FALL -WINTER 1975 $1.

35

s
« 02396

or Beginners, Pros,CBers,
ectºanics, Photographers,
ewave Listeners, and more!
utomotive gadgets
communication rigs
ntique radio ideas
photòØraphic projects
1 speaker construction
totalprojects!.

-
ell Time DigitallyGuard Against Gas Leaks
Hoop on Snails! Cut Battery Costs
oost Shortwave Signals Tune-up Cars
isten to VLF Full story on page 4

e Editors of E4E4 E1ITARY' ELECTRONICS .

FDA DAVIS PUBLICATION'
.,.
www.americanradiohistory.com
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22,./j3FCC LICENSE
CIE's
WARRANTY OF SUCCESS E ilrae:e['r
CIE warrants that when you enroll in any CIE course which includes FCC
1 License preparation, you will, upon successful completion of the course and
the FCC License material, pass the Government FCC Examination for the
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www.americanradiohistory.com
 THE STAFF
Editor -in -Chief
ELECTRON ICS
4
Julian S. Martin, WA2CQL
Technical Editor
Peter L. Dexnis, WA3LOQ
Associate Editor
Rosina F. Sokolnicki
Audio Editor
Stephen B. Gray
Gti]
PROJECTS
B FALL-WINTER 1975
News Editor 19
Jeffrey Apter Sub -Basement Radio
Citizens Band Editor Your CB Can Tell Time 23
Kathi Martin, KGK3916 30
Antenna Systems for SWLs
Workbench Editor
Hank Scott Oatmeal Box Crystal Radio 32
Art and Production Managing Director Radio History on Your Desk 34
Gertrud Borchardt
Graphic Design Director
High -Band Monitor 36
Ralph Rubino Wiper-Trol II 37
Cover Art Director
Irving Bernstein
Hobbyist Power Supply for TTL 41

Art Assistant Supercharger 43

Joseph Orlando Darkroom Color Analyzer 47
Advertising Director
David J. Miller Battery Monitor & Cell Condition Tester 56
Production Editor Antennaless 1 -Tube Regen Receiver 58
Philip Clark
Mobile Gas Alarm 60
Newsstand Circulation Director
Don Gabree BGNRS FET IC BCB AM RCVR 62
Subscription Circulation & Marketing Sound Force 65
Director
Robert V. Enlow Build Time Tally 68
Instruments Division Manager Maxiclock 69
Wif red M. Brown
A Professional Power Supply for Hobbyists 73
Director of Market Development
James C. Weakley Darkroom Printing Meter 76
Electronics Group Coordinator
Julian S. Martin
Build a Professional Dwell/Tach 82
Bug Mother Nature 85
President, Chairman of the Board
Super DXer 88
(1957-1972) SWL's Station Finder 91
B. G. Davis
Photo Timer 93
President and Publisher
Joel Davis Dickey Flasher 96
Vice President and General Manager
Leonard F. Pinto
Vice President and Treasurer SNAPPY PROJECTS
Victor C. Stabile, KBPD681
Build It Fast 14
Trace Signals with Your Tape Recorder 15
MPA R -Cubed Lets You Shoot the Works 16
m313/111e Or

5V/3A for Digital Projects 100

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST is published semi-
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 WHEN YOU COME TO PHILADELPHIA BE SURE TO SEE

N.1. ONLY 10 MINUTES Ai

LIVE IN THE WORLD IN BARRINGTON, AWAY

OF TOMORROW... TODAY! SUPER POWER

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PRO ELECTRONIC
BUILD A SOLAR HOME SOUND CATCHER
AND SAVE!
Beat the energy crisis-build a mod- Parabolic mike w/ 183/4" reflecting
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AN ALPHA MONITOR FOR $34.95?
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ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 CIRCLE 8 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

5

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Dt^,
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L.gn aiB Lr, arlc. olects 210 p 275 ,
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Radio Astronomy to, the Amateur 252 p 88
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CIRCLE 5 ON READER SERVICE COUPON
comes equipped with an earphone input Operating on 23 channels, the rig offers
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separate jack for remote speaker, local/
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6
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST
ELECTRONICS Box 886, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023
Fall/Winter 1975 Void after January 23, 1976
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ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 7

 New
Products
microphone, S -meter for monitoring in-
coming signal strength, and locking CIRCLE 22 ON READER SERVICE COUPON
THE SHOPPING CENTER mounting bracket. Suggested user price
FOR ELECTRONICS is $179.95. For more information, write The new Courier Mobile Amplifier also
to Pace Communications, 24049 So. provides operating power for and can
( our catalog index of Mfrs.)
Frampton Avenue, Harbor City, CA charge an internal Nicad battery pack
extends from ADC to XCELITE
90710. in Cop -Scan units. In use, Cop -Scan
HOBBYISTS ...
EXPERIMENTERS . .. hand-helds are placed into the front
SERVICE TECHNICIANS ...
ENGINEERS panel slot and a one-piece molded con-
Temperature -Indicating Crayons nector is plugged into the power, charger,
Your Satisfaction is Our Target! Temprobe', a temperature -indicating and external speaker jacks located on
crayon that melts at pre -determined tem- Cop -Scan's side. The Cop -Scan then oper-
Top Name Brands . .
ates in a normal manner. Scanners may
peratures, with many applications for
be quickly removed for portable opera-
Low Prices sculptors, hobbyists, do-it-yourself crafts-
tion. Sells for only $34.95. Get all the
men and in home workshops, schools,
facts by writing to Fanon/Courier Corp.,
and garages, is now available in an
inexpensive, convenient Test Kit for ama- 990 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena,
AMPLE STOCKS-Including those CA 91105.
hard -to -find Parts whether you teur and non -industrial use. The Tem-
probe° Test Kit consists of a special
want a 15c capacitor, a $50.
holder and 20 crayon inserts, each of 3 -Digit DMM
FET-VOM, or a $450. stereo sys- which melts at a different specific tem-
tem-you can get it at EDI. perature, ranging from 125°F. to 800°F. B&K has released its new Model 280 3 -

The individual crayons can be used to digit digital multi -meter (DMM). This
Transistors, ICs, latest B&K DMM is a battery operated
Modules, portable that carries a list price of
Speakers, $99.95. The eleven reasons for consider-
Stereo, HI-FI, ing the purchase of a Model 280 are:
Photo Cells and
(1) high accuracy; (2) large, easy -to -read
thousands of
LED readout; (3) Hi -Lo power ohms
other
Electronic
Parts .. .

Send for your

FREE Catalog Today!
(updated 5 times a year)

RUSH FREE CATALOG

CIRCLE 21 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

i
ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTORS INC.
Dept. TA -2, 4900 Elston accurately test temperature for many
Chicago, II. 60630
different projects that require boiling,
baking, welding, soldering and other
name heat -based operations. Applications in-
clude model building, sculpting, auto
repairs, radiator work, electrical wiring,
street enameling, etc. All you do is mark the
surface to be heated with the appropriate
zip
crayon and when the mark turns into a
city state
liquid smear, you know the critical tem-
perature has been reached. Temprobe° CIRCLE 23 ON READER SERVICE COUPON
CIRCLE 7 ON READER SERVICE COUPON Test Kits retail at $10.00 each. Addi-
tional information can be obtained from ranges; (4) 1 mV, 1 microamp, and 0.1
Tempil° Division, Big Three Industries, ohm resolution; (5) 22 scales for mea-
TECHNICAL INVESTMENT ADVICE Inc., 2901 Hamilton Blvd., So. Plainfield, suring AC and DC volts and current, and
Comprehensive Coverage for the NJ 07080. ohms; (6) automatic polarity; (7) auto-
Sophisticated Market Technician matic decimal positioning and out -of -

Over 20 investment services that choose range indication; (8) full overload pro-
stocks and time their purchases on charts
and other technical approaches. Receive
Amplifier Booster for Scanner tection; (9) 10 megohms input imped-
short 1-5 issue current trials to over 20 dif- Fanon/Courier has added Model SCMA-1, ance; (10) battery operation and com-
ferent technically oriented investment ad- to expand the utility of its Cop -Scan 4 pact design for complete portability; (11)
visory services from SELECT INFORMA-
TION EXCHANGE, America's leading fin- channel hand-held FM monitor scanners. selling price just under $100.00. In ad-
ancial publications subscription agency dition, the 280 has a built-in battery
covering almost 800 different investment With the new unit, Cop -Scan users can
publications. Send your name and address adapt their hand-held units to mobile check, is housed in a high -impact Cyco-
together with this ad and your $18 remit- lac case, and has a fast settling time of
tance to receive all 20 publications. operation. The SCMA-1 amplifies output
DAVIS PUBLICATIONS INC. Dept. Sa/7V75 audio to 2.5 watts and provides sound typically 0.5 second. Ranges are as fol-
229 Park Avenue South output through a large built-in speaker. lows: DC and AC volts, 0-1000 mV, 10,
New York, N.Y. 10003 Package #11

8
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 LITERATURE
LIBRARY..
153. MFJ offers a free catalog of amateur
119. Browning's mobiles and its famous Gold-
en Eagle base station, are illustrated in de- 150. Send for the free NRI/McGraw Hill 100 -
radio equipment-CW and SSB audio filters, tail in the new 1975 catalog. It has full -color page color catalog detailing over 15 electron-
electronic components, etc. Other lit. is free. photos and specification data on Golden ics courses. Courses cover TV -audio servicing,
Eagle, LTD and SST models, and on industrial and digital computer electronics,
101. Kit builder? Like weird products? "Brownie," a dramatic new mini -mobile. CB communications servicing, among others.
EICO's 1975 catalog takes care of both G.I. Bill approved, courses are sold by mail.
breeds of buyers at prices you will like. 120. Edmund Scientific's new catalog con-
tains over 4500 products that embrace many 132. If you want courses its assembling your
102. International Crystal has g free catalog own TV kits, National Schools has 10 from
for experimenters (crystals, PC boards, tran- sciences and fields.
which to choose. There is a plan for GIs.
sistor RF mixers & amps, and other comm. 121. Cornell Electronics' "Imperial Thrift Tag
products). Sale" Catalog features TV and radio tubes. 133. Get the new free catalog from Howard
103. See brochures on Regency's 1975 line-up You can also find almost anything in electron- W. Sains. It describes 100's of books for
of CB transceivers & scanner receivers ( for ics. hobbyists and technicians -books on projects,
police, fire, weather, & other public service basic electronics and related subjects.
emergency broadcasts) . 122. Radio Shack's 1975 catalog colorfully
104. Dynascan's new B & K catalog features illustrates their complete range of kit and 134. Sprague Products has L.E.D. readouts
test equipment for industrial labs, schools, wired products for/ electronics enthusiasts
CB, ham, SWL, hi-fi, experimenter kits, bat-
- for those who want to build electronic clocks,
calculators, etc. Parts lists and helpful sche-
and TV servicing.
105. Before you build from scratch, check the teries, tools, tubes, wire, cable, etc. matics are included.
Fair Radio Sales latest catalog for surplus 123. Get Lafayette Radio's "new look" 1975 135. The latest edition of Tab Books' catalog
gear. catalog with 260 pages of complete elec- has an extensive listing of TV, radio and
106. Get Antenna Specialists' cat. of latest
tronics equipment. It has larger pictures and general servicing manuals.
CB and VHF/UHF innovations: base & easy -to-read type. Over 18,000 items cover
hi-fi, CB, ham rigs, accessories, test equip- 137. Pace communications equipment covers
mobile antennas, test equipment (wattmeters, ment and tools. 2 -way radios for business, industrial and CB
etc.), accessories. operations. Marine radiotelephones and scan-
107. Want a deluxe CB base station? Then 154. A government FCC License can help you ning receivers are also in this 18-p. book.
get the specs on Train's super CB rigs. qualify for a. career in electronics. Send for
information from Cleveland Institute of Elec- 138. Shakespeare's new pocket-size catalog
108. Compact is the word for Xcelite's 9 dif- .

