[TenTec] OT: Question to the group- re Match Boxes (Johnson)

[Stuart Rohre]

For those newer hams, a word about power rating of the Johnson Match 
Boxes:  These were designed in the days of power input ratings, and AM 
phone operation where you had carrier power plus modulation power.

Thus the "275 watts" box probably would on low duty cycle, easily handle 
"kilowatt" SSB rigs today with a reasonable duty cycle to keep heat from 
building up.  One could also install a fan to move air over the coils.

The main concern is the plastic used for coil insulators, which may also 
decay, just sitting around for decades. In shopping for Match boxes, 
take close looks at the coil mountings, and be prepared to eventually 
replace the plastic insulating strips with new ones.

The trouble with the Johnson design is some coil taps are fixed, not 
adjustable, and thus some of the modern bands may not tune within 
efficient range of the fixed taps.

The fixed loop coupling is another issue, and adding a variable cap in 
series with the coupling loop if often the route to handle that.  Good 
modification papers have been written in the ham journals and noted earlier.
-Stuart Rohre
K5KVH