Assembly and Opera of the 6-METER AMATEUR TRANSCEIVER MODEL HW-29A4 HEATH COMPANY, BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN a subeilary of IDAYSTROM, inconronateo. — TABLE OF CONTENTS Specifications, Introduct Cireuit Deseript Construction Notes. . Parts List. J... sees esses eee Proper Soldering Techniques, . .. Step-By-Step Procedure. Step-By-Step Assembly. . Mechanical Assembly, Preliminary Wiring, RF Section Wiring... ss. Receiver Section Wiring, . Audio Section Wiring. . . Power Section Wiring, Front Panel Assembly And Installation. ........ 4... Final Wiring Above Chassis. Final Wiring Below Chassis. Final Assembly... 2.22... Connecting Cables, : Initial Test And Calibration, : ‘Types of antennas. ...... 00020 Installation Information, ,. 44+ ++ In Case Of Difficulty... +... ‘Troubleshooting Chart. . Service Information, . . . . Service. ..... Replacements, . Shipping Instructions, Warranty... 6... eee Bibliography... ... Schematic. . . *Fold-out from page, All prices are subject to change without notice. The Heath Company reserves the right to discontinue instruments and to change specifications at any time without incurring any obligation to incorporate new features in instruments pre- viously sold. 529/08SPECIFICATIONS ‘TRANSMITTER SECTION Power Input To Final RF Amplifier:, Frequency Comtroli. 6s. ssseeeeeeeeeeee ‘Modulation: Output Impedance: . . RECEIVER SECTION Receiver Type: s+. .0eeeceeeeeee rece Sensitivity’, Speaker Size: Audio Power Output:.... 4. ‘Tuning Range:. POWER SUPPLY Power Rectifier: Power Requirements:,..+.seeeeeeeeeeee ACCESSORIES Approximately § watts, 8,333 me to 9.000 mc quartz, crystal, Pin spacing .500", Pin diameter .083" FT-241 or FT-243 crystal holder, AM plate modulation, automatically limitedto not more than 100% 50 or 72 2, Superregenerative detector precededby RF pre- amplifier stage, Usable with signals as low as 1 microvolt at the antenna terminals, 3-1/2" round, Approximately 1 watt (undistorted). 50 me to 54 me. ‘Two silicon diodes in full-wave voltage doubler circuit. With built-in supply: 105-125 volts 50/60 cycle AC 45 wat With external supply: 6 volt operation - 6 volts at 2.35 amps, 260 volts DC at 90 ma, 12 volt operation - 12 voltsat1.2amps, 260 volts DC at 90 ma, Ceramic clement type, plastic case, Suitable for either hand or desk operation, ‘Two supplied, one for 105-125 volt AC operation and one for 6 or 12 volt externalDC power sup- ply use. Power circuits are automatically switched for internal or external power supply use when cable is plugged in,ies Page 3 GENERAL ‘Tube Complement: Cabinet Dimensions:...... Net Weight: Shipping Weigh 1 = 6BAB: Oscillator/Tripler (Pentode Section) Doubler (Triode Section) 1 = 6CL6: Final RF Amplifier 1 - BAN8: Receiver Preamplifier andDetector 1 - 12AX7:Speech Amplifier and First Audio Amplifier. 1 = 6AQ5: Audio Output and Modulator 8" high (including handle), 6" deep (including knobs), 9-3/4" wide (including license holder), 6-1/2 Ibs, 10 Ibs, Minor variations from these specifications may be encountered in kit-assembled equipment.Such factors as exact lead placement, component variations and normal variations in tube char- acteristics are possible sources of deviations. Such variables will ordinarily have no significant effect on overall performance, INTRODUCTION ‘The HEATHKIT Model HW-29A Transceiver is a combination transmitter and receiver for use in the 6-meter amateur radiotelephone service. Extensive proofbuilding and field testing over a period of several months have provided con- clusive evidence that the HW-29A Transceiver ‘will provide highly reliable service in its in- tended application, if assembled, wired and adjusted in accordance with the ‘instructions outlined in this manual, It is, therefore, re- commended that you follow the instructions carefully and make full use of the Circuit Description, Block Diagram, Schematic Dia- gram, Installation Information, etc., in the interest of acquiring a good understanding of the transceiver and its capabilities, The HW-29A Transceiver has a self-contained power supply