lists and describes their full line of fiberglass

ferent sets of midget screwdrivers and nut- tronics.
CB antennas, mounts and accessories offered
drivers with "piggyback" handle to increase 110. Turner has two booklets on their Signal in 1975.
length and torque. A handy show case serves Kicker antennas. They give specifications and
as a bench stand also. prices on their variety of CB base and mobile 144. For a packetful of material, send for
line. Construction details help in your choice. SBE's material on UHF and VHF scanners,
115.'Trigger Electronics has a complete cata- CB mobile transceivers, walkie-talkies, slow -
log of equipment for those in electronics. In- 127. There are Acanti antennas (mobile & scan TV systems, marine-radios, two-way
cluded are kits, parts, ham gear, CB, hi fi and base) for CB and scanner receivers, fully de- radios, and accessories.
recording equipment. scribed and illustrated in a new 16 -page full -
color catalog. 145. For CBers from Hy -Gain Electronics
111. Midland's line of base & mobile CB Corp. there is a 50-page, 4 -color catalog
equipment, marine transceivers & accessories, 129. Semiconductor Supermart is a new 1975 ( base, mobile and marine transceivers, an-
and scanner receivers are illustrated in a new catalog listing project builders' parts, popular tennas, and accessories). Colorful literature
full -color 16 -page brochure. CB gear, and test equipment. It features semi- illustrating two models of monitor -scanners
conductors -all from Circuit Specialists. is also available.
112. T13e EDI (Electronic Distributors, Inc.) 130. There are over 350 kits described in
catalog is updated 5 times a year. It has an 147. Telex's 4 -page, 2 -color folder illustrates
index of manufacturers literally from A to Heath's new catalog. Virtually every do-it- their new line of boom microphone head -sets
X (ADC to Xcelite). Whether you want to
yourself interest is included -TV, radios, for CBers and hams, as well as their line os
spend 29 cents for a pilot-light socket or stereo & 4 -channel, hi-fi, etc. communications headphones.
$699.95 for a stereo 4M/FM receiver, you'll 131. E. F. Johnson offers their CB 2 -way radio 142. Royce Electronics' new full-color catalog'
find it here. catalog to help you when you make the updates information on their CB transceivers
American vacation scene. A selection guide ( base, mobile, handheld ). It also describes
113. Get all the facts on Progressive Edu-Kits to the features of the various messenger new product lines -CB antennas and a VHF
Home Radio Course. Build 20 radios and models will aid you as you go through the marine radiotelephone.
electronic circuits; parts, tools, and instruc- book.
tions included. Ir F/W 75
116. Get the HUSTLER brochure illustrating Electronics Hobbyist, Box 886 I
c their complete line of CB and monitor radio Ansonia Station, New York, N.Y. 10023
antennas.
Please arrange to have the literature whose numbers I have circled below sent to me as soon as
117. Teaberry's new 6 -page folder presents possible. I am enclosing 50g for each group of 5 to cover handling. (No stamps, please.) Allow 4-6
their 6 models of CB transceivers ( base and weeks for delivery.
moLile) 1 transceiver for marine -use, and 2
:

scanner models ( the innovative "Crime Indicate total number of booklets requested.
Fighter" receiver and a pocket-size scanner). Not Valid After January 23, 1976
118. Chers, GC Electronic's 8 -page catalog 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 111 112 113 115
offers the latest in CB accessories. There are
base and mobile mikes; phone plugs; adap- 116 117 118 119 . 120 121 122 123 124 125 127 128
tors and connectors; antenna switchers and 129 130 131 132 133 )34 135 137 138 142 144 145
matchers; TV1 filters; automotive noise sup- 147 150 152 153 154 110
pressor kits; SWR Power and FS meters, etc.
152. Send for the new, free descriptive bulle- NAME ( print clearly
tin from Finney Co. It features the Finco line
of VOM multi -testers ( and accessories) for ADDRESS
electronics hobbyists and service technicians.
128. A new free catalog is available from CITY STATE ZIP
McGee Radio. It contains electronic product
bargains. L

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST 'Fall -Winter 1975 9

www.americanradiohistory.com
 unique new tuning scheme eliminates

New adjustment for best tonal quality of

sound. Response is given as 200 to the need for whip trimming, permitting
retuning within full original limits-par-

Products
10,000 Hz at full power. Rated 10 watts
rms at 8 ohms. The Realistic MPA-10 ticularly important when the antennas
Mobile PA Amplifier is priced at $39.95 may be utilized for different vehicles
complete with microphone and mounting such as the over -the -road trucks. Tuning
hardware. Realistic products are avail- is accomplished by means of up -or -down
able exclusively from more than 3,000 sliding adjustment of the oversize static
100, 1000 V (± on DC), DC and AC
Radio Shack stores and authorized sales balls at the antenna tips, which are se-
current, 0-1000 microamps, 10, 100, cured with allen screws. Model M-315
1000 mA; ohms, 0-100 (Lo), 1000 (Hi), centers in all 50 states and Canada.
includes a factory tuned phasing harness
10k (Lo), 100k (Hi); 1 megohm (Lo) and with ample cable length for the largest
10 megohms (Hi). For more information trucks and motor homes. The suggested
Dual CB Antennas
on the B&K Model 280 DMM and op- list price is $39.95. Further details may
tional accessories write to B&K, 1801 A new generation of high performance,
be secured from The Antenna Special-
W. Belle Plaine Ave., Chicago, IL 60613. clean silouette CB mobile antennas was
unveiled by Antenna Specialists with the ists Company, 12435 Euclid Avenue,
launching of a new dual mirror mount Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
Mobile Yack -Yack system for over -the -road vehicles, model
New from Radio Shack is the Realistic
M-315 "Minnie Momma." Utilizing the Small -Size CB Rig
vise -like cast aluminum mirror mounts
MPA-10 solid-state 10 -watt mobile public The PACE Model CB -143, 23 channel
address amplifier designed for 12 -volt oitizens 2 -way radio features full power
operation in cars, trucks, campers, boats AM output in a small package: 5 x 7 x
or anywhere that an AC power source is 114 -in. A 6 -section tuned filter provides
not available. The MPA-10 is only 11/2 x for exceptional noise limiting so that a
41/8 x 61/2 -in. for easy mounting in or sensitivity of 1.0 uV is utilized. Adjacent
under dash, in a glove compartment, channel rejection is rated at 50 dB. The
under a seat or in any convenient loca- CB -143 offers the user extreme rugged-
tion. Comes with a ruggedly designed ness and versatility. An S/RF meter

CIRCLE 25 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

CIRCLE 24 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

dynamic mike and hanger for clipping it first introduced on the company's "Big
to the side of the unit. Separate micro- Momma" twin antennas, the M-315 em-
phone and auxiliary input jacks allow ploys completely new design and manu-
you to connect a tuner, ceramic phono facturing techniques to integrate the
CIRCLE 20 ON READER SERVICE COUPON
or tape player to the amplifier with push- stainless steel whips and slender, pres-
button selection of either or both for sure -molded loading coils into single, monitors accurate measurement of in-
paging over music. A tone control allows weather-proof, vibration -resistant units. A coming signals and relative output
power. A separate light indicates if the

BUILD Main If A
rYSj1Y AND &OVM I
unit is in transmit mode. Controls in-
clude an easy -to -read indicator for quick
channel identification, volume, and

aP111KM squelch. Remote speaker and public

address features are also provided. The
PACE CB -143 operates on positive or
You know specs, but you want speakers to speak negative ground, 12-14 VDC systems.
for themselves. CTS speakers do; they sound just the way Unit is FCC type accepted. The sug-
you like. For example, choose a CTS gested user price is $129.95. For more
STARRSOND'" SYSTEM. Let CTS information, write to PACE, 24049 So.
dealer/consultants tell you how to Frampton Ave., Harbor City, CA 90710.
install it in an ideal enclosure. You'll
know why many famous man
High and Lo Band
turers use CTS speakers idthei
brand -name products! Write, s Cop -Scan VHFHL is a new Fanon/Courier
dual band 4 -channel portable FM monitor
coupon or circle reader servi receiver for pùblic safety, weather or
number for our catalog o other broadcasts on low band VHF (25-
speakers for home, mu& 54 MHz) or high band VHF (146-175
instruments, auto and of MHz). The new Courier design uses dual
uses. Then visit your CTS crystal sockets to permit any channel to
CTS of Paducah, Inc.
dealer and hear them: 1565 North 8th St. be assigned to either high band or low
The ones that speak Paducah, Kentucky 42001 band use. All Cop -Scan units exhibit
for themselves. Please send me your latest catalog. superior protection against intermodu-
NAME lation and feature superior selectivity and
sensitivity with excellent adjacent chan-
CTB O,OF
C'S
SUe510IAPY
PA
(.0
ADDRESS
nel rejection characteristics. Cop -Scan
CITY VHFHL utilizes dual conversion super-
STATE ZIP heterodyne circuitry with both high fre-
L

CIRCLE 6 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975
10

www.americanradiohistory.com
 model RQ-218S has a manufacturer's
suggested retail price of $159.95. Avail-
able at retail outlets throughout North
//iew INTERNATIONAL l'

America. For more info, write to Pana-

sonic, One Panasonic Way, Secaucus,
NJ 07094. broadband
CD with Auto Protection
amplifier
MODEL 150-299
Automatic Radio now offers its new CD
Electronic Ignition Model CDI-2049. This
capacitive discharge electronic ignition
has an exclusive built-in feature called
"Electro -Key" for auto theft control. This
key is a printed circuit device which when

CIRCLE 22 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

quency crystal filter and ceramic IF fil-

ter. A screw mounted flexible antenna
is provided as standard equipment and ftELiP'Nf
the unit comes equipped with provision
for earplug, 6 -volt power supply, and ex-
ternal battery charger operation if an ud
EEECiRGNIC
IGNIIIGN
14 db gain - 10 to 1,000 MHz

optional nickel -cadmium package is em- CIPO.

International's inline amplifier
ployed. Priced at $134.95. Get additional
Wrixt
provides 14 db gain flat within 1
information by writing to Fanon/Courier db over a range of 10 to 1,000
Corp., 990 South Fair Oaks Avenue, MHz. Impedance 50 ohms. Re-
Pasadena, CA 91105. quires 20 VDC @ 50 ma. For
increased gain additional am-
CIRCLE 27 ON READER SERVICE COUPON plifier may be added. Uses BNC
Mini Cassette Recorder removed prevents the engine from being type terminals.
Panasonic has added an AC/battery mini started. Automatic Radio claims the
"Electro -Key" capacitive discharge igni- SPECIFICATIONS
cassette recorder with a built-in con-
denser microphone to its tape recorder tion will increase gas mileage up to Range: 10 to 1,000 MHz
line. Model RQ-218S has a quick battery 25%, up to 8 times longer between Impedance: 50 ohms
charge system that takes approximately engine tune-ups, better engine perform-
ance u pto 25%, 10 times longer point
DC Input': 20 VDC 50 ma
5 hours with included AC adaptor/
life, 8 times longer spark plug. life and Gale*: 14 db
charger RP -667 and rechargeable battery
pack RP -093, as well as one -touch re- gives over-all faster all-weather starts. Flatness: ± 1 db (Ref. 500 MHz)
cording button, Easy-Matic circuitry to The CDI-2049 sells for $84.95. Automatic Operating Temperature: -25 to
help ensure quality recording results, Radio will send information on their full +70°C
line of products if you write them at Noise Figure: 9 db
Melrose, MA 02176. VSWR Output: 2.0
Output capability for -60 db near
Intermodulatlon distortion: 100 MV
'Will operate 12 to 24 VDC with some loss
in characteristics.
"May cascade for additional gain with
consideration of noise and flatness.

Price $40.00 plus postage

Write for
complete catalog. AMIN
INTERNATIONAL

CRVBTAL MINI. CO., INC.

10 North Lee
Oklahoma City. Oklahoma 73102
405 236-3741

CIRCLE 11 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

CIRCLE 26 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

Auto -Stop that automatically shuts the Thanks to you

unit off at the end of the cassette, AC/
battery operation with AC adaptor/ it works .
charger (RP -667) and rechargeable bat-
tery pack RP -093, optional car adaptor
(RP -915), fast forward and rewind, lock-
FOR All OF US
able pause control, level/battery meter
that indicates recording level and battery
strength, and digital tape counter. Com- Tee
plete with carrying case, AC adaptor/
charger, erase plug, rechargeable battery
United Way
pack, earphone and carrying strap,
advertising conlnbuted for the public good.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 11

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Your NEW Heathkit
'hX"
Catalog
is ready
waiting to serve you with
more values, more new
kits, than ever before
Now over 400 do-it-yourself electronic kits
ei/ -Two-Way
J\1Telephone Amplifier Kits
for home, hobby, and industry. All designed
Now, hands -free telephone use with ampli-
to give you more for your money... more
value, more performance, more satisfac- -
fied "talk" and amplified "listen" with or
tion. All designed so even beginners can without dialer. Talk & listen from 10' away.
build them. Send for your free catalog Voice-actuated circuitry switches from talk
today. to listen without feedback or clipped words.
Listen button lets you monitor line without
built-in microphone activated. Dialer model
may be used with or without regular tele-
phone. Includes 4 -prong jack & phone
coupler connector. Battery powered. Kit
GD -1112 (no dial) $49.95; Kit GD -1162 (w.
Programmable dial) $69.95.
Migitalew/ Stop Watch Kit
Another "first" from Heath. 2 IC counters, J%1es/ Public
JJ ew Professional 8 digits & 7 functions with typical accuracy

12" Ignition Scope

Kit or Wired
- to ±0.003% and resolution to 1/100th of a
second. Function 1 (Start/Stop Elapsed)
times individual events while also counting
Address
Sound System
total. Function 2 (Sequential) times each Kits
Does more than others for $1000 less. part of event & displays each separately
Spots tough ignition problems on all types while timing overall event. Function 3 (Total Outperforms those
of systems in 3, 4, 6, 8 cyl. or 2 -rotor Wan- Activity) accumulates total elapsed time costing twice as much.
kel engines; sets itself automatically for no. of a series, excluding time between events. TA-1620 Control/Amp.
of cylinders. Big 12" screen has 2 cali- Function 4 (Split) displays cumulative time takes 6 low imped-
brated primary and secondary voltage to each "split" point while continuing over- ance mikes, each with
grids plus dwell angle indications. Special all event time. Function 5 (Start/Stop Ac- level, bass & treble
circuit maintains trace length regardless tivity) shows separate time for each event controls & reverb sw.
of RPM. Displays "superimposed" patterns, & totals all individual times. Function 6 Has VU meter, 4
single cyl. pattern, primary or secondary (Programmed Upcount) counts up to switched response
"parade" patterns. "Power balance" fea- "learned" time. Function 7 (Programmed "shaper" circuits, ex-
ture even helps spot bad valves or rings. Downcount) counts down from "learned" clusive bass filter, 100
8" meter with tach & DCV ranges. Optional time. Stop watch can "learn" time from rms watts drives 2
low cost timing light, alternator adaptor & other functions or be programmed up to speaker columns. TA-
cart. Kit CO -2500 $379.95; Assembled WO - 9 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds. Has jacks 1625 Booster Amp.100
2500 $695. for external triggering devices and alarms. rms watts to drive 2
Includes nickel -cadmium batteries & extra speaker col-
charger. Kit GB -1201, $99.95. umns. TS -1630 Speak-
er Column. Six 8" full -
range drivers re-
sponse tailored for
voice; 60 watt rms rat-
ing; 12 ohm imped-
ance. Kit TA -1620
$449.95; Kit TA-1625
$179.95; Kit TS -1630
$199.95.

