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Several old constructions and instruments are still a good idea to use today, the Rohde &
Schwartz 50 years anniversary book contains several stories about some of their oldest, but
highly appreciated instruments.
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1.1)
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It seems sometimes difficult to use if you don't already know the inductance or resonnance frequency. Won't
modify as it probably upsets calibration, the only modification is a mains socket on the rear and a BNC skt for
frequency counter. The screws for device under test is bad design and it is often difficult to fix the coil wires
properly, they tend to fall out when screws are tightened. Perhaps it was invented before they started to make
holes in the screws?!.
The Q-meter detector uses an EF6, see note further below
Received note (not edited): I can give you some detail if you like using an Amidon core as an example. I would
think the "Q" will vary some with "doping" material used to hold the turns in place, wire spacing around the core,
and consistency of the core material itself (maybe other factors). I bring up the last point because these Amidon
"yellow" cores appear to be operational at a lower range than their charts indicate even thought they mention that
larger cores tend to peak towards to low end of the range.
Results:
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An idea how to build your own Q-meter, with the shown ferrite core transformer you easily make very
low feed impedance I redesigned my Heath Kit QM-1 meter using this technique, and used a 6BA6/EF93 as
grid detector, based on the principle used for Radiometer QM1f, this uses a Philips EF6, and I believe it is better
than EF93 which I ended up with as only modern alternative, while EF94/6AU6 didn't work at all.QM1f uses a
small resistor and requires quite heavy excitation to achieve high enough drive, and a thermocouple to measure
the power. But this is much easier with the described ferrite toroid technique, since you may measure the level on
50Ω side.
Had some discussions with Dick Rollema PA0SE regarding detectors, and he proved that 1N4148 type
detector, didn't load the circuit so much that it couldn't be used in a Q-meter, but of course it depends on the
frequency and minority carrier life time
#1.6)
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American broadcast type capacitors seems to be 2x365µµF, while the European standard is 2x450pF or
405+455pF (since we have the longwave AM broadcast band, too), it is really not so important. With different
capacitors you may tune to resonnance and coils be calculated when you know the capacitance. You use an 80m
receiver and the S-meter deflection indicates the Q-value. It is important to use a good capacitor at C4, not such
disc ceramic(!) type, the other capacitors are not critical in other ways than that they may influence the frequency
stability. C9 should be small as possible, since the signal into the receiver is certainly strong enough, it consists of
two insulated wire ends twisted together.
#1.7)
Heathkit QM-1. (140kHz-18MHz in 4 ranges).We bought some in 76 when they were offered at half
price.
It has reasonable accurate Q-readings, but I never managed to align the frequency properly over the band. 6AL5
detector was a problem, mine drifted, but somebody else believe the diodes could be selected. Must admit that I
used QM1 for several experiments, and it is now far from the original, but possibly totally out of calibration.
Ended up with a 6BA6 detector in a similar circuit to the one in Radiometer QM1f using EF6.
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#1.8
Q-meter. Grid detector using 6AU6 used with Heath QM-1. The grid circuit must have dc return circuit
via the coil. The original is used in Radiometer QM1, but has an obsolete type, EF6 which seems somewhat
different from more modern type pentodes.
Had some discussions with Dick Rollema PA0SE regarding detectors, and he proved that 1N4148 type
detector, didn't load the circuit so much that it couldn't be used in a Q-meter, but of course it depends on the
frequency and minority carrier life time, so the usage may depend on operational frequency.
Q-meter. An alternative circuit: The primary consists of a brass plates which passes through the toroid core.
It would be some improvement in coil loading if a voltage divider goes to the diodes or an
RF amplifier could be used as buffer.
DC output from a voltage doubler with varying RF voltages (LA7MI, Amatör Radio 1985-11 pg 299),
note that detected voltage may decrease for higher frequencies, but not so much below 100MHz.
He constructed a quasi-compensating amplifier with CA3140E so that the reading was within 20% accuracy. It
is described on one of my pages, but I am not capable of finding it now. It may also be mentioned on page m2 as
"LA7MI LF/HF/VHF/UHF mV-meter". Some other possible diode types are OA95, AA118, AA119, AAZ15.
If output voltage is not critical, you just want to see some DC change as RF voltage varies, see sensitive RF
detector using silicon diodes (1N4148) on page m2
The problem with the detector is that it must have very high impedance, the characteristique must be predictable,
and the performance must be checked and calibrated. A problem with germanium diodes is internal capacitance,
so they should be applied with an RF-voltage-divider, a suggestion is shown here.
It is often difficult to measure small coil values, this construction works fine down below 20 nanoHenry. The
secret in measuring such small values is to add a 0.5-1µH coil in series with the coil under test. This extra coil
should have high as practical Q-value (dependent on you desires). Q-measurements may not be accurate, but
you can measure coil vales down to zero.
See also the notes and modification for Radiometer MM1f which uses the principle mentioned with the extra
series coil.
Another suggestion is to use an RF-transformer described by W4ZCB for another purpose (ref. 3): To minimise
leakage inductance, the single turn braid must use brass end plates so the braid can be opened up and pushed
into contact with the sides of the hole in the binocular core.
However, reasonable results can be obtained with just the braided with enamel inside and no end plates.
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References:
1) Zwischen-Basis amplifier with J308 2) G3SBI Radcom TT Dec 95 pp70-71
2) Zwischen-Basis cascode-amp. with J310 1) G3SBI Radcom TT May 95 pp60
3) Zwischenbasis amplifier W4ZCB and G3SBI Radcom TT Sept 96 pp70-71
4) Zwischen-Basis JFET amplifier 4) G3SBI Radcom TT Sep 98 pp 58-59
Some useful tool to pull out PCB's with edge-contacts. The shape varies for different manufacturers of
telecommunication equipment
Back
2004.07.01
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