THE

i
i 0 CONS! UCT 0 R
Vol. 24 No. 6 JANUARY 1971 316
(17 =p)

THE 'CRUSADER' COMMUNICATIONS

RECEIVER
Presented for construction by the near -beginner. Pre -
aligned coilpack, separate bandspread control and speaker
reception

Specéec( Light-Operated Speed Control

Spark -Free Electrolytic Checker
IN THIS ISSUE
www.americanradiohistory.com
 Radio Constructor
Incorporating THE RADIO AMATEUR JANUARY 1971

Vol. 24 No. 6 CONTENTS

GENERAL PURPOSE POWER SUPPLY UNIT 334
BOTTLES & COILS 335
Published Monthly (1st of Month)
First Published 1947 LIGHT -OPERATED SPEED CONTROL
(Suggested Circuit No. 242) 337
RECENT PUBLICATIONS 339
Editorial and Advertising Offices 340
57 MAIDA VALE LONDON W9 1SN
NEWS & COMMENT
HIGH ACCURACY THERMOSTAT 342
AMSAT - OSCAR PROGRESS 346
Telephone Telegrams 346
01 -286 6141 Databux, London NOW HEAR THESE
THE `CRUSADER', Part 1 347
SECRET SWITCH 352
Data Publications Ltd., 1971. Contents OBITUARY 353
may only be reproduced after obtaining 354
prior permission from the Editor. Short INEXPENSIVE BURGLAR ALARM
abstracts or references are allowable SPARK -FREE ELECTROLYTIC CHECKER 358
provided acknowledgement of source is
given. BROADCAST NEWS 359
CURRENT SCHEDULES 359
Annual Subscription 48s. (U.S.A. and
Canada $6) including postage. Remit- THE `VENTURER', Part 2 360
tances should be made payable to "Data
Publications Ltd. ". Overseas readers NEW PRODUCT 363
pease pay by cheque or International S.E. ASIAN QUEST (3) 364
Money Order.
NEWS FROM I.T.A. 365
Queries. We regret that we are unable
to answer queries other than those ELECTROLUMINESCENT DEVICES 366
arising from articles appearing in this QSX 370
magazine nor can we advise on modifi-
cations to equipment described. Cy ieries FIRST MOBILE RADIO TELEPHONES FOR
should be submitted in writing and 371
accompanied by a stamped addressed LONDON BUSES
envelope for reply. IN YOUR WORKSHOP 372
Correspondence should be addressed to RADIO TOPICS 379
the Editor, Advertising Manager, Sub- LATE NEWS 381
scription Manager or the Publishers as
appropriate. LAST LOOK ROUND 381

Opinions expressed by contributors are RADIO CONSTRUCTOR'S DATA SHEET

not necessarily those of the Editor or No. 46 (P.N.P. Transistor Lead -Outs) iii
proprietors.
Production.- Letterpress.

Published in Great Britain by the Proprietors and

Publishers, Data Publications Ltd, 57 Maida Vale, FEBRUARY ISSUE WILL BE
London, W.9.
The Radio Constructor is printed by Kent Paper
Company Ltd, London and Ashford, Kent.
PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 1st
 General purpose power
supply unit
by

P. L. MATTHEWS

A general purpose low voltage power supply is always a

useful item in the workshop. The simple design described
here offers an output ranging from zero to 20 volts, with a
current capacity of 1 amp above 6 volts

AGENERAL PURPOSE 1 AMP LOW VOLTAGE POWER preventing the transistors from bottoming at low
unit with a stabilised output variable from 0 to output voltages, and its value is not at all critical.
20 volts is essential for the serious constructor, R4 was included after measurements made on the
and the unit to be described can be built at a cost which prototype indicated that, if the output was short-
is well below that required for commercial equivalents. circuited at the highest voltage setting, a destructive
It offers currents up to the full 1 amp at all output current would flow through the emitter -base junction
voltages above 6 volts, the available output current of TR1 before the fuse had time to blow. The value
being somewhat lower below this voltage. Construc- of resistance specified limits this current to less than
tional hints are given to enable it to be built inside a half the maximum rating while causing a minimal
metal case, complete with a voltmeter. voltage drop. C2 serves partly to further filter out
the hum and also to ensure smoother operation of
THE CIRCUIT the voltage control.
Transistors TR1 and TR2 are connected as a
The circuit, shown in the accompanying diagram, Darlington pair and as such function as a single
should at least be vaguely familiar to most readers. transistor with a very high gain. The NKT0033 speci-
A 30 volt transformer Tl feeds a bridge rectifier fied in the TR2 position is a lower cost high gain ver-
consisting of diodes D1 to D4, and the resultant d.c. sion of the 2N3054, and is particularly suitable for
is fed to a large smoothing capacitor Cl. The author this circuit. The operation of two transistors as an
believes in removing as much hum as possible at the emitter follower in this type of circuit is well known,
source, hence the large capacitance value. A 250 µF and the base and emitter voltages show a small differ-
capacitor may be used if cost so dictates, but there ence in potential between them. Consequently if, for
will then be approximately twelve times as much example, VR1 is adjusted to apply 10 volts to the
hum at the output. At first sight R1 may seem to base of the combination, the emitter voltage present
perform no useful function, but if the fuse Fl blows at the output terminal will be about 1.3 volts less, or
for any reason it serves to discharge Cl over a period 8.7 volts at a low load current. As the current is
of about a minute or two when the unit is switched increased to the maximum the base - emitter differ-
off, and so lessens the risk of a high supply voltage ence rises to 1.7 volts reducing the output slightly
still being available when the fuse is replaced. The to 8.3 volts. Thus the regulation of this simple circuit
fuse, incidentally, must on no account be a slow - leaves a little to be desired, but it was felt that the
blow' or `anti- surge' type, neither must its value extra cost and complexity of a feedback circuit was
exceed 1.25 amp. hardly justified in this instance. A voltmeter may be
From the fuse the voltage is applied to the regu- wired across the output to monitor the voltage, but
lating circuit, which is really just an elaborate version if this is omitted a 0.5 watt resistor of value in the
of the simple emitter follower regulator. The resistor region of 20kS1 should be fitted to maintain a
R2 biases a 22 volt zener diode D5, which should be d.c. path.
able to dissipate at least 1.5 watts. A zener voltage The writer is fortunate enough to have access to
other than 22 may be employed provided R2 is an array of expensive test equipment, and the output
adjusted accordingly to give a current of 20mA or d.c. and hum voltages were measured using a digital
so through the diode at maximum output, and that voltmeter. The results, given in the Table show that
transistor voltage ratings are not exceeded. Across the performance is quite acceptable for the modest
the diode is connected a potentiometer VR1, to tap outlay required, and the low level of hum is a par-
off a portion of the zener voltage and apply it to the ticular attraction. It is important to note that the
base of TR1. The function of R3 is merely that of power unit was designed for heavy use below 6 volts,
334 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 FI
I 25

TR2
NKT0033

2N3053 NKT0033
Lead -outs Lead -outs

Circuit diagram for the general purpose power supply unit. The
output voltage is continuously variable from zero to 20 volts

C O M PO IV`E;
Resistors D1 -D4 1 amp 50 p.i.v. rectifiers or single
(all fixed values 10%) bridge rectifier
R1 18k12 watt i D5 22 volt 1.5 watt zener diode
R2 68052 2 watt
R3 47f2 f watt Fuse
R4 4701 i
watt F1 1.25 amp standard cartridge fuse
VR I 5k52 potentiometer, wirewound with panel mounting holder
Capacitors Meter
Cl 4,000µF electrolytic, 40V kg. M1 Voltmeter, 25 volt f.s.d.
C2 400µF electrolytic, 25V kg. Switch
Transformer Si d.p.s.t. switch, toggle
T1 Mains transformer, secondary 30 volts Pilot Lamp
at 1 amp minimum, with tap for PL1 Pilot lamp (to suit voltage tapping
pilot lamp on Ti) with panel- mounting holder
Semiconductors Miscellaneous
TR1 2N3053 2 output terminals
TR2 NKT0033 (with mica washer and Knob (for VR1)
insulated mounting bushes) Metal case

and should not be operated continuously at full load and a good choice is the Douglas MT3, or MT3AT,
current at voltages below this to avoid overheating which has tapped secondary voltages of 12, 15, 20,
TR2. (It is recommended that, below 6 volts, maxi- 24 and 30 at 2 amps. Pilot lamp PLi could then be
mum output current be derated down to 0.75 amp a 6.3 volt type connected between the 30 and 24 volt
at zero volts. - Editor.) taps. Diodes D1 to D4 may be individual rectifiers
rated at 1 amp 50 p.i.v. minimum, or a bridge
COMPONENTS rectifier. A suitable zener diode for D5 is the ZL22
(available from Henry's Radio, Ltd.). Transistor TR2,
Obtaining the components should not cause any the NKT0033, may be obtained from L.S.T. Elec-
difficulty, as suitable types are available through tronic Components, Ltd. It should be purchased
suppliers. The mains transformer should be capable complete with mica washer and insulated mounting
of offering secondary voltage of 30 at 1 amp minimum, brushes. It will probably be found most convenient
JANUARY 1971 335

www.americanradiohistory.com
to make up the voltmeter from a standard low
current meter and an external series resistor. This, a
0 -1mA meter could be made to read 25 volts full -
scale deflection by connecting a 25kQ2 resistor in
series with it.
Bottles and
TABLE Coils
D.C. voltage for zero load = 20.00V
D.C. voltage for 650mA load = 19.57V T WAS ALL VERY WELL FOR THREE BUDDING 'WIRE-
D.C. voltage for lA load = 19.40V less' enthusiasts to arrive at the inescapable con-
Effective source resistance = clusion that we needed more cash to finance our
0.711 approximately at 20V constructional schemes - the problem was how to
A.C. hum present at output: raise the necessary wherewithal! Various machina-
less than I mV at zero output. tions were tried to no avail, one of these being the
less than 1mV at 20V output and swopping of birds eggs (we had at one time been
1 amp current engaged in ornithology of the worst possible kind)
less than 5 mV for any setting of for wanted `wireless' parts filched by various school
VR1 and any load chums from blissfully unaware fathers. The final
outcome of our deliberations was destined to become
the most successful fund raising plot that had ever
soiled our sticky hands!
CONSTRUCTION We set out one sunny morning complete with two
sacks, one barrow, bubbling spirits and youthful zeal.
Beginners may find it easier to build the power The barrow had been made some time previously
unit in several stages, each of which can be checked from an old set of pram wheels and axles purloined
to reveal any faults before the next section is con- from an unsuspecting and long- suffering aunt; an
structed. Suitable stages, in order of completion, are orange box which had mysteriously vanished from
firstly the transformer and pilot lamp, then the the local greengrocer's yard; a length of rope for
circuit up to F1, followed by R2, D5, VR1, R4 and steering purposes which had somehow wafted away
C2 (a variable voltage should be obtainable across from the family clothes line and our sole contribu-
C2 as VR1 is adjusted) and lastly the remaining tion - a few odd lengths of wood. This contraption
circuitry. was thought to represent the very latest model among
The unit should be mounted in a suitable metal those owned by various other youthful mobile
box, which will also act as a heat sink for TR2. The enthusiasts in the area - after all, ours at least was
case of this transistor will need to be insulated from fitted with pram mudguards and the bodywork
the box by means of its mica washer. The author's proudly displayed a Spanish registration for all to
prototype was fitted in a metal box measuring about see!
8 by 44- by 3in. However, the constructor should The brain scorching scheme was to call at various
first obtain his components before making or pur- selected and promising houses in the `posh' part
chasing a box, as their dimensions may differ from of the town in an effort to persuade the owners
those employed by the writer. The box should allow to part with unwanted jam jars and beer bottles.
adequate ventilation for the heat dissipated by the We had information that the local junk yard owner
transformer and rectifier diodes. would part with the cash in exchange for the jars
SI, VR1 and the fuse and pilot lamp holders may whilst the near -by hostelry would similarly cough
be mounted on the front panel of the box together up on production of the beer and lemonade bottles.
with the meter, employing any suitable layout. It is Singularly unsuccessful at first, we finally struck
important that the mains transformer should be gold at the fifth domicile. From a dimly lit hall
bolted down firmly. Since this is the heaviest com- interior we were instructed by the major -domo to
ponent in the power supply unit it should be posi- clear out the garden shed. This tall, pale, sunken -eyed
tioned on or near the bottom of the box. individual, whose skull appeared to almost protrude
through his wrinkled face, watched us continually
through the kitchen window. The shed was full of
various sized jam -jars and, lo and behold, beer
bottles by the dozens! We joyously stuffed the sacks
full and loaded them on to the barrow.
First and foremost among the myriad requirements
on which the amassed wealth had to be spent was a
supply of various sized coil formers and a goodly
wire supply of various guages which were to be used
in our latest `scientific' research project - coil wind-
ing.
We had set ourselves the task of winding some
short wave coils to complete our latest creation - a
2 -valve `straight' receiver. With most of the parts
firmly screwed to a wooden baseboard, only the coil
was conspicuous by its absence.
With what troubles we were later to encounter, I'll
regale you next month. C.W.
336 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR
 AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, emitter junction of TR3, causing Fig. 3(a) illustrates collector cur-
during the season of parties TR3 to become bottomed and to rent flowing in the load resistor of
and other festivities, the home - offer negligible resistance between Fig. 2 during several cycles of
constructor is frequently called its collector and emitter. multivibrator operation when PC1
The collector of TR3 connects to is shaded and consequently offers
upon to provide electronic devices a high resistance. Since the turn -off
which can amuse and mystify visi- the parallel combination of the
tors and guests. motor and C3, and thence to the time of TR2, in company with TR3,
negative supply line. Circuit oper- is controlled by Cl, R3 and PC1,
The unit to be described falls TR3 is non -conductive for a rela-
into this category, and consists of ation at the collector of TR3 can
a simple transistor circuit which be explained more easily if it is tively long period of the cycle and
enables the speed of a small electric temporarily assumed that the motor no current flows in the load resistor
motor to be varied according to and C3 are replaced by a single during that time. Fig. 3(b) shows
the intensity of light falling upon resistor as in Fig. 2. The wave- the collector current which flows
a photoconductive cell. Although forms shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b) in the load resistor when PC1 is
presented here in the form of a will then apply. brightly illuminated and presents a
novelty device, the circuit is quite
capable of more serious applica-
tions, since its basic function is R5
Si
that of controlling the amplitude of
relatively heavy currents by means
of a photoconductive cell or by
means of any other device offering C3
variable resistance at low power
dissipation. 1,000}iF
6V wkg
THE CIRCUIT
The circuit of the light- operated
motor speed control appears in Fig.
1. Here, TRI and TR2 form a
multivibrator in which the time that
TRI is cut off during each cycle
is controlled by R2 and C2, and
the time that TR2 is cut off is con-
trolled by R3 and photoconductive
cell PC1 in series and by Cl. The
photoconductive cell is of the cad-
mium sulphide type and its resist-
ance decreases as the light by e Motor - Ripmax EM405
which it is illuminated increases in
C

intensity. RI -R4- 10%1/4w

The emitter of TR2 connects R5 - we text
directly to the base of TR3, which C
b

is a power transistor type 0C26. ACY19 OC26

Thus, when TR2 turns on during
the multivibrator cycle, it draws its Fig. 1. Complete circuit of the light- operated motor speed control
emitter current through the base -
JANUARY 1971 337

