Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Amps] Jennings Vacuum Variable Capacitor

To: wrt@dslextreme.com, AMPS <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Jennings Vacuum Variable Capacitor
From: rlm < <r@somis.org>>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 06:20:06 -0800
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>

On Thursday, October 30, 2003, at 03:18 AM, Bill Turner wrote:


On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 09:40:27 -0800 (PST), Mark Toussaint
<n1mt@yahoo.com> wrote:

I'm converting an old sb-220 to work on 50mhz. I need
a low value tune cap and want to use a Jennings vacuum
variable of 2-30pf, rating of 5kV or 7.5kV. Does
anybody have one or know of a good source for these
that won't break the bank ?  I know I'll need a low
value of C for the tune, any other thought's or
suggestions ?

_________________________________________________________


There's a much easier way.

Use an L network to step down the existing plate impedance to about
600-800 ohms and you'll be able to use the existing tune and load
capacitors.  Details are in any recent ARRL handbook in the HF
amplifiers section.  Basically you are using the tube's output
capacitance as the parallel reactance of the L and adding a small coil
as the series reactance.  This does the job perfectly and is much
simpler than changing the tune/load capacitors.

*** Clever idea, however, the potential gotcha is that the added L simultaneously moves the 3-500Z's VHF anode resonance down into the region where 3-500Zs have enough gain to regenerate via C-feedthrough. (0.3pF for 2, 3-500Zs)
- Murphy was right -- Things are usually more complicated than they first appear.




In my SB-1000, I used a coil of #12 wire, 3/4 inch diameter, four turns, about 1 inch long for the L network coil, and a slightly larger diameter coil of #4 wire (other dimensions the same) for the tank coil.

I also changed the filament choke and plate choke to avoid resonances
in the 50 MHz region, but this has to be done regardless.

--
Bill, W7TI

_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps


Rich Measures, AG6K, 805.386.3734. www.somis.org/

_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>