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Author
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Topic: Knight T-60
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Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 11-21-2002 14:24
   
I found a Knight T-60 for $30...it works to.. 
Is it good for ...anything as far as BX?
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Bow Admin |
Beerus Maximus
General Troublemaker Posts: 713
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 11-21-2002 21:20
Sure. I haven't used a T-60 before but I understand that some pirates have. They are however a low-end radio even for their time. I think they are somewhat comparable to a Heathkit DX-40 or DX-60. I am not sure if it is plate or screen modulated. Admin |
jta
Administrator Posts: 306
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 11-21-2002 22:07
quote:
Originally posted by Beerus Maximus:
Sure. I haven't used a T-60 before but I understand that some pirates have. They are however a low-end radio even for their time. I think they are somewhat comparable to a Heathkit DX-40 or DX-60. I am not sure if it is plate or screen modulated.
Screen - "controlled carrier" modulation. Never get 100% out of it. But, yes, it's usable. Admin |
I O Snopes
Mental Patient Posts: 1376
Registered: Feb 99
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posted 11-23-2002 21:37
That's a rig with a "Texas" final in it, Voodoo: a "Six-Dairy-Queen-Six!"------------------
I O Snopes Admin |
James Brownyard
General Troublemaker Posts: 183
Registered: Sep 2005
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posted 11-23-2002 21:42
Sweep tubes. Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 11-25-2002 03:22
So is it BX material or a really nice paperweight?I know it needs a X-tal or VFO, but I could build me a VFO to put it anywhere I need it... ------------------
Bow Admin |
I O Snopes
Mental Patient Posts: 1376
Registered: Feb 99
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posted 11-27-2002 16:09
Tell you what. Make two broadcasts into an identical antenna, one with the DX-60 and the other with your '817. Let me know which one gets the most reception reports.I would be worried about overheating, though. Good designers treated AM as a one-hundred percent duty cycle mode, but that probably still meant less "on" time than broadcasting. I am unfamiiar with the finer aspects of controlled carrier modulation, and would be suspicious of the effects of simply lowering the plate votage to produce less power out. Perhaps JTA knows something about modifying a controlled carrier rig for higher duty cycle. The 6DQ6 is one sweep tube, however, that seems to be fairly available. Asking prices are usually right around eight bucks, and in a pinch a 6GW6 just might work. ------------------
I O Snopes Admin |
I O Snopes
Mental Patient Posts: 1376
Registered: Feb 99
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posted 11-27-2002 16:26
I just thought of something. If I had aT-60 I would look around on the internet to see if the assembly manual can be had somewhere (and it almost certainly can). Then, I would read it through once or twice, just as if I had the kit in front of me and was getting ready to put it together. I would open up the rig, put it where I could see the works easily, and go through the assembly instructions one more time, identifying the various parts, seeing what they connect to, examining solder joints (always important with ANY rig put together from a kit) and otherwise "putting the rig together" in my mind. Finally, (assuming the rig powers up normally) I would make the measurments outlined in the alignment instructions, and if they are funny try to re-align the rig. By the time you are done you will be a world-class expert on the DX-60, and should be able to repair anything that comes up (an important benifit of kit building)!A word of caution: cheaper rigs from the 'fifties, sixties, and seventies tend to have the adjustment slugs in the coils freeze up. Don't force one! If you break it you will have to find another (hard) or substitute a home-made work around (requires time and patience). ------------------
I O Snopes [This message has been edited by I O Snopes (edited 11-27-2002).] [This message has been edited by I O Snopes (edited 11-27-2002).] Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-10-2002 16:08
Thanks IO!I will check it out for sure... The only other "Tube" equipment I own is my 30 Watt Peavey Classic 30 guitar amp... If you were a betting man, which radio do you think will get out better? The IC-718 or the T-60.... I need to find or built and Oscillator circuit for it to.... ------------------
Bow Admin |
James Brownyard
General Troublemaker Posts: 183
Registered: Sep 2005
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posted 12-10-2002 20:05
http://bama.sbc.edu/knight.htm ---for online manuals. There is a partial T-60 w/ schematic if needed.I would bet on the IC-718 to get out better. For sure in SSB and maginaly in AM mode. Why? Because the IC-718 is new and the T-60 is a kit some aspiring teenage ham probably built. Even if it works, it may not be 100%. It would be a good rig to look over as IO said to learn some stuff since it is a simple design. IMO, I would scrap the low end, entry level ham tube rigs for AM operation. Spend the extra bux and get a Heath DX-100 or one of the Johnson variety, be it a Ragnger, Viking I or II, or Valiant if you want to fuss with that stuff. I got me a Valiant over 7 years ago and still use it as my main rig. I did arc a few caps, catch it on fire twice, caught a jolt on the B+ twice, and replaced a few tubes before I knew what I was doing, but I did learn eventually. Now I have totally modified nearly every section of it and can run it for hours on end at 100%+ modulation without a problem. Runs cool too. Good luck. ~JB Admin |
jta
Administrator Posts: 306
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-10-2002 20:11
quote:
Originally posted by Voodoo Radio:
Thanks IO!I will check it out for sure... The only other "Tube" equipment I own is my 30 Watt Peavey Classic 30 guitar amp... If you were a betting man, which radio do you think will get out better? The IC-718 or the T-60.... I need to find or built and Oscillator circuit for it to....
