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[TenTec] Re: Great Power Supply

To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: [TenTec] Re: Great Power Supply
From: wa9tgt@ameritech.net (Donnie R. Garrett)
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 06:03:30 -0500
After seeing all the comments concerning the Astron and Ten Tec power supply
problems I would like to make a recommendation.  First let me say I have
experienced the same problems with transformer hum from several new Astron
supply's.  I have even experienced this problem with some of the 960 and 961 Ten
Tec supply's.  The best power supply I have found to run my solid state HF rigs
from is a Drake PS-7.  These supplies are built like a tank.  They have 4 pass
transistors, massive heat sinking on the pass transistors and the bridge
rectifier.  The power transformer is almost twice the physical size as the
transformer in the Ten Tec supplies.  The PS-7 has a over voltage crowbar
circuit, it has internal voltage and current adjustment. It will trip if too
much current is drawn through the supply just like the Ten Tec supply's does.
This supply is rated at 25 amps continuos.  Drake uses (2)  15,000 Mfd / 30V
filter caps that are in parallel to filter the supply.  You can easily make up a
Ten Tec DC power cable and connect it inside the supply to obtain power for your
Ten Tec gear.  I run both my Paragon and my IC-746 from this supply with
absolutely no problems.  The PS-7 chassis is at DC ground also.


Donnie Garrett

wa9tgt@ameritech.net

> Ten Tec Digest       Saturday, January 16 1999       Volume 02 : Number 017
>
> In this issue:
>
>     [TenTec] Soource for Morse Code Key Knobs ?
>     [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     [TenTec] FS: Paragon I
>     [TenTec] Omni-VI web page
>     Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     [TenTec] 262M Power Supply transistor
>     Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     [TenTec] TenTec 229 Antenna Tuner FS
>     Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>     Re: [TenTec] Omni-VI web page
>
> See the end of the digest for information about tentec-digest
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 08:06:00 EST
> From: KF4EIB@aol.com
> Subject: [TenTec] Soource for Morse Code Key Knobs ?
>
> Greetings to all,
>
> Looking for a source for Key Knobs... different types, shapes, etc.
> Anyone have a bunch in the Junque'  Box?
> Thanks in advance.
>
> 72, 73 de Gordon kf4eib
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 08:35:59 -0500
> From: Web Williams <kr4wm@sccoast.net>
> Subject: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> OK folks, I opened up my comercially manufactured
> (Audiovox CBM-1) field strength meter, and this is
> what's inside. Kinda simple- wish I had built mine now!
> Sorry I don't know the capacitor color code- the ARRL
> handbook crosses the color code over to116uF at
> 100 volts, but we all know there's no such thing as a
> 116uF capacitor! First red is X100, second green is 16,
> third red is 100 volts. Or would this be 1600uF?
> (100 times 16?) I know the resistor code quite well, but
> the capacitor codes always trip me up! One thing that
> gets me about this design is that the anode of the diode
> points to ground. Is this proper? If anyone has a frequency
> selective passive FSM design, please forward the info
> to me- I'd like to build one of those....
>
> 73 all, -Web in Myrtle Beach, SC
>
>                                           |-|.01uF|-| ceramic disk
> capacitor across meter
> GROUND WIRE---------| METER |-------------
>                                          |-
> +                   |
>
> |                                  |
>                                          |---<|---------| |-------|
>                                         germanium  |        RED
>                                         diode          |       GREEN
>                                                            |       RED
>                                                            |
> tantalum capacitor
>                                                            |
>                                                Binding post for antenna
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 09:54:04 -0600
> From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, P.E." <geraldj@ames.net>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> What? There's never been a color code that used green for 16. Never been
> a color code that used a single color for two digits. Never been a
> consistent capacitor color code.
>
> I'd say your red green red capacitor is 2500 pf. Red for 2, green for 5,
> red for x 100. Never the multiplier first. With only three colors no
> designation for voltage.