J\1 ew Automobile
J'J ew Digital Wind Speed
& Direction Indicator Kit
Intrusion Alarm Kit Unique. Two big, bright digits show wind
Total Protection. Alarm mounts anywhere; speed to 99 mph. As you build, choose 2
connects to switches on doors, hood, & readout modes: miles, knots, or kilometers
trunk. Underdash switch arms or disables per hour; front panel light shows mode in
unit. Adjustable delay time allows you to use. 8 incandescent lights show wind direc-
quickly enter or leave car without trigger- tion at principal compass points; adjacent
ing alarm, but opening trunk or hood trig- lighted bulbs give 16 point resolution. Re-
gers alarm instantly. Alarm sounds car mote transmitter boom clamps to TV mast.
horn in repeated 2 -minute cycles. Kit GD - Styled in black plastic to match Heathkit
1157 Alarm $24.95; Kit GDA-1157-1 Siren GC -1005 Digital Clock and ID -1390A Digi-
(gives yelping sound louder than car horn) tal Thermometer. Kit ID -1590, $69.95 less
$19.95. cable.

12
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Lew Variable
Isolated AC Supply
J'Iew Oscilloscope
Calibrator Kit
New DC -5 MHz What every tech & hobbyist needs. The
-
For time calibration, it generates a 0.5
IP -5220 isolates equipment under test from second to 1 µsec square wave in 1-2-5
e Triggered Scope the AC power line and provides an AC out- sequence accurate to 0.01% with 200 mV
Kit or Wired put which is variable from zero to 140 volts. peak K3% overshoot) and <4 ns rise
Great for locating circuit faults caused by time. Voltage calibration ranges are 1 mV
Best scope value today. Wide bandwidth,
20 mV sensitivity, & stable triggering
ideal for TV, audio and RF servicing. Easy -
- high or low voltage or testing equipment
with unknown power requirements. Power
to 100 v. in decade sequence, accuracy
within 2%, DC plus variable 2 Hz to 10 kHz
rating is 360 volt-amperes, continuous. in 1-2-5 sequence (internal stnd. accuracy
to -use controls. Trigger circuit (not recur- Variable output current rating: 3A. max.
rent type) has normal & automatic modes, within 1%). Use it to calibrate scopes up
Direct output curent rating: 10A. Two to 35 MHz and voltmeters; it's also a fast
switched AC & DC coupling, & front panel meters: voltmeter 0-150 VAC; ammeter:
external inputs (special TV position allows rise time squarewave generator and good
0-1 & 0-3A. Ammeter and variable output bench freq. standard. Kit IG -4505 $44.95
low freqs. to pass while rejecting high socket are fused. Kit IP -5220, $109.95
freqs. for easy triggering on complex TV
signal. 7 calibrated time bases from 200
ms to 0.2 µs/cm. 20 mV/cm vertical sensi-
tivity with 9 calibrated attenuator positions
up to 10 v/cm, plus variable control. 5"
round flat -face CRT (8 x 10 cm graticle).
Lightweight, durable blue plastic cabinet
with white panel. Kit 10-4540 $179.95;
Assembled SO -4540 $275.

en21" (dlag.)
Digital Design
Color TV Kit
All the advanced technology
of digital circuitry in a small-
er screen size. Electronic
touch -to -tune varactor front
end (nothing mechanical to
wear out) with computer -like
programming board for up
to 16 channels. On -screen
channel numbers, adjustable

JJei/ - Lowest cost

Triggered MHz Scope Kit
5
in brightness, position, and
duration. On -screen digital
clock; a low-cost option; pro-
grammable in 12 or 24 hour
The scope everyone can afford, and it has format, displays 4 or 6 digits.
the performance you need. DC -5 MHz band
width, 100 mV vertical sensitivity with X1,
Fixed -filter IF, a Heath exclusive that
assures better pictures longer, never needs
Easier to build & service -
thanks to ex-
tensive modular design and built-in servic-
X10 & X100 attenuation, AC or DC. Auto-
matic, positive locking horizontal sweep
instrument alignment. 100% solid state
-
more ICs than any other sophisticated
- ing tools including digital -design dot
generator, front access slide -out Service
continuously adjustable from 20 ms to 200 circuitry that results in less interference, Drawer, new picture centering and pin -
ns/cm. Stable displays due to zener regu- better color tints, improved sensitivity, cushioning correction circuits, and Test
lated amplifiers and sweep. 5" round flat -
face CRT with 8 x 10 cm graticle. Simpli-
greater noise immunity, improved picture
definition. Black negative matrix 21V pic-
Meter. Enjoy the best in TV design now
in smaller size at lower cost. Kit GR-2ò50
-
fied controls and switches make it easy to ture tube for brighter, sharper pictures. $599.95. Kit GRA-2000-6, remote control,
use. Lightweight, durable blue plastic cabi- Total touch -tune remote control-low cost $89.95. Kit GRA-2000-1, digital clock ac-
net; white panel. It's the best instrument option that operates all functions, includ- cessory, $29.95. Contemporary or Mediter-
buy in years. Kit 10-4560 $119.95 ing recall of time & channel. ranean cabinets from $119.95.

New catalogs Use coupon below to order your favorite new kit
and kits
also available at or to get your FREE new Heathkit Catalog.
HEATHKIT ELECTRONIC CENTERS - r HEATH Heath Company
Units of Schlumberger Products Corporation Dept. 26-08
Retail prices slightly higher. Schlumberger Benton Harbor, MI 49022
ARIZ.: Phoenix; CALIF., Anaheim, El Cerrito, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redwood Please send my free 1975 Heathkit Catalog.
City, San Diego (La Mesa), Woodland Hills; COLO.: Denver; CONN.: Hartford Enclosed is $ plus shipping.
(Avon); FLA.: Miami (Hialeah), Tampa; GA.: Atlanta; ILL.: Chicago, Downers Please send model(s)
Grove; IND.: Indianapolis; KANSAS: Kansas City (Mission); KY.: Louisville; LA.:
New Orleans (Kenner); MD.: Baltimore, Rockville; MASS.: Boston (Wellesley); NAME

MICH: Detroit; MINN.: Minneapolis (Hopkins); MO.: St. Louis (Bridgeton); NEB.: ADDRESS
Omaha; N.J.: Fair Lawn; N.Y.: Buffalo (Amherst), New York City, Jericho (L.I.),
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C711, STA

Toledo; PA.: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh; R.I.: Providence (Warwick); TEXAS: PRICESA FACTORY MAL ORDER, FOB
LICES , SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT 10 CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CL -571
Dallas, Houston; VA.: Norfolk (Va. Beach); WASH.: Seattle; WIS.: Milwaukee.

CIRCLE 1 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975
13

www.americanradiohistory.com
 DUILDITFASL.
AUDIO FUN -DAMENTALS WITH THE 741
TELEPHONE VOICE MAG TAPE AMP RC FILTER OSC
The "telephone voice" effect is usu- 3 From time to time surplus dealers An experimenter has many uses for
ally created by passing a voice signal offer complete tape or cassette mecha- a basic 1000 -Hz oscillator. If you're an
from a high quality microphone through nisms-everything ready -to -go except experimenter you know how many and
a bandpass amplifier-a device that at- for the electronics, and at rock -bottom can make up more. Even audio buffs
tenuates the frequencies on both sides prices of $10, $15 or $20. Often, all the find an increasing interest in test signals
of a selected frequency. Bandpass am- mechanism needs is this equalized tape for speaker balance and phasing. In this
plifiers are also effective at providing head preamplifier. circuit, a resistor/capacitor filter tuned
mid frequency boost-presence, as it's Though the power supply is rated at to 1000 Hz is connected between input
called in hi-fi terms. ±15 VDC, almost optimum results will and output of IC1 to sustain selective
The center frequency of this band- be obtained with supply voltages as low (1000 Hz) feedback. It's suitable for
pass amplifier is determined by the val- as ±7 VDC. Two ordinary 9 -volt testing audio equipment, signal tracing
ues of Cl, C2, C3, R2, R3, and R4. transistor radio batteries will power the or tape recorder bias adjustments.
The exact frequency can be determined preamp for many hours. The -kHz "notch filter" from the
1
from the formula shown. To start, as- As with all these projects, the 741 IC
amplifier output to the inverting or neg-
sign a value of 100,000 ohms to R2 is internally compensated and no spe-
ative (-) input determines the output
and R3 (use 1/2 -watt resistors). To cial wiring practices are needed; the
frequency. Non -inverting" or positive
avoid hum pickup, the unit should be preamp can be built in just about any (-1--) input is grounded. The power
assembled in a metal cabinet. Potenti- enclosure. U
supply is bi -polar; use any voltage up
ometer R1 serves as the Q -control; it to ±15 VDC. While resistor R5 is not
determines the degree of boost at the needed, in many instances its use in-
center frequency. sures your project's success.
R5 connects to the non -inverting PARTS LIST FOR MAC TAPE AMP
(+) input of the IC, R1 between If fine output control is desired, add
C1-22-uF electrolytic capacitor, 25-VDC or potentiometer R6. When your oscilla-
ground and the inverting (-) input. better
No pin connections are giver) because tor is connected to a DC circuit, con-
C2-0.005-uF disc capacitor, 25-VDC or better
the IC is available in many different nect a DC blocking capacitor in series
C3-0.01-uF capacitor, 25-VDC or better
configurations. IC1-Type 741 opamp with R6's wiper arm. If the oscillator is
Of course, you could find a carbon R1 -100 -ohms, 1/2 -watt resistor to drive circuits of less than 10 k -ohm
microphone "button" and matching R2 -100,000 -ohms, 1/2 -watt resistor impedance, substitute a l uF non -polar-
transformer to create the effect natural - ized capacitor for C4, rated to the
y, but that's not how it's done in the power supply's voltage.
big city, bub! C3
.OIuF

PARTS LIST FOR RC FILTER OSCILLATOR

PARTS LIST FOR TELEPHONE VOICE Cl, C2, C3-0.005-uF, 75-VDC (Radio Shack
Cl, C2,C3-(C1 equals C2 equals C3, see 272-130 or equiv.)
formula) C4-0.1 uF (see text)
IC1-Type 741 opamp IC1-741-type operational amplifier (Radio
RI -10,000 -ohm pot Shack 276-010 or equiv.)
R2, R3-(R2 equals R3, see text) R1-10,000 ohms pot
R4-R4= R2/12 TAPE R2, R3 -47,000-ohms, 1/2 -watt
R5 -10,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
HEAD
RI
R4 -3,900 -ohms, /-watt
R5 -10,000 -ohms,
= 10011 1/2 -watt (see text)
R6-Potentiometer, 100,000 -ohms, audio taper
R2 R3 C2 (see text)
T.005uF