www.americanradiohistory.com
 low resistance. On this occasion, flows through the motor (and which to limit the current which flows if
turn-off time in TR3 is short, where- controls its running speed) varies the motor stalls, under which con-
upon this transistor is conductive with illumination of the photocon- dition it can offer a very low resist-
for a much longer fraction of the ductive cell, and becomes greater as ance. If the unit is supplied by, say,
full multivibrator cycle. the cell illumination increases. How- lead-acid accumulators, which have
ever, due to the inductive reactance a very low internal resistance, R5
offered by an electric motor the should be given a value of 4t2 and
resultant collector current wave- should be capable of dissipating
forms for TR3 will not be precisely 4 watts. If the circuit is powered
Resistive rectangular, as they were in Fig. 3, by a regulated mains supply having
load but will exhibit undershoot and similarly very low internal resist-
rPz TR3 other variations from the rect- ance, R5 requires the same value.
angular form. These variations For simple unregulated mains sup-
cause no operational difficulties in plies a value of 22 at 4 watts
the present simple circuit, but their should be adequate. If the circuit is
existence would have introduced an run from dry batteries, R5 can be
unwanted complexity in the descrip- omitted.
tion of circuit operation. This was
why a resistive load was assumed
for purposes of explanation. COMPONENTS
Fig. 2. Explanation of circuit A high-value electrolytic capaci-
operation is eased if the tem- tor, C3, is connected across the The motor employed in the cir-
porary assumption is made that motor. The prototype circuit func- cuit is a Ripmax type EM405. This
TR3 has a resistive load tioned adequately without this is available from Ripmax Limited,
capacitor but it was found that its 80 Highgate Road, Kentish Town,
presence offered a marginal im- London N.W.5, or from any good
Figs. 3(a) and (b) also show the provement in motor starting when model shop. Its voltage range is 1.5
average current flowing in the the ORP12 was illuminated at low to 6 volts with normal running at
resistor for both circumstances. As level. The electrolytic capacitor also 3 volts, current consumption un-
is to be expected, the average cur- prevented 'singing' in the motor at
rent is much higher in Fig. 3(b), loaded at this last voltage being
multivibrator frequency, which lies 200 to 300mA.
where the photoconductive cell is in the a.f. range. To be pedantic, The photoconductive cell is an
brightly illuminated, than it is in it is not a particularly elegant ORP12. A suitable alternative,
Fig. 3(a), where the photoconduc- design approach to fit a high-value
tive cell is shaded. It follows that should this be difficult to obtain,
capacitor immediately after a is the LDR03. Resistors R1 to R4
the average current flowing in the chopper transistor in the manner are + watt 10% types. Capacitors
collector circuit of TR3 is there- shown in Fig. 1 because a heavy
fore capable of being continuously Cl and C2 should be paper or
charge current flows in the capacitor plastic foil components, and not
varied by altering the intensity of at each turn -on period of the tran- ceramic.
the illumination incident on the sistor. However, the prototype per- The transistors can be the types
photoconductive cell. When it is formed perfectly well with the specified or close equivalents. The
appreciated that the maximum capacitor in circuit and so it was 0C26 is chosen because of its
average current in the resistive load retained. The charge current is ability to pass high currents. One
of Fig. 2 can quite safely be of the limited by resistor R5. of the advantages of a chopper cir-
order of several amps, the useful- Apart from limiting charge cur- cuit is that the chopper transistor
ness of the circuit for more serious rent in C3, R5 performs a second does not dissipate a great deal of
applications becomes apparent. Inci- limiting function which is of
dentally, R5 of Fig. 1 is not re- power, since it is either in the fully
greater importance. This function is bottomed state or in the fully cut-
quired when the collector load of
TR3 is resistive, and it may be
omitted. TR3 on TR3 off Average current
It will be seen that since the
period during which TR2 and TR3
are turned off is shorter in Fig. 3(b) Currentl
than it is in Fig. (3a) the overall
multivibrator frequency has in- 0 1
creased. This increase in frequency
is an incidental matter and has no
direct bearing on the increase in Time
average current evident in Fig. 3(b).
The current increase is entirely due (a)
to the fact that the ratio between
turn-off and turn -on times in TR3
is less than in Fig. 3(a). In point
of fact, TR3 functions as a chopper TR3 on TR3 off Average Curren..
in the same manner as the chopper
transistor employed in the h.t. supply
circuits of some current colour tele- Current - - - -: 1_
vision receivers*. 0
Let us now return to the electric
motor which forms the actual col-
lector load for TR3 in Fig. 1. As Time
with the resistor of Fig. 2, the
average collector current which (b)
Fig. 3. Collector current in TR3 when (a) the photoconductive
*An explanation of chopper power supplies cell is shaded, and (b) when the photoconductive cell is
was given in In Your Workshop' in the illuminated
April 1970 issue.
338 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 spindle, the disc being painted with, connect a voltmeter across the
off state, with very rapid transitions motor, as this enables a better idea
from one condition to the other. say, a spiral line which gives the
impression of 'opening out' as it of the range between maximum and
In consequence, TR3 need not be minimum light requirements to be
mounted on a heat sink. rotates. This disc could appear at
the front panel of a box containing obtained. The measured voltage
THE DEVICE IN USE the electronic components, as also across the motor drops when the
could the ORP12. There is no need ORP12 is shaded.
It is left to constructors to The question of power supplies
choose the manner in which the to provide a lens for the latter, and
it should be found that the motor was largely dealt with when the
circuit is employed when it is used value required for RS was dis-
as a novelty device. The motor runs at nearly maximum revolutions
if the cell is about 5ft. away from cussed. It should be mentioned also,
develops a low torque only when, however, that the current drawn is
due to shading of the ORP12, it is a 100 watt electric light bulb. De-
creasing the cell illumination by relatively high so far as dry bat-
running at slow speeds, and it is teries are concerned, and it would
preferable to avoid having it oper- holding a hand over it or by other-
wise putting it in shadow will then be advisable to employ a mains
ate any display which will load it supply or accumulators if the cir-
excessively. A good plan would cause the motor speed to reduce.
It will be found helpful, when cuit is to be operated for long
consist of fitting a light disc of periods of time.
about 3in. diameter directly to its initially checking out the circuit, to

RECENT PUBLICATIONS a ''.

AMATEUR RADIO TECHNIQUES, Third Edition. By Pat

Hawker, G3VA.
x 93in. Published by Radio Society of Great Britain. Price £1.
208 pages, 71
is a selection from material published in Radio Communication, the journal of
"Amateur Radio Techniques" Topics". This feature gives details of new circuit
the R.S.G.B., in a feature by Pat Hawker under the title "Technical
the radio amateur, these being culled from the technical press in this country
designs and techniques of interest to from individual amateur reports.
and overseas, from manufacturers' literature and
and contains nearly 500 diagrams. The book
The present edition is a third larger than the second edition this being followed by a section which discusses
starts with an explanatory section dealing with semiconductors, are devoted respectively to receiver topics, oscillator topics,
components and construction. Six subsequent sections
topics, power supplies and aerial topics. The final section deals with
transmitter topics, audio and modulation lists the intermediate frequencies of commercially manufac-
lault finding and test units, after which an appendix
An excellent index concludes the book, and assists the reader in finding his way
tured communications receivers.
through the pot -pourri of individual items that it contains.
"Amateur Radio Techniques" is an up -to-date mine Particularly of information, suggestions and ideas, and provides a
text -book presentation. to be commended are its considerable detail
-efreshing change from standard be purchased direct Radio Society of Great Britain, 35
and accuracy. In addition to retail outlets, it may
at its retail price of £1 plus 2s. (10p) postage.
Doughty Street, London W.C.1,

RADIO MEASUREMENTS. By N. Livshits and B.

Teleshevsky.
Price 12s. (60p).
200 pages, 5 x 7jin. Distributed by Central Books.
is printed in the U.S.S.R. by Mir Publishers, Moscow, and is an English translation of what is,
This book the different types of measurement that are encountered in
apparently, a standard Russian text -book. It discusses
and the test equipment involved. So far as the latter are
electronic work, dealing also with the units themselves of test equipment are largely standardised in the U.S.S.R.,
and one
concerned, it is interesting to note that items Most of the
references to specific units such as the Soviet -made electrostatic voltmeter type C -96.
encounters directly to English characters, and they are then expressed
Russian type numbers cannot, however, be translated are the type numbers of the valves, semiconductors and cathode
in their original Cyrillic alphabet symbols. So also
ray tubes that are referred to.
measurements, the subjects encountered in Its thirteen
The book provides solid basic theory on electronic oscilloscopes, non -linear distortion, microwave measure-
chapters including voltage and current measurements,
into English, by B. Kuznetsov, has been very well carried out,
ments, and field strength and noise. The translationrecent translations of Continental technical books.
and the book is much more readable than are some

By Gordon J. King, Assoc.I.E.R.E., M.I.P.R.E.,

M.R.T.S.
BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO RADIO, Seventh Edition. Ltd. Price £1.
& Co. (Publishers)
204 pages, 41 x Min. Published by Butterworth
first appeared in 1955. It is now in its seventh edition,
This book, originally written by the late F. J. Camm, King. The contents are fully up to date, taking in such recent
rewritten by Gordon J.
and has been completely reception, automatic frequency control and field effect transistors.
developments as f.m. stereo transmission and
with a description of basic electricity and magnetism, then proceeds to propagation,
The text commences and transistors,
and microphones. Next follow chapters on valves
modulation, components, loudspeakers, pick-ups record players and hi-fi reproduction.
aerials, transmitters, circuit principles, receivers, which
in the book but nowhere is it presented in a form
A considerable amount of information is contained from simple equations at Ohm's Law level, the treatment
will be indigestible to the complete beginner. Apart photographs of oscillo-
and easy to follow, and are backed by several
is non -mathematical. The drawings are clear As is its intention, the book will be particularly valuable
grams and of commercially manufactured equipment. hobbyist field.
to newcomers to radio, whether their future
interests are liable to lie in the professional or in the
JANUARY 1971

www.americanradiohistory.com
 The operation of the circuit in
practical use can be summed up in
HIGH ACCURACY the following manner. When the
thermistor temperature is lower
than the reference level set up by
VR1 its resistance is high, and the
voltage at the inverting input of the

THERMOSTAT integrated circuit is negative. The

i.c. output is then positive, causing
the relay to energise. The relay con-
tacts complete a circuit to a heater
which raises the temperature sensed
by the thermistor. As thermistor
by temperature increases its resistance
falls, causing the voltage at the
inverting input to go positive. At
H. V. MORRIS, G3TCX the critical level this voltage is
sufficiently positive to cause the i.c.
output to go negative, releasing the
relay. The supply to the heater is
By taking advantage of a differential comparator integrated then broken, whereupon the tem-
perature sensed by the thermistor
circuit, this thermostat can maintain temperature control commences to fall until its increas-
within one-seventh of one degree Centigrade. Originally ing resistance causes the inverting
input to go sufficiently negative for
intended for temperature control of photographic baths for the i.c. output to go positive again.
colour printing, it has many other applications where a very The relay once more energises,
completing the supply circuit to the
close control of temperature is required heater. Thus, the circuit continu-
ally maintains the temperature
sensed by the thermistor at the
reference level. As mentioned earlier
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF it does this with an on /off differen-
+3.2 volts with the supplies shown. tial of approximately one -seventh
electronic thermostat circuits The positive voltage bottoms the
published using a thermistor or of a degree Centigrade, or 0.14 °C.
n.p.n. transistor, TRI, and pulls in It should be emphasised that the
the leakage current of a transistor the relay.
as the probe. Having tried several
of these and found that often the Relay coil
differential between switch-on and (approx. í,000n )
switch -off was too great, or that the 12V pos
ambient temperature of the instru- stab.
ment itself made a difference to the
actual temperature of switch -on or Relay
switch -off, the author evolved the contacts
circuit described in this article. OABI
This has an on /off differential of R1
the order of one -seventh of a degree
Centigrade and ambient temperature 20 kn LTo load
supply
differences at the instrument itself circuit
R3
over some 0 °C to 30 °C can be dis-
regarded, as will be shown later. 200n TRI
Thermistor

BASIC CIRCUIT
TH -B12 CO BC 107

The circuit in its simplest form

is shown in Fig. 1. The integrated
circuit is a Radiospares type 710 -
OPA. This is classed as a differential Common
input voltage comparator and it is o
basically a very sensitive electronic
switch. Its internal circuit and Temp. set
terminal layout are shown in Figs. VR1
2(a) and (b) respectively. Iknww. R2
Returning to Fig. 1, input 3 on 4 7kn
the i.c. can be set to a voltage be-
tween zero and approximately 1
6V neg.
volt negative by potentiometer VR1.
When input 4 is positive of this stab.
o
voltage (due to low resistance in
the thermistor) the output from the
i.c. at terminal 9 is -0.5 volt. RI,R2,R3- 10 °/o 1/2 watt
Making the voltage on input 4 more
negative (as a result of increased
thermistor resistance) relative to BC I07
that on input 3 causes the output Lead -outs
from the i.c. to change very abruptly Fig. 1. The basic circuit of the electronic thermostat
to a positive voltage, this being
342 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
710 -OPA integrated circuit changes
its output completely as a switch
between -0.5 volt and +3.2 volts
and that it is practically impossible
to obtain a voltage between these.
A normal operational amplifier is
of no use in a circuit of this nature
as the change of output would be
too gradual.
The temperature sensing element,
thermistor X1, is a Radiospares
TH -B12 bead thermistor which has
a resistance of 2,00052 at 20 °C and
1.65052 at 25 °C, i.e. a change of
7052 per °C. This is connected as
shown through a 20k52 resistor to the
6 volt negative stabilised supply. At
the junction there is then approxi-
mately 0.54 volt applied to input 4
at 20 °C. The potentiometer VR1
can be set to match this and the
thermostat will switch on and off at Non -inverting
this temperature. Other temperatures input O
can of course be set by VR1 within
the limits of the thermistor (125 °C Inverting
maximum bead temperature is input
quoted by the makers). For normal
applications, the thermistor should Common O
be totally enclosed in a small glass or earth
or plastic tube. If a very rapid
response is required, the actual bead
can protrude from the end of a
plastic tube, this holding the neck
of the thermistor and keeping liquid
off the leads. (See Fig. 3). Araldite
can be used to seal the joints.
Both the thermistor and the inte-
grated circuit are available from
Charles H. Young Ltd.. 170 Cor-
poration Sreet, Birmingham 4. In
common with other Radiospares
components they must be purchased 14 13 12
through a retail source - they can-
1 1 1 1

not be obtained direct from Radio -

spares.
The relay shown in Fig. should
1
TOP VIEW
have a coil resistance of approxi-
mately 1,00052 and be capable of
operating reliably at 12 volts. As
is described later, the author em-
ployed a dry reed relay.
SELF -HEATING OF
THERMISTOR
If the device is to be used to 2 3 4 5 6 7
control the temperature of a liquid
I

bath, as was the aim in the Common Non. Inv. -Vs

writer's case, the self-heating of the or earth inv. input
thermistor due to the current flow- input
ing through it is of little importance,
but if it is in air it might cause
some error. (b)
In the circuit as shown the power
in the thermistor is approximately Fig. 2(a). The internal circuitry of the Radiospares differential
0.12mW (-,mA at 0.5V). As the self - input voltage comparator type 710 -OPA
heating effect is quoted by the (b). Terminal layout of the 710-OPA integrated circuit
makers as 1.2mW per degree Centi-
grade the thermistor will be
approximately 0.1°C above the
ambient temperature. This can, the instrument) and that it varies
author thinks, be disregarded. next considered. This was a matter
of some concern as several circuits 5µV / °C.
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF fall down on this point. The Now when it is realised that the
INSTRUMENT makers' literature shows that the input due to the thermistor chain
differential offset voltage is 1.6mV varies approximately 19,000µV per
The ambient temperature of the (which does not matter here as it degree Centigrade it follows that
i.c. itself (and not the probe) was is taken up in the calibration of the difference in the i.c. temperature
JANUARY 1971 343

www.americanradiohistory.com
 1

full power (not half -wave) to the

load. Gate operating conditions are
Dimensions of TH -B12 controlled by the two zener diodes,
which may be 1.5 watt types.

CONCLUSIONS

Several of these thermostats have

been made and used, and the circuit
is certainly very accurate, stable and
easy to get into operation. The
original prototype employed bat -
teries for the supply but the models
built for serious use have stabilised
supplies obtained from a miniature
mains transformer with appropriate
zener diodes, as shown in Fig. 5. In
Disc of Perspex Perspex tube 'Aka this circuit, the value of R is found
Fig. 3. Dimensions of the TH-B12 bead thermistor and a method experimentally, and should be such
of probe assembly which may be used when very quick response that a current of 30mA flows in the
is required. The Perspex disc is drilled to take the thermistor as zener diodes.
a push fit, and is secured to the Perspex tube with Araldite. Construction is left to the in-
Araldite is also used to seal the bead to the disc dividual as there is nothing critical
in the layout. VR1 of Fig. is
1

mounted to the front panel of the

unit and is fitted with a pointer and
will c no perceptible effect on switch merely couples together the scale. It is calibrated by taking the
the temperature of operation. two gates of the thyristors, where- controlled bath to the desired tem-
upon they turn completely on, giving perature and marking the setting of
HIGHER POWER OPERATION
Using a conventional relay to
control the load is not always the To load
best approach, particularly when
several kilowatts are being con-
trolled. The writer devised several t
completely solid -state circuits to re-
place the relay. 12V stab
However as the object in this
case was to control photographic
baths for colour printing, into which Operating coil
one was immersing one's hands,
none of the circuits met the writer's
idea of safety in this application. Cathode
This was because the thermistor
probe in all cases was connected TH2
(via various components) to one side
of the mains. It is appreciated that
0A81 Anode
this can be the neutral side and that
the probe is insulated - but!
Therefore the circuit given in
Fig. 4 was used. Here, the relay is
replaced by a reed switch and
operating coil, the switch controlling
the thyristors as shown. This gives
complete isolation from the mains.
The circuit has been used very BC 107
successfully to control immersion
type heaters up to 3kW using ap-
propriate thyristors and heat sinks.
The thyristors require a p.i.v. rating
of 400 volts and a current rating
Z1,Z2 6.8V Zener diodes
TH1,TH2 Thyristors, to suit load
A.Cmoins o-
suitable for the load. For the 3kW
load, two 400 p.i.v. 16 amp Fig. 4. Employing a dry reed switch and two thyristors to, control the load
thyristors were used. The reed

Avoid disappointment in 1971

Place a regular order for your monthly copy of
The RADIO CONSTRUCTOR
or take out an annual subscription see announcement page 375
344 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 VRI which causes the load
switching to operate.
All safety precautions must be
observed. In particular, the mains
earth lead must be taken through
the instrument to the load reliably.
12V pos The unit should be enclosed in a
On-Off stab metal case which is reliably con-
nected to earth also. A useful point
to note is that the terminals on the
12V Iw
integrated circuit are an exact fit
b
Zener diode
for Olin. Veroboard.
AC.
I

ma ns
EDITOR'S NOTE
LI I

6V Iw
Common A suitable reed switch and oper-
ating coil (with a resistance of
80012) for the circuit of Fig. 4 are
Zener diode available from Home Radio (Com-
ponents) Ltd. under Cat. Nos.
WS122 and WS141 respectively.
6V neg Mains transformers offering a
Di-D4 - 50 P.I V. 5OmA rectifiers stab secondary voltage of approximately
22 for Fig. 5 are generally available,
Fig. 5. The simple stabilised supply employed to power the a typical example being Home Radio
thermostat. The lower zener diode may be 6.2V if a 6V component Cat. No. TMM10, which offers
cannot be obtained 12 -0 -12 volts at 0 25 amp.

Easy to fix
N EW NAND/A41(
Permanent and durable
Stapled in booklet form
PANEL SIGNS Designed to hang above workbench

IDEAL FOR WORKSHOP USE Pocket for loose cuttings

Professional finish

* Set 3 Wording -WHITE

Jr Set 4 Wording -BLACK
* Set 5 DIALS -clear backgrcunc
* Set 6 DIALS-black background

MN! r_r_r.ge/IM NI= =MI r_MEN MIN ONO r+r.r.r.

