Moscow's frequencies. Ding DONG ding dong ding
dong ding DING dong (those who heard it will remember).
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

AJSOENKE
In reply to this post by AJSOENKE
That's how we knew the band was open!  Then  we'd disassemble the xtals and
soak em in acid for a few minutes to tweak them  up 3 or 5 KC. I had a whole
cigar box full ( I think I still have them)   Actually I used the ARC5 receiver.
I had a transmitter but the PS was more work  than I wanted at the time, so I
built a 1 tube 6L6 rig. Got a lot of attention  from the key clicks for a few
days - great way to meet local hams. One of them  sold me a Johnson Ranger
75W cw/AM rig  the rest is history. I had one of  those wonderful 1year novice
licenses. Had to take my general in Denver since I  went to College in CO a few
months later.

73 de WA6VNN Al  




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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

N2EY
In reply to this post by AJSOENKE
In a message dated 6/16/07 5:05:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
writes:


> Then  we'd disassemble the xtals and
> soak em in acid for a few minutes to tweak them  up 3 or 5 KC.

What sort of acid?

The only acid I know that will etch acid is hydroflouric acid, (HF) which is
incredibly dangerous stuff.

There's a solution of ammonium biflouride that can do etching, which is not
nearly so nasty as HF - is that what you used?

73 de Jim, N2EY


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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

N2EY
In reply to this post by AJSOENKE
In a message dated 6/16/07 9:36:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
writes:

>
> What sort of acid?
>
> The only acid I know that will etch acid is hydroflouric acid, (HF) which is
>
> incredibly dangerous stuff.


Make that:

The only acid I know that will etch QUARTZ is hydroflouric acid, (HF) which
is
incredibly dangerous stuff.

73 de Jim, N2EY




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Re: Crystals and ARC5s

Fred (FL)
In reply to this post by AJSOENKE
On the acid type subject  :)

In my very very early days, I worked in a gas station.
It was my first night, to work alone.  Boy such
confidence they have in me!

In walks a gentleman, and he asks ".... I need my
car battery charged, and there it is, over there by
the door".  Sort of a serious looking, mature
customer.

I look over at his battery, and it was visibly smoking
or venting some sort of fumes?  Hmmmmmm?

"What is wrong with your car battery?" I asked.  
Nothing, I just refilled it with brand new
Hydrochloric Acid, from the drug store.  It needs
charging now!  "I think they use a Sulphuric Acid
solution, Sir".    "NO - hydrochloric acid"
he says -- I then referred him to my boss, the
station's owner.

He wasn't a happy customer!  We seemed to often
get these crazy customer requests, which I later
learned seemed to come with the territory.

73, de Fred, N3CSY


       
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