>
> There certainly is such a thing as a 116 uf capacitor, but not used for
> RF and not marked as such. It would be marked and sold as 100 uf.
>
> Diode polarity is only critical that it match meter polarity. Either is
> useable.
>
> There's a frequency selective FSM design in older ARRL handbooks and I
> think maybe G3VA's Amateur Radio Techniques book. Generally what you
> need is an antenna, a tuned circuit, a diode and a meter. Sometimes you
> need a little DC gain.
>
> 73, Jerry, K0CQ
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 13:26:36 -0600
> From: "Robb Urie" <n0ru@neonramp.com>
> Subject: [TenTec] FS: Paragon I
>
> Greetings,
>
> Got to make room for my new Omni 6+, so I am listing
> my Paragon for sale. It has the Jack Geil chip, FM board,
> All documentation, and original carton. No extra filters, P.S.,
> or mic (need them on 6+). Unit is in excellant condition both
> electrically and mechanically. No mods except all band xmit.
> Will ship for $1025 insured and if you don't like it, full refund.
>
> Contact via (402) 571-1893 or n0ru@neonramp.com
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robb...N0RU
> Omaha, Ne
>
> p.s. Have references of those who have seen radio.
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 14:31:58 -0800
> From: randas@mindspring.com
> Subject: [TenTec] Omni-VI web page
>
> I lost all my bookmarks..can someone email me the address for that Omni-VI
> web page.
>
> Tnx de Tim  K0FL
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 16:54:39 -0500
> From: Web Williams <kr4wm@sccoast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, P.E. wrote:
>
> > What? There's never been a color code that used green for 16. Never been
> > a color code that used a single color for two digits. Never been a
> > consistent capacitor color code.
> >
> > I'd say your red green red capacitor is 2500 pf. Red for 2, green for 5,
> > red for x 100. Never the multiplier first. With only three colors no
> > designation for voltage.
>
> I'd say look in the 1990 ARRL handbook, page 35-2 at the topof the page, and
> tell me that I'm wrong! What I -should- have
> deciphered was:
> red- first significant figure in uF = 2
> green- second significant figure in uF = 5
> red- multiplier which in this case is x 100
> So I'm thinking this is either a 2500uF, i.e.
> (a 2 and a 5-times 100)
> or it's a 700uF
> (2uF + 5uF times 100)
>
> I can figure resistor color codes all day, but I sure wish
> they had stuck to PRINTING the value of of caps on
> their sides! But green, as the last digit, means "16 VOLTS",
> and is not figured into the value of the capacitor as I tried
> to do. Sorry for the mis-representation. 73, -Web
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 16:03:30 -0600 (CST)
> From: winjones@ix.netcom.com (Winston F. Jones)
> Subject: [TenTec] 262M Power Supply transistor
>
> Does anybody know a replacement for the 2N6258 TO-3 style transistor
> used on the back heat sink of the Ten-Tec 262M power supply? I cannot
> find a 2N6258 listed in any of my electronic catalogs or substitution
> books.
>
> I recently bought a used 262M that doesn't work. The meter lamp lights,
> the transformer works and the rectifier works. I read 25 volts DC
> coming from the filter cap. However, there's no 13.8 volts anywhere in
> the power supply. I suspect something wrong in the regulator board, but
> I'm awaiting a schematic to figure out what it is. However, I did
> notice some bubbling on the case of the 2N6258 transistor which leads
> me to suspect it will need replacing, even if the main problem is in
> the regulator board.
>
> Any suggestions on fixing this power supply will be helpful. I've never
> delved into a Ten-Tec supply before and it looks mysterious to me. (For
> example, most power supplies I've owned before have four pass
> transistors on the back heat sink, but the Ten-Tec has only one!)
>
> 73, Winston K4CWQ
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 16:12:56 -0600
> From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, P.E." <geraldj@ames.net>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> Capacitor color codes are always in picofarads, never microfarads.
