Heath VF-1 & Johnson Adventurer Transmitter

[Rich Sahlender]

I had similar symptoms with a DX-40 and a VF-1 a few years back.
Turned out the power transformer in the DX-40 was getting weak
and the extra current drawn by the VF-1 caused just enough of a
voltage drop to produce chirp. A replacement transformer from
Peter Dahl cured the problem for me.

I still use the DX-40/VF-1 every now and then. The VF-1 uses the
6au6 and the 0a2 and is not left running. It is keyed in the typical
way via the DX-40 accessory plug.

73 de Rich WA3WLH

On Sat, Dec 14, 2002 at 10:07:48PM -0500, Mark V. Johnson wrote:
> I would appreciate some advice from some of  our more "senior" Heath
> Team mates... I'm trying to recreate a Novice stn I had back in the
> early 70's. Johnson Adventurer Transmitter, Heath VF-1 VFO and
> Hallicrafters SX-110.  It was a challenge getting this setup going but
> it is and I  have  a "chirp" or frequency pull problem with the VF-1.
> Like the Heath AT-1, the Johnson Adventurer provides power through a
> rear accessory socket. Adventurer uses 6AG7 OSC, 807 final, 5U4 rectifier.
>
> I originally set it up so that both the VFO and the first stage of the
> transmitter were keyed as per the Johnson manual. Not at all good. I
> then let the VFO "free run" and just keyed the first stage of the
> transmitter. Better but still "pulls' or chirps. Crystal control is very
> good, once I got a 6AG7 with enough inter electrode capacitance to
> activate the crystals and oscillate. Pierce Osc. configuration.
>
> VF-1 and Johnson transmitter have new Cap's, tubes, alignments, etc.
> Voltages, wiring are good.
>
> Question is, was some degree of "chirp" common in the "hay days" of the
> 50's when these set up's were common?? Is there a cure or am I rock
> bound, or do I go ahead asking my QSO partners  to endure a bit of
> chirp/pull??
>
> Appreciate some advice and memories of the 50's..
>
> TNX Team!
>
> MV Johnson VE3DJU/VE3DDI

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