To Data Publications Ltd.
The Perfect Transfer for 57 Maida Vale, London. W.9

the Home Constructor Please supply:

Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6
Each Set contains Six Sheets
I enclose cheque /crossed postal order for
Name

5f- per set Address

(postage 4d.)
RC BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE

.I,WUARY 1971 345

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Cover Feature
NW W1/1

THE
'CRUSADER'
SIMPLE SUPERHET
( Part 1)

by
F. A. BALDWIN

This receiver design is presented as an exercise in superhet construction

for the beginner who has previously built the simpler `straight' or t.r.f.
receiver and who now wishes to delve into more complex designs. It should
not, however, be undertaken by the beginner as a first attempt at receiver
construction. The design has been kept as simple as possible, consistent
with efficient operation over its wide frequency range

5 A FIRST EXERCISE IN RECEIVER CONSTRUCTION, 1.85MHz (50 to 160 metres); MW, 1,546 to 545kHz
Athe `Crusader' is strongly recommended to beg- (194 to 550 metres); and LW, 375 to 150kHz (800
inners. Both design and construction have been to 2,000 metres). It will be noted that the use of the
kept simple, the inclusion of an assembled and pre - coilpack offers the advantage that medium and long
aligned coilpack considerably assisting in this respect. wave reception is available, both for entertainment
Additionally, three tagstrip sub -assemblies containing purposes and for Dx work (a considerable interest
many of the smaller components may be wired up prior is centred these days on medium wave Dx). The fact
to their being fitted to the chassis, this making the that the `Crusader' incorporates bandspread tuning
wiring -up process a simpler task. The three tagstrip causes the ranges provided by the receiver to be
sub -assemblies are shown in the wiring diagrams to slightly altered from the nominal figures. There is still
be published next month. The smaller components an adequate degree of overlap between short wave
not shown in these diagrams are wired direct to the ranges but the highest frequency on each range is a
respective valve -holder and i.f. transformer tags etc., little lower than the figure just quoted. It may be
as described in Part 2. mentioned at this point that both the coilpack and
All the components used in this design should be of the i.f. transformers are supplied pre- aligned, where-
the best quality. They are specified in the Compo- upon reception is possible as soon as construction has
nents List. been completed. A very small amount of lining -up, to
A fully shrouded double -wound mains transformer take up varying stray capacitances in individual
is incorporated, thereby providing complete isolation receivers, is required, but this process can be carried
from the mains supply. The transformer used should out with received signals and there is no necessity for
be that specified. a signal generator. The settings of trimmers and
The nominal coverage offered by the coilpack is: iron -dust cores in the coilpack and i.f. transformers
SW2, 18.75 to 6MHz (16 to 50 metres); SW I, 6 to must not be altered before or during construction,
or the advantage given by the use of pre-aligned
components will be lost.
The design incorporates the following stages:
frequency changer; intermediate frequency (i.f.)
amplifier; detector and automatic gain control (a.g.c.)
diode; first a.f. amplifier; a.f. output stage; and power
supply. The coilpack employed has a fifth position on
its range switch which disables the r.f. circuits and
allows an a.f. input, applied to a socket on the rear
of the chassis, to be coupled to the first a.f. amplifier
stage for subsequent reproduction by way of the
receiver loudspeaker. This input signal may be pro-
JANUARY 1971 347

www.americanradiohistory.com
 yeliow re'
p22

R2
VAerial
socket

250V 12
V5
red 240V
EZ8I red
3
VI V4
6BW6 black
ECHBI 6 B
black
7 red
mauve 250V
R14
(not used)
Sle white
blk
C.
A.F. T
green 52
yellow
69V
3A blkJyell. ^rq
sla
t
r

(not used)
C20 brnl
L, yellow

C19

C
-gang-r Ì CI yellow E N L
ç J AC.mains
Chassis J _ C9 C2B

Earth
ew 7
RB R
socket

Fig. 1. The circuit of the 'Crusader' superhet receiver. The colours shown around V1 apply
to the coilpack connections. Switches S1 (a) to S1(e) are integral with the coilpack

vided by a gramophone pickup or tape recorder, or circuit being decoupled by R3 and C6. The two
by any similar source of audio frequency. capacitors conected to the windings of IFTI are an
integral part of the i.f. transformer and are fitted
The Circuit inside its can by the manufacturer. The same applies.
incidentally, to IFT2. Grid 3 (pin 7) of the heptode
The circuit diagram is given in Fig. 1. S 1(a) to section is connected, externally, direct to the triode
S1(e) are sections of the range switch already fitted section grid (pin 9).
in the coilpack. For simplicity, only the coils for one The triode anode (pin 8) is connected to the h.t.
range are shown. The coilpack circuit around S1(a) positive line via resistor R4, and to the selected
to S1(d) connects into circuit via four coloured tags oscillator coil secondary winding via C13, R5 and
and a flying lead, the colours being indicated in the switch S1(d). The triode has grid leak bias due to
diagram. The yellow tag connects the coilpack to C12 and R7, R7 being returned to the triode cathode
chassis. At SI(e) connections are made by way of (pin 3). Cathode bias for the heptode section is
switch tags identified as 'A', 'B' and 'C' respectively. supplied by R6 and C8. The triode grid couples
The aerial signal is fed, via S1(a), to the selected to L3 via C12 and S1(c), the coil being tuned by C10
primary of LI and is then coupled to its secondary (bandset) and C11 (bandspread). Padding capacitor
winding L2. L2 is tuned by bandset variable capacitor P is an integral part of the coilpack and is not fitted
CI, bandspread variable capacitor C2 and aerial by the constructor. R5 is included in the oscillator
trimmer capacitor C3. C1 is ganged with the oscil- feedback circuit from the anode to ensure that
lator bandset variable capacitor, C10, and C2 is squegging (excessively heavy oscillation resulting in
ganged with the oscillator bandspread variable capa- a loud hissing from the speaker) does not occur,
citor, C11. C3 is a separate control, secured to the and it allows an adequate oscillation amplitude to be
front panel. available over the whole range of frequencies covered
The selected signal is now passed to the signal by the receiver.
grid (pin 2) of the heptode section of VI via a.g.c. Due to mixing in the heptode Section of VI, an in-
blocking capacitor C4. An a.g.c. voltage is fed to termediate frequency signal, equal to the difference
this grid via resistor RI from the a.g.c. line. Positive between signal and oscillator frequencies, becomes
h.t. potential is supplied to grids 2 and 4 (pin I) via available at the heptode anode and is fed to IFTI.
resistor R2, these grids being bypassed to chassis by Both the primary and secondary of this transformer
capacitor C5. The anode of the heptode (pin 6) (and those of IFT2) are tuned to the intermediate
couples to the primary winding of IFT1, the anode frequency. Most of the adjacent channel selectivity
348 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 COMPONENTS
Resistors V4 6BW6
(All fixed values z watt 10% unless otherwise V5 EZ81
stated)
R1 1MS2 Coilpack
R2 33kf2 Coilpack type CP3F/G (Denco)
R3 10kS2
R4 33kf2 I.F. Transformers
R5 150f2 IFT1, IFT2 I.F. Transformer type IFT11 /465
R6 22012 (Denco)
R7 47k12
R8 220k12 Transformers
R9 470kf2 Tl Output transformer type OPT289 (H. L. Smith
R10 47k52 & Co. Ltd.)
R11 10k12 T2 Mains transformer, secondaries: 250- 0 -250V
R12 270f2 75mA, 6.3V 3A, 6.3V 2A. Type 3104A
R13 1MS2 pot, log track, with S2 (H. L. Smith & Co. Ltd.)
R14 47k12
Valveholders
R15 270k52
R16 39k12
3 - B9A
R17 220k52
2 - B7G
R18 2.2k52
Socket Strips
R19 1M52 1 - Aerial-Earth socket strip (Home Radio Cat.
R20 470k52
No. Z101A)
R21 24052 1 watt 1 - A.F. input socket strip (engraved `PU')
R22 2.2kf2 10 watt (Home Radio Cat. No. Z101B)
R23 220kS2 1 - Loudspeaker socket strip (Home Radio Cat.

No. Z101C)
Capacitors
Cl, C10 490pF variable, 2 -gang- type ME Dial and Drive
(Jackson Bros. Ltd.) 2 - Ball Drive Dials, Pt. No. 4489 (Jackson Bros.
C2, C11 25pF variable, 2 -gang type C808 Ltd.)
Jackson Bros. Ltd.)
C3 25pF variable, type C804 (Jackson Tagstrips
Bros. Ltd.) (All tagstrips are available from H. L. Smith & Co.
C4 100pF silver mica Ltd.)
C5 0.1µF, tubular, Mullard, 400V wkg. 1 - 8 -way, tags 3 and 6 earthed (see Fig. 7)
C6 0.-1µF, tubular, Mullard, 400V wkg. 1 - 6 -way, tags 1 and 4 earthed (see Fig. 8)
C7 0.047µF, tubular, Mullard, 125V wkg. 1 - 5 -way, tags 1 and 4 earthed (see Fig. 9)
C8 0.01µF, tubular, Mullard, 125V wkg. 2 - 4 -way, end tags earthed (see Figs. 3 and 4)
C9 0.047µF, tubular, Mullard, 125V wkg.
C12 50pF silver mica Knobs
C13 200pF silver mica 3 - Knobs (H. L. Smith & Co. Ltd.)
C14 0.1µF, tubular, Mullard, 400V wkg.
C15 0.1µF, tubular, Mullard, 400V wkg. Speaker
312 speaker
C16 0.01µF, tubular, Mullard, 125V wkg.
C17 30pF silver mica Pilot Lamp
CI8 0.01µF, tubular, Mullard, 125V wkg. PLI Type LES, 6.5V, 0.15A (H. L. Smith & Co.
C19 200pF silver mica Ltd.)
C20 200pF silver mica
C21 25µF electrolytic, 6V wkg. Chassis
C22 0.01µF, tubular, Mullard, 400V wkg. 14 x 81 x 3in. (H. L. Smith & Co. Ltd.)
C23 100pF silver mica
C24 4µF electrolytic, 350V wkg. Side Brackets
C25 50µF electrolytic, 25V wkg.
*C26 32µF electrolytic, 450V wkg.
2 -
2,'- x 2áin. (H. L. Smith & Co. Ltd.)

*C27 32µF electrolytic, 450V wkg. Cabinet

C28 0.047µF, tubular, Mullard, 125V wkg. 15 x 9 x Bin. grey hammered finish, complete
*Contained in single can, complete with with front panel (H. L. Smith & Co. Ltd.)
mounting clip.
Miscellaneous
Valves Grommets (3 -off fin. 7 -off +in.), 3 -core power
VI ECH81 lead, solder tags (5 off 6BA), `Crusader' motif
V2 6BA6 (see text), `Systoflex' sleeving, coaxial cable,
V3 6AT6 wire, nuts, bolts, etc.

JANUARY 1971 349

www.americanradiohistory.com
 IA BI

23/ßa

2°
2
L
3/4 ' 23/8 ^ 15"

(a)

T2 1V5
C2627
x - -x-

V2 IF T2 V4 83/4
-
i
x-
31/2"
V3
PL1 grommet

CII
C2
I"
FRONT

- 6"- - - 21/4'-- 21/4-4- 21/4( I/4 !- I -

14"-

(b)

G
3/:

S3/no
-I1/4.,_ 53/4' - I
I/..y" _

(c)

H I J F.
X- X x- x

-93/4
3/4 (d )

Fig. 2(a). Drilling measurements for the front panel. 'A' is for the decorative motif, 'B'
the panel lamp, 'C' the bandset capacitor, 'D' the bandspread capacitor, 'E' the aerial trimmer,
`F' the wavechange switch, and 'G' the combined a.f. gain control and on -off switch
(b). Top view of the chassis deck showing the centres of major components
(c). The chassis front apron. Holes 'E', 'F' and `G' correspond to the similarly lettered
holes in the panel
(d). The chassis rear apron. 'H' indicates the position of the loudspeaker socket strip, 'I' the
aerial /earth socket strip, and 'J' the a.f. input socket strip

350 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
offered by the receiver is, in fact, provided by the The power supply incorporates the full -wave rec-
tuned circuits in 1FT1 and IFT2. tifier V5, the two outer ends of the h.t. secondary
The i.f. signal from IFT1 is next passed to the of mains transformer T2 connecting to its anodes
signal grid (pin 1) of i.f. amplifier V2. An a.g.c. (pins 1 and 7). A rectified h.t. positive potential
voltage is applied to this grid via the secondary appears at the cathode (pin 3), this being fed to the
winding of IFT1. Grid 2 (pin 6) couples to the h.t. reservoir capacitor, C27, and smoothing components,
supply via R10, C14 being the bypass component. R22 and C26. The smoothed h.t. supply is then
Bias voltage for the cathode (pin 7) is provided by available for the signal- handling stages of the
R12 and R16. Grid 3 (pin 2) couples externally to stages of the receiver.
the cathode. The amplified i.f. signal at the anode The mains transformer has two 6.3 volt secon-
(pin 5) is fed to the primary of IFT2, R11 and C15 daries, one rated at 2 amp and the other at 3 amp.
providing decoupling. The 2 amp winding is used for the rectifier, V5.
Since one side of V5 heater is made common with
The secondary of IFT2 connects to the detector the cathode, this 6.3 volt secondary is at h.t. potential
diode anode (pin 6) of V3 and to the diode load, R15. and cannot be used to supply any other heaters in
The detected a.f. signal across R15 is then applied, the receiver. The remaining 3 amp secondary is
first by way of the i.f. filter given by R14 and C19, employed for the heaters of VI to V4 inclusive and for
then via blocking capacitor C18, to switch tag `B' of the pilot lamp PL1. The heaters of Vl to V4 have one
the coilpack. When either SW2, SW1, MW or LW is side common to chassis, the circuit being completed by
selected by this switch, the detected a.f. signal is connecting together all the points designated `X'. The
passed to a.f. gain (volume) control R13. The desired 6.3 volt 3 amp secondary is provided with a centre
amount of a.f. signal is then tapped off by the slider tap, and the 2 amp winding with a 5 volt tap. Neither
of R13 and fed to the triode grid (pin 1) of V3. This of these are used in the present circuit. Each of the
triode amplifies, giving an amplified a.f. signal at its tap leads is taped up separately, to ensure that it
anode (pin 7). The anode load resistor is R17, with makes no contact with chassis or any other connec-
R16 and C24 providing decoupling. C23 is included tion.
to bypass any remanent i.f. signal which might still A final point is concerned with the dual electrolytic
be present at the anode. capacitor C26, C27. This is specified as 450V wgk.,
When the switch in the coilpack is set to its fifth although a working voltage of 350 is adequate for
position, contact `A' connects to contact `C'. Any present circuit requirements. However, the choice
signal applied to the a.f. input socket is then passed to of the higher working voltage ensures that there is a
a.f. gain control R13, and thence to the grid for good safety margin `in hand'. It may be found, also,
further amplification. that 32+32µF electrolytic capacitors are more easily
The a.g.c. diode anode (pin 5) of V3 receives an i.f. obtainable in the higher working voltage.
signal from the anode of V2 via C17. However, the Construction
diode load, R19, is returned to chassis instead of to
the cathode of the valve, with the result that the Fig. 2 gives drilling dimensions for the various
a.g.c. diode cannot rectify until the signal amplitude items of metalwork. The front panel is shown in (a),
from V2 exceeds the cathode bias voltage dropped the chassis deck in (b), the front chassis apron in (c)
(due to anode current in the triode section) across and the rear chassis apron in (d). It is assumed that
R18. Thus, no a.g.c. voltage is developed for low i.f. the constructor has acquired sufficient experience to
amplitudes at V2 anode, with the consequence that be able to undertake the metal -working required for
the receiver always offers maximum sensitivity for the `Crusader' without the necessity for instructions.
very low signal levels. This method of operation is Commence first with the panel shown in Fig. 2(a).
described as `delayed a.g.c.', the term `delay' applying Drill hole E for variable capacitor C3, and hole G
to signal voltage and not to time. The a.g.c. voltage for a.f. gain control R13. Drill hole F for the coil -
produced by signals overcoming the delay is nega- pack mounting bush. This last hole is a little higher
tive of chassis and is applied, as a grid bias voltage, than holes E and G, in order to allow sufficient
to the signal grids of V1 and V2 via the filter net- clearance for the coilpack trimmers when the chassis
work given by R23, C28, R9, C9, R8 and C7. The and panel assembly is fitted in the cabinet.
a.g.c. voltage is proportional to the strength of the Next drill hole A in. to take the `Challenger'
?

received signal, with, the result that an increase in motif. The motif may be purchased at the button
signal strength causes a corresponding reduction in counter of a Woolworth's store. The *in.
' hole accepts
gain in V1 and V2. The receiver, therefore, auto- the button eye, and the button is secured in position by
matically adjusts its own sensitivity to match the adhesive after the receiver metalwork and assembly
strength of the signal being received, and the audible have been completed. Drill hole B gin. for panel light
output from the loudspeaker tends towards a constant PL1. Holes C and D are not drilled at this stage.
level despite very wide variations in the strength of Turn to the chassis deck shown in Fig. 2(b) and
received signals. The a.g.c. circuit also compensates cut out the main holes and mounting bolt holes for the
for fading. When a fading signal falls in strength, valveholders. VI valveholder (B9A - *in. chassis
cutter) has pin 6 nearest the rear chassis apron. V2
the sensitivity of the receiver increases to counteract
the effect, and vice versa. valveholder (B7G - *in chassis cutter) has pin 7
nearest the rear chassis apron. V3 valveholder (B7G)
The amplified a.f. signal at V3 anode is next
passed to the signal grid (pin 2) of V4. V4 is the has pin 6 nearest the rear chassis apron. V4 valve -
power output valve and it drives the speaker by way holder (B9A) has pin 9 nearest the rear of the chassis
of output transformer Tl. Grid 2 (pin 8) of V4 apron. V5 valveholder (B9A) has pin 2 nearest the
connects direct to the h.t. positive line, and the beam rear chassis apron. The valveholders are not mounted
plates (pin 9) couple externally to the cathode (pin 3). yet.
Cathode bias is provided by R21 and C25. (To be continued)
JANUARY 1971 351

www.americanradiohistory.com
 RADIO
CONTROL FOR
MODELS RADIO
SE CRET
CONTROL [OR S WITCH
MODELS by
SHIPS, BOATS and AIRCRAFT
L. MORRIS
By F. C. JUDD
A neat method of immobilising low voltage
With sections on servo-
equipment
mechanisms by