The 718 would get out much better in SSB mode, and most likely a little better in AM, too, since you won't be able to get 100% modulation out of the T-60. The '718 should do about 40 watts in AM mode, while the T60 will generate 60 watts *carrier*. Somewhere you should be able to find a VFO for the thing, but you'd be better off building a solid-state PLL-controlled one instead. I have a copy of the original construction manual it you need it. Also have a bunch of FT243 xtals on hand. Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-10-2002 20:31
Hey JTA,Let me know what Freqs you have of the X-tals
6900-6960 khz would be killer.... Also, can you scan the construction manual? The guy that has it is a HAM and he used it for straight key up until recently... He said the AM gets good reports, when he uses it...
I know JB...but man..we are on a LOW BUDGET! hahahahaha I will probably end up using the 718 for SSB ops! Thanks guys!
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Bow
[This message has been edited by Voodoo Radio (edited 12-10-2002).] Admin |
jta
Administrator Posts: 306
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-10-2002 23:14
quote:
Originally posted by Voodoo Radio:
Hey JTA,Let me know what Freqs you have of the X-tals
6900-6960 khz would be killer.... Also, can you scan the construction manual? The guy that has it is a HAM and he used it for straight key up until recently... He said the AM gets good reports, when he uses it...
I know JB...but man..we are on a LOW BUDGET! hahahahaha I will probably end up using the 718 for SSB ops! Thanks guys!
If I'm not mistaken, I do have a 6950 xtal. I can scan the manual, but (as I mentioned in another forum) it's already a copy of the original and might not come thru too well. I'll try it and see. Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-10-2002 23:16
Well....Shoot me an email and let me know about the manual and the X-tal...if you want to part with it... What sucks is that I leave Sunday for a 3 week trip....well, it doesn't really suck...but you know... Be back Jan 7... ------------------
Bow Admin |
jta
Administrator Posts: 306
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-11-2002 02:10
Jan 7th... Well, that'll give me time to experiment with scanning the manual and see how well it comes out. It's "only" 32 pages... Oughtta keep our ISPs busy for a while!Admin |
I O Snopes
Mental Patient Posts: 1376
Registered: Feb 99
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posted 12-11-2002 03:01
Yet again, I have demonstrated how easily I am confused. I thought Voodoo had that little QRP radio that everyone's buying for PSK 31, I think it's the '817. If instead he has a modern rig that has an at all comprable power output, he should probably take James' advice.------------------
I O Snopes Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-11-2002 03:17
IO....You are correct..I have a brand new IC-718...40 Watts AM, 100 SSB... I found a local selling a working T-60 for $30.... How can I go wrong? I would rather smoke a $30 tube rig than a $525 dollar rig! Besides...tubes look cool! ------------------
Bow Admin |
jta
Administrator Posts: 306
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-11-2002 12:47
quote:
Originally posted by Voodoo Radio:
Besides...tubes look cool!
Right on: "Real" radios glow in the dark! Best part is you can warm your hands over them in cold weather... Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-11-2002 15:37
See there!A $30 Hand Warmer! I knew that was a better reason to get it besides the X-mit thing! ------------------
Bow Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-13-2002 12:28
Hell Yeah!I picked up the Knight Kit T-60 Last night. I have not opened it up yet, due to time restraints, but when I get back from my travels, it will be high on the priorities list. It is in quite good shape considering the age and the price. I also recieved a few pages of teh Manual with it... The Cover, and pages 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. This coveres the operation part, but not the conctruction parts of teh manual. As suggested, I would like to go thru this thing step by step to check teh construction before I fire this bad boy up... 60 Watts AM in the 41 meter band...
hmmm...