R2 R3

-15V
C4
.IuF I
-
1.735 1-41 FINE
C. OUTPUT CONTROLLED
6.28XRXf R5
CINFARADS IOK OUTPUT
f IN Hz
R IN OHMS

14
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975
 TRACE SIGNALS WITH YOUR TAPE RECORDER
D A signal tracer can be easily impro- Fig. 1
by Hugh Gordon
vised by using a cassette tape recorder
ing the audio sections of an amplifier or
(any tape recorder will do), a capaci- receiver, you may also want to trace the
tor, and an earphone (or loudspeaker), radio frequency. (RF) sections. This
connected as shown in the diagrams. may be done by replacing the capacitor
Use the "monitor" switch to hear the with a simple diode demodulator probe,
output, or connect a loudspeaker or a sketch of which is shown in Fig. 3.
earphones, as shown. Connect the input Safety First. One good guide by
to the auxiliary jack if tracing high "COMMON" which you should govern yourself when
level signals, and to the microphone
puttering about an apparently defective
jack if tracing low level signals.
Fig. 2 TV set, is not to perform any adjust-
Switch the recorder to the record ment, poking, prying, snooping, clean-
mode to trace signals. It may be neces- TO MIKE OR
ing, etc., that you would not permit a
sary to defeat the "erase protect" sens- AUX JACK
Cl six-year -old child to do. After all, why
ing lever in cassette recorders by press- .05/.LF
PROBE is a child's life dearer than yours when
ing on it before pushing down on the {
TV service technicians are available to
record button. Otherwise, operate the do the task efficiently and safely?
recorder with a cassette in place.
COMMON"
How It's Done. Probing with the
capacitor lead at the collector and, base PARTS LIST FOR
of each transistor in a circuit, in turn, Fig. 3 A SIGNAL TRACER
allows the signal to be traced through
the circuit; and faults, such as a dead TAPE
Cl, C2-0.05-uF disc capacitor
stage, can be found in a few minutes. RECORDER 0 0 C3-0.01-uF disc capacitor
If the amplitude of the input signal is TO MIKE OR
AUX JACK 00 TO EARPHONE
JACK
D1 -1N34, general purpose
germanium diode
too high, simply connect an attenuator
(Fig. 2) across the input terminals to
C2 R1 -1000 -ohm potentiometer, any
the tracer, as shown, and adjust the
PROBE 5P-F
TO SMALL
available type
potentiometer for correct volume. LOUDSPEAKER R2 -220,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
OR EARPHONE
While the circuit is useful for trac - COMMON"

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cuits and Address

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City State Zip
CLIP OUT ... MAIL TODAY TO:
`,-
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST, Fall -Winter 1975
Howard W. Sains Co., Inc. /4300 W. 62nd
Street/Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 EA09
CIRCLE 9 ON READER SERVICE COUPON
15
www.americanradiohistory.com
 to keep down the cost, but the same
idea can be applied to 1% resistors, or

H-Cubed
to 1- or 2 -watt resistors. The only other
expense, aside from cardboard for the
cube, paint, etc., is for a box of vector -
board mini -clips, and a pair of alligator

lets you clip -leads. (The Editors took exception

to the author's construction technique
and went their own way using a child's
toy play block and some brass brads-

Shoot th
but more on this later.)
Knocking It Together. Four resistors
form a decade (10, 100, 1000, 10K,
100K, and 1M), and each decade is
mounted on one of the six faces of the

Works
LooKING for the right resistor during a
way
of resistance. The 24 resistors that can
cube. The resistors are all multiples of
1, 2, and 3 (that is, 10, 100, 1000, etc.,
20, 200, 2000, etc., and 30, 300, 3000,
etc). Henceforth, all numbers in a dec-
circuit mockup, or breadboard- be mounted and series-connected on the ade will be stated as 1 -digit numbers,
ing, sometimes becomes annoy- faces of a small cube will give resistance with the understanding that they are
ing: dim light makes color band values of 1 to 9 ohms and all multiples multiples of 10, 100, 1000, etc., ac-
reading impossible; fumbling fingers of 10 of these values through 100,000. cording to the decade in which they are
can't pick up 1/4 -watt resistors fast Thus, if all 24 resistors are used, resis- used. By wiring the four resistors of a
enough; and, of course, you are al- tance values from 1 ohm to 900,000 decade end -to -end in the order 1, 3, 3,
ways out of the resistance size you want ohms will be available.. The author's 2, as shown in Fig. 1, any value of 1
to use. So get with it with R-Cubed-the unit contains only 12 resistors, since to 9 can be obtained by connecting clip -
experimenter's toy block that makes only values from 1000 to 100,000 ohms leads between the appropriate mini -
bench work seem like child's play. were desired. In addition, some inter- clips. This can be better understood by
R -Cubed is not so much a device as mediate values of resistance (for in- looking at Fig. 1 and its accompanying
it is a method for keeping on hand, in stance, 42 ohms, 780 ohms, 95,000 table.
an orderly manner, a collection of ohms, etc.) can also be obtained from In order to get resistance values be-
standard -value resistors that can be used the R -Cube arrangement, as will be ex- tween those available on a single dec-
singly with clip -leads, or in series with plained later. ade, the decades are connected to each
clip -leads to provide most needed values One -half -watt, 5t/- resistors were used (Continued on page 101)

Z
B XI _AA . , Be
L

XIK X101-1 XIS2

XIOK

` I
U Y
DD CC

C D
Ez 999 K = A-0 T
79512 = Q -BB
750 K = B -H I 48012 = R -X
480 K = C -I 190n=S-Y
TO OBTAIN CONNECT LEADS AT
3 XIOOK 120 K= D -G 3 X100 S2 9912 = U -DD
1 ohm A and B 78 K= G -N 75 n =V-BB
2 ohms D and E
42 K= H -L 49 n.--W-DD
3 ohms BandC 15 K= -M I
18®=X-CC
4 ohms A and C
5 ohms C and E
6 ohms B and D
7 ohms A and D
8 ohms B and E
9 ohms A and E
10 ohms Go to next higher decade
FOLD
DOWN
The resistors in each
set for each face are
valued at 1, 3, 3, 2 -
ohms each multipled
by a factor for that
face. The diagram at
right is for the X100K
face of the cube.
Therefore each resistor Here's how the cube fits together and what resistors go on what face.
Note
is valued at 100,000 - -K, U -T and Y -Z are connected by means of a jumper.
that terminals E -F, J

ohms or a multiple
thereof.

16 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 IT IS A LITTLE KNOWN FACT, but the simple act of using jumper cables to start (boost) a car
with a dead battery can lead to severe personal injury. It's true!
A good Samaritan in California was helping his neighbor start his car by jumping the battery.
The battery exploded and our hero got a face full of sulfuric acid for his trouble. A man in Pennsyl-
vania noticed another charging his battery incorrectly. When he attempted to rearrange the cables
from the charger there was some sparking, and the battery exploded.
The reason for both of these accidents, and many others, is the fact that a battery being
charged produces hydrogen gas, a very combustible and explosive element. The longer a bat-
tery is charged the greater the accumulation of hydrogen, and the greater the danger of a seri-
ous explosion. All that is required is a single spark as one connects either of the jumper ca-
bles to a battery post.
How does one avoid such an occurrence? Simple. Just follow the step-by-step procedure given
below whenever you need to jump one battery to another.

1OIep Io sate
battery booiIïng
By Thomas R. Sear

1. Ensure that the ignition switches and all Then connect the other end to a point on the
electric accessories, including the lights, are frame of the car with the dead battery at least
turned off in both cars. 18 inches from the battery.
2. Verify that both batteries are rated for the 7. Start the engine of the car with the good
same voltage. Most automotive -type batteries battery. Allow the car to warm up for a few
are 12 -volt models these days; but many older minutes, holding engine speed to a fast idle.
cars, as well as some of the smaller models, may 8. Start the engine of the car with the dead
have a 6 -volt battery. battery. If the engine starts, proceed to Step 9.
3. Remove the dustcaps from each cell of both If it doesn't, turn off the ignition and wait several
batteries, and make certain that the electrolyte minutes. Don't flood the engine with too much
reaches the FULL -mark. If not, ordinary tap water gasoline. If the battery is completely dead, wait
can be used to top -off each cell if distilled about half an hour so the battery may be charged
water is not available. If the dead battery is to be by the running car. Try to start the dead car
recharged, the dustcaps should be left off to again. Now, if successful, proceed to Step 9.
prevent any buildup of pressure due to the rapid If the car cannot be started, see a mechanic.
release of hydrogen gas from the battery fluid. 9. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
4. Cover the battery openings to prevent any the order in which they were connected. Keep the
splashing acid from reaching your skin or car with the bad battery running at a fast idle
clothing. Your handkerchief will suffice. until it is warmed up. The chance of stalling is
5. Attach only one jumper cable at a time. thus greatly reduced.
Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the 10. Replace the dustcaps on the dead battery.
positive terminal of the good battery first. This is Some final notes: It's always best to determine
the terminal marked with a +, a P, o, POS. why the car didn't start in the first place and
Then connect the other end to the positive have the car adjusted or repaired. Repeated
terminal of the dead battery. battery boosts are unwise and unsafe. Also,
6. Connect one end of the black jumper cable because of the hydrogen gas present when
to the negative terminal of the good battery. This batteries are involved, never smoke a cigarette
is the terminal marked with a -, an N, or NEG. near a battery that is being charged.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYISTS Fall -Winter 1975 17

www.americanradiohistory.com
SAVE THOUSAIIDS
Got a question or a problem with a project-ask
OF DOLLARS Hank! Please remember that Hank's column is
limited to answering specific electronic project
with the Super -sensitive questions that you send to him. Personal replies
cannot be made. Sorry, he isn't offering a circuit
S & M A-4, The One Photo -Meter design service. Write to:
That Does It All!! Hank Scott, Workshop Editor
TRY ONE-FREE FOR 10 DAYS. ASK HANK, ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST
Use your A-4 Meter with 229 Park Avenue South
dial lights as darkroom New York, NY 10003
HE KNOWS!
PROS now do. It's easy to
use at the enlarger with
the 5/8 in. high EASEL
probe to determine accu-
rate exposures for B & W Wants Many Can You Help Out?
and COLOR photos, cor- Hank, 1 need several schematic diagrams A Tommy Reagan can't seem to locate a
rect paper for prints, and of Television receivers from time to time. copy of the schematic diagram for a tube -
even ft. candle measure- A-4 In Darkroom You see, my hobby is fixing TVs for type multi-band Blaupunkt-Naivobi with
ments. Action
friends. Where is there a good source I case No. 2372-723068. Write to Tommy at
tise your versatile battery -operated can go to for a diagram without buying 312 East French, Temple, TX 76501.
A-4 with double sensitivity to do the work A F. H. Heberling of Bakerstown, PA
of several instruments costing Thou- a whole book?
sands of Dollars. -E. D., Mobile, AL 15007 would like to know battery re-
Use your A-4 to elimi- quirements, connection and tube types for
nate waste of films and A diagram and service material for the Remler Infradyne Amplifier, Type 700,
prints, chemicals and practically any television, radio, or stereo manufactured by Gray & Danielson Mfg.
time, and to increase set can be secured from Supreme Publica- Co.
.
production and earn- tions for a very reasonable price. I under- Anybody have diagrams 'for the Decca
ings. stand that this firm supplies such material Model DR -343 and International Transis-
Use your A-4 with the from its own manuals, (Sams' Photofacts, tor Corp. Model FAP-314 radios? If so,
% in. dia. STANDARD write to Emanuel Cattolica, 7861 Barbi
probe as a LIGHT old Rider's, and its bulging files of origi-
Make this densi- METER. Features? Four nal factory data accumulated over many Lane, La Palma, CA 90623.
e with the
sensitivitY ranges: EV- years. Such data goes all the way back to Here's an odd request-John Fiorino
A-4 mmeter
er and 9
easy-to-build Light EVS-LV settings; ASA antique radios and early TVs, as well as would like to obtain blank recording discs
Source. settings from3to25,000; material of all manufacturers of recent so he can use his General Instrument
f/stops from 0.7 to 90; exposure times past, and right up to sets of the '70s. Su- Record Cutter. He prefers 10 or 12 -in.
from 1/15,000 sec. to 8 preme Publications promises to quote by blanks. Write to 518 85th Street, Brooklyn,
hours. return mail. Most prices are about $2, NY 11209.
Special Graphic Arts
Applications? Ground - some lower and a few higher. Supreme A Got a Service Manual for a Webcor
glass, contact printing, Publications' address is 1760 Balsam Road, Royalite Tape Recorder, Model EP -2001-
color separation, screen- Highland Park, IL 60035. 1? Donald Richard of 101 Cumberland
ing, copying, standard- St., Manchester, NH .would like it or a
izing exposures from Look What He Stepped On copy. Write to Don.
camera to camera, even- After finding several weather balloons, 1 A Urgent request: Chase Ambler would
ness of lighting, film den- A-4 In Ground - would like to know where 1 can get a like to obtain silver-oxide/zinc batteries, or
sity readings, etc. glass action
receiver to tap Uncle Sam's Radiosondes. information on where they can be ob-
3 ft. Standard Probe Can you help? tained. Write to him in care of Physics
-G. A., Richmond, TX Dept., Asheville School, Asheville, NC
28806.
Exposure I don't know. But why don't you ask
Calculator
'
A Can anyone spare a National HRO-60
the people to whom you return the Radio- operator's manual? If yes, write to Dennis
3 ft. sondes. Their name and address is printed Gibbs, 9214 Venetian Way, Richmond,
Easel on each unit. The few receivers I saw in .VA 23229.
Probe
operation were special units featuring a Bill Forehand wants a service manual
self -tracking parabolic antenna system. I or copy of one for the Precision Vacuum
Uses Plug-In Probes 3 ft. Mini Probe guess the signals from these small balloon Tube V Multi -Meter, Series EV-10A. Write
transmitters are too weak for conventional to Bill at 706 Plaid Street, Burlington,
Attn: Wilfred M. Brown antenna systems to sense and send to a NC 27215.
SCIENCE & MECHANICS XX a/D75 receiver. A Anyone have a schematic diagram for
INSTRUMENTS DIVISION, a B&K Cathode Ray Tube Tester and Re-
229 Park Ave. South. N.Y., N.Y. 10003
Send the meter and probe(s) with cable length
20 Million Is Enough juvenator, Model 400 and its adaptor,
(3-12 ft.) as indicated below. understand that
I I notice that in all digital volt -ohm Model C40? Then write to Lester W.
if I am not satisfied, may return the meter Kroepel, 803 North Morrison St., Apple-
I