RAYMOND F. STOCK
More than 200 illustrations circuits, IT IS AN EASY MATTER TO ADD A "SECRET" ON-OFF
switch to low voltage battery- operated transistor
working diagrams, photographs & tables. equipment, the only proviso being that the equip-
ment must be housed in a wooden cabinet. The
Each page is packed with information. writer fitted such a switch to the family transistor
radio, after his youngsters had devised a game which
involved switching on the set, then leaving it at full
volume - slightly off -tune ! After the switch had
been fitted they were unable to get the set to func-
192 Pages tion, whereupon they turned their attention to other
pursuits which were somewhat less nerve -racking.
THE SWITCH

1 5s
(75P)
Postage 1i- (5p)
The "secret" switch is provided by a magnetic dry
reed switch mounted inside the cabinet of the radio
or other controlled equipment, this being wired in
series with the battery supply. It is actuated by a
magnet placed in an appropriate position outside the
cabinet.
This book is basically an amalgamation of "Radio
Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft" and
The scheme is illustrated in Figs. 1(a) and (b). The
"Radio Control Mechanisms ". Additional material dry reed switch is held in place on the inside of the
has been added on Multi -Channel Operation; Tran- cabinet wall by two small clamps made out of tin-
sistorised Radio Control Receivers-one Simple and plate. A layer of black insulating tape is wound over
one Three -Channel; A Compact Efficiency Aerial; the glass of the switch at the appropriate points to
Deac Battery Information; Licence Conditions, etc. prevent the metal clamps making direct contact with
the glass. Each clamp is secured by means of a
cheese -head 2BA steel bolt. Before being fitted, the
heads of these bolts are filed down so that they
provide a flat surface which is approximately Tain.
To Data Publication Ltd., 57 Maida Vale, London, proud of the outside surface of the cabinet, as shown
W.9 in Fig. 1(b). They are spaced apart such that the
dimension shown as "X" is equal to the length of
Please supply copy(ies) of your publica- the magnet to be used.
tion "RADIO CONTROL FOR MODELS" DATA To actuate the switch, the magnet is placed, out-
BOOK No. 16. side the cabinet, on the filed flat surfaces of the two
I enclose cheque /crossed postal order for 2BA bolt heads, whereupon its own magnetism holds
it in place. The bolts and tinplate clamps carry the
NAME. field to the dry reed switch which then closes and
allows the radio, or other controlled equipment, to
ADDRESS be operated. If the magnet is later removed the dry
reed switch opens, and the equipment cannot then
function. The magnet can be carried in one's pocket
when not employed for switching on the equipment,
BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE or kept in a safe place, according to individual
requirements.
352 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Existing
Dry reed on-off
switch switch

lamp
To radio
or
equipment
circuit
i Large -value
electrolytic
capacitor
1

Air

Dr; reed Insulating Bolt heads

SW to tape filed flat Fig. 2. The dry reed swi ch must be inserted
in circuit after the usua large -value electro-
lytic capacitor across the supply rails, in the
manner shown here

amp

1/16" This means that, when the equipment is switched

on with the "secret" switch open, the battery will
connect to the electrolytic capacitor but will not be
Outside surface applied to the remaining circuits of the equipment
of cabinet being controlled. There will, in consequence, be a
discharge from the battery into the leakage resistance
(a) (b) of the electrolytic capacitor; but this should be very
small in practice. In the writer's case, the discharge
current into the electrolytic capacitor (a 100µF com-
Fig. 1(a). How the dry reed switch is mounted ponent) was found to be less than 10µA.
inside the cabinet
(b). Detail giving a side view of switch mount- A small price to pay for domestic peace !

ing with the cabinet side in section, and

showing also the filed -down bolt heads

Obítuarp
If the wooden cabinet on which the dry reed
switch is mounted has a thin wall, it will probably R. N. L. CAWS, F.C.A., G3BVG
be possible to use aluminium clamps to secure the
dry reed switch instead of tinplate, since sufficient Norman Caws, a former President and Honorary
field to operate the switch will be available via the Treasurer of the RSGB, died on 2nd November at the
steel bolts on their own combined with the physical age of 69.
Educated at the City of London School, he qualified
presence of the magnet itself on the outside of the as an incorporated accountant in 1926 and as a
char-
cabinet. A little experiment will soon determine tered accountant in 1960. He and his brother were part-
which metal can be employed for the clamps. It ners in a firm of accountants, and from 1937 to 1967 He
he
is essential, of course, for the bolts to be steel as the was director and secretary of a public company.
magnet will not, otherwise, remain in position on retired in 1967.
the outside of the cabinet. He first became interested in amateur radio in 1923,
joined the RSGB in 1946 and became licensed in 1947.he
His services to the Society began in 1958, when
POSITIONING was appointed Honorary Treasurer, serving also on the
Finance and Staff and VHF Committees. His next appoint-
The magnet and securing bolts can be fitted to ment was to a special committee established to organise
the top, front, back or any side of the cabinet, as the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Norman had to forego
Treasurer in 1963, the year of the
convenient. Dry reed switches and magnets are avail- his duties as Honorary
most electronic component retailers and Jubilee, when he was elected President of the Society.
able from He was closely involved with the purchase of 35
any type will be suitable for the present ,application. Doughty Street as the Society's new headquarters, and
It has to be remembered that dry reed switches
his skill as an accountant was invaluable in the intricate
are rated at rather low contact currents. In the business of the financial arrangements involved. He was
present scheme the switch should not be directly a director and secretary of the Lambda Investment Com-
interposed between the battery and the large -value pany, the Society's property- owning subsidiary.
electrolytic capacitor which normally appears across In token of its appreciation of all his arduous work,
the supply rails of a radio or other transistor equip- often carried out under difficult circumstances, the
If the switch were so connected, the switching - Society's Council recently elected him an Honorary
ment. Member, an honour which was to have been formally
on surge given by applying the battery suddenly to announced at the next Annual General Meeting of the
the discharged electrolytic capacitor could exceed Society.
the current rating of the switch, and its contact life The funeral took place on 9th November at Mortlake
would be reduced accordingly. The switch must, Crematorium.
therefore, be inserted into circuit after the large -value We extend to his widow and family our sincere
electrolytic capacitor, as shown in Fig. 2. sympathy.
353
JANUARY 1971

www.americanradiohistory.com
 INEXPENSIVE Normally closed
relay contacts

BURGLAR
Relay

ALARM Fig. 2. In this system, switch S is normally

closed until the associated door or window is
opened. The relay contacts are shown in the
energised condition
by

A. G. WOOD TRANSISTOR ALARM

By making use of five resistors and two transistors
Use this simple low cost alarm to defend a more effective alarm may be constructed. The cir-
your premises against intruders. A special cuit for this improved alarm is shown in Fig. 3.
Wires 1 and 2 are normally short -circuited together
feature is a third wire which, when short- by `switches' on doors and windows, etc. Any num-
circuited to the switch wiring, also triggers ber of `switches' (which need not be actual switches
the alarm but could be suitable lengths of fine wire, as de-
scribed later) may be employed, all connected in
series. Wire 3 follows the same route as wires 1 and
VERY SIMPLE TYPE OF BURGLAR ALARM IS SHOWN 2 but is not connected to anything outside the
A in Fig. 1. Here switch S, with normally open
contacts, is fitted to the door or window which
is to be protected, and it closes when the door or
alarm unit. TR1 is biased off by R3 as long as wires
1 and 2 are short- circuited together or provided
there is a fairly low resistance between them. If any
window is opened. One disadvantage of this system one of the switches opens, or if either wire 1 or 2
is that if the wires are discovered and cut by an in- is cut, TRi and hence TR2 conducts and the bell is
truder the alarm will fail to operate. Another dis- activated. Wire 3 is carried along with 1 and 2 to
advantage is that it is often easier to fit, at the door make it more difficult to defeat the alarm; if wire 3
or window to be protected, a switch which is is short- circuited to 1 or 2 the alarm sounds.
normally closed rather than one which is normally Hence, the alarm will sound if:
open. 1. one of the switches on a door or window opens;
2. all three wires are cut; or
3. all three wires are short -circuited together.
In practice it is possible to run two wires from
one switch to the next if the system is arranged in
a loop, as shown in Fig. 4. This is the recommended
Bell way of setting up the alarm, and it is quite difficult
.r. to defeat the system provided the alarm unit itself
is in an inaccessable position.
The current taken from the battery is very low
1= T except when the alarm is activated. The life of the
battery should be several months, but would be
Fig. 1. A very simple form of burglar alarm greatly reduced if the bell were allowed to ring for
any length of time.
Fig. 2 shows a somewhat improved alarm. In this
circuit the bell is arranged to ring when the relay SUITABLE SWITCHES
is not energised, S being now normally closed. With
this circuit the alarm will sound if the wires to the The switches used to protect doors or windows
switch are cut but it still has disadvantages. The main could be made from a few pieces of brass strip, but
disadvantage is that the life of the battery will be the most reliable type to use are magnetic reed
short because of the current which must flow all the switches. A reed switch is mounted on, or in, the
time to keep the relay energised. The battery could door frame and a magnet is positioned on the door
be replaced by a mains supply unit, but the alarm so that when the door is closed the magnet comes
would then be dependent upon continuous availability near enough to the reed switch to cause its contacts
of the mains supply. Again, the alarm is still very to make. When the door opens the magnet moves
easy to defeat. Nowadays many people know that away from the switch, which then opens and causes
alarm circuits are not likely to be as simple as the the alarm to sound. The same scheme is used with a
one shown in Fig. 1 and that cutting the wires would window, the reed switch being mounted on or in the
probably cause the alarm to sound. This alarm can, window frame. In the case of steel door or window
of course, be prevented from operating by short - frames, the reed switch and magnet should be
circuiting the wires to the switch. mounted on small blocks of wood to prevent the
314 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 COMPONE
DI
OA81
Bell Resistors
(All resistors i watt 10 %)
RI 47052
B I
R2 47k52
TR2 6V R3 3.3k52
0C26 R4 22012
R5 2201

T Semiconductors
TR1 BC107
TR2 0C26
DI 0A81
c
Battery
BC 107 0026 B1 6-volt`Lantern' battery type 996
(Ever Ready)
Fig. 3. The circuit of the transistor alarm unit
described in this article Miscellaneous
Electric bell
Door and window switches, as required
metal frame from interfering with the operation of Connecting wire
the switch. (Suitable dry reed switches and magnets
are available from Home Radio (Components) Ltd.,
under Cat. Nos. WS119 and WS124 respectively.) battery life will be reduced. (Be careful not to set
To protect a room, attic or cellar temporarily, a off the alarm when measuring the standing current.
length of fine copper wire (about 40 s.w.g.) may be A 0-1mA meter will object to having half an amp
included in the series circuit of switches. This wire passed through it!)
can be strung across the room or doorway at a The bell should be a good quality low voltage type
height of about 9in. above the floor. Even during the which draws a low operating current. The inexpen-
day such a wire would be almost invisible and would sive types available on the electrical counters of
not be noticed. It breaks very easily, and as soon as chain stores tend to draw excessive current and
somebody walks into it the alarm will be triggered. should not be used. That employed by the author
If for any reason it is necessary to make use of drew a current of 0.5 amp, and no heat sink was
normally open switches, these may be connected required for the 0C26. Also, do not use a heavy
between wires 2 and 3 or between wires 1 and 3. duty bell or this will overload the 0C26. Diode D1
is included in circuit to protect the 0C26 from high
voltage back-e.m.f. `spikes' generated in the bell.
Take care to connect D1 into circuit with correct
polarity.
When the unit is completed check that the bell
Normally closed
® rings when the circuit between wires 1 and 2 is
switches on doors broken, or when wire 3 is short -circuited to 1 or
2. The unit should be tested from time to time to
.

windows. etc
determine whether the battery is still in good order.

NEW INDUSTRIAL MONITORING

EQUIPMENT TELEPHONES PERSONNEL
Fig. 4. The recommended method of wiring
up the switches in the burglar system WHEN FAULTS OCCUR
A new industrial monitoring unit that will indicate
failures in equipment at remote points has been de-
CONSTRUCTION veloped by the Industrial Automation Division of
Shorrock Developments Ltd., Blackburn, a subsidiary of
The alarm unit may be constructed in any con- Hawker Siddeley Dynamics. The monitoring unit can
venient case. One unit was fitted under the plastic be linked to Shorrock's Tele- alarm, which automatically
makes a telephone call to a number of different people
cover on the bell. It is important that TR2 should and advises them of the defect by means of a tape
have low leakage, and the standing current for the recording.
unit should be less than 0.5mA. For the unit just Typical applications are in manufacturing processes,
referred to it was 300µA. If the current is higher long -running computer programmes and boilerhouses
than 0.5mA it indicates that either there is an error where staff are not required on hand unless a fault
in the wiring or TR2 has a rather high leakage. In occurs. The Shorrock equipment is modular and can be
the latter case the alarm should still function but the tailored to monitor any number of points.
JANUARY 1971
355

www.americanradiohistory.com
 appear in the receiver in which it is fitted. But, if
SPARK-FREE an uncharged capacitor is connected across the
faulty capacitor whilst the associated set is switched
on, the resultant current surge may make the high
resistance joint temporarily good again, whereupon
ELECTROLYTIC the hum remains cleared after the bridging capaci-
tor has been removed. The service engineer could
be tempted to leave matters in this state and refrain
from replacing what has apparently become a
CHECKER serviceable capacitor, but the internal capacitor joint
is almost certain to go faulty again at some future
time. The fact that a faulty capacitor has started
to function correctly could even give rise to error.
by There is the possibility that the capacitor which has
resumed correct operation is not the one that has
R. B. DEAN been bridged, but is, instead, a capacitor connected
to the bridged component by a low value smoothing
resistor.
This simple and inexpensive test unit provides
a quick and reliable check, without sparks TEST UNIT
or current surges, of smoothing and reservoir
capacitors For the servicing of valve radios, record- players
and TV receivers, all these problems can be banished
at a single stroke by the use of the simple test unit
whose circuit is given in the accompanying diagram,
WHEN HUM BECOMES EVIDENT IN A MAINS -DRIVEN
sound radio, record -player or TV receiver, the
first components to come under suspicion are SI
the reservoir and smoothing electrolytic capacitors.
The usual test procedure employed here consists of 16yF
applying a good capacitor across each electrolytic 2
capacitor in turn. If the hum disappears when one R
of the electrolytic capacitors in the receiver (or 'IOONF
record -player) is bridged by another in this manner, 47kn
Test prod 3 watt c2 +
then the faulty capacitor has been located. w.w. CI 16pF
IOONF 500V
AVOIDING SURGES 300V T
\o
wkg.
wkg.
To carry out this bridging test correctly the
receiver under test should be switched off whilst the Test clip
external bridging capacitor is connected across that
in the receiver. The receiver is then switched on The circuit of the electrolytic capacitor test
again and the effect of the added capacitor checked. unit. This allows external capacitance to be
connected across an h.t. reservoir or smooth-
However, such a procedure takes time and, so far ing capacitor without sparks or current surges
as valve radio receivers and record-players are con-
cerned, a busy service engineer may connect the
external electrolytic capacitor across each internal and which is employed with the set under test turned
capacitor in turn with the set switched on, regardless on. To use the unit, the crocodile clip is coupled to
of the sparks and current surges which result when the h.t. negative rail of the set under test. Normally,
the connection is initially made. Carrying out the this will be its chassis. If the set is a sound radio
test in this manner is bad practice and can lead to or record -player, switch S2 is set to the `16µF' posi-
such eventualities as the early failure of the tion. With a TV receiver, 52 is set to the `100µF'
associated h.t. rectifier. So far as TV sets are con- position. The positive test prod is next applied to
cerned, the process of adding extra capacitance to the positive terminal of the capacitor to be checked
the h.t. circuits of the set when it is switched on is then, after about half a second with the radio or
even more to be condemned. Should a large -value record -player, or after about three seconds with the
capacitor, of the type employed in TV receivers, be TV receiver, push- button Si is pressed. Whichever
connected uncharged across, say, an existing TV h.t. capacitor was previously selected by S2 will now be
reservoir capacitor when the set is turned on, it is nearly fully charged to the receiver h.t. voltage via
quite probable that definite damage will result. R1, and the resultant current surge will be negligibly
Another reason why the application of an external low. If the hum clears when SI is pressed, the faulty
capacitor across an existing one in a switched -on capacitor has been located.
receiver represents bad practice is that the conse- It can be assumed that a capacitor becomes nearly
quent surge can result in a temporary `cure' of an fully charged via a series resistor after a time equal
intermittent fault. An electrolytic capacitor internal to about five times the time constant of the two.
foil connects to its terminals by rivetted joints, or The time constant (given by farads times ohms, or
by joints which similarly hold the two connecting microfarads times megohms) for a 4.7kS2 resistor
metals together under pressure. Should such a joint and a 16µF capacitor is 0.075 seconds. With a 4.7kS2
develop resistance, the capacitor may cause hum to resistor and a 100µF capacitor it is 0.47 second.
358 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
Thus, the minimum waiting time for the capacitor
in the test unit to charge is approximately 0.4 second
with S2 in the `16µF' position, and approximately
CURRLT st:IILDULLS
2.5 seconds with S2 in the `100µF' position. After
using the unit, the test prod and clip should be short
- Times = GMT Frequencies = kHz
circuited together for the appropriate time to dis-
charge the capacitor in the test unit. This can * AUSTRALIA
usually be done by merely applying the prod to the Radio Australia now broadcasts to Europe in
chassis of the receiver just checked before removing English from 0645 to 0745 on 15330, this replacing
the clip. Remember that it is possible to obtain an the 9730 channel. The 11710 channel is used in
unpleasant shock from the test prod and clip if the parallel. At 0745 to 0915, these two outlets join the
capacitor in the unit is not discharged. South Pacific Service in English. The General Asian
Service, in English, can be heard from 1430 to 1730
The components for the unit may be assembled on 9550 and from 1500 to 1700 on 11740. The morn-
in any small insulated case from which protrudes ing broadcasts to Eastern USA and Canada are from
the two test leads. C2 is given a working voltage 1115 to 1215 and from 1215 to 1315 on 9580 and
rating of 500 volts, and will cope with all standard 11710.
valve radio or record -player h.t. voltages likely to
be encountered. Cl is a high -value electrolytic * FINLAND
capacitor of the type specifically intended for use in The English and Finnish Service to North America
TV receivers. Push - button Si should be a heavy - is now from 0200 to 0300 on 9585.
duty component, as there will still be a small surge
current when it is closed, and heavy -duty contacts * MALI
will have longer life. A suitable type is the Bulgin Radio Bomako can now be heard from sign -on
S365, available from Home Radio under Cat. No. at 0600 (sign -off 2300) on 5995, 7110 and 9710. The
WS92. S2 can be any s.p.d.t. toggle switch with in- 9710 channel signs -on one hour earlier at 0500.
sulation suitable for h.t. voltages. * JAPAN
Radio Japan now broadcasts to Europe from 0645
to 0845 on 17825 and 21535 and from 1930 to 2100 on
9735 and 11950. The service for North and Central
America and the Hawaiian Islands is now aired on
17825 and 21640.
* SWEDEN
BROADCAST NEWS The current schedule of Radio Sweden, in English,
is as follows - from 1230 to 1300 on 9715 (Far East)
and 21690 (Africa); from 1400 to 1430 on 15240
INDONESIA (South Asia) and 21585 (Eastern North America);
from 1600 to 1630 on 6065 (Europe) and 11930
Our Listening Post reports logging Radio Angkatan ( Middle East); from 1900 to 1930 on 11780 (Middle
Udara (Air Force Radio) on the unlisted channel 01 East) and 15240 (Africa); from 2045 to 2115 on
11322kHz from 1330 to close down at 1401GMT. 6065 (Europe) and 9'715 (Far East); from 0030 to
Sign -off is made with announcements in Indonesian 0100 on 5990 (Eastern North America); from 0200
and a Polynesian -type melody (not `Love Ambon' to 0230 on 5990 (Eastern North America); from
as with other Indonesian stations). 0330 to 0400 on 9725 (Western North America) and
The power is 7.5kW, reports in English are wanted from 0515 to 0545 on 11895 (Australia, New Zealand)
and the address is - Radio Angkatan Udara, 51 and on 17840 (South Asia).
Djalan Tjipinang, Tjempedak I, Polonia Djatinegara, * MONGOLIA
Djakarta, Indonesia. Radio Ulan Bator is now scheduled, in English,
RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia) Djakarta has from 1220 to 1250 on 15440 and 17780 and from
been heard on 7270kHz at 1356GMT with announce- 2200 to 2230 on 9540 and 11860. Radio Ulan Bator
ments in Indonesian and Arabic -style songs and can also be heard on 5054 around 1600.
music. The power is 50kW. * NEPAL
The External Service of Radio Nepal is now
SOUTH VIETNAM broadcast on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1250 to
1320 on 7165 and 11970.
Saigon, reports our Listening Post, has been heard
on 7245kHz (20kW) from 1315 to 1330GMT. * USSR
with announcements in Vietnamese and with Asian - Radio Vilnius can be heard, in English, from 2230
style songs and music. to 2300 on 7290 and 9685 on Fridays and Sundays.
* HUNGARY
SOLOMON ISLANDS Radio Budapest now radiates an English pro-
gramme at 2130 on 6025 for Europe and to the Far
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service, Honiara, East, Oceania and Asia on Wednesdays at 0800 and
has been logged on 7235Hz (5kW) from 1100 to on Fridays at 1015 on 11910, 17160, 17800 and 21685.
1130GMT. Announcements by male and female
speakers followed by short melody on flute -like in- Acknowledgements to our own Listening Post
strument at 1130 sign -off. and SCDX.
JANUARY 1971 359