for operation from a 117 volt 50/60 cycle AC power line, or can be operated from either a 6 volt ora12volt battery by using an external power supply having a rating of 260 volts B+ at 90 ma, The HW-29A can be used with a wide variety of antenna types; an antenna should be selected for the transceiver on the basis of the appli- cation involved. See Page 34 for a discussion of suitable antenna types,Page 4 a S| sean A one PO sachet [A Te Caen sa aaa .. saa id wmeesemene T pit CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION TRANSMITTER SECTION ‘The basic signal from which the final trans- mitter output is obtained (8.333 me to 9,000 mc) is generated at 1/6 of the final output frequency in tube section V5A. This circuit 1s crystal con- trolled providing excellent frequency stability and is known as an “electron coupled” Pierce oscillator, "Three times" frequency multiplica~ tion is obtained in the plate cireuit by tuning the output to three times the basic crystal frequency (@5 to 27 mc). This signal is coupled to the following stage through C6, Tube section VSB doubles the 25to 27 me signal, providing a 50 to 54 mc signal which drives the final amplifier stage, through C8, V4 is the final amplifier and operates "straight through;" i.e., the input and output circuits are tuned to the same frequency, RF output 1s coupled to the antenna, through C12 and the transmit-receive switch contacts, from a tap approximately 1-1/2 turns from the "cold!" end of the final tank coil L3. The avtual tappoint is not critical and canbe adjusted for optimum coupling if deemed necessary, Since most antenna feed lines will be in the vicinity of 50-75 ohms, the suggested tap point will provide near optimum ‘coupling for most typical situations. At the antenna terminal, there is provided a rather unique power output detector circuit consisting of diode D1, resistor R13 and ca- pacitors C26 and C27, This system, used in conjunction with an external voltmeter, sup- plies a convenient means of tuning the final tank circuit for maximum power into the anten- na transmission line, Since the power consumed by this device is negligible, the meter may be eft in the circuit at all times to indicate proper operation of the transmitter, The meter jack for this purpose is a three-circuit, standard phone jack and the reading is made with the plug inserted approximately halfway into the jack, such that the tip of the meter plug con tacts only the first terminal in the jack, It the metering plug is inserted all the way into the jack, the meter will read final ampli- fier cathode current, typically in the order of 20-25 ma, The meter plug must be withdrawn from this position for normal operation once proper tuneup has been accomplished, The meter plug in this fully inserted position over- rides the normal functioning of the transmit- receive switch and allows final amplifier plate current to flow regardless of switch position, With a key plug inserted all the way in the meterama Page 5 jack, the transmitter may be used on CW if desired, although considerable “back wave" may result due to the fact that previous transmitter stages are running constantly, ‘Modulation is accomplished for phone operation ‘by causing the plate and screen voltage source for V4 to vary at an audio frequency, This audio frequency is determined by the signal that is passed through T2, the combination modulation- output transformer, RECEIVER SECTION ‘The incoming signal picked up by the antenna is applied to the grid of V3A through the coil tap of LA, Tapped coil L4 forms a broadly tuned circuit which reduces the level of frequencies other than those desired (between 50,0 and 54.0 me). ‘The incoming signal, after amplification in V3A, is applied to the tuned circuit consisting of 18, C19, and L6, C18 is the variable tuning capacitor, The signal tuned by this circuit is then applied to the grid of the superregenerative detector V3B, through C20, The superregenerative detector actually goes into and out of oscillation at approximately a 20 ke rate (referred to as "quench" frequency), and signal