CLAMP TUBE MODULATION Operating: The transmitter should be
tuned and loaded for c.w. conditions.
Switch to modulation (input to final
BY L. F. BRICE,* VK50K will drop by approximately one-third;
this can be adjusted by varying the
value of R3). No further tuning adjust-
Do you want to go on "fone"? Then It has one disadvantage (but the ments necessary.
here is a modulator that will get you importance attached to this rests with ro screen/lOF FINAL
there quickly and cheaply without any the individual). Being an efficiency rowj
fiddling. This should appeal to the new type of modulation a certain amount
Amateur who, perhaps, has not yet of power is lost when the carrier is — < r
acquired a modulation transformer and modulated. The input to the final drops cV <•
MCmw *
the other necessary bits and pieces by approximately one-third when the »30K
needed for plate and. screen modulation. carrier is modulated. Tests have beei)
It might even appeal to some of the c.w. conducted and this drop in input power
boys who would like a good old "fone" represents a drop of i S point in signal
ragchew (although they probably would strength. 1 FONE
l«CMMlta '
never admit it). Unlike other forms of Clamp Tube
/
With a f e w condensers and resistors, Modulation, the carrier remains constant
a couple of tubes, a little time and you when modulated and the usual carrier
are on the air. surge in sympathy with the audio is not Ntrmat
seen on the S meter of a receiver. tf IJtpiy milfkr fttirtr/'H
This modulator offers the following: A point to note! Should the clamper
(1) cheapness, (2) simplicity, (3) will tube to be modulated serve as a p r o - With audio applied to the grid of the
modulate any power, (4) suitable for tective tube on the final in an existing clamp tube, no change in final plate
mobile and portable rigs, and (5) excel- rig, it will cease to function in this current should occur before 100 per cent,
lent quality (hard to pick from plate manner when used as the modulator, modulation is obtained.
modulation). therefore it may be wise to have some Tests should be conducted to find the
other form of protective bias should the optimum setting of the audio gain
• 21 Hampton Street, Brooklyn Park, South Aub. grid drive fail. control.
No difficulty should be experienced
f6 S17 with this modulator and it can almost be
guaranteed that you will have a "fone"
signal on the air first try should you
decide to give it a go.
ANOTHER 2-MX CONVERTER
(Continued from Page 3)
Anyhow, here is what you do t o -
morrow night • Tune in a medium
strength signal ( n o more than 20 db.
over 9) and check LI, L2 and L3 with
the tuning wand. Gently approach each
coil from the end with each slug in turn.
If the signal goes up as the brass slug
comes nearer, then the coil is too big.
9 If, however, it is the iron slug that gives
=;< YOUR STATION COMPANION, $ you another S-point, the coil is toa
v small. Fix it. It is better to do one
v the . . . i coil at a time and start with L3, then
v
Host. Radio Amateur g
v LI and leave L2 to the last. Then have
*
v a go at L5. When you have the coils
right, either slug will cause a decrease
$ in signal strength.
8 Now find one of the real hefty signals
C all Book I
and adjust Ln. It is best to pick one
V of the ear-bashers for this adjustment.
V Disconnect the supply to the filament
8s
V of the first valve and, using the tuning
V >;<
v wand, adjust Ln until the signal recedes
Available now from— into the murky distance. The adjust-
V ments of L I and Ln may interlock, like-
V wise L5 and L3, so it's as well to check
DIVISIONS OF THE W.I.A. AND back and forth on them. Righto! Re-
LEADING BOOKSELLERS IN ALL $ connect the filament supply and start
8
V listening. You'll hear them—if your
STATES OF AUSTRALIA. $ beam works—and your location is al-
8
V
ORDER YOUR C O P Y - 4 / 6 |
right—and the're on!
After about a month's use you will
get to the stage where you will think,
V Postage 6d. extra "She's not bad,» but I wonder if I can
V do a bit better?" This is the stage where
8i
V Published by the Wireless Institute of Alls.
THIS 1956 EDITION CONTAINS—
you cultivate one of the boys who owns
a noise generator. You keep at him
until he lends it to you and then you
5
8 An up-to-the-minute listing of Station Call Signs and Addresses of Licen- $ do the whole tuning procedure again,
cees of Transmitting Stations located in the Commonwealth of Australia !«? including adjusting the aerial tap and
and its Mandated Territories including VK1 Australian Capital Territory ft the amount of oscillator injection until
and Z Call Signs. $ the noise figure is as low as you can
8i
V One thousand additions, alterations and deletions since last edition, making get it. If it is worse than 5 db. then
I've wasted m y time; if it is better than
over two thousand amendments since the 1954 edition. 5 db.—well, how's about dropping round
• DX Countries, Prefixes and their Zones.
6
Ktiii&SiiS^
and having a go at mine, pal? Cheers,
CU on 80!
Amateur Radio, December, 1858 Page 7