within 10 days for a complete refund. meters they only test up to 10 or 20 meg-
ohms. Why? ton, WI 54911.
S & M A-4 Graphic Arts Phbto Meter.
09109.05 with ft long Standard probe.
-W. M., Ironton, OH A Juan Rivera, 8417 Trumbell S. E.,
exposure calculator and carrying case anG Apt. A, Albuquerque, NM 87108 picked
manual.
In any transistor radio, hang a 20 meg- up a Silvertone radio made by RCA of
EXTRA PROBES
ohm resistor between any two points in the 1930 vintage in good working order at a
$9.95 s inch high Easel probe with-_- circuit and the radio will continue to flea market. He would like to get a sche-
ft. long cable
$9.95 elfº inch diameter Mini -probe with function normally. You see, for most elec- matic diagram and spare tubes (just in
ft long cable tronic circuits 20 megohms is equivalent case). Help him out, boys.
Check or money order enclosed, ship ppd. to an open circuit. In fact, I can't think of A Bell 2325 Amplifier schematic dia-
Company Purchase Order attached. gram is wanted by Mark Harris, 901
a service measurement in a radio or TV
NAMF where an indication of 22, 33, or 47 Dixon, Missoula, MT 59801. Can anyone
ADDRESS
megohms is critical. Did you ever notice help?
that most VOMs can't measure 50,000 A P. J. Carroll across the border is look-
CITY volts? (Continued on page 99)
STATE ZIP

18 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 FALL -WINTER 1975

by Charles Green W6FFQ

SUB -BASEMENT RADIO

EXPERIMENTER'S DELUXE FET/IC VLF RECEIVER
JUST AS MANY of the "cliff dwellers" in stations are subject to changes in fre- ease in building the receiver.
modern multi -story apartment build- quency, power, and time of broadcast The Circuit. Very low frequency sig-
ings have little-known basements since there is still considerable experi- nals picked up by the loop antenna are
anai sub -basements, the radio spectrum mentation. The stations usually transmit fed through coax cable to the input of
has a "basement" LF (low frequency) their call signs in CW at periodic inter- IC1, the rf amplifier stage. The ampli-
band and a mysterious "sub -basement" vals for identification. fied signals are fed through C3 to the
VLF (very low frequency) band, little Receivers for the LF/VLF "basement" coil L1 and the second rf amplifier
known to many electronics hobbyists transmissions are usually quite complex, stage, IC2. L1 and the input capacity of
and experimenters. The LF band goes but you can sample the activity in this IC2 act as a broadly tuned circuit for
from 300 kHz down to 30 kHz, and the portion of the rf spectrum with our VLF signals: R2 controls the rf ampli-
VLF band from 30 kHz down to 3 kHz. simplified receiver project which covers fication.
The lower portion of the LF band, the most popular portion of the bands Capacitor C6 couples the amplified
from about 60 kHz to the upper portion from 20 to 50 kHz. This frequency rf signals to the oscillating detector
of the VLF band (about 18 kHz), is coverage can be changed by using dif- stage of FET Q1. These signals are
used by the National Bureau of Stand- ferent values of inductances than speci- tuned by L2 and the S1 switch -selected
ards to transmit coded, standard -fre- fied in our plans. Plans are also in- capacitors of C8 to C18. Variable
quency signals (similar to WWV). cluded for a VLF -style loop antenna to capacitor C7A/B acts as a fine tuning
Special receivers are used for proper be used with the receiver instead of the control for the VLF signals, and R5
reception of these signals, which auto- usual outdoor :dipole antenna used in controls the oscillation point and, there-
matically adjust electronic laboratory the higher frequencies. Inasmuch as VLF fore, the sensitivity of the detector stage.
generators to coincide with the standard wavelengths are many miles long, a The detected audio signals are fed
frequencies. The U.S. Navy has found half wave antenna dipole is impractical through the low pass filter R7/C20
that the VLF band signals will penetrate at these frequencies. and coupling capacitor C21, to the
into salt water and has established giant The receiver uses two ICs and three audio gain control R8 and audio am-
high powered transmitting stations that FETs in a simplified regen detector cir- plifier stage Q2. The amplified audio
communicate with submerged subma- cuit with a two-stage rf amplifier. Good signals are coupled via the L3/C23
rines anywhere in the world. audio volume is provided for earphone peak filter to the second audio amplifier
Other nations maintain transmitting reception, and the receiver is housed stage of FET Q3. The peak filter is
stations in the LF/VLF region for scien- in a compact metal utility box. Perf tuned to approximately 800 Hz to pro-
tific and navigational purposes. These board style construction is used for vide better receiver selectivity of the

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 19

www.americanradiohistory.com
 SUB -BASEMENT RADIO to the positive power supply terminal. ing is used (no connection is made to
Construction. Coils Ll and L2 are the center tap), and the 8 -ohm and cen-
made from miniature transistor audio ter tap leads should be cut off close to
VLF signals. The amplified signals are transformers by removing the laminated the coil form.
fed from the drain circuit of Q3 to J2 iron core. We used 10,000 -ohm to The receiver operation is at low rf
-

and can drive, high impedance ear- 2,000 -ohm center -tapped transformers frequencies, but the wiring of the re-
phones (2000 -ohm type). for the coils in our receiver. The con- ceiver should still be carefully done.
Field effect transistors Q2 and Q3 nections are made to the 2,000 -ohm For best results, follow our component
form the audio amplifier stages. Q3 is a center -tapped winding only; the leads layout as shown in the photos. Your
P -channel FET and therefore requires to the 10,000-ohm winding shciuld be best way to start construction is to cut
a relatively negative potential on its cut off close to the coil form. Coil L3 a 41/4 x 7Y/8 -in. section of perf board
"drain" terminal. This is accomplished is a 1,000 -ohm CT to 8 -ohm miniature and install it approximately halfway up
by grounding the drain through the output transformer and is used with its the LMB-146 aluminum box. We used
earphone and returning the "source" iron core intact. The 1,000-ohm wind- two 41/4 -in. lengths of sheet aluminum

C41-
RF GAIN
R2
°0
u_

O
I0K (),-11:0810TUn Û
^ NO r1
Ñ U
QQQ
0 10 00 0 m0

R1
4.7K
LI R3
4.7K
T bT TU
b T b b
20kHz
d b d
50kHz
C2
.05µF T c CT (
-.--=.
CI9
470pF
LOOP ANT - 03
05 470
pF L2
R4
2.2 Meg
D

3 C7A C7B G

r-3114
,

(_) O J1
4:0 365pF 365pF
01

FINE TUNE
Cl 05
Z 05µF 05µF
R7
C21
.01µF
50 OHM COAX
C26
15K

R5
" 02
C25
.01µF 03
01µF
\ PHONES
270 020- J2
TOP VIEW OIµF R8
BOTTOM VIEW
01 ICI = 1M S L3 --C23
CT .05
IC2 Rl1
S OSC
R6
10K
VOLUME
C22
10 µF
Z
-
+ R9C
100
SZ + C24
1 Meg

-11- C27
- R10 10µF
R12 - 10µ F
470
100 St
S1

S2
C28
IOµF
1
+ 12 V
PARTS LIST FOR SUB -BASEMENT RADIO

Cl, C2, C4, C5, C23-0.05-uF capacitor, 12-VDC 013-3000-pF Q3 -P-channel FET (see text)
or better 014-3500-pF R1, R3 -4700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor

03-0.05-uF capacitor, 12-VDC or better C15-4000-pF R2, R6-10,000-óhm potentiometer, linear

C6, C19-470-pF capacitor C16-4500-pF taper
C7A/B-dual-gang 365-pF variable capacitor C17-5000-pF R4-2.2 meg, 1/2 -watt resistor
(TRW 273 or equiv.) C18-5500-pF R5 -270 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor

Note-A dual -gang 365-pF variable capacitor C20, C21, C25, C26-0.01-uF capacitor R7 -15,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor

may be difficult to obtain. You can go the C22, C24, C27, C28-10-uF electrolytic ca- R8-1 meg potentiometer, audio taper
pacitor, 16-VDC R9, R10 -100 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
same route as pioneer radio builders by
using two single -gang 365-pF variable ca- IC1, 1C2-703 -type integrated circuit R11-1 meg, 1/2 -watt resistor
11, 13 -insulated phono jack, RCA type (see R12 -4700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
pacitors and operate them in tandem (turn
each knob the same amount). text) Sl -single pole, 11 position rotary switch
All capacitors 15-VDC or better J2 -two-conductor phone jack (Calectro E2-161 or equiv.)
C8-500-pF (see text for all capacitors, C8 to L1, L2 -inductors made from small 10k to 2k
C18) audio driver transformers Misc.-aluminum cabinet 8-in. x 6 -in. x 41/2 -in.

C9-1000-pF L3 -inductor made from small 1k to 8 -ohm (Author used LMB 146), perf board, push -in
C10-1500-pF audio output transformer (see text) clips, 50 -ohm coaxial cable, knobs, hook-up
C 11-2000-pF
01 -N -channel FET, HEP -802 (Motorola) wire, No. 28 enameled wire, plastic tape,
C12-2500-pF 02-N -channel FET (see text) solder, etc.

2.0 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 bent into brackets with sides approxi- CI3 R6 C12 CII CIO C9 C8 S1 C16 C17 CI8 L2
mately 1/4 x 1/2 -in. (1/2 -in. side mounted
to the box wall, and the I/4 -in. side CI4
mounted to the perf board). Additional C7A/B
lengths of 1/4 -in. wide sheet metal stiff- CI5
eners were added to the side of the perf
board to increase the rigidity of the
board. This may not be necessary in Q2
your unit.
More Mechanics. Locate C7A/B on
the front panel as shown in the photos, C22
and then cut a 1/2 -in. or larger hole for
the shaft. This will allow the frame of C24
C7A/B to be mounted to the perf board
and allow the shaft to protrude through C23
the front panel without touching the
metal panel. Note that the shaft must
RIO
be insulated from the panel, or it will

//
short the B+ at the detector circuit. If
necessary, you can use an insulated
coupling for the shaft. Make sure that C27
you use a plastic tuning knob to mini-
mize the possibility of short circuits. R12 C26 03 L3 01 C6 C20 R3 C4 1C2 C5
Locate and install the remainder of
the front and side panel controls and
components as shown in the photos. These are the major parts locations for the pert board. Note dual -gang cap C7A/B.
Make sure that you install serrated Most of the components on the perf board photo.
washers between the control bushings board are connected to push -in clips. Coil forms LI and L2 can be either
and the inside of the panels to prevent Keep the component leads as short as cemented to the top of the perf board,
accidental disturbance of the position possible and group them around their or (as in our unit) held with an appli-
of the controls. Also, use insulating particular IC or FET as shown in the cation of hot plastic glue from an elec-
washers for JI to keep .the jack body photos. Wire the components as indi- tric glue gun. Use short lengths of coax
from electrical contact with the box cated in the schematic drawing and or shielded wire to connect R8 to the
panel and electrical ground. position the leads as shown in the perf board components as shown in the

PLACE PLASTIC TAPE LOOP WINDING MADE OF 38

IN SLOTS TO PROTECT TURNS OF #28 ENAMELED
LOOP WIRE MAGNET WIRE. COVER WITH
PLASTIC TAPE.

I/4"W x I/2"D
SLOT CUT IN
END OF EACH
TUBE TO FIT
WIRE
(SEE TEXT)

PLASTIC TUBES
BOLTED TO
WOOD DOWELS

WOOD DOWEL CORE J3 BRACKET

TO FIT INSIDE MOUNTED
PLASTIC TUBES PHONO PLUG
(SEE TEXT)

ELECTROSTATIC SHIELD
HOOKUP WIRE WOUND AROUND LOOP WINDING
(SEE TEXT ). CONNECT ONE END OF SHIELD
WIRE TO GROUND LUG OF J3.

