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[Amps] RE: B&W PT-2500A 10m Modification

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [Amps] RE: B&W PT-2500A 10m Modification
From: lsc.eng@att.net (lsc.eng@att.net)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 14:00:39 +0000
OK, in anwser to my own question, I have discovered the 
following:

I)  Only the input matching circuit need be modified.   
    Output tank setting appear to be -- at least in the 
    sample I've seen -- intact for 10m.

II) Disassenbly procedure follows.

1. Unplug the power cord from the back of the unit. Do 
   NOT attempt this modifcation with AC power applied!

2. Remove the cover screws, then take off the top cover.

3. Remove the 1 top (center) and 2 bottom screws from 
   the front panel. Leave the remaining 6 screws in 
   place.

4. Remove the three front panel knobs using a hex 
   wrench -- 2 places each knob.  

5. Remove the nut and washer arround the threaded shaft 
   of the bandswitch.

6. Carefully, using a thin shaft flat bladed screwdriver,
   back off (1-2 turns) the brass screws on the brass 
   coupling holding the shafts of the Tune and Load 
   capacitors -- just INSIDE the front panel.

7. The front panel can now be pulled outward -- until 
   the Tune and Load cap shafts disengage their 
   couplings -- then let forward and down gently. NOTE: 
   The front meter panel connector may be unplugged from 
   the power supply board to allow the front panel 
   assembly to lie down closer to flat.   

III) Modification procedure follows.

1) Carefully inspect the last clockwise setting (10m 
   position) on the bandswitch, both front and back 
   wafers. On some units, the fixed contact for the 10m 
   setting may have raised, so as to prevent it from 
   making contact. If so, carefully restore it to its 
   operating position. Use an inspection mirror to view 
   the back wafer switch, as its contacts -- on some 
   units -- face the rear shield wall of the swich 
   enclosure.

2) Add the single coil, below, across the front and back 
   contacts of the 10m position on the bandswitch. That 
   is, from the input -- front wafer -- of the band-
   switched matching filter to its output -- rear wafer.

3) Add a 133pF capacitor, below, from the FRONT (input 
   side of filter) bandswitch wafer to ground. Use the 
   15m position's ground terminal, to the immediate left 
   of the 10m position.

4) Values:

Band   Input C      Coil         Comments
--------------------------------------------------------
10m     133pF    6t WIDE spaced  Pull apart to ~5/8" Long

Coil, above, is: #18 ga, 0.50" dia
Input C is 133pf: 
100pF and 33pF in parallel, 500v dipped silver mica.

IV) Reconnect and close the amp by reversing the steps 
    above. In re-attaching the Tune and Load capacitor 
    shaft couplings, remember that the Tune cap is fully 
    meshed at 100 and the Load at 0 setting on their 
    respective dials.

Thanks to Alan Grey, W3BV, for 
his help on this modification.



>
>Hello,
>
>I just purchased a B&W PT-2500A recently and am trying 
>to get it to operate throughout 80-10m. Can anybody 
>tell me what the PT-2500A 10m modification consists of 
>or know where to get it? Am I correct in assuming that, 
>unlike on the Kenwood TL-922A, the output tank 
>bandswitch connections are already in place, and that 
>only the input matching network requires restoration?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Fred, WB9LSC
>

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