www.americanradiohistory.com
 THE 'VENTURER' TRANSMITTER
PART 2
by
J. BROWN, G3LPB

Concluding details on this comprehensive c.w. /a.m. design, which covers

all bands from 10 to 160 metres with switched band change

VCÌ VC3

VC4

VENTURER
410

i
GA
MIC aerial

t
KEY To

o o
AUDIO
BAND
v®
AK

P METER

Function VR3 VR1 sl VC2 VR2 s3 Main To RX aerial input

switch switch
s6 s4

Fig. 10. Front panel layout of the transmitter

LAYOUT The only component under the chassis requiring

special mention is the range switch. This was made
The layout of the transmitter components can be up with three 6-way 2 -pole wafers (Electroniques
judged from the photographs and the panel layout Code No. TSW6 /2), a 10in. shaft ( Electroniques Code
shown in Fig. 10. The front panel is 16in. by 7-fin. No. TSW /SH /10/2) and two 12in. lengths of 6BA
and the chassis is 11in. by 64in. by 2 }in. If desired, studding (Electroniques Code No. TSW /ST/6/12).
the constructor could employ dimensions which Spacers are required to give spacings of fin., 1áin.
allow the transmitter to fit direct into a TU5 case. and 3in. respectively, working from the front of the
In the photograph showing the view looking down switch. The end of the shaft is steadied by a bush
at the top of the chassis, the pi output circuit com- fitted to the rear apron of the chassis.
ponents can be seen mounted directly to the panel.
Next to them, on the chassis, are the two TT11's POWER SUPPLIES
and the 6AQ5, after which can be seen the extension
shaft and coupler for the v.f.o. tuning capacitor. On The power requirements for the transmitter are
the other side of this shaft are the two square cans 33 to 41mA for the v.f.o. and driver (current varies
for L4 and L5, the v.f.o. and driver valves, and the according to valves and tuning), 70mA for the modu-
single square can for RFC2. lator, and up to 90mA for the p.a. stage. All these
The three square cans in line near the front of the currents are at an h.t. voltage of approximately 250.
panel contain L6 to L11. After these are the modu- With no drive, the p.a. stage clamps at 30mA current.
lator valves, consisting of 12AX7 nearest the panel, These requirements are fairly modest and con-
12AU7 and the two EL84's. The stabiliser tube and structors should have no difficulty in making up the
relay are at the rear, near an octal power socket requisite supply unit, if they do not have one already
mounted on the rear apron of the chassis. available. A satisfactory circuit is illustrated in Fig.
The three v.f.o. grid coils and the v.f.o. tuning 11. In this diagram, the transformer h.t. secondaries
capacitor fit in an Eddystone die -cast box measuring are rated at 120mA, which gives a good safety factor.
4in. by 31 in. by 2in. (Home Radio Cat. No. E650). The chokes can be smoothing chokes taken from
360 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 TUNING UP
After checking for faulty wiring, etc., the trans-
mitter can be tested and tuned up. Note that the
stabiliser tube (see Fig. 1 of last month's article) can
be either an 0A5 giving 150 volts, or an 85A2 giving
85 volts, the value of R4 being chosen accordingly.
It will be best to commence with an 85A2, then
change to an 0A5 if experience with the transmitter
indicates that the higher voltage is preferable.
Apply h.t. to the v.f.o., set the receiver to mid -
band on 160 metres, and tune the core of LI for
the required beat note with VC1 at its central setting.
Carry out the same procedure with L2 for 80 metres,
Rear view, illustrating v.f.o. assembly with the then with L3 for 40 metres. Let the v.f.o. and
cover of the v.f.o. tuned circuit box removed. receiver run for some time to check for any drift
When this photograph was taken the v.f.o. coils or instability.
were wound on non -standard formers
After checking the v.f.o. on 160 metres and ensur-
ing that the v.f.o. covers the band, seal the core of
L1 by lightly fitting a 6BA lock -nut on its adjusting
screw. Similarly check and seal the cores of L2 and
L3 for 80 and 40 metres respectivdly. Switch the
function switch to `Net', switch the meter to read
discarded TV receivers. The supply unit is built p.a. grid current, and tune L6 for maximum meter
separate from the transmitter, coupling to it by way reading. This reading is dependent on the .setting of
of the power socket at the rear of the transmitter. the drive control. The peak control, VC2, should be
It will be noted that the circuit of Fig. 11 also gives set at mid- capacitance for this and all subsequent
provision of a low voltage supply for the relay. The adjustments, as also should VC1.
heater current required by the modulator is 2.2 amps
and that, required by the p.a. and v.f.o. stages is
3.5 amps.

COMPONENTS
Resistors
(All resistors 1 watt 10% unless otherwise
HT+ PA. stated)
L1
RI 2252
R2 2212
HT+ V.F.O.
R3 4712
and driver
R4 l k12 5 watts
R5 R5 220k12
C3T R6 22f2
R7 2212
2 D2 R8 220k52
Capacitors
63V 6.3V P.A..V.FO. (all capacitors are electrolytic)
and driver Cl 8µF 350V wkg.
C2 16µF 350V wkg.
C3 16µF 350V wkg.
C4 500µF 20V wkg.
T Relay supply C5 8µF 350V wkg.
C4 C6 16µF 350V wkg.
Inductors
Tl Mains transformer; secs. 250- 0-250V
L2 120mA, 6.3V, 6.3V (see text for
HT+ modulator current at 6.3V)
T2 Mains transformer; secs. 250- 0 -250V
120mA, 6.3V 2.5A
L1, L2 Smoothing chokes (see text)
Rectifiers
D1, D2 BY100
D3 DD000
D4, D5 BY100
Fuses
F1, F2 500mA cartridge fuses and holders
T2
63V modulator Switch
S1 d.p.s.t., toggle
Fig. 11. A suitable power supply unit
361
JANUARY 1971

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Switch to 80 metres and peak L7 for maximum obviates the risk of TV interference. It is advisable
reading in the meter. Next, switch to 40 metres and to use an aerial tuning unit as, in many cases, this
peak L8 and L4 for maximum meter reading. Make helps towards giving a decent transfer of energy at
no subsequent adjustment to L4; this is peaked mid - the correct impedance. Also, it would be of no use
band and then left alone. whatsoever trying to feed a 7552 low pass filter into,
Switch to 20 metres and peak L9 for maximum say, a long wire end -fed aerial. The set -up for using
meter current, then switch to 15 metres and similarly these items is shown in Fig. 12.
peak L10.
Switch finally to 10 metres and peak L11 and L5
for maximum meter reading. Like L4, L5 is peaked Aerial
once at mid -band and is not then touched again. S.W.R Low pass To
Transmitter "Om tuning
All peaking adjustments should be carried out indicator filter aerial
unit
with an insulated trimming tool or a plastic knitting
needle filed to operate as a screwdriver.
Once set up, all cores are left alone. With this Fig. 12. Incorporating suitable ancillary equip-
transmitter the anode coils of the driver can be ment between the transmitter and the aerial
peaked by the panel control so that optimum drive increases efficiency and reduces TVI
is available at all times. Such is not always the case
with wide -band couplers, in which the best com-
promise setting still results in lack of drive at one The added items remain in circuit when receiving,
or the other ends of the band. and offer the further advantages of terminating the
aerial at the correct impedance for the receiver input.
AIRING THE TRANSMITTER After loading has been carried out, it can be
assumed that all is well. The main switch is turned
After all necessary tests have been carried out to 'Receive' and the operator next tunes around to
using a dummy load and all is found to be well, the find a QSO with which he can break in. After netting
transmitter is ready for testing on the air. it is only necessary to turn the function switch to
The following is the correct procedure. Switch 'A.M.', set the audio gain to about half -way, and
on the power supply and allow time for the valves turn the main switch to `Transmit'. The receiver is
to warm up. Select the band required and switch the then muted and the transmitter is energised, ready
function switch to `Net'. This allows h.t. to be applied for its first a.m. test. If the meter is switched to read
to the v.f.o. and driver stages only. Select the desired p.a. current, peaks of speech should just slightly
frequency in the band, making sure that this is a increase the meter reading. If the increases are too
clear channel and there is no risk of ruining someone intense the transmitter is overmodulating. This
else's QSO. Increase the drive and adjust the peak spreads the audio around the band and offends other
control until the meter, switched to read p.a. grid operators.
current, indicates about 4mA. Set the p.a. band Summing up, what is aimed at are: p.a. grid
selector switch to the required band, switch the current at approximately 4mA; anode current of
meter to read p.a. current and set the function switch approximately 80mA for 80 metres to 10 metres
to `C.W.'. Turn the main switch to `Transmit'. Tune and 40mA for 160 metres; and slight upward kicks
VC3 through its travel until the meter reading dips. in meter reading during modulation.
This is the resonant setting, and it will change when For c.w., however, the above figures, apart from
VC4 is adjusted. Adjust VC4 for about 80mA p.a. that for 160 metres, can be increased. On 80 to 10
current, readjust VC3 for the dip, then set up VC4 metres the p.a. can be loaded even to 90mA with
once more for 80mA. Repeat this procedure until safety, as the r.f. is not continual since it is being
the 80mA current is achieved with VC3 at a maxi- keyed. The clamper valve ensures that there is a
mum dip setting. It cannot be too strongly empha- hold on the p.a. to keep it to a low level of anode
sised that the combined adjustment of VC3 and VC4 current when the key is up. If excessive grid current
must be carried out as described. Their settings will is used on c.w. with some transmitters, chirp takes
vary with different aerials. place because the grid current pulls the oscillator
It should be pointed out at this stage that these pi frequency. Chirp has not been experienced with the
output circuits will match into a wide impedance present design, the oscillator remaining clean at all
range, from some 5052 to as high as 30012. Hence, times.
a pi circuit will match into many types of aerial.
However, if an attempt were made to feed the trans- MEASURED OUTPUT
mitter into, say, a dipole, the `unbalanced' output of
the transmitter would be feeding into a `balanced' 20 watts in a dummy load were given with drive
aerial, and it would be necessary to interpose some figures on 160 metres of IOmA, of 9mA at 80 metres,
form of tuning unit such as a `Z match'. This is 8mA at 40 metres, 8mA at 20 metres, 7mA at 15
really an impedance matching device - hence the metres, and 6mA at 10 metres. These figures were
term `Z' - and it ensures an impedance match which obtained using the 85A2 stabiliser tube. If the 0A2
gives maximum transfer of energy to the aerial. The is used as the stabiliser, there will be an excess of
standing wave ratio indicator, or s.w.r. indicator, drive available. Remember that overdriving causes
should also be mentioned. This instrument enables TVI and harmonic radiation.
both forward and backward energy in a feeder sys- All reports on the prototype have been good,
tem to be checked, the aim being to obtain maximum including good speech quality. With a VSIAA 67ft.
forward and minimum backward energy. A further aerial and a simple aerial tuning unit, the transmitter
device, the low pass filter, prevents harmonics above loads easily on all bands, and has a decent standing
some 30MHz getting into the aerial, and thereby
Concluded in next column
362 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
NEW PRODUCT RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

FEBRUARY ISSUE
The "MINISETTE"
Two -Transistor Receiver
This fine miniature pocket receiver is an ideal
project for beginners.

HYBRID A.F. AMPLIFIER

This simple a.f. amplifier employs a beam
tetrode output valve and a transistor voltage
amplifier, thereby combining the advantages of
Class A output and transistor hum -free circuitry.

*
The Sorrento Record Player THE `CRUSADER'

ANOTHER NEW RECORD PLAYER COMMUNICATIONS

IN THE NEW ELIZABETHAN RANGE
RECEIVER, Part 2
Lee Products (GB) Limited, a member of the John
E. Dallas Group of Companies, have recently
launched another smart record player to their new Part 2 describes the wiring-up process of this
Elizabethan range. popular design.
A little more conservative than the Astronaut,
the new Sorrento is designed to appeal to a slightly
older age group. Its simple functional design is em-
phasised by its reliable performance yet brightened
by the popular red case.
POS
The BSR turntable with its four speeds reproduces
the sound by way of sapphire stylus, transistorised MANY OTHER CON-
amplifier and high -flux speaker. The controls for
volume and tone are accessible when the lid is closed. STRUCTIONAL PROJECTS

THE `VENTURER' TRANSMITTER DATA SHEET 46

(Continued from page 362) (N.P.N. TRANSISTOR LEAD -OUTS)
wave ratio performance (although the latter was a
little poor on 160 metres, which could be expected).
During tests, stations worked were G stations on EA,
160
SUPPORTING FEATURES
metres; G, GW, GI, GC, GD, EI on 80 metres;
F, DJ on 40 metres; DJ, DL, I, 0E, even a W4 on
20 metres; CR7, LA, SM on 15 metres; and UA,
DJ, I, ZS on 10 metres. ON SALE FEBRUARY 1st
Which is not bad for 20 odd watts, plus an oper-
ator who operates very little.
363
JANUARY 1971

www.americanradiohistory.com
 ELECTRO- The phosphor layer normally consists of activated
zinc sulphide particles embedded in a plastic material
such as polystyrene, although more robust panels

LUMINESCENT can be constructed using the same particles em-

bedded in a ceramic material. A small amount of
activating impurities determines the colour of the

DEVICES light emitted by the zinc sulphide crystals.

