Wanted FT-243 3885 KHz crystal

Thanks for reading

---------------
HAMGUY

HAMGUY wrote:
Wanted FT-243 3885 KHz crystal

Thanks for reading

---------------
HAMGUY

If you can find one of the original military test frequency crystals for
3885, that's fine. If not, I can recommend MH Crystals in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA. I've tried some of those miniature xtals stuffed inside
FT-243's and found that some kind of work, others don't. Also, its
almost impossible to use oscillator keying when you use them as they
whoop and stumble into oscillation (IF they oscillate, at all). MH uses
a large blank crystal in an HC-6 holder with FT-243 pins. I use them in
the BC-669, etc. which have high crystal current. They do just fine.
The cost is about $14 each. Just ask for the standard FT-243 spec with
32pf capacitance.



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Or, grind your own. Simple and rewarding. Find an old novice crystal and
start grinding. Any of the old Handbooks will give you all the information
you need.

I have used sandpaper and had good results, when nothing better is handy.

You can also etch with chemicals - same stuff that is used to etch glass.

Always better to roll your own.

73, Colin K7FM

I second K3HVG's assessment. MH is excellent.

Also, don't rule out grinding your own. I tried it as a novice in the 60s
and it never worked. Last winter I started playing around again with some
old FT-243s. Put a few drops of water on a piece of 0000 grit emery or
sandpaper laying on top of the glass from an old picture frame and, voila,
it actually worked! I've reground about 7 crystals successfully now. Very
satisfying. But be sure to use the technique described in an older
publication like Bill Orr's Radio Handbook or even one of the EARLY
Newington books.

Good luck.

WA9VLK


"k3hvg" wrote in message
news
HAMGUY wrote:
Wanted FT-243 3885 KHz crystal

Thanks for reading

---------------
HAMGUY

If you can find one of the original military test frequency crystals for
3885, that's fine. If not, I can recommend MH Crystals in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA. I've tried some of those miniature xtals stuffed inside
FT-243's and found that some kind of work, others don't. Also, its almost
impossible to use oscillator keying when you use them as they whoop and
stumble into oscillation (IF they oscillate, at all). MH uses a large
blank crystal in an HC-6 holder with FT-243 pins. I use them in the
BC-669, etc. which have high crystal current. They do just fine. The cost
is about $14 each. Just ask for the standard FT-243 spec with 32pf
capacitance.



--
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Smokey wrote:
I second K3HVG's assessment. MH is excellent.

Also, don't rule out grinding your own. I tried it as a novice in the
60s and it never worked. Last winter I started playing around again with
some old FT-243s. Put a few drops of water on a piece of 0000 grit emery
or sandpaper laying on top of the glass from an old picture frame and,
voila, it actually worked! I've reground about 7 crystals successfully
now. Very satisfying. But be sure to use the technique described in an
older publication like Bill Orr's Radio Handbook or even one of the
EARLY Newington books.

Good luck.

WA9VLK




I just finished the somewhat pricey book "Crystal Clear", a tome about
the crystal industry and the Signal Corps in WWII. Its incredibly
interesting and illuminating. I now know why I had a difficult time
with home-brew crystal grinding! The thing is, I recently have seen
write-ups about the same subject, with recommendations and methods
wholly debunked by Army and crystal industry way back in 1943. Too bad
this book is so expensive. I'll have to check out Orr's handbook and
see what he said. I have a couple of DC-35's to bring up a bit....
Where is Leo Meyerson when you need him? (Hi!!!)
de K3HVG



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Toothpaste used to work too...




On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:08:33 -0600, "Smokey"
wrote:

I second K3HVG's assessment. MH is excellent.

Also, don't rule out grinding your own. I tried it as a novice in the 60s
and it never worked. Last winter I started playing around again with some
old FT-243s. Put a few drops of water on a piece of 0000 grit emery or
sandpaper laying on top of the glass from an old picture frame and, voila,
it actually worked! I've reground about 7 crystals successfully now. Very
satisfying. But be sure to use the technique described in an older
publication like Bill Orr's Radio Handbook or even one of the EARLY
Newington books.

Good luck.

WA9VLK


"k3hvg" wrote in message
news
HAMGUY wrote:
Wanted FT-243 3885 KHz crystal

Thanks for reading

---------------
HAMGUY

If you can find one of the original military test frequency crystals for
3885, that's fine. If not, I can recommend MH Crystals in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA. I've tried some of those miniature xtals stuffed inside
FT-243's and found that some kind of work, others don't. Also, its almost
impossible to use oscillator keying when you use them as they whoop and
stumble into oscillation (IF they oscillate, at all). MH uses a large
blank crystal in an HC-6 holder with FT-243 pins. I use them in the
BC-669, etc. which have high crystal current. They do just fine. The cost
is about $14 each. Just ask for the standard FT-243 spec with 32pf
capacitance.



--
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----------------------------------------------------------
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Jim wrote:
Toothpaste used to work too...

Takes forever, though. Ajax cleanser is faster, then you can use toothpaste
to fine-tune it.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On 21 Nov 2008 10:06:30 -0500, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Jim wrote:
Toothpaste used to work too...

Takes forever, though. Ajax cleanser is faster, then you can use toothpaste
to fine-tune it.

The majority of my crystals were reground into the amateur bands and
more than a few were moved several hundred kcs. My preferred coarse
abrasive is valve grinding compound, specifically Permatex 34A. Once
in the ballpark Roger's Silver Polish or Dremel Polishing Compound is
used to get close. Scouring powder is used for fine-tuning.

73 de n4jvp