> Capacitors in microfarads other than decimal fractions are never used at
> RF.
>
> So you have 2500 pf. Each dot, or ring or spot sets a decimal digit. The
> are only added after left shifting.
>
> E.g. first digit, but there's another digit so left shift the 2 a column
> and add the 5. Gives 25. Red means multiply by 100, generally so makes
> 2500 pf (.0025 uf).
>
> a green dot may mean 5%. Each maker of capacitors has his own way, and
> then each country has its own way. There's only one way to be sure of a
> capacitor and that is with a bridge or the particular makers
> spedifications.
>
> I've never seen electrolytic capacitors (the only useful capactors much
> larger than a microfarad) with color codes.
>
> Number codes also vary in a confusing manner. Some are the actual
> capacitor value, some are two digits and a zero count like color codes.
> And they wander even with the same maker.
>
> 73, Jerry, K0CQ
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 17:16:55 -0500
> From: "Ken Simpson" <W8EK@usa.net>
> Subject: [TenTec] TenTec 229 Antenna Tuner FS
>
> For Sale:
>
> Ten-Tec 229 antenna tuner, includes balun for balanced line.  Has roller
> inductor, so will match almost any antenna, 160 through 10 meters. Good
> for full legal power. Also has wattmeter, and 4 position antenna switch.
> Great condition.  With manual for $ 225 plus shipping from Florida.
>
> E-Mail to W8EK@usa.net
>
> Thanks.
>
> 73,
>
> Ken, W8EK
>
> Ken Simpson
> E-Mail to W8EK@usa.net or W8EK@fdt.net
> http://www.gnv.fdt.net/~kenmar
> Voice Phone  (352)  732-8400
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 17:48:57 -0500
> From: Web Williams <kr4wm@sccoast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> No, it's definitely in microfarads, because it's not uuF. There's
> only one u before the F in the book. And it's a tantalum I think,
> sort of conical shaped, but no point. Fat at the top, and tapering
> towards the bottom where the leads come out. At my supplier,
> they have them in extremely high values-per-physical-size. I picked
> up a 5000uF that wasn't much larger than a first-graders pencil
> eraser. But it didn't come cheap! It was about $10. And higher
> voltage rated units prices increased exponentially. I'm sure the
> one in question is a 2500uF.
>
> 73, -Web
>
> Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, P.E. wrote:
>
> > Capacitor color codes are always in picofarads, never microfarads.
> > Capacitors in microfarads other than decimal fractions are never used at
> > RF.
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 17:10:19 -0600
> From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, P.E." <geraldj@ames.net>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> Then the book is WRONG.
>
> It might be a tantalum but they aren't common in 2500 uf. There's no
> need for such a value in a field strength meter. None whatsover.
>
> 73, Jerry, K0CQ
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 18:05:33 -0600
> From: "Dale L. Martin" <kg5u@hal-pc.org>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] RE: Field Strength meter
>
> I don't know what picture in the handbook you guys are looking
> at, but here's what I see in mine (ARRL Handbook for Radio
> Amateur's - 1995, page 24.2)
> :
>
> Tantalum's color codes are based in microfarads (uF).
>
> Polyester and fixed ceramic color codes are based in picofarads
> (pF or uuF).
>
> Very likely the type of capacitor used in a Field Strength Meter
> would be a ceramic or poly capacitor, not a tantalum (usually
> polarized).  At the frequencies it may be incurring, pF values
> are very likely and expected.
>
> 73,
> dale, kg5u
>
> ------------------------------
>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 22:07:11 -0600
> From: "Michael A. Newell" <wb4huc@texas.net>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Omni-VI web page
>
> Tim:
>
> The URL for The Unofficial OMNI VI Web Site is:
>
> http://wb4huc.home.texas.net/omni-vi/
>
> 73,
>
> Mike -- WB4HUC
> Austin, TX
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of Ten Tec Digest V2 #17
> ****************************
>
> --
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