detection takes place during the time just before actual oscillation occurs, At this time, the gain of V3B is very high, and for this, Yeason, overall sensitivity 1s quite good, R11 and €20 control the quench frequency rate, L7, in the plate circuit of V3B, presents a high imped- ance to the quench frequency and a low impedance to audio signal frequencies, C22 bypasses the RF present in the detected audio toground. R26, the regeneration control, is used toset the circuit at the maximum sensitivity point by varying the plate voltage, AUDIO SECTION ‘The detected audio signal passes through C23 to the 1 megohm volume control R12, Signal flow proceeds through the audio mixing resistor RIT to the grid of the audio driver VIA, VIA is coupled to the power output stage V2 by capac- itor C34, The combination modulation-output transformer, T2, provides proper impedance matching to ‘the speaker when the unit operates: a receiver, With the transmit-receive switch the receive position, no loading of the audio output oceurs at the primary modulation tap because the cathode circuit of the transmitter final amplifier is open, During receive, tubes V5, V4 and section VIB are inoperative, During transmit conditions, only tube V3 is switched out of the circuit, with allother circuits operating. B+ is supplied to V5, V4 and VIB while the cathode of the final ‘amplifier V4 is returned to ground, With B+ removed from the receiver section V3, noaudio voltage appears, across the volume control R12 and only the signal which is amplified by the microphone pre- amplifier VIB reaches the grid of the audio driver stage VLA. External radio frequency energy is prevented from re-entering the audio circuitry via the microphone cable through the use of capacitor C29 in the microphone input circuit, In trans- mit, the volume control will have negligible effect on the amount of audio impressed on the RF carrier, the volume control being isolated by resistor RL, It will be found that fixed gain in the microphone audio circuit is adequate for all normal transmit conditions. POWER SUPPLY SECTION ‘The internal power supply provides the voltages necessary for proper operation from any 105- 125 volt 50/60 cycle source. The B+ voltage is produced in a full-wave voltage doubler circuit consisting of D2, D3, C36, and C37. This DC voltage is then filtered by C32C and C92D, and distributed to the proper cireuit points, Approx- imate Br requirements are 260 volts at 45 ma during receive and 90 ma during transmit, ‘The power connector on the chassis rear apron permits operation from any external source offering the proper voltages, The filament wiring is so arranged that the tubes are connected for elther 6 or 12 volt operation, upon which power cable is in use. For 117 V AC operation, the power transformer provides 6.3 V AC for parallel wired filaments,Page 6 CONSTRUCTION NOTES ‘This manual is supplied to assist you in every way to complete your kit with the least possible chance for error. The arrangement shown is the result of extensive experimentation and trial, If followed carefully, the result will be highly stable and dependable performance, We suggest that you retain the manual in your files for future reference, both in the use of the equipment and for its maintenance, UNPACK THE KIT CAREFULLY AND CHECK EACH PART AGAINST THE PARTS LIST, In so doing, you will become acquainted with the parts, Refer to the information on the inside covers of the manual to help you identity the components, If some shortage or parts damage is found in checking the Parts List, please read the Replacements section and sup- ply the information called for therein, Include all inspection slips in your letter to us, Most kit builders find it helpful to separate the various parts into convenient categories. Muffin tins or molded egg cartons make convenient trays for small parts, Resistors and capac- itors may be placed with their lead ends in- serted in the edge of a piece of corrugated cardboard until they are needed, Values can be written on the cardboard next to each component, The illustration