The light is emitted by each crystal each time the
applied voltage changes in polarity. The amount of
light therefore increases with the frequency of the
by applied field up to frequencies of a few kHz, after
which it falls with increasing frequency. The amount
of light also increases with the applied voltage, pro-
J. B. DANCE, M.Sc. vided the latter is not so great that the dielectric
breaks down. The life of the panels decreases with
increase of the applied frequency, but is believed to
Electroluminescent devices are assuming a be little affected by the value of the applied voltage
continually increasing importance in the provided that the latter is not high enough to cause
world of electronics. In this article our con- breakdown.
tributor reviews current applications and
developments

HE PHENOMENON OF ELECTROLUMINESCENCE OCCURS

T when a semiconductor material emits light under
the influence of an electric field. There are two
main types of electroluminescent device, namely
electroluminescent panels and light emitting diodes
(including laser diodes).
The light is emitted when free charge carriers
formed by the electric field recombine. However, the
physics of these processes is not very simple and
readers requiring more details are therefore referred
to the book by Thornton/.
ELECTROLUMINESCENT PANELS
The construction of an electroluminescent panel
is shown in Fig. 1. The phosphor film (which emits
the light) is placed between two electrodes, one of
which must be transparent to allow the light to
escape. The whole is attached to a metal or glass
supporting base sheet. A suitable alternating potential
applied between the electrodes results in the emission
of light.
Fig. 2. A readout device using a segmented
electrode

Conductive film Dielectric with electroluminescent APPLICATIONS

phosphor
At one time great interest was shown in electro-
Transparent conductive luminescent panels, since it was hoped that they
film would offer an economical means of providing
shadow -free lighting in rooms. However, the amount
of light emitted by panels of a reasonable size is
too small for this purpose and the main applications
have been in display and readout devices where the
amount of light required is relatively small.
A device to display any digit or letter of the
alphabet may be made by dividing the back electrode
of an electroluminescent panel into the pattern shown
in Fig. 2. If an alternating potential is applied be-
Base sheet tween the single front electrode and segments 1, 5
and 10 of the back electrode, the digit `7' is indicated.
Similarly, if segments 2, 9, 14, 13, 6, 11 and 4 are
Fig. 1. The construction of an electroluminescent used, the letter `W' is displayed. Indicators of this
panel type can be used in counting instruments, digital
voltmeters, etc., for displaying the desired informa-
tion. They have the advantages over cold cathode
366 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
tube and tungsten filament lamp displays that they very high refractive index and this results in total
are much thinner and dissipate considerably less internal reflection taking place. The overall efficiency
heat. However, they require a high frequency power (`external quantum efficiency') may be as low as
supply (typically 250V, 500Hz) and the logic require- 0.1% in a simple device. It can, however, be con-
ments tend to be more complicated than those used
with other types of indicator.
The dimensions of electroluminescent panels can
vary widely. In general, the 50Hz supply does not
produce sufficient brilliance and a higher frequency
must be employed. They do not show sudden failure
(as is the case with tungsten filament lamps), but
their brilliance gradually decreases with use. A life
of over 10,000 hours is normal.
Large display boards containing electroluminescent
panels fixed to them have certain industrial and
educational uses. For example, a display panel of
this nature can be used to depict the processes taking
place in an industrial plant and, if fed with suitable
signals from transducers, will indicate the location
of a fault occurring in the plant operation. They
can therefore be used to reduce the number of
maintenance engineers required to operate the plant.
The boards can display a variety of colours for
clarity. Animation can be provided by a sequential
switching device which illuminates small segments
of a line in turn and gives the impression of a liquid
flowing through a pipe. In another industrial appli-
cation an electroluminescent panel display has been Fig. 3. The current /voltage characteristic curve
of a gallium arsenide diode
used to show the position of a crane over objects
to be unloaded. S11.
In the field of education, electroluminescent panels
siderably increased by incorporating the junction in
have applications in teaching machines. A large a hemispherical crystal so that the radiation strikes
display board manufactured by F. W. Hopwood the surface of the crystal normally and total internal
Developments Ltd. of Nottingham has been designed reflection does not occur. Alternatively the device
to train people to operate the Olympus fuel control
system. Very thin lines of light from electrolumin- may be cooled in liquid air, at which temperature
escent strips are used to make up graphs of the the material absorbs much less of its own radiation.
display and these graphs change as the student The more sophisticated devices offer external quan-
operates the controls. tum efficiencies of well over 10 %, but are consider-
Polycrystalline phospors are used in solid state ably more expensive to produce.
image intensifiers2.3 and in image retaining panels. Gallium arsenide infra -red emitting diodes can be
The development of practical large, thin television used in communications networks. When compared
screens employing electroluminescent materials still with a normal radio network, infra -red communica-
seems to be far in the future, however. tion has the disadvantages of being affected by heavy
rain or thick fog and of being limited to line -of -sight
distances. On the other hand, advantages include
ELECTROLUMINESCENT DIODES absence of interference (partly due to the increased
Electroluminescent diodes are semiconductor p.n. directionality), simplicity and low weight. They may
junctions which emit light when they are suitably be used in space communication or for the rapid
biased. The colour of the light is determined by the transfer of information between points in a com-
semiconductor material used. Interest in this phe- puter.
nomenon was not great until Keyes and Quist found The circuit of a simple infra -red transmitter is
that forward biased gallium arsenide junctions would shown in Fig. 4. The sound waves which strike the
emit in the infra -red region at about 9000 Ang- microphone result in the current through the emitting
stroms4. Other materials, such as gallium phosphide, diode being modulated and hence the intensity of
emit visible light.
As shown in Fig. 3, little current will flow in a
forward biased gallium arsenide junction until the
bias voltage exceeds the forward breakdown poten-
tial of about 1.2V. At higher applied voltages, the i Carbon Emitting
output of infra -red radiation is al -most proportional microphone diode
to the current flowing through the device. The maxi- MGA500
mum output is normally limited by the need to keep
the thermal dissipation to a suitable maximum limit, F --II
but it can often be increased by mounting the device
Battery
on a heat sink.
Only a very small proportion of the light gener- Fig. 4. The circuit of a very simple infra -red
ated in the gallium arsenide junction is usually able transrn '`er
to escape from the crystal, since the material has a
JANUARY 1971 367

www.americanradiohistory.com
 -10V

5kn
Output

2N525 2N525

68
kn

50p 4.7kn

Fig. 5. An infra -red receiver for audio modulated

signals

the output radiation is modulated. More complicated

circuits offer a better performance. A simple infra-
red receiver is shown in Fig. 55. It consists of a suit-
able silicon diode and a transistor amplifier. A suit-
able lens should be used to focus the light from the
transmitter into a beam, whilst a similar lens should
be used at the receiver to focus the light onto the
detecting diode. The modulation frequencies used
need not be limited to the audio range; bandwidths
up to at least some hundreds of MHz can be ob-
tained in a well designed system which can there-
fore be used as a television link6. (The GaAs radi-
ating diode type MGA500 and the silicon diode type
33F2 are both available from M.C.P. Electronics
Ltd., Alperton, Wembley, Middlesex.)
Suitable gallium arsenide diodes can be used as
lasers at currents exceeding the laser threshold value.
The writer has already covered lasers in detail in
this journal7 and therefore little will be repeated
here on laser diodes. Gallium arsenide laser diodes
can be used in communications networks under
pulsed conditions at room temperature or under
continuous conditions at liquid air temperatures. At
room temperature a current exceeding the laser
threshold current will produce excessive thermal dis-
sipation if continuous operation is attempted.
Gallium arsenide diodes may also be used with a
silicon photodiode as coupling devices. When a con-
trol current flows through the gallium arsenide diode,
the resulting current flowing through the silicon
photodiode can be used to control another circuit.
The two diodes are connected by a light pipe and
are placed in a light -tight enclosure; they may be
connected in circuits which have a potential of 100kV Fig. 6. The Ferranti XPA95 array of gallium
or more between them. Such techniques therefore phosphide lamps which are intended for use
provide a convenient means of controlling a circuit with aerial reconnaisance films.
which is at a high potential. (Courtesy: Ferranti Ltd.)
368 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
GALLIUM PHOSPHIDE
Suitable forward biased gallium phosphide diodes
emit visible light. The colour of the emitted light
varies with the doping impurities present in the
gallium phosphide. Zinc and sulphur impurities can
produce green light, whilst zinc and oxygen can
produce red light.
Gallium phosphide lamps are used for placing
digital information on the edge of a photographic
film. For example, the array of lamps shown in
Fig. 6 may be used for placing an array of dots on
an aerial reconnaisance film, the position of the dots
conveying information about the position and the
height of the aircraft at the time the photograph was
taken. Gallium phosphide lamps are used in a variety
of other applications8, such as f.m. tuning indicators,
indicators for showing the state of logic circuits, etc.

GALLIUM ARSENO-PHOSPHIDE
Single crystals of gallium arseno -phosphide can
be used in the form of junctions as emitters of
visible radiation. The formula is GaAs P x (1 -x). If
the value of x is small, the material behaves like
gallium phosphide, whilst if x is nearly unity, the
material emits in the infra -red region like gallium
arsenide. If x is suitably chosen, a red emitting
material can be formed which offers an efficiency
considerably greater than that of gallium phosphide.
A digital indicator employing gallium arseno-
phosphide is shown in Fig. 7. The lower part of the
photograph shows an array of 28 diodes which are
indicating the digit `8'. Any other digit can be indi-
cated by a suitable selection of the diodes which
are illuminated. The diode on the lower left -hand
side is offset and is used to indicate a decimal point
when a number of these digital indicators are placed
side by side. The input to these decoders is in binary -
coded decimal form (in which each decimal digit is
represented by a group of four binary digits) and is
fed to the integrated circuit decoder shown in the
upper part of the photograph. The power supply Fig. 7. The interior of a solid state indicator
required is 5V at a maximum of 500mW per digit. employing gallium arseno- phosphide light
The power consumption is approximately equally emitting diodes. The diode array in the lower
divided between the integrated circuit decoder and part of this photograph is showing the digit '8'.
the luminescent diodes. (Courtesy: Hewlett- Packard Ltd.)

OTHER DEVICES lamps, but they are used where a fast, low -power
device of the greatest possible reliability is required.
The efficiency of gallium phosphide diodes is not E
great enough for them to be used as lasers, but laser References
action has been found in a variety of materials such I. P. R. Thornton, The Physics of llectroluminescent Devices, Spon,
as indium phosphide, indium arsenide, etc. London, 1967.
Silicon carbide can emit light in a variety of 2. S. Larach, Photoelectronic Materials and Devices, Van Nostrand,
colours - a fact which was known as long ago as New Jersey, 1965.
19239. However, the efficiency is rather low and few 3. J. B. Dance, Photoelectronic Devices, Aliffe, London, 1969.
applications have been found for this material. 4. R. J. Keyes and T. M. Quist, Recombination Radiation Emitted
by Gallium Arsenide, Proc. I.R.E., Vol. 50, 1822 (1962).
Gallium phoshide avalanche diodes are operated 5. J. C. Chaimowicz, Semicondu_tor Light Source for Industry,
in the reverse biased mode. They can provide light Product Design Engineering, October 1965.
pulses of a rise time less than 1nanosecond and 6. R. H. Reddiker, R. J. Keyes, T. M. Quist. M. J. Hudson, C. R.
are therefore used in the testing of fast light detect- Grant and R. G. Burgess, Gallium -Arsenide Diodes Sends Tele-
vision by Infra -Red Beam, Electronics, Vol. 35, (40). 44 (1962).
ors, such as photomultipliers. 7. J. B. Dance, Lasers, The Radio Constructor, Vol. 18, (11), 764
(June 1965), Vol. 18, (12), 845 (July 1965) and Vol. 19, (1), 52
CONCLUSIONS (August 1965).
8. Electroluminescent GaP Diodes for Logic State Indicators and
Visual Displays, Ferranti Application Note No. 29, 1965.
Electroluminescent devices have a very wide 9 O. W. Lossev, Luminous Carborundum Detector and Crystal
variety of applications, especially in readout circuits. Oscillator, Telegrafia i Telefonia bez Provodov, Vol. 18, 61 (1923)
They are more expensive than tungsten filament and Vol. 26, 403 (1924).
JANUARY 1971 369

www.americanradiohistory.com
 This month, as is fitting at the start of a New Year, Smithy
turns his attention to the more elementary aspects of
servicing, dealing in particular with simple servicing aids
which can be home -constructed

yúr in the Workshop for at least ten

minutes or so and have had a
chance to discuss our various indis-
positions, I would suggest that we
next get down to a spot of work."
"There isn't any," replied Dick
fitted inside a wooden box with a
B7G, a B9A and a B10B valve -
holder mounted on the front. The
pins of the valveholders which are
normally used for heater connec-

ó
tions are connected in parallel, with
promptly. "We cleared out the last the resistor, meter and battery in
set yesterday. evening. Don't you series." (Fig. 1)."
remember ?" "I must say," returned Dick
"Why of course, so we did," said warmly, "that it's just the job for
Smithy, visibly elated at this item finding which heater has burnt out
of news. "Then, perhaps, this might in a IV heater chain. All you've
be a good time to have a discussion got to do is bung each valve into
on odd items of test gear which we its appropriate socket on the box

-shop]
can use for future jobs in the Work- and see whether the meter gives a
shop." reading or not. It takes ages, other-
"Do you mean testmeters and wise, checking for open- circuit heat-
things like that ?" ers with a testmeter when you're
"I wasn't thinking of manufac- holding its test prods against the
tured stuff," replied Smithy "What I heater pins of each valve."
had more in mind was home -made
gear. It's surprising how many items TUNING WAND
of home-made equipment can be
used to supplement the standard test "True," agreed Smithy. "And, to
6 HY," COMPLAINED DICK gear employed for servicing."
plaintively, "does the New round off the story, we added the
"I think I can see what you're B 10B socket to the box after the
Year always have to start getting at," said Dick, brightly.
on January the First ?" PFL200 double pentode started
"You're referring to things like our appearing in British TV sets. Any-
"Because there's no alternative, Heater Checker Box, aren't you ?"
you great twit," snorted Smithy how, that's one little item of home-
It was obvious that the prospect made test gear, and it's one which
irritably. "How on earth can the of a technical discussion had caused
New Year start on any other day ?" is well worth putting together by
Dick to discard his previous gloomy anyone who does a lot of TV ser-
"Well, I think it's a rotten mood.
arrangement," commented Dick vicing. Another handy little gadget,
"That's right," confirmed Smithy. which can be used both for TV and
moodily. "Like everybody else, I "That Heater Checker Box is an ex-
have my celebrations on New Year's radio, is the tuning wand."
cellent example of a really useful "Tuning wand ?"
Eve with the result that on January bit of home-made gear. We've been
the First, I'm completely clapped "Tuning wand," repeated Smithy.
using it for ages now and it must "I used to have a tuning wand in
out. I should be at my best at the have repaid the small amount of
start of a New Year, not at my the Workshop, but it seems to have
time expended on its construction got lost. It wouldn't be a bad idea
worst." over and over again. Its main pur-
Smithy turned a jaundiced eye at if, at some time, you knocked up
pose is, of course, to check the another one."
his assistant, who was sagging list- heaters of individual valves in open -
lessly on his stool. 'What exactly is a tuning wand ?"
circuit TV heater chains. As you "It consists," replied Smithy, "of
"I'll certainly agree," he remarked know, it consists merely of a 0-
unkindly, "that you aren't, this New 10mA meter, a 91052 resistor and a
Year's morning, at the highly im- PP3 9 -volt battery, all of these being
*Smithy's Heater Checker Box was previous-
ly mentioned in the July 1967 issue -Editor.
probable condition which you refer
to as your best. At the same time,
though, you don't appear to be much
below your normal general run of Volveholde rs
mediocrity." O-iOmA
"Well, I like that," retorted Dick,
stung. "Anyway, what about you?
Nobody would say that you repre-
sent a prime example of sprightli-
ness and efficiency."
SERVICING AIDS
"That,' returned Smithy sternly,
"is not the way to talk to your
guv'nor. However, I will concede
that, like you, I did stay up a little
later than usual last night because
it was New Year's Eve. And I must Fig. 1. The circuit of the Heater Checker Box employed in the
confess, also, that I'm suffering a Workshop. This enables the heaters of individual valves in an
_ wee bit this morning in consequence. open- circuit TV series heater chain to be quickly checked. The
Anyhow, seeing that we've both been meter can be an inexpensive surplus type
372 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 a round stick of insulating material, signal level increases when the wand
with a brass cylinder fixed to it at is inserted then the appropriate i.f.
one end and a piece of iron -dust tuned circuit wants a little more Your Local Supplier
material of similar shape fixed to it inductance or parallel capacitance to
at the other. Like this." bring it on to the correct frequency. LONDON
Smithy drew out his pen and If the signal level goes down, then
sketched the outline of a tuning the tuned circuit doesn't require in- Established 1910
wand on his note -pad. (Fig. 2.) creased inductance or capacitance."

.I /2. 3 -
"That seems to be easy enough,"
responded Dick "What about the
H. L. SMITH
brass end of the tuning wand ?" & CO. LTD.
Plastic "If the process of inserting the
iron dust end into the coil merely
caused a reduction in signal Comprehensive stocks of
strength," said Smithy in reply, "you components by
then insert the brass end. The piece all leading makers.
of brass reduces the effective induc-
tance of the coil whereupon, if
Brass Parts secured Iron -dust signal level increases when the brass 287 -9 EDGWARE ROAD
with Araldite end is inserted, this means that the LONDON W.2
tuned circuit requires reduced induc-
Fig. 2. A tuning wand suitable tance or capacitance to bring it on Tel: 01 -723 5891
for most present -day coils. This to the correct frequency. On the
is circular in section along its other hand, if inserting the brass
whole length. The dimensions end merely causes signal level to THE
given are not critical fall, this shows that the tuned cir-
cuit is spot on tune, because the
Dick carried his stool over to previous check with the iron -dust MODERN BOOK CO.
Smithy's bench, then gazed inter- end also caused the signal level to
estedly at the Serviceman's pad. fall. The main disadvantage with
"There you are," said Smithy, the tuning wand is that the brass Largest selection of English &
returning the pen to his pocket. end usually causes a much smaller American radio and technical
"That's what a tuning wand looks change in inductance than does the books in the country.
like." iron -dust end, so that the wand
"What's it used for ?" doesn't always give you conclusive
"To check the condition of tuned results. This is particularly true if 19 -21PRAED STREET,
circuits which are suspected of being the iron -dust core of the coil you're
off -resonance," replied Smithy. "A checking is so positioned that it LONDON, W.2
typical instance occurs when you prevents the brass end getting close Tel: PADdington 418512926
have a sound radio i.f. coil which to the winding. Nevertheless, a tun-
you think may be a little out of ing wand can be a really useful gad-
alignment. What you do first of all get once you've got used to how
is to tune the receiver to a weak it works. It's particularly good for
signal which will not produce a high locating false central peaks." ST. HELEN'S RADIO
a.g.c. voltage, then insert the iron - "What are they?"
dust end of the tuning wand into "They're the peaks you get if a Hi -Fi Equipment
the coil former. (Fig. 3.) If the core is dead central in its coil," Tape Recorders
said Smithy, "and when the tuned Radio Receivers
circuit still wants a little more in-
ductance or capacitance to become Television
resonant at the right frequency.
& ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS
11
SPECIALISTS IN RADIO
Core central
Former inside coil
ST. HELEN'S GARDENS
LONDON W.10
Tel: 01 -969 3657
Coil BEDFORDSHIRE

Tuning wand When in LUTON, BEDS, you

must visit the . . .