Reinforced PVC tubes available from building supply outlets are lighter and easier to work with than dowel sticks when
building an open air antenna support frame. The RCA -type phono connector makes a convenient way to use standard audio cable.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 21

www.americanradiohistory.com
 nected together (the outside shells of
SUB -BASEMENT RADIO the jacks).
Range and Panel Markings. We used
rub-on decals for the panel markings
for our receiver model, but neatly
drawn pen and ink markings on white
tape can be used as well.
photo. Connect ground lugs at the board The receiver does not require any
corners and on the C7A/B mounting calibration for exploratory operation on
screws for the necessary electrical cir- the VLF band, and you can designate
cuit connections. the approximate frequency of the S1
Capacitors C8 to C18 should have as kHz switch as follows: 20 kHz (C18=
accurate a capacity value as possible 5500 pF), 25 kHz (C15=4000 pF), 30
(select them on a capacitor bridge if kHz (C13=3000 pF), 35 kHz (C10=
possible) , and they can be either ce- 1500 pF), 40 kHz (C9=1000 pF), 45
ramic or polystyrene types. Mount them The front panel control knob "osc" sets the
kHz (C8=500 pF).
with short leads around S1 and connect regenerative feedback point of the detector
FET Q1 (it sets the audible "plop" point!).
For more accurate calibration with
them with straight direct leads to the the transformers you used for L1 and
That "tune" knob is actually a fine-tune of
S1 lugs. If necessary, you can parallel L2, connect an audio oscillator to J1
the bandswitch-like "kHz" (course) control.
capacitors to make up the required ca- through an isolating audio transformer.
pacity values. Connect the remainder cut a 1/4 -in. x 1/2 -in. deep slot on one Testing and Operation. The loop
of the front and side panel controls and end of each tube. Then mount the antenna can be suspended with a length
jacks to the board circuits, and position tubes to the wood dowel core with the of cord from one of the plastic tubes
the leads as shown in the photos. slotted ends outward and parallel to for easy rotation and operation in-
allow the loop antenna wires to be doors. Or the loop can be placed on a
CENTER SLOTS wound around the ends as shown in tße wooden chair for temporary operation.
CUT IN TWO 5 -IN. drawing. Note, however, that the loop should be
WOOD DOWELS
Place plastic tape in the tube slots away from AC appliances for best per-
to prevent the wire from being abraded, formance.
and wind the loop with 38 turns of Set all controls to the extreme coun-
#28 enameled magnet wire, and cover ter -clockwise position, and connect the
the wires with a layer of plastic tape. receiver to a 12 volt DC power supply
Connect the loop leads to a phono or battery. Connect the loop antenna
jack (J4) mounted on the end of one to J 1 with either coax or a length of
of the plastic tubes. good quality phono cable, and plug in
AND CEMENTED To minimize noise pickup, wind an a set of high impedance earphones at
TOGETHER TO
FORM LOOP CORE electrostatic shield composed of a spi- J2.
ral winding of hookup wire around the Adjust the audio gain (R8), rf gain
antenna loop. Leave about 1 -in. spac- (R2) and fine tune (C7A/B) controls
ing between the electrostatic shield wire to mid -range. Adjust the osc control
turns, and connect one end of the wire (R5) clockwise until the detector cir-
to the "low" side (shell) of J4. The cuit (Q1) is oscillating. There will be
Dowel sticks for this assembly are available other end of the electrostatic shield a "click" or "plopping" sound in your
from lumber yards, hardware store and wire should be taped so that it will not earphones when the detector stage first
hobby shops. Notch with a wood chisel or cause any accidental short circuits. falls into an oscillating condition. Keep
a keyhole saw or whittle with a pocket knife.
A length of good quality phono or adjusting the osc control (R5) near this
coax can be used to connect the loop point for best sensitivity when tuning
The Loop Antenna. As shown in the antenna to the receiver. Make sure that for signals. Adjust R8 and R2 for best
drawing, the loop antenna is composed the "low" sides of P4 and J1 are con- reception of signals.
of four 1 -in. diameter x 24 -in. long Adjust the fine tuning control (C7A/
plastic tubes. We used polyvinyl chlo- B) for each setting of S1 as you listen
ride (PVC) tubes that can be obtained in on the VLF band from 20 kHz to
from a building supply store. Or any 50 kHz. Reposition the loop antenna
type of plastic tube can be used as well. as necessary for best reception of sig-
The plastic tubes are fitted over a wood - nals. Practice° is required to obtain the
dowel center core as shown in the draw- proper "feel" for operating the receiver
ing, and the loop antenna wires are controls. You can also try different loop
wound over the slots in the tube ends. antenna assemblies with different turns
Begin construction of the loop an- of wire for best results in VLF recep-
tenna by cutting center slóts in two 5 - tion over different portions of the band.
in. long wood dowels (of a diameter to You can experiment with the tuning
fit snugly into the plastic tubes), and range by changing the values of Ll
cement them together as shown in the and L2.
drawing. Wood screws can be used in Remember, this is an experimenter's
place of cement, or hot glue from an project exploring the little-known, little -
electric glue gun can be used as we Experimenters should use a short length of tuned very low frequencies. It's a good
did in our model. 50-ohm coaxial cable for vol. control R8 con - first -step project into VLF; why not
Cut the plastic tubes to size and then nections (mini -type RG -174U or RG -58 U). "kick in" right now!

22 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Tired of all those fancy experimenter projects good for everything but a CB shack?
Here's a goof -proof project that puts SW broadcasts on a CB without modifications!
by Malcolm K. Smith
THE receiver in your CB transceiver receiver or transmitter, you need the Incidentally, the workings of CB re-
is almost certainly an excellent sig- precision standard frequency given by ceivers were well described in e/e for.
nal grabber with good selectivity and WWV. And now, if you'd like to tell July -August 1974. If you have that
sensitivity. But, it's crystal controlled to time with your CB using a converter, issue, the article on page 45, "Discover
receive only the CB channels. There is, what is a converter, and how does it Your CB Receiver," gives a good ex-
however, a simple way to make your work? a planation of converters.
CB serve as a high quality rig for VHF A converter mixes together an input Our CB time converter uses three
monitoring, short wave listening, check- signal-let's say CHU at 7.335 MHz- easy -to -build and low -in -cost modules
ing the National Weather Service fore- with a signal from a "local oscillator" available from the International Crystal
casts, or getting an accurate time and (LO) in the converter itself. When two Mfg. Co., 10 North Lee, Oklahoma
frequency signal. All you need is a sim- signals are mixed, out come new signals City, Okla., 73102. Each module per-
ple device called a converter that re- at the sum and difference of the original forms one function and consists of a
quires no changes to the inside of your frequencies. Suppose you mix the 7.335 transistor, a tuned "LC" circuit, and
rig. And, best of all, building a con- MHz signal from CHU with an LO sig- other components mounted on a printed
verter is a breeze, because it can be nal of 19.730 MHz; one of the output circuit board. The three kits needed
made from low cost modules available signals is their sum -27.065 MHz, the here are: SAX -1, the RF amplifier;
in kit form. frequency of channel 9. MXX-1, the RF mixer; and OX, a
There are many exciting signals you Simplex Circuit. Take a look at the crystal controlled local oscillator. You
can receive on your CB with a con- block diagram which is nearly the sche- will have to buy an "EX" crystal for
verter, but the most useful ones are the matic of a 'converter; the 7.335 MHz each frequency to be received unless
precision time and frequency broadcasts signal is amplified by the RF amplifier you have one of the old tunable re-
sent out by CHU in Canada and the and fed into the mixer where the LO ceivers such as the Lafayette Comstat
National Bureau of Standards station signal (19.730 MHz) is added to it. 19, which can be manually tuned over
WWV in Fort Collins, Colorado. Let's The sum frequency (27.065 MHz) is a range of about 300 kHz. In that case,
say you've just built the e/e MAXICLOCK- fed into the antenna input jack of your you would require only one crystal to
a first class digital clock; surely you need CB (tuned to channel 9), and from the cover this 300 kHz range.
something better than a DJ's idea of speaker you now hear the time signals. Pinpoint Hertz. How do you calcu-
the time to set your clock. Or, if you're You have "converted" 7.335 MHz to late the required crystal frequency? First,
interested in accurate calibration of a 27.065 MHz! determine the frequency you wish to

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST,'Fall-Winter 1975 23

 CB TIME CONVERTER
ANTENNA
With three easy to con-
TO CB
struct and inexpensive RF AMP MIXER RECEIVER
receive; let's say WWV on 10.0 MHz. kits, which come with an
7.335 MHz 7.335 MHz
This is a good first choice since WWV etched and drilled PC SAX -1 MXX -1

seems to come 'in well at most times. board, you can electron-
19.730
Next, decide on the channel to use; ically "slide" your CB re- MHz
channel 9 is probably best, since there ceiver down to pick-up
will be very few strong CB signals to short wave broadcasters L.O.
leak through and interfere with the con- like WWV, CHU, or even
OX
verter signal. The frequency of channel the Voice of America.
9 is 27.065 MHz.
The next step depends on whether
you are going to convert "up" or 3 -Way Cut. So, you want a crystal of build the modules. International Crystal
"down." Here you are converting up frequency 135.485 MHz, right? Wro provides detailed instructions for select-
to a higher frequency, and so you sub- There is a slight complication in usl.ig ing the right components from the
tract the desired frequency from the the OX oscillator at frequencies over 60 ones they supply and for assembling
channel 9 frequency to get the LO fre- MHz. You can't use the basic or funda- the individual modules. The diagram
quency as follows-channel 9 frequency mental frequency of the crystal. You shows you how to connect the modules
(27.065 MHz) minus the desired signal have to use what are called its har- together to produce a converter. Before
frequency (10.000 MHz) gives the monics-frequencies which are two or mounting the boards, check your sol-
"LO" frequency, 17.065 MHz. three or more times the fundamental. dering carefully. Look very carefully at
Now suppose you want tb receive a Here you use the third harmonic-three the joints where the input and output
frequency higher than channel 9, say a times the fundamental. Therefore, the terminals meet the copper foil. They
National Weather Service Station on crystal frequency should be. one third can easily work loose; it's a good idea
162.55 MHz. Incidentally, NWS weath- the LO frequency. The NWS crystal is, to solder each one individually. Use the
er and many other VHF signals are therefore, 135.485 ± 3 = 45.1617 bolts and spacers supplied to mount the
frequency modulated (FM). Your CB MHz. The table gives crystal frequen- modules on a metal chassis; drill four
rig is not designed to receive FM, but, cies for a few other common signals. . 1/8 -in. hiles in a square 13.48 -in. on a side

surprisingly enough, it does a pretty In addition to the International for these bolts.
good job (don't try, however, to build a Crystal modules and EX crystals, you'll Input-Output. SO -239C coaxial jacks
converter for the FM broadcast band; also need a few small parts and a box handle the coax cables to the antenna
your CB rig can't handle their large or cabinet for mounting. The cabinet and the transceiver. An spst switch and
frequency shifts). requirements are not critical; a small a snap -type battery clip take care of
Here you get the LO frequency by metal box or one with a metal cover power connections. A nine-volt transis-
subtracting the channel 9 frequency should serve well. The common Bake- tor radio battery is an adequate power
from the desired frequency, since this is lite box with aluminum cover is fine. source. However, we prefer to use four
"down" conversion, as follows-desired A box abode x 8 x 2'/ -in. is good be- AA cells in a holder; the rig works fine
signal frequency (162.55 MHz) minus cause it gives you plenty of room for on six volts and these cells last longer
the channel 9 frequency (27.065 MHz) batteries, connectors, etc. than the nine volt battery. For long
gives the "LO" frequency 135.485 The ICM kits are quite complete; term monitoring you may want to use
MHz. you'll need only wire and solder to an external AC power supply; the two
r
Here's why we stamp this project "goof -proof." Three little sure-fire PC
board project kits and a few wires to plug them together pick up short- PARTS LIST FOR
wave broadcasts and "convert" them to CB channel 9. That's where your CB TIME CONVERTER
CB set takes over. It "picks up" the converted signal; that's why no modi-
fication to the CB set is ever required. 6P1, 1P2 -5 -way binding posts (Radio
Shack 274-662 or equiv.)
J1, J2-chassis-mount, 50-239, coaxical
jocks
J3-optional crystal Sockel tor "EX" (HC -
6/U) type crystals (Amphenol 9748-16-10 or
OX . equiv.)
o+ (OSCILLATOR) S1-spst toggle switch (ON-OFF)
6V
RF Misc.-four-cell AA' battery holder such as
Rodio Shack 270-383, cabinet with metal
cover about 4 -in. x 8 -in. x 2 -in. such as
Radio Shack 270-232, PL-259 coax connec-
OSC. IN tors for input/output signals, wire, solder,
IN etc.
RF MXX-1 °
(MIXER) In addition, the following "Experimenter" kits
GND will be required from International Crystal Mfg.
+DC OUT Co., Inc., 10 N. Lee, Okla. City, OK 73102;
o OX oscillator @ $2.95, MXX-1 mixer @ $3.50,
SAX -1 RF amplifier (a $3.50, and the proper
EX crystal lime text) @ $3.95. Postpaid.

