Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020
For the last few evenings, I’ve tempted fate — and a bad fist — by putting one of my newest McElroy keys on the air for my CW traffic net.
The key is my 1936A MAC KEY, serial number 6603. The key comes with two weights that look original, and include the wire clip on the damper to lock the pendulum if desired.
The key plays very, very well, and needed little adjustment. What I found remarkable was there was no need to clean the contacts; apparently the key had seen some use in the relatively recent past.
This key has a dot stabilizer on it, though from time to time, I’m getting an occasional scratchy dot. I think this is due to my lack of use of a bug. My hope is my fist will improve with additional practice.
Overall it felt great to have the 84-year-old key on the air. I need to get my bug fist into better shape since Straight Key Night will be here before you know it.
SKN PLANS. I’m planning to operate at least two stations for SKN, both classic rigs. The first will be my Tempo 2020 station; the second will be one of my Heathkit SB-102 stations.
I recently received a superb SB-102 which remains boxed up due to no place to install it while my other bench had another SB-102 partly disassembled, in the way. My plan is to install my newly received Heathkit CW filter in my latest SB-102, and look for a second filter for my second rig — the one I’ve used most recently.
I would love to get my HW-16 rig up and running again for SKN, but I haven’t taken time to even do much troubleshooting on why the output is zero.
SB-102 WORK. The SB-102 I’ve had in pieces on my bench was my focus in Studio C the last day or so. I actually figured out how the VFO dial shaft works; the problem on this radio is that the shaft was locked up tight in the bushing; there’s supposed to be a very light touch of oil to lubricate the VFO shaft. The shaft wouldn’t turn for love nor money; I had a hell of a time getting the parts apart. After determining how it all is supposed to go back together, I gave the shaft a slight bit of lubrication and reassembled the VFO dial assembly. Its all working once again, unlike its original condition, which was completely frozen and untunable.
I replaced the O-rings, all of which were missing on the rig. I have an electrolytic cap that has a broken leg, and I have a replacement now to install. There’s a plastic shaft coupler that’s broken, and I need to rehab that one. One of the set screws won’t tighten sufficently.
Not sure if this particular SB-102 will operate, but I’m going to give it a try. Right now I have two that are fully functional; the other three I have will probably find their way to eBay.
But the good news is that I’m getting the SB-102 back together and ready to check out. Once I do that, I can decide if that rig will stay or go.
STUDIO C CHANGES. I’m still planning to add an additional table to Studio C — probably an 8-foot table — to hold additional radio equipment. I’m waiting to get to a Home Depot in Louisville so I can buy some 8-inch glass blocks. I use them as shelf supports for radio equipment, and they’ve done a great job in the main shack. Right now I have several stations I want to set up and leave set-up in Studio C; I need the additional table, and I need to add the shelving.
As soon as I get the SB-102 back together (I need to fix that shaft coupler) my plan it to test that rig, then get it out of the way to make room for my latest SB-102 that promises to be a top performer. In addition to having an SB-102 station as a permanent fixture in Studio C, I would like to also make room for my Drake TR-7 and VFO; my Hallicrafters SR-150 and PS; my Hallicrafters “Twins” station; my Ten-Tec Paragon, and/or my Ten Tec Omni V; my Swan 350 or 500 station; and perhaps a Heathkit HW-101. We’ll see!
73 es CUL … de KY4Z …. SK … SK …. (dit dit) ….