SELF -SERVICE RADIO

COMPONENTS SHOP
Fig. 4. If a core is centrally
disposed inside a coil which Serve yourself from a selec-
I.F. transformer requires just a little more tion of 1,200 Doxes of Manu-
inductance or parallel capaci- facturers' surplus stocks and
tance to be resonant at a save money.
desired frequency, it may give 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. every day.
Fig. 3. Inserting the iron -dust the effect of a 'false peak' Closed all day Wednesday.
end of the tuning wand into an
i.f. transformer. This causes the (Fig. 4.) Since the coil is passing the SURPLECTRONICS
inductance of the coil into maximum signal of which it is 216 LEAGRAVE ROAD.
which it is inserted to be capable when the core is adjusted LUTON, BEDS
increased to the central position, it is possible
JANUARY 1971 373

www.americanradiohistory.com
 of argument. "When's
Your Local Supplier to obtain the impression that the
core is at a true resonant peak.
avenue
Twelfth Night ?"
HAMPSHIRE
Inserting the iron -dust end of the "It's the eve of Twelfth Day,
tuning wand will soon indicate the which is twelve days after Christ-
presence of the false peak, because mas."
it will cause an increase in signal Smithy sighed.
strength."
BOURNEMOUTH I think I'll make up one of these
"I'm afraid I don't feel in the
mood for counting the days from
LARGEST HI -FI AND wands," said Dick. "What materials Christmas."
RADIO COMPONENT should I use ?" Dick rose, walked over to his
"The insulated centre section," bench, and rummaged in a drawer.
STORE IN THE SOUTH replied Smithy, "can consist of a "Hang on a jiffy," he called out.
piece of plastic knitting needle of "I'll tell you the exact date in a
about the diameter I've shown in moment."
FORRESTERS NATIONAL my sketch. You can make the brass After further searching, Smithy's
RADIO SUPPLIES LTD. bit by cutting off and filing down assistant pulled out a large calender
70-72 Holdenhurst Road the shank of a brass bolt of suitable which he next proceeded to consult.
Bournemouth size. The iron -dust piece is given by "Twelfth Night," he pronounced,
filing down an iron -dust core. The as he counted the dates, "is on Janu-
Telephone 25232 parts are then all stuck together ary the 5th."
with Araldite, being held in place Now that the preferred date at
SUSSEX
whilst the adhesive sets by laying which Christmas decorations should
them in a fold in a piece of corru- come down had been established,
gated paper. The paper will stick Smithy turned to his assistant, who
to the Araldite but it can soon be was in process of hanging the
E. JEFFRIES removed afterwards by a judicious calendar on the wall over his bench.
touch of the file. Assembling a tun- At sight of the calendar, Smithy's
For your new television set, ing wand is rather a fiddling pro- jaw sagged.
cess, I'm afraid, but the results it "What d'you think of it ?" said
tape recorder, transistor radio,
offers are well worth the trouble. By Dick proudly.
and hi -fi equipment. the way, the dimensions I put on Speechlessly, Smithy gazed wide -
PHILIPS, ULTRA, INVICTA, my sketch are only approximate, eyed at the large picture which
DANSETTE, MASTERADIO, PERDIO
and you don't have to stick closely graced the upper part of his assis-
MARCONI, PHILCO, FIDELITY to them." tant's calendar. The lady who pre-
vailed over the dates of January 1971
6A Albert Parade, FERRITE AERIALS could certainly be described as being
Victoria Drive. of generous disposition. Furthermore,
EASTBOURNE SUSSEX "It looks," said Dick enthusiastic- the reproduction on the calendar
ally, "as though I've got myself a clearly demonstrated the excellent
little job to do in the future. I've craftmanship of the modern colour
YORKSHIRE
got a plastic knitting needle of just printer so far as the rendering of
about the right thickness knocking flesh tones over large areas is con-
WILSIC around which I use for poking at cerned. To borrow from the phrase-
things inside sets. I could spend my ology of both the mechanical engin-
ELECTRONICS LTD. next bit of spare time in making eer and the present -day film director,
Your local supplier for up a tuning wand." it could also be stated that the lady
EAGLE PRODUCTS "It would be more to the point," had adopted a pose equivalent to
retorted Smithy testily, "if you 180° orientation from full frontal
CYBERNAT MOTORING AIDS devoted the time to taking our nudity.
WILSIC HI -FI, MUSICAL Christmas decorations down." "Bit of all right, isn't it?"
EQUIPMENT, KITS AND A little wearily, the Serviceman "It's disgusting," snorted Smithy,
COMPONENTS looked around the Workshop. The as he finally recovered his voice.
Send 2/6 for our Catalogue decorations in question, so enthusi- "You surely don't think you're going
astically put up by Dick on Christ- to put that picture up here, do
(Eagle Products Catalogue 5/ -)
mas Eve, were still in place and you ?"
6 COPLEY ROAD gave the Workshop a raffish appear- "Of course I'll put it up. We
DONCASTER ance which ill befitted the proper needed a calendar for 1971 and this
dignity which should appertain to an is it."
EIRE electronic servicing establishment. "Much as I appreciate your gen-
Smithy's eye fell on the large red erosity in providing the calendar,"
returned the deeply perturbed Ser-
PEATS for PARTS balloon at the centre of the ceiling.
Due to gradual deflation this was viceman, "I hardly feel that the
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS now beginning to assume a shape picture it displays is in keeping with
of disturbing grotesqueness. the character of our calling."
RADIO & TELEVISION "What ?" queried Dick incredu- "You've not seen anything yet,"
For the convenience of IRISH luously, as he leaped to the defence replied Dick cheerfully. "This is
enthusiasts we supply: of his beloved decorations. "Take only the January picture. Wait till
them down already?" you see the one for December!"
The Radio Constructor "Of course," returned Smithy Smithy winced at the thought of
Data Books and irritably. "Blimey, it's New Year's revelations to come. Had he been
Panel -Signs Transfers Day now." in more robust mood he would have
Also a postal service "But," retorted Dick, shocked, returned immediately to the attack,
"you must never take down Christ- both with respect to the calendar
Wm. B. PEAT & Co. Ltd. mas decorations until Twelfth and to the decorations. But he was
28 PARNELL STREET Night." weakened by his activities of the
DUBLIN 1 "Twelfth Night ?" repeated night before, and he decided to
Smithy, bemused at this unexpected retreat to a world where he was
374 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
more in command of events. low frequency end of the band to
"Let's get back," he said hastily, a weak signal which hasn't sufficient
"to the checking of resonant strength to cause the appearance
circuits." of a large a.g.c. voltage. If you
"As you like," replied Dick can't find a signal that is weak
equably. "Have you got any more enough, you tune in a strong signal
gen on tuning wands ?" and make it weaker by suitably
"I've finished on that subject," rotating the receiver. You then bring
said Smithy, as he collected his a spare ferrite rod up to the rod
sadly scattered wits. "Now, let me in the set, holding it so that the Poi 50,4
yy In
.*0 Lit t"
think for a moment. Ah yes! I'll two rods are parallel (Fig. 5 (a).) cam
tI RP

carry on next to a simple dodge

which enables the resonant fre- Ferrite rod
LW. coil M.W. coil
quency of a ferrite rod aerial in a aerial in
transistor superhet to be checked. receiver L---'
This uses roughly the same basic
principle that is employed by the SUPERB LARGE SCALE
tuning wand."
"Does this dodge require making
up any test gear ?"
MULTIMETER
AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD
"Not a great deal," replied
Smithy. "All you need basically is * 20,000[2 /volt *
Mirror Scale
a spare ferrite rod and a bit of * Overload Protection *
Free Batteries
tinned copper wire soldered to itself Ferrite rod
D.C. VOLTS: 0.6, 3. 12, 30. 120, 300
in the form of a shorted turn. We'll A.C. VOLTS: 3, 30. 120, 600
start by considering the ferrite aerial D.C. AMPS: 50µA, 600µA, 60mA.
600mA.
in the receiver first. This will nor- -
10k, 100k, I meg, I Omegs
RESISTANCE
mally consist of a ferrite rod with ( half scale reading:
separate medium and long wave 600, 60012, 600012, 6011kA )
coils on it or, perhaps, just a med- DECIBELS: -20 to +46 db.
ium wave coil on its own. The fer- SIZE: 6" x 4f" x 2f"
rite rod tuned coil in use is con- MONEY BACK IF NOT SATISFIED
nected to the signal frequency
section of the receiver two -gang (a) ONLY £6.5.0 3 /PIP.P.
tuning capacitor and is intended to Shorted turn
be resonant at the frequency being IVORYET LTD. 31 Albert Road
received. This necessitates two align- Hendon, London, N.W.4
ment adjustments. At the high fre-
quency end of the band being
received, a small trimmer across the
coil and tuning capacitor is adjusted
for maximum signal strength. At The
the low frequency end, the induc- RADIO CONSTRUCTOR
tance of the coil is similarly adjusted
for maximum signal strength. The
ferrite rod aerial coil should then (b)
track with the oscillator tuned cir- ANNUAL
cuit over all the band in between." Fig. 5(a). Bringing a second
"That inductance adjustment," ferrite rod up to the ferrite rod
observed Dick, "is, of course, car- aerial of a receiver causes the SUBSCRIPTIONS
ried out by sliding the coil along inductance of all coils on the
the ferrite rod."
"Exactly," confirmed Smith y.
rod to be increased to this magazine
(b). The inductance of a ferrite
"Moving the coil towards the centre
of the rod increases the inductance,
rod coil can be reduced by may be obtained
bringing a shorted turn close
and moving it away from the centre
decreases it. Now, you sometimes
to the end nearer the coil. through your
Here, the inductance of the
encounter a receiver in which the medium wave coil is being newsagent
coil or ferrite rod is mounted in reduced
an awkward position or where the
coil is very tight on the rod and is or direct from the
difficult to move." If signal strength increases as the
"I've had some of those," broke spare rod approaches the one in the publishers
in Dick. "They're a menace, because set then the ferrite rod aerial coil
you can't always be certain that the
coil is in exactly the right position
requires more inductance and needs
to be shifted towards the centre of
ONLY 481- (f2.40)
on its rod for correct tracking. Un-
less you're prepared to go to a lot
its rod. If signal strength merely per year, post free
decreases, then you know that the
of trouble, you just have to assume ferrite rod tuned circuit doesn't, at
that the coil has the proper induct- least, require more inductance. After
ance." that, you remove the spare ferrite Please send remittance with name
"Well, you don't have to make rod and take up a shorted turn and address and commencing issue
any such assumption," said Smithy, of wire, the turn having a diameter required to:
"if you follow the little dodge I'm of about three-quarters of an inch. DATA PUBLICATIONS LTD
now going to describe. When you Bring this up to the end of the
have a receiver of the nature we're receiver ferrite rod which is nearer 57 Maida Vale London W9 ISN
discussing, you first tune it at the the coil being checked. (Fig. 5(b).) If
JANUARY 1971
375

www.americanradiohistory.com
signal strength increases as the VOLTAGE MONITOR There were also two small pilot
shorted turn approaches the end of lamps fitted in white bakelite
the rod then the receiver coil "Are there any other items of holders, the latter indicating a recent
requires less inductance and needs home -constructed test gear you can visit by Smithy to the electrical
to be shifted towards the end of the think of ?" queried Dick. counter of the local Woolworth's.
rod. If signal strength merely "There are quite a few," replied As was to be expected, the layout
decreases, this check, combined with Smithy. "For instance, there are of the monitor was very well
the previous one, then assures you more complex things, such as grid - balanced, and the neat wiring had
that the ferrite rod coil has exactly dip oscillators and signal tracers. the impeccable soldered joints which
the correct inductance and doesn't However, we haven't got time to proclaimed the hand of the Master.
require adjustment.'.' discuss these today. Another useful "Very smart," eoturnenueu Dick.
"Blimey," remarked D i c k. gadget, and one that is more simple. "How does it work ?"
impressed. "That is a knobby idea." is a voltage monitor for intermittent "I'd better show you the circuit,"
"It's an idea which works sur- faults. If an intermittent snag causes said Smithy, taking from his drawer
prisingly well in practice," said a change in voltage this can be a sheet of paper on which the circuit
Smithy. "In fact even with receivers detected by the monitor, which then diagram had already been drawn.
where the coil is readily accessible gives you warning that the fault has (Fig. 7.) "Here it is."
and free to move along its rod it's appeared. Funnily enough, I knock- Dick gazed blankly at Smithy's
frequently quicker to use this ed up just such a gadget during the drawing.
method of checking than it is to quiet spell we had immediately after "I'm a bit lost here," he remarked
actually move the coil. I'd advise Christmas." eventually. "What, for instance, are
you to practice with the method
on several serviceable receivers to
get the feel of it before using it for
actual servicing. Try the effect of
the rod and the shorted turn after
you have deliberately misplaced the PLI
coil being checked." 6V
"I'll do that," confirmed Dick. 6OmA
"What's more, I think I'll make up Sic
the shorted turn on the end of an TRI
RI
insulated handle." ACYIB
"You could do that," agreed 20kn
Smithy. "A thin handle about four /4 watt
inches long would be just the job a
and would enable you to poke the
shorted turn into awkward corners." 2kn B3
T
(Fig. 6.) Iwatt 9V d,

.1.
_a TR3 B2 b

Input AC127 6V

Tinned copper wire 3/46 terminals

PL2 AC I27
dia 6V Lead -outs
6OmA Sib e b

ACY 18
Lead -outs
Ends soldered Sla.lbIc - 3- pole.2 -way rotary (on -off
together

Fig. 7. The circuit of Smithy's voltage monitor, which is intended

for use with transistor circuits. The two pilot lamps are available
from Home Radio under Cat. Nu. PL7

Smithy leaned over and pulled those two pots for ?"
out a small piece of apparatus from "They're for setting up the moni-
Insulated handle the rear of his bench. Dick returned tor to the voltage you're checking,"
to Smithy's bench and looked at replied Smithy. "Let's assume that
Smithy's handiwork with interest. you've got a faulty transistor
The voltage monitor was assembled receiver which occasionally ceases
on a small plywood baseboard. On to work due to a snag in the i.f.
this stood a family of Ever Ready or mixer -oscillator stages. You can't
batteries and a groupboard carry- hang around for long periods of
ing four transistors and two resis- time waiting for the fault to appear
Fig. 6. It is helpful to have tors. A small metal front panel was and it would be irritating to have
the shorted turn mounted on screwed to the baseboard and on the set continually playing whilst
an insulated handle, as shown this were mounted a two -way rotary you concentrated on other work. So
here. The dimensions are switch and two wirewound potentio- what you do is to couple the input
approximate only meters fitted with pointer knobs. terminals of this voltage monitor to
THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR
376