24 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 COMMON CRYSTAL FREQUENCIES you can keep a crystal or two around
for your most often used frequencies.
Station CHU WWV NWS Marine calling, Here is a selected list of shortwave
weather distress broadcast stations which may interest
you. Of course, you should confirm re-
Freq. 7.335 10 162.55 156.8 ception in your area with a regular
(MHz) 5 162.40 tunable shortwave receiver before sink-
ing your good bucks into a crystal.
Crystal 19,730.000 17, 065.000 45,161.666 43,245.000 Voice of America, Greenville, N.C.,
(kHz) 22,065.000 45,111.666 15160 kHz, 2345 GMT, relaying pro-
grams of the Organization of American
binding posts are for this connection. serve. We get good results by connect- States; Greenville, N.C., 15235 kHz,
One last refinement, that is not neces- ing both wires from a monitor antenna 1900 GMT.
sary but certainly is convenient, is an to the center terminal. This is, in effect, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,
external crystal socket. As shown in a long vertical antenna. Your CB an- Sackville, N.B., 11720 kHz, 0200 GMT,
the diagram, mount the socket near the tenna will probably not work well, since Northern Service newscast; Sackville,
OX module and connect two leads (as most good CB antennas are effectively N.B. 15190 kHz, 0100 GMT, Radio
short as possible) from the OX socket grounded for any frequencies except the Canada International's foreign service
to the terminals of the new socket. This CB channels (good for lightning pro- in English.
allows you to change frequencies over a tection, but not for receiving 10 MHz). CFRX, Toronto, Ontario, 6070 kHz,
narrow range without removing the unit Shortwave Fix -Tuned. There are can be heard during the evening hours
from its case. many shortwave broadcast stations in North America with programs of
A special word here about using your around the world you might try to snag CFRB, sounding much like a popular
converter on different frequencies: You with a' fix -tuned receiver like the one music format U.S. commercial BCB
should follow the ICM instructions here. The radio can be left "on," always station.
carefully in choosing the right coil and tuned exactly to the broadcaster's fre- Voice of the Andes, HCJB, Quito,
capacitor for the kits. For the OX oscil- quency. When "skip" on the shortwave Ecuador, 11745 kHz, English may be
lator, the "yellow dot" coil will prob- bands is just right, and the station is heard around 0300 GMT. Or, in the
ably cover the range you want for time broadcasting, you will be ready to copy. mornings, try 15115 kHz about 1300
listening. However, with the SAX and While a separate crystal for every pos- GMT.
MXX, the yellow dot has to be match- sible frequency is a financial impossi- Radio Peking, Peking, People's Repub-
ed with the right capacitor: the 100 pF bility, and not very practical anyway, lic of China, 15060 kHz. You can find
capacitor tunes the range 5.4 to 8.5 this station broadcasting in English
MHz-just right for CHU. For WWV around 0200 GMT.
you need the 47 pF capacitor that tunes Radio Australia, Melbourne, Australia,
8.5 to 13 MHz. 11785 kHz. Plenty of English programs
When the modules are securely from this down under station; listen in
mounted, make the connections' between about 1400 GMT.
the units as shown in the diagram. Radio Tahiti, Papeete, Tahiti, 15170
Note that the negative battery terminal kHz. With music that runs the gamut
is connected to chassis ground with a from U.S. pops to Polynesian melodies,
solder lug. Connections to the boards listen for this station from its sign -on at
are made with the little connectors sup- 0300 GMT.
plied. Take it easy and work carefully A front panel mounted crystal socket This little converter now makes your
with them. First cut your wire to the permits moderate shifting of the re- CB into a red hot receiver. With the
right length, then strip about '/4 -in. of ceived frequency without internal right LO crystals, you can cover your
insulation from each end. Hold the retuning. If you use an external 6-volt favorite frequency-stops from 3 MHz
"open" end of the connector with long supply, be sure to remove the dry cell. to 170 MHz. Good signal hunting!
nose pliers; squeeze the connector
around the wire end. Secure the wire
in place by flowing in some solder.
Careful! Don't let solder get into the
round end that mates with the pin on
the PC board.
Setup. For testing and adjusting your
converter, an RF signal generator is
useful, but not essential. The tuned cir-
cuits in the SAX and MXX can be
peaked using an on -the -air signal from
CHU or WWV. Adjust the slugs in the
coils for maximum volume from the
speaker.
Of course, your converter needs an
antenna to function properly. When
radio propagation conditions are good,
almost any piece of wire connected to Osc RF AMP MIXER
the center (ungrounded) input will (OX) (SAX -1) (MXX-1)

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST -Fall -Winter 1975 25

www.americanradiohistory.com
Bell & Howell Schools announces two ways to learn new skills
in electronics without ever going to class or giving up your job!

Pick the one

Here are two fascinating home -learning
adventures that say, "Don't envy the man with
skills in electronics... become one!"
If you had to drop everything and go off to school to learn new
skills in electronics, there's a chance you might not do it. But Bell
& Howell Schools' excellent home training has already proved to
tens of thousands that you don't have to drop anything ...except
the idea that classrooms are the only place you can learn!
You can keep your job, your paycheck and your way of life
while you're learning. Because these programs allow you to pick
the training schedule that best fits in with your other activities.
It's that convenient.

I. AUDIO/ELECTRONICS
The first learn -at-home program including
4-channel technology. Explore this totally unique
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equipment and build a sound center featuring
Bell & Howell's superb quadraphonic equipment! t
Learn about 4-channel sound-without a doubt the most impres-
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And now, for the first time, you can also discover this latest
achievement in audio electronics with a fascinating learn-at-home
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cluding 4-channel sound reproduction. A program that could lead
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You actually build and experiment with Bell & The sophisticated amplifier gives you the circuitry you need to
Howell's high-performance 4 -channel audio center conduct the comprehensive experiments necessary to master
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...including amplifier and FM, FM -Stereo tuner. shooting high power amplifier stages, and checking the operation
Understanding today's audio technology requires practical expe- of tone control circuits.
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The tuner you build has both superior performance specs and
state-of-the-art features such as: all solid state, FET front end for
superior sensitivity, crystal IF filters for wide bandwidth, and a
superior stereo multiplex circuit for excellent stereo separation.
You cover the full range
of electronic fundamentals.
But make no mistake. This learn-at-home program is not just
about 4 -channel sound. It covers the full range of elec-
tronic fundamentals leading to understanding audio
technology. So when you finish, you'll have the occu-
pational skills to become a full -service technician, with
the ability to work on the full range of audio equip-
ment such as tape recorders, cassette players, FM
antennas, and commercial sound systems. Get com-
plete information on this unique program by checking
the appropriate box on the card-mail it today!
t Cabinets and speakers available at extra cost.

26 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 you want! Electro-Lab® electronics training system. It includes a special
design console that enables you to assemble test circuits. A
digital multimeter for accurately measuring voltage, current
and resistance. And a solid-state "triggered sweep" oscilloscope
which will allow you to analyze the functioning of tiny integrated
circuits. Putting these instruments together will give you expe-
rience in wiring, soldering and assembling. Then, further on,
you'll use the lab equipment for experience in electronic testing,
troubleshooting and circuit analyzing.
We try to give more personal attention
than other learn -at-home programs.
Simnlatri! TV' test pattern.
Both of these programs are designed so that you can proceed
through them smoothly, step by step. However, should you ever
II. HOME ENTERTAINMENT run into a rough spot, we'll be there to help. While many schools
make you mail in your questions, we have a Ibl1-Free Phone -In
ELECTRONICS Assistance Service for questions that can't wait. Bell & Howell
Gain new skills in Home Entertainment Schools also holds In -Person "Help Sessions"
in 50 major cities at
Electronics in an unusual learn -at-home
program that includes the new generation
color TV you build yourself!
This is the first program of its kind to include the study of digital
electronics. And what better or more exciting way to learn about
it than to actually build and test a 25" diagonal color TV employing
digital electronics?
You'll probe into the digital technology behind all electronic
tuning and channel numbers that appear on the screen. An on-
screen digital clock that shows the time to the second. You'll also
gain a better understanding of the exceptional color clarity of the
Black Matrix picture tube, as well as a working knowledge of
"state-of-the-art" integrated circuitry and the 100% solid-state
chassis.
As you build this remarkable, new generation color TV, you'll
not only learn how advanced integrated circuitry works, but how
to detect and troubleshoot problems in any area.
I Sound good? Then mail the postage -paid card today for more
details.
various times throughout the year. There you can talk shop with
Whichever program you choose, fellow students and receive additional help from instructors.
you'll get to build and experiment with These personalized programs cannot guarantee you a job in
your own electronics laboratory. electronics, but do equip you with impottant occupational skills.
"Hands on" working experience with the latest equipment is the The knowledge you pick up will help you look for a job-
key to Bell & Howell Schools' home training. That's why in both or advance in the one you already have.
progams we start you
off with a set of equip- Mail the postpaid card today
ment called the Lab for full details!
Starter Kit, including a Taken for vocational purposes, these programs qualify for Vet-
fully-assembled volt -ohm erans' Benefits. Send for full details today.
meter designed to help "Electro -Labt`" is a registered trademark of
you experiment with and the Bell & Howell Company.
747RI
better understand basic
electronic principles. So If card is missing, write:
you .don't just read about An Electronics Home Study School
electronic principles, you
DEVRY IIISTITUTE OF TECHf1OLOGY
actually make them work!
ONE OF THE
Next, in step-by-step
fashion, you'll assemble
Bell & Howell's exclusive BELL El HOWELL SCHOOLS
4141 Belmont, Chicago, Illinois 60641

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 29

 Ji YOU'RE AN armchair shortwave even back) as much as 25 percent be-
(SW) traveler, you've probably al- fore reduction in performance becomes
ready read through the shortwave serious. Fig. 1B shows a single-wire
stations listed in White's Radio Log, dipole fed with 75 -ohm feedline which
located in e/e's sister publication COM- can be plastic appliance cord. Fig. 1C
MUNICATIONS WORLD. Maybe, with shows the folded dipole version built
mouth-watering anticipation, you've from. 300-ohm twinlead. The folded
tried to hear Rabaul, Upper Volta, dipole, incidentally, will work well at
Yemen, Hanoi, or Vientiane. If you half the resonant frequency.
haven't been successful, be patient; be- As previously mentioned, a vertical
cause that's what it takes-patience- antenna tends to be omnidirectional,
plus a good SW antenna. We can't sup- while a horizontal antenna tends to have
ply the patience, but here are some good directional characteristics. For general
antenna ideas which are sure to help. around -the -globe listening the vertical
No matter what shortwave receiver antenna is probably best, though low
you're using, a good antenna is a must frequency resonant antennas are difficult
to bring in those distant stations. If it to orient in this position because of
weren't, the manufacturer wouldn't have their length.
supplied antenna terminals! The prob-
lem is what kind of antenna-a hunk of
wire? or maybe something more scien-
tific? We'll help you make the decision
Fig. 1
Imo- ANY
I
LENGTH -1
by telling you a little about SW antennas A
RECEIVER
and how they work. TUNER
Shortwave antennas can be short and
simple or they can be complicated and
cover several acres. For shortwave lis-
tening most of us are limited to the short LENGTH FT.= 468/F MHz -1
and simple ones-those that fit in a back- B + a r

yard and don't cost too much. But even RECEIVER 75 OHM
ANY LENGTH
a simple antenna, properly designed and
installed, can work wonders.
Fig. 1 shows several commonly used
SW antennas with lengths shown for the
LENGTH FT.=468/F MHz -.1
SW broadcast bands. The antenna in
C CY
Fig. lA is known as an unbalanced end -
RECEIVER
fed longwire. It can be hung hori- 300 OHM
TV TWINLEAD
zontally or vertically, or a combination
of both. When hung horizontally it has ANY LENGTH

some degree of directionality, while it

tends to be omnidirectional when verti-
cal. This antenna will work well on all Directionals. If you are interested in
frequencies if it is made long enough, DX from a particular part of the globe,
or it can be cut to operate at only cer- however, the directional characteristics
tain frequencies. It works best with an of a horizontal antenna can work for
antenna tuner that can be located at the you. Fig. 2 shows the direction of maxi-
receiver, since the lead-in is part of the mum pickup for the horizontal longwire
antenna's total length. The longwire has and dipole. By looking at a globe and
a high terminal impedance and always determining the shortest path to the
operates best with a tuner that matches
the antenna to the receiver. With an Fig. 2
antenna tuner, it is an ideal antenna to
run around the eaves of the house, or LONGWIRE
across the attic.
Another Type. Figs. 1B and 1C show
the popular centerfed balanced dipole.
This antenna can also be hung vertically
or horizontally and uses two balanced
leads to the receiver that. can be any DIPOLE AT f,
length. This antenna is always cut to a CZ.) ,:., CZO

resonant length, though it will also work

well at three times the resonant fre-
quency. For instance, an antenna that
These antenna ideas will works in the 90 meter SW band (3.2-
DIPOLE AT 3f,\
help you pull in those

\
3.4 MHz) will also work for the 31
elusive shortwave stations. meter band (9.5-9.7 MHz). If space is
limited, its ends can be bent down (or

30 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
area you want to hear, you can position
your antenna and use its directional Fig. 4 Three porcelain antenna
characteristics to advantage. insulators are used for
Fig. 3 shows how directionality can LENGTH ft = 468/F MHz antenna A. One separates
be further increased by bending the A 15 LENGTH -..1 I. 85 LENGTH each section of the
ends of the dipole inward. This type of czzi- antenna at the point of
antenna can be easily built by using a TWINLEAD feedline connection. The
center support, such as a TV mast, and other two insulate the
bringing the ends in and down toward 93 feet antenna ends from the
the ground. For best results, the ends of B -1 supporting structure.