Don't think my coverage area will be to good... But hey...$30 ain't too bad. It uses these tubes:
6HF8 - Crystal Oscillator-Multiplier
6DQ6B - Power Amplifier
12AX7 - Speech Amplifier
6DR7 - Modulator ha...funny..my guitar amp uses a 12AX7 in the preamp also! Anyway...I guess it is time to learn about tubes...  And how to build a VFO...or get some crystals! ------------------
Bow Admin |
jta
Administrator Posts: 306
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-13-2002 12:53
quote:
Originally posted by Voodoo Radio:
Hell Yeah!I picked up the Knight Kit T-60 Last night. I have not opened it up yet, due to time restraints, but when I get back from my travels, it will be high on the priorities list. It is in quite good shape considering the age and the price. I also recieved a few pages of teh Manual with it... The Cover, and pages 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. This coveres the operation part, but not the conctruction parts of teh manual. As suggested, I would like to go thru this thing step by step to check teh construction before I fire this bad boy up... 60 Watts AM in the 41 meter band...
hmmm...
Don't think my coverage area will be to good... But hey...$30 ain't too bad. It uses these tubes:
6HF8 - Crystal Oscillator-Multiplier
6DQ6B - Power Amplifier
12AX7 - Speech Amplifier
6DR7 - Modulator ha...funny..my guitar amp uses a 12AX7 in the preamp also! Anyway...I guess it is time to learn about tubes... And how to build a VFO...or get some crystals!
That 6DR7 and the 6HF8 are both pretty hard to find. I think Antique Electronics Supply, in Tempe, AZ, has them but they're not cheep. The 12AX7 is a pretty standard pre-amp tube; you might want to put in an "industrial" replacement, the 7025 for even better signal/noise characteristics. You'll find that these old(er) tube rigs lend themselves to repair and/or modification very nicely; primarily because you can actually SEE what's in there and TRACE the circuit by following the wires! I love 'em! So... Now I only have to scan the first 21 pages of the manual! Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-13-2002 13:12
jta, Yeah man, if you can get me the first 21 pages, I will be in good shape. I guess it is time to look for some VFO projects to build... Happy Holidays! ------------------
Bow Admin |
I O Snopes
Mental Patient Posts: 1376
Registered: Feb 99
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posted 12-13-2002 17:38
Somebody offers a solid-state VFO kit that sells for eighteen bucks or so and has been used successfully by a number of hams to excite older rigs like the T-60. Go to:
http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p179.htm Some hints: put it in a shielded cabinet and feed the T-60 with shielded cable. Run it with a battery located inside the shielded cabinet. Keep it far enough away from the T-60 to prevent frequency drift due to heat from the tubes (hey, they don't call heaters for nothin'). I don't know why so many people are bitterly opposed to using crystal control. True, crystals are not as cheap as they used to be, but you only need one or two. Crystal control would be more foolproof than a VFO, and I would want at least one for back-up and troubleshooting. A quick search with Yahoo turned up several sources of NEW crystals when I was contemplating building a 600 meter rig (long story). There is also a crystal exchange, and hamfests routinely turn up lots of crystals for non-ham frequencies; I have often seen them in the 6900 - 7000 kHz range, (although the ones in-band, if any, are usually already sold before I can find them!). But it will be hard to go wrong with a good VFO kit. ------------------
I O Snopes Admin |
Voodoo Radio
General Troublemaker Posts: 1421
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-13-2002 19:28
Thanks for the link IO!That looks like a good start, the T-60 specs says:
"The External VFO should be capable of supplying 8 to 10 volts across 56,000 ohms shunted by 25 uuF [pico] capacity" I wonder if the guys using them are able to plug it straight in? ------------------
Bow Admin |
I O Snopes
Mental Patient Posts: 1376
Registered: Feb 99
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posted 12-13-2002 21:00
Drop the manufacturer an e-mail and tell him that you want to know if his VFO kit will drive a crystal oscillator stage in a tube-type rig.
Looking at the schematic of the T-60, the crystal oscillator stage appears to be a modified Pierce circuit, with the triode half of the 6HF8 acting as the actual oscillator, and the pentode half functioning as a buffer/doubler. You don't actually need to know what all this means, but might mention it in your e-mail in case the manufacturer is unfamiliar with the T-60. Also mention the stats you quoted above.------------------
I O Snopes Admin |
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