www.americanradiohistory.com
the receiver chassis and a.g.c. line, though, is why you used two pots. to provide a check for voltage
observing correct polarity. You next Couldn't you have joined the emit- change in both directions. Also, it
tune in a signal which causes the ters of TR2 and TR4 together and is necessary to avoid applying volt-
appearance of, say, about one volt connected them to the slider on just ages to its terminals which would
positive of chassis on the a.g.c. line, one pot ?" cause the maximum reverse emitter-
then turn down the volume on the "I could have done," said Smithy, base potentials of the transistors to
receiver. The monitor is then switch- "but the monitor would then have be exceeded. With the ACY18 the
ed on and set up, the two pots being been less sensitive. This is because maximum reverse emitter -base volt-
adjusted so that both the bulbs are the voltage being monitored could age is 12, and with the AC127 its
just short of glowing." change by at least 0.3 volt in either 10. Also, although the monitor
direction before even the base - draws negligible current from the
"What happens then ?" circuit being checked when the volt-
"Nothing," replied Smithy. "until emitter drops in the associated pair
of transistors were overcome. With age is correct, it does require a
the fault in the set comes on. If small current, of about 20µA, from
it does, and the a.g.c. voltage falls, the present arrangement the bulbs
light up to full brightness for a volt- that circuit if the appropriate lamp
the potential on the negative input is to light up under fault conditions.
terminal of the monitor approaches age change of only some 0.5 volt in
either direction. If you like, you In consequence, the circuit being
that on the positive input terminal, monitored should be of the medium
whereupon the Darlington pair given can increase sensitivity by initially
adjusting R3 and R4 so that the to low impendance variety."
by TR3 and TR4 become conduc- "So far as I can see," said Dick,
tive and pilot lamp PL2 lights up bulbs are just visibly glowing.
They'll achieve full brightness then "those limitations will only be ser-
to provide warning that the fault ious if you use the monitor with
in the set has appeared. It's possible for a change in voltage of about 0.3
volt only." valve circuits. They shouldn't matter
that the intermittent snag could con- a great deal if you use it to check
sist of self -oscillation in the r.f. or transistor circuits."
i.f. stages, whereupon the a.g.c. volt- "That's correct," agreed Smithy.
age would increase. This time the BATTERIES
"And it was for use with such cir-
negative input terminal of the moni- cuits that I dreamed the design up."
tor goes more negative with respect Dick looked critically at the moni-
to the positive input terminal. The tor.
Darlington pair given by TRI and "It needs rather a few batteries, EARLY ENDING
TR2 then conduct and pilot lamp doesn't it ?"
PLI lights up." "It does rather," admitted Smithy, Smithy rose and yawned. His eyes
"Stap me," said Dick, as realisa- "but they should have a long life. fell once more on the garish calen-
tion flooded in, "this monitor works Negligible current is drawn from dar over Dick's bench.
in both directions. It gives you warn- batteries B1 and B2 when the pilot "I still don't consider," he remark-
ing when the monitored voltage de- lamps are not illuminated, and these ed irately, "that a calendar like that
creases and also when it increases." could be Ever Ready type PP1 or is at all suitable for a place which
"That's right," said Smithy. 'n4' similar. A current of 9mA is drawn carries out radio and TV servicing."
and TR2 are a pair of p n.p german- from battery B3, and I've used two Dick grinned.
ium transtst3rs whilst TR3 and 1R4 4.5 volt bell batteries in series here. "Take a closer look," he invited,
are n.p.n. germanium transi tors. 10 These are Ever Ready type 126, "at the bottom."
take another example, let's say ,fiat which is the long rectangular type "I most certainly shall not,"
the voltage applied to the two input with two brass terminals on the top. retorted Smithy, clearly outraged.
terminals is 4.5, which iF just half Incidentally, the monitor doesn't "I wouldn't dream of doing such a
the voltage across the , w:t p tensio- need to have batteries permanently thing."
meters. If we take R3 slider down fitted. Since it will only be employed I mean the bottom of the pic-
to the positive end of its track. both occasionally, it could have batteries ture. The name of the firm who
TRI and TR2 come on and PLI connected to it just when it was distributed the calendar is printed
lights up. The slider of R3 is then actually being used." there."
taken slowly upwards. As it closely "Wouldn't it be better to use a Smithy walked over to Dick's
approaches the centre of the track stablised mains supply instead of bench and, suitably averting his
PLI will begin to dim, and will ex- B3? After all, B3 does provide the eyes, peered at the point described
tinguish when the slider is tapping reference voltage." by Dick. He read the name of a
off a voltage which is about 0.3 volt "You could use a mains supply well -known manufacturer of elec-
positive of the potential on the nega- if you like," agreed Smithy, "but tronic products.
tive input terminal. This 0.3 volt is I think it would add too much com- "Well, I'm blessed," he breathed
given by the drop in the base -emitter plication to a simple device. A bat- wonderingly. "I would never have
junctions of TRI and TR2. TR3 and tery should be adequate enough for believed it possible."
TR4 work in the opposite direction the infrequent periods when the "There you are," replied Dick in
and cause PL2 to light up when the monitor will be used." a triumphant tone. "You can't say
slider of R4 is at the top of its track, "What about pilot lamps PLI and now that that calendar doesn't fit
at the negative end. As the slider of PL2 ?" in with radio and TV, can you ?"
R4 is gradually brought down its "Those are 6 volt 60mA types," The crestfallen Smithy turned to
track, PL2 will begin to dim at a replied Smithy. "Bulbs drawing another point of attack.
position close to the centre, and will higher currents shouldn't be used as "At any rate," he snorted, "I can
finally extinguish when the slider of they'd cause rather more dissipation say that those Christmas decorations
R4 is about 0.3 volt negative of the in TR2 and TR4 than is desirable. don't fit in here. They really must
voltage on the negative input With the circuit as it stands TR2 come down."
terminal." and TR4 don't need heat sinks." "Don't worry about them," said
"I can see it all now," exclaimed "Fair enough," said Dick. "Well, Dick soothingly. "January 5th, we
Dick. "When you've got the pots set that monitor certainly looks like said."
up in the manner you've just being a useful item of equipment." It was plainly not Smithy's
described, it only needs the negative "I must hasten to point out," morning.
input terminal to go a little further stated Smithy, "that it has one or "Oh, all right then," he conceded.
negative for PL1 to light up. Or to two limitations. For instance, it will "Well, there's no point in our hang-
go a little positive, whereupon PL2 only monitor voltages between ing around here any longer. I'm
lights up. One thing that puzzles me, about 0.6 and 8.4 volts if you want going to lock up the Workshop and
JANUARY 1971 377

www.americanradiohistory.com
 we can both take the rest of the
day off."
"That," remarked Dick, getting
up and putting on his raincoat, "is
R. S. G. B.
a bit more like the old Smithy I
used to know, way back in 1970. A
Happy New Year to you, Smithy!"
EXHIBITION
The sudden thought of a further
twelve brand -new months stretching The Editor
out before him caused Smithy to Radio Constructor
forget his present irrations, and he
grinned cheerfully back at his Sir-Whatever happened to the Radio Hobbies Exhibition ? All the
assistant. periodicals including your own are bemoaning the fate of the Amateur
"And a Happy New Year to you Radio Exhibition (as it is now called).
too, my boy." Many years ago we used to have a stand there; it was always packed
both the stand and the exhibition and it was great fun. Then it moved
to Seymour Hall and it was even bigger and better (we could then, I
regret to say, only be spectators). Then came the decline. I thought last
year's exhibition so poor that never imagined another would be attempt-
I

AUDIO ed. This, in spite of the fact that, based on our yearly figures, the elec-
tronics hobby is growing at a tremendous rate. It seems a pity that this
exhibition should disappear, and I would like to make the following
suggestions:
AMPLIFIERS (1) Widen the scope to include something for everyone whose hobby
is electronics (even include some hi -fi). When we had a stand at the
exhibition we displayed electronic components generally and certainly
did not confine ourselves just to the items that would interest the "Ham"
fraternity. We even had crystal sets for schoolboys.
(2) Hold it every other year.
(3) Hold it later in the year, say October or November.
(4) Could it not be sponsored by all the leading journals, i.e. Wire-
less World, Radio Constructor, Practical Wireless, Practical Electronics,
Radio Communication and Short Wave Magazine. Even if each journal
just gave some free publicity that would guarantee success !
How about it, Mr. Thorogood ?
Yours faithfully,
A Sproxton, director,
Home Radio Components Ltd.

A number of letters in the same vein were received by the Radio Society
of Great Britain. A reply in the following terms was published in their
journal, Radio Communication:
16 Transistor & Valve Designs
for the Home Constructor A word of explanation about the present arrangements may not come
amiss. For many years the RSGB ran the exhibition at the Royal Hotel,
Edited by J. R. Davies until it outgrew the available space. With the expansion of the exhibition
and the necessary move to larger premises, the Society was not able to
124 pages accept the financial risk or provide the necessary staff and facilities. At
that time, professional exhibition organizer Phil Thorogood G4KD, offered
PRICE 10s. 6d. to organize the exhibition on a commercial basis, and make a payment to
the RSGB in recognition of the Society's sponsorship. Since then the
Postage 8d. exhibition hes survived many larger contemporaries in other fields and
achieved a good deal in presenting amateur radio to the public and the
radio amateur. The RSGB has always been a primary exhibitor, taking
stand space at the regular rates, but with the advantage of considerable
voluntary help. Indeed, without voluntary helpers the Society could not
To: DATA PUBLICATIONS Ltd., have hoped to participate at all. The economics of running an exhibition
57 Maida Vale London W9 in London (or anywhere else) do not favour the small operator -in fact,
from the Society's point of view the amount of voluntary effort required
Please supply copy(ies) would make it difficult to go outside London.
of "Audio Amplifiers", Data It may be difficult for some to appreciate the many difficulties, both
Book No. 18. enclose cheque/
I economic and practical, which face the organizer and the Society. Never-
theless it would be wrong to disregard any reaction from the membership,
crossed postal order for and foolish to imagine that all is perfect. Of the criticisms made, may we
Name reply briefly to two of them.
(1) Content of Exhibition. The old proverb which begins, "You can
Address lead a horse to water ... " is appropriate here. The exhibition is a com-
mercial enterprise requiring that exhibitors justify the expense of their
attendance -we cannot make people exhibit.
(2) Lack of home-constructed equipment on display. People often
complain about the lack of home- constructed equipment shown, but we
are mindful of the reply given by the late C. H. L. Edwards, GBTL, who,
RC when presented with this complaint at an exhibition in the early 'sixties,
BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE enquired, "And where is your piece of equipment?"
Exhibition Committee.
378 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
 which, so far as I can ascertain, is over the whole of its track, where-
nickel -plated. So there was I, pro- upon all the resistance wire of the
viding the electrolyte for a brass - track attains an increased tempera-
nickel cell having a current ture which is considered safe. If
capability of 8µA! we dissipate 4 watts over a half, or
Since then I have checked over a quarter, of the track, then
several pairs of other commonly it is obvious that the section of
encountered metals to see how resistance wire dissipating this
well they work in a 'human cell'. power will rise to a higher tem-
For best results they need to be perature than that deemed desirable
in sheet or plate form; one can by the manufacturer of the poten-
then place one hand flat on each tiometer. It will have been noted
metal to obtain maximum con- that the current required for 4
tact area and, in consequence, watts dissipation in half the track
maximum current. The two metals is not a very great deal larger than
were connected to the terminals of that needed for 4 watts dissipation
the 0-50µA meter. in the complete track, but it causes
Aluminium (negative) and cad- what is effectively a 2 watt resistor
mium (positive) gave a current of to be called upon to dissipate twice
5µA, whilst cadmium (negative) that power!
and tin (positive) produced a cur- As may be seen, the wattage
rent of about 10µA. The best so rating of a potentiometer also de-
By Recorder far has been aluminium (negative)
and tin (positive) which knocked
fines the maximum current that may
flow through any section of its
track.
up more than 20µA. Both the tin
and cadmium, incidentally, were In its 'classical' application, a
in the form of tinplate and cad- potentiometer passes a relatively
mium plated steel respectively. high current and allows voltages
IS FULL OF SURPRISES. Other pairs of metals, as checked at lower currents to be tapped off
by myself, did not give such high it. If these lower currents are very
After completing a little repair much smaller than the standing
job the other day I was just currents.
If you don't believe me, try high current in the potentiometer
clearing up the bench when myI these effects for yourself. But don't they may be ignored, and it then
happened to pick up two ends of - forget that you need a sensitive becomes correct to specify a poten-
testmeter probe leads. The test meter whose f.s.d. is, at most, tiometer whose wattage rating is
meter needle at once rose to about 100µA. applicable to the standing high
a sixth of full -scale deflection. current. But potentiometers are
often used as variable resistors,
SACRIFICIAL PROTECTION PROBLEMS WITH POT'S whereupon connection is made to
the slider and one end of the track
'Well,' I can hear you say. Potentiometers can give rise to only. Under such conditions a
'what's so surprising about that? quite a few design problems, this potentiometer can be used to limit
You must have left the meter being particularly true when they the flow of current in a circuit, and
switched to a resistance range with are required to dissipate powers in may pass quite high currents when
the result that it was reading the excess of 1 watt or so. What tends set to insert low values of resist-
resistance of your body between to be forgotten is that the nominal ance. The proper design approach
your two hands.' dissipation figure for a potentio- here is to initially determine the
But I hadn't left the meter on a meter normally applies over the total resistance required in the
resistance range, I'd left it on a whole of its track. potentiometer and the maximum
current range instead. It was To take a numerical example current it will be called upon to
switched to read 0 -50µA and by (and one having nice easy figures) pass. The requisite wattage rating
merely holding the probe lead let us assume that we have a 10052 for the potentiometer can be calcu-
terminations I was causing it to linear wirewound potentiometer lated from I2R, and a component
indicate about 8µA. whose nominal power rating is 4 of the correct rating may then be
After a little head -scratching I watts. If we pass 200mA through employed. In many cases it will be
realised that I was seeing an the whole track we will drop 20 possible to use a potentiometer of
example of the effects involved in volts across it, whereupon the dissi- quite low wattage rating if a fixed
what is known as the `sacrificial' pation is acceptable, at 4 watts. So external resistor is inserted in series
method of protecting metals from far, so good. If, next, we set the to limit the maximum current that
corrosion. One way of stopping slider to a central position on the can flow in the circuit containing
iron boilers from rusting inside, track we will have a resistance the potentiometer.
for instance, consists of suspending between the slider and one end of
a piece of zinc in the water. The
zinc, which is the sacrificial metal, the track of 5052. But we would be THE ELECTRET
then corrodes away instead of the guilty of a technical misdemeanour
iron. For similar reasons, sacri- if we now passed a current (actually
283mA) through the 5052 section of One of the newer devices appear-
ficial metals are fitted to the hulls ing on the electronic scene is the
of small boats or are buried in the track which once more resulted
in a dissipation of 4 watts. Matters electret'. For those who may not
the earth alongside pipe lines.
`

would be even worse if we selected have heard about it yet, an electret

There is an electrical reason for consists of a piece of insulating
the sacrificial metal corroding in- a quarter of the track and again
(this time with a current of 400mA) material which is capable of hold-
stead of the metal which is being ing an electrostatic charge perma-
protected, and the two metals are caused this section to dissipate 4
looked upon as forming the plates watts. nently, in much the same way that
The reason why these last two a permanent magnet is capable of
of a cell. holding its magnetism.
The positive lead of my test - situations represent unsound prac-
meter is terminated in a brass tice is that the mechanical design Not all insulating materials are
probe whilst the negative lead is of the potentiometer is such that it capable of functioning as electrets.
terminated in a crocodile clip is only intended to dissipate 4 watts Many of the more modern plastics,
JANUARY 1971
37!

www.americanradiohistory.com
 such as nylon and polyester do, recorders. Research work has been diode was warming up rather more
however, have the ability to act as carried out on the use of electret than was good for it. There was
electrets, and some of these have microphones instead of carbon units nothing wrong with the circuit or
the advantage that they may be pro- in telephone handsets. The electret the diode; it was merely that I
duced in the form of a thin film microphone requires an amplifier was expecting it to dissipate a wee
exhibiting a positive charge on one to convert its high impedance out- bit more power than it could cope
surface and a negative charge on put to an amplitude and impedance with on its own.
the other. Electrets are activated by suitable for telephone circuits, but Some form of heat sink was
being heated in a strong electro- such an amplifier can be readily required but, after a quick hunt
static field; on cooling they then provided with the aid of standard through my odds and ends, I just
retain the charge acquired from the semiconductor techniques. The ad- couldn't find anything that would
field. A thin film electret may be vantages claimed for the electret fit properly over the zener diode
charged by being placed between version are its cheapness and case. It was then that Necessity did
two metal sheets across which a robustness, plus the fact that, even her mothering bit, and I suddenly
high voltage is applied. with its amplifier, less line current remembered a tin in which I keep
The most useful application for is necessary than is required with valve top cap connecter clips. One
electrets, so far, is as microphone a carbon microphone. of these proved to be just what
diaphragms. An electret microphone There don't seem to be any other was required. I quickly soldered a
is basically the same as a capacitor major applications for the electret piece of thin brass sheet measuring
microphone except that no external at the time being, but these are about by 1 inch to the clip tag
polarising voltage is required. One early days yet. A device which is to which the wire would normally
surface of the electret diaphragm virtually the electrical analogue of have connected, ensuring that the
is metallised and provides one ter- the permanent magnet should soon solder ran on to the outside of the
minal of the microphone. The other find its way into other fields as well clip itself in order to provide good
side of the electret diaphragm is as that of sound pick-up. thermal conduction. I then fitted
then positioned very close to a per- the clip-cum -fin over the diode, and
forated flat metal disc which forms HEAT FIN that clip gripped as snugly on
the other terminal of the micro- Necessity is the mother of inven- its case as though it had been
phone. Diaphragm vibrations are tion which, as proverbs go, is a bit designed for the job. Although not
translated to changes of voltage nearer the truth than most of them. exactly a thing of beauty, this ex-
which may be amplified in the same Necessity certainly caused me to temporised heat fin kept the diode
way as with a capacitor micro- dream up a little idea the other really cool, and I was able to pro-
phone. At the same time, the elec- day which, as you may similarly ceed with the rest of my work on
tret provides its own polarising find it of help, I shall now pass the circuit.
voltage. on to you. That tin of top cap connector
Electret microphones have quite I was playing around with an clips has now been promoted from
a promising future, and are already experimental circuit when I noticed the `valve shelf' of my cupboard
beginning to appear with some tape that a l.5 watt metal-cased zener to the `semiconductor shelf' !

R.A.F. EQUIPS WITH EMI RECONNAISSANCE POD

The EMI airborne reconnaissance pod, designed external fuel tank and is carried in a central position
for the Phantom FGR Mk. II aircraft, has now en- underneath the fuselage. When fully equipped, it
tered service with the Royal Air Force. One of the weighs 2,300 lb. (1043.25 kg).
first RAF units to be equipped with the EMI pod is
A fan of five optical cameras - four F95's and one
No. 228 O.C.U. based at RAF Coningsby, Lincoln-
F135 is fitted for daylight photography in good con-
shire. This is an operational conversion unit which
ditions. At night, four F135 cameras are used in
carries out Phantom aircrew training.
conjunction with electronic flash.
Full production of the equipment is under way at
EMI's Radar and Equipment Division at Hayes, Sideways -looking radar points downwards and
Middlesex, and deliveries will continue throughout sideways on either side of the aircraft. It has a fixed
1970 and 1971. beam and scans the ground through the forward
This revolutionary surveillance system comprises movement of the aircraft. Its results are recorded on
sideways -looking radar, infra -red linescan and optical film which is processed to provide a radar map of
cameras fitted to a 23ft. 9in. (7.24 m) long external the terrain.
pod. It provides the RAF with the capability of The linescan consists of an infra -red detector that
carrying out high quality reconnaissance in all types scans the ground beneath the aircraft at an extremely
of weather during day or night. The pod, which can rapid rate. It records what it sees on film. It detects
be fitted to the aircraft within an hour, eliminates temperature differences and is used for making
the need for specially-built aircraft which were pre- accurate maps of the ground. It is particularly valu-
viously used for reconnaissance duties alone. able for identifying camouflaged objects which cannot
The pod is similar in size to the Phantom's 600 gal. be readily observed by cameras.
380 THE RADIO CONSTRUCTOR

www.americanradiohistory.com
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