shows one method that may be used, Resistors generally have a tolerance rating of 10% unless otherwise stated in the Parts List. Tolerances on capacitors are generally even greater. Limits of +100% and -20% are common for electrolytic capacitors. We suggest that you do the following before work is started: Lay out all parts so that they are readily available, 2, Provide yourself with good quality tools. Basic tool requirements consist of ascrew- driver with a 1/4" blade; a small screw- driver with a 1/8" blade; long-nose pliers; wire cutters, preferably separate diagonal cutters; a penknife or a tool for stripping jnsulation from wires; a soldering iron (or gun) and rosin core solder, A set of nut drivers and a nut starter, while not neces- sary, will aid extensively in construction of the kit,qs : Page 7 PARTS LIS’ Refer to the Parts Pictorial which is a fold~ : out from Page 9, PART PARTS DESCRIPTION PART PARTS DESCRIPTION No PerKit No BerKit Resistors Capacitors (Cont'd.) 1-66 1 150 9 1/2 watt 25-86 1 40-40-2525 yfd twist-prong (brown-green-brown) electrolytic at 450 V - 350 V - 1-6 1 410 9:1/2 watt 25-250 (vellow-violet-brown) 26-65 1 2.5 wf variable tuning ca- 1-14 2 3300 Q 1/2 watt pacitor (orange-orange-red) 31-10 1 4,5 - 25 uyfceramic trimmer 1-16 1 4700 9 1/2 watt (yellow-violet-red) Controls-Switches 1-25 1 47K 1/2 watt 70-601 500 K@ Linear, tab-mounting {yellow-violet-orange) (REGENERATION) 1-60 a 68 Ko 1/2 watt 19-27 1 1 megohm audio taper control (blue-gray-orange) with SPST switch (VOLUME, 1-26 a 100 KQ 1/2 watt OFF-ON) (brown-black-yellow) 63-2101 S-position switeh (TRANS- 1-27 3 180 KO 1/2 watt ‘MIT-RECEIVE) (brown-green-yellow) 1-29 2 220 K& 1/2 watt (red-red-yellow) Tyanatormer-Collg 1-30 2 270 KQ 1/2 watt 141-18 1 Coil set (red-violet-yellow) Consisting of 1-33 2 470 KO 1/2 watt 40-1861 Coli, tripler stage (yellow-violet-yellow) 40-306 1 Coil, antenna 1-40 2 10 megohm 1/2 watt 40-307 2 Coil, doubler, detector (brown-black-blue) 45-36 2 7 wh RF choke 1A-4 1 8200 91 watt 45-48 = 1 75 mh RF choke (gray-red-red) 1A-5 1-22 KN 1 watt 40-355 1 Coll, final tank (red-red-orange) 51-91 Modulation-output-trans- 1B-12 1 470 @ 2 watt former (yellow-violet-brown) e487 01 Power transformer 1d 1 1500 2 2 watt (brown-green-red) eal Pacts 3E-19 1-830. 2.5 watt wire-wound Boer teams 200-M280F 398 1 Chassis Capacitors, 203-181F328 28-2 1 1.0 wf tubular phenolic L Front panel 28-1 122 wuf tubular phenolic 205-MI67F 1 Speaker baffle plate 21-28 3 10 wf tubular ceramic 200-251 Speaker grille 20-118 91 «15 wut silver mica 20-07 2 50 put silver mica Hardware 21-14 25.001 pd disc ceramic 250-8 3 4-40 x 3/16" screw 21-58 1 —-.001 fd ceramic feed- 250-10 4 6-32 x 1/2" screw through with nut, 1000 V 250-26 1 6-32 x 5/8" screw 21-16 1 01 fd disc ceramic 250-49 8 . 3-48x1/4" screw 21-70 1.01 pfd dise ceramic,1400V 280-51 2——«#10 sheet metal screw 25-57 2 100 ufd tubularelectrolytic, 250-58 7 «6-32. x 1/4" screw 200 V 250-89 12 6-82 x 3/8" screw iPage 8 PART PARTS DESCRIPTION No. PerKit Hardware (Cont'd,) 260-136 3-48 x 1/2" fillister head screw 250-172 2 3-48 x 3/8" screw 262-1 3-48 nut 252-8 20 «G32 nut 252-7 8 Control nut 252-22 4 #6 speednut 252-28 1 Knurled thumbnut 252-32 2 Large speednut 253-10 4 Flat control washer 258-21 6 ‘Flat washer, 9/16" 254-1 | 25 #6 lockwasher 254-4 4 Control lockwasher 284-7 12 #3 lockwasher 259-1 3 #6 solder lug 250-11 3 #6 spade lug Wire 1 Length bare wire 1 Length #22 hookup wire, solid conductor 1 Length #18 black wire, stranded 1 Length #18 red wire, stranded 46-1001 Length sleeving aa7-9 1 Length 3-conductor shielded cable iodes-Tubes- Lamps. 56-4 T Crystal diode 57-27 2 Silicon diode 411-260 1 12AX7 tube 411-600 1 6AQ5 tube : 411-681 6CL6 tube 411-68 1 GANG tube : 411-98 I 6BA8 tube 412-1 1 #47 pilot lamp 412-12 1 ‘Neon pilot lamp (clear) 42-1380 1 ‘Neon pilot lamp (red) PART PARTS Per Kit No. Terminal 431-1 431-5 431-10 431-14 431-38 Str Miscelians 73-1 13-4 89-1 211-16 261-9 391-5 401-21 421-1 421-4 423-1 462-85 462-86 490-8 481-1 331-6 595-408 Sockets. DESCRIPTION lugs, T-lug terminal strip 4-lug terminal strip 3-lug terminal strip (large) 2elug terminal strip 3-lug terminal strip (small) 4-lug terminal strip Microphone connector (fe- male) Microphone connector (male) Octal socket ‘Tepin wafer socket Crystal socket Phono socket Q-pin ceramic socket 9-pin wafer socket Octal socket ring 3-circuit phone jack Phone plug Phono plug Octal plug Octal plug cap 3/8" grommet 5/16" grommet Line cord Plastic handle Rubber feet Nameplate Speaker 1-1/2 ampere fuse 8 ampere fuse Fuse holder Round knob Lever type knob Microphone Capacitor mounting wafer Solder ManualPage 9 PROPER SOLDERING TECHNIQUES ‘Only a small percentage of HEATHKIT equip- ment purchasers find it necessary to return an instrument for factory service, Of these instru- ments, by far the largest portion of malfunctions are due to poor or improper soldering, If terminals are bright and clean andfree of wax, frayed insulation and other foreign substances, no difficulty will be experienced in soldering, Correctly soldered connections are essential if the performance engineered into a kit is to be fully realized, If you are a beginner with no experience in soldering, a half hour's practice with some odd lengths of wire may be a worth- while investment, For most wiring, a 25 to 100 watt iron or its equivalent ina soldering gun is very satisfactory. ‘A lower wattage iron than this may not heat the ‘connection enough to flow the solder smoothly over the joint. Keep the irontip clean and bright by wiping it from time to time with a cloth. CHASSIS WIRING AND SOLDERING 1, Unless otherwise indicated, all wire used is the type with colored insulation (hookup wire); the size of the conductor is the same for all colors of hookup wires furnished with this kit, Inpreparing a length of hookup wire, 1/4" of insulation should be removed from each end unless directed otherwise in the construction step, 2, To avoid breaking internal connections when stripping insulation from the leads of trans- formers or similar components, care should be taken not to pull directly on the lead, In- stead, hold the lead with pliers while it is being stripped, 3, Leads on resistors, capacitors and similar components are generally much longer than they need to be to make the required con- nections. In these cases, the leads should be cut to proper length before the part is added to the chassis. In general, the leads should be just long enough to reach their termin- ating points, 4, Wherever there is a possibility of bare leads shorting to other parts or tothe chassis, the leads should be covered with insulating sleeving, Where the use of sleeving is spe- cifically intended, the phrase "use sleeving” is included in the associated construction step. In any case where there is the pos- sibility of an unintentional short circuit, sleeving should be used, Extra sleeving is provided for this purpose. 5. Crimp or bend the lead (or leads) around the terminal to form a good joint without re~ lying on solder for physical strength, I the wire is too large to allow bending or if the step states that the wire is not to be crimped, position the wire so that a good solder connection can still be made, Position the work, if possible, so that gravity ‘will help to keep the solder where you want it, 7, Place a flat side of the soldering iron tip against the joint to be soldered until it is, heated sufficiently to melt the solder. Then place the solder against the heated terminal and it will immediately flow over the joint; use only enough solder to thor- oughly wet the junction, It is usually not necessary to fill the entire hole in the terminal with solder, 9, Remove the solder and then the iron from the completed junction, Use care not to move the leads until the solder is solidified, A poor or cold solder joint will usually look crystalline and have a grainy texture, or the solder will stand up in a blob and will not have adhered to the joint, Such joints should be re- heated until the solder flows smoothly over the entire junction, In some cases, it may beneces- sary to add a little more solder to achieve a smooth bright appearance,