\
14 feet 79 feet
the antenna must be 10 feet or more The antenna atB uses
above the earth.
A more elaborate antenna that will ILIO-ft9-in.--
STRIP OUT
61-f t.3 -in 1/
STRIP OUT
300 -ohm twinlead for the
transmission line and the
"look" in any one of four directions CONDUCTOR 300 -OHM TWINLEAD CONDUCTOR antenna elements. Only
can be made by mounting two dipoles the ends at the feedline
in this manner at right angles and con- 41 -ft. 6-in 41 ft. 6 in. connections are wound
necting the lead-in to different elements together and soldered.
to achieve the desired direction. This 36 ft.-. 36 f L5-ft+i Outside ends are separated,
with one partially removed
deluxe array has a disadvantage in that
STRIP OUT -75 OHM STRIP OUT
as shown. At C the use of
you must have easy access to the top, 6 -in. 6 -in.
or center part, in order to change lead- 300 -OHM 75 -ohm line is called for.
TWIN LEAD
in connections.

Fortunately, choice DX can be logged connected to the same lead-in to give

on any of the eleven international broad- satisfactory performance on the 60, 49,
Fig. 3 cast bands; but it is difficult (if not 41, 31, 25, 19, 16, 13, and 11 meter
impossible) for the serious SW listener bands. This permits coverage of 9 of the
to come up with a good antenna for 11 international broadcast bands with
each of eleven bands. Few SWLs have a single antenna. By tying the lead-ins
the real estate or inclination to put up together at the receiver and using an
a single tuned antenna for each band, so antenna tuner, this antenna becomes a
a couple of multiband antennas running longwire, making it probably the most
in different directions is often the an- versatile SW antenna available.
A swer. Fig. 4 shows simple multi -band Another multiband antenna shown in
antennas that can be used; and, through Fig. 4C consists of two centerfed di-
compromises, they will give all around poles made from 300 -ohm twinlead con-
performance. nected to the same feedline. This an-
Still Around. The basic antenna tenna has the advantage of being short
shown in Fig. 4A was popular in the (nice for small city lots, or apartment
1930s, and is known as the "windom" dwellers) and performs well on the 60,
antenna. It can be fed with 300 -ohm 49, 41, 25, 19, 16, 13, and 11 meter
TV twinlead, and works well on even bands. Again, it can be connected as a
harmonics of the fundamental fre- longwire at the receiver and used with
quency. an antenna tuner.
Figure 4B shows how, by using 300 - The circuit of a simple SWL antenna
ohm twinlead, two antennas can be (Continued on page 102)

BUILD A SIMPLE SWL ANTENNA TUNER

Here'sa simple antenna tuner any SWL can whip together in an evening and C1-365-pF miniature variable
usefor a lifetime. Neatness counts when monkeying with low level RF, so capacitor
mimic the author's model for best results. Keep solder connections clean. L1-31 turns/in., 5/8 -in. diam. coil

stock, B&W 3008, Air Dux 532T,

Fig. 5
etc.
Note: Measure coil and cut 1/2 -in.
from one end. Remove one turn
3-10 MHz
in either direction. Measure 1/2 -
in. and solder tap to one turn
Cl (bend adjacent turns inward for
access). Coil ends mount to
terminal strip for stability.
S1-Spdt toggle switch
TO Misc.-2-lug terminal strips for
RECEIVER antenna, ground and receiver
connections, knobs, wire, solder,
31/4 x 21/4 x 4 -in. cabinet, etc.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 31

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Both young and old radio buffs usually start out with a crystal set . . .

OATMEAL BOX CRYSTAL

Fig. 1 ASK JUST about any radio old-timer,
Sliding contacts made from brass and steel. including this writer, and he will
6-32 x 1/4 -in. flat- Knob made from 1/2 -in. probably tell you that his first
head brass machine wood dowel, and
painted black
radio was a home-brew slide tuning coil
screw, soldered to
top of slider wound on an oatmeal box, a cat whisk-
7/32 -in. OD square brass er and galena crystal detector, and a
tube or rod of the pair of earphones. This picture story
required length (see text) shows how to make such a radio, and it
SLIDER
1 -in. length of 1/4 -in. OD
looks much like the writer's first radio
wide brass or steel band,
1/4 -in.
square brass tube bent as shown, and soldered built not long after World War I.
that fits over rod to underside of slider First, make the coil. Remove the two
end covers from an 18 -ounce, round
Fig. 2 Antenna and ground end of the Quaker Oats radio. Quaker Oats box, and cut the tube to a
length of about 61 -in. Give the tube á
coat of shellac inside and out to mois-
Bore under -size hole ture -proof it.
about 3/4 -in. into wood
block, twist a The writer used #21 single -cotton -
8-32 x 11/2 -in. R.H. covered enamelled copper magnet wire,
brass machine screw and after the coil was wound the cotton
into hole, and saw off was colored green by painting it with
the head.
India ink to make it look like the old-
8-32 brass threaded time green silk -covered wire which is
rod runs all the way
through the radio. no longer being made. If you prefer,
use #20 or #21 enamelled or nylon -
coated copper magnet wire, and one
Antenna. End of coil
passes through wood
pound should easily do it.
to antenna binding Get Going. Punch two small holes
post. through the tube at each end, about 1/2 -
in. from the ends, to anchor the ends of
your coil. To do a tight, smooth and
neat job of winding the coil, tie the end

Fig. 3
Crystal detector end of the Quaker Oats radio.

1/2 -in. long flat -head

1/2 -in. long flat -head wood screw
wood screw holds
medium-size
fahnestock clip Cat whisker

3/4 -in. long R.H. wood U bracket

screw holds rod and
medium size fahnestock
clip to wood block. Ball
This clip is for
phones
Sliding rod

U -bracket is held by Knob

threaded rod and hex
nut. (A length of
8-32 threaded brass Mounted galena crystal
rod passes all the way fits into above crystal
through the radio) clamp

32 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 if your "taste" dates to earlier days, try-

RADIO by Art Trauffer

Your basic materials may be the same,
but the bucks required to buy them
of the wire to some object outdoors
have certainly bounced upward from
where there is plenty of room, and un-
bygone days! It cost the editor 494 for
wind a couple hundred feet of wire,
this box which had four d°fferent prices
and pull the wire tight to stretch out
on the top ranging from 49 up to 55 4 .
any bends in the wire. Cut off the wire
and anchor the end in the two small
holes near one end of the tube, and dab
a bit of cement to hold it fast. Now
wind the coil by turning the tube slowly
while you walk towards the tied end of
the wire, and when the tube is full of
wire cut off the wire and anchor the
end in the two holes at the other end of
the tube and put on a dab of cement.
This trick will give you a neat profes-
sional -looking coil.
As shown in the photos, the two
wood end blocks for the coil measure
5 x 5 x '/c -in. and are sanded smooth,
stainer(, and varnished. The writer's first
project used oak.
Bore a 3/16 -in. hole through the ex-
act center of each wood block; these
are for the length of 8-32 threaded
brass rod that passes through the coil
and holds the wood end blocks. One
end of the threaded rod holds the U -
bracket of the crystal detector (Fig. 3),
and the other end of the rod serves as
the antenna binding post (Fig. 2). Fig. 4 Simple schematic for the crystal radio.
Note in Fig. 2 that the end of the coil
Ground O Slider
nearest to the antenna binding post
U -bracketof crystal
passes through a small hole in the wood detector connects to
block and is clamped between the two threaded brass rod
washers of the antenna binding post;
this automatically connects the coil end
to the U -bracket of the crystal detector
Antenna 0 -- --Cat whisker
also. Crystal
Figs. 2 & 3 give details for mounting One end of coil
the slide rods, the earphone Fahnestock Phones
connects to threaded Slider
clips, the ground binding post, and the brass rod that goes
l
O
clamp that holds the galena crystal. The through coil form
simple hook-up is shown in Fig. 4. Fig.
BILL OF MATERIALS FOR QUAKER OATS BOX CRYSTAL RADIO
1 gives all details for making the two
sliders that will contact the coil. 1 round Quaker Oats box (18 oz.) 3 inches -wide brass band (for slider)
'/2 -in.
Ib. #20 copper magnet wine, for winding 4 inches of '/4 -in. -wide brass band (for
Contact. Perhaps the hardest job of 1

coil (see text) making slider contact blades)

all is to do a neat job of removing the 2 pieces 5 -in. x 5 -in. x s/ -in. oak, walnut, 2 medium -size fahnestock clips (for phones
insulation from the coil when making or mahogany (for coil end blocks) binding posts)
the two bare wire paths for the sliders. 1 foot of 8-32 threaded bra s rod (to pass 1 '/r -in. long flat -head wood screw (holds
Use fine sandpaper and be careful not through coil form) one fahnestock clip to wood block)
1 8-32 brass hex nut (holds ,:rystal detector 1 unmounted crystal detector stand (K/D
to sand off too much of the copper. U -bracket to wood block) Stand 9-14, Modern Radio Labs.)
When you are through brush away any 2 12 -in. lengths 7/32 OD square brass tub- 1 mounted galena crystal for above detector
fine copper dust between the turns of ing or solid rod (for slider tracks) stand (9-1 MRL Steel Galena, Modern Radio
the wire. You will get a neater job if 3 '/4 -in. -long round -head woad screws (hold Labs., P.O. Box 1477, Garden Grove, CA
brass rods to wood blocks) 92642)
you use enamelled wire instead of cot- 1 8-32 x 1'/2 -in. round -head brass machine 1 '/2 -in. long flat -head wood screw (holds
ton -covered wire. screw, with hex nut and ornDmental thumb crystal clamp to wood block)
For best results with this crystal ra- nut to fit (for ground binding post)
Note: Those who do not have near -by hobby
dio, use a long antenna, a cold water 3 inches of square brass fubir g to fit snugly shops or large hardware stores can get most of
over slider rods (for making the two sliders) the above hardware from MRL, P.O. Box 1477,
pipe ground, a sensitive galena crystal, 2 6-32 x '/4 -in. flat -head crass machine Garden Grove, CA 92642. Send them 250 for a
and a sensitive high -impedance pair of screws (to hold knobs to top o' sliders) copy of their catalog.
magnetic earphones.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 33

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Here are some ideas
suggestinghow to make
novel pen sets that bring
back fond memories to old-
RADIO HISTORY by Art Trauffer
timers in wireless and
radio. The pen sets also
fascinate newcomers in
radio and electronics, and
they make nice gifts.
As shown in the illustra- here is a Western
tions, an early wireless or Electric 216-A triode
radio item such as a tube mounted on a
vacuum tube, crystal de- block of onyx pur-
chased at a sale for a
tector stand, or spark gap feu. cents. The four
is mounted on a block of pins on the bottom of
marble, onyx, or wood, and the tube base were sol-
then a funnel and pen is dered to a small brass
added to complete the desk disc and then the brass
pen set. disc was cemented to
Old-timers in radio might the onyx block with
want to use the crystal epoxy glue. The ball
detector they made or joint of the pen funnel
bought for their first crystal was also glued to the
onyx block.
set, or the first tube they
used when they graduated
to tube sets, or the spark
gap they made or bought to
use with their Ford spark A novel pen set idea is a
coil transmitter. Newcomers Western Electric 20:3-D
in radio and electronics triode (similar to a VT-1)
can purchase the above mounted in an RCA UR -542
early items from antique porcelain bayonet -type
radio collectors, or they can socket. One of the binding
make their own crystal post screws was removed
detector stands and spark from the socket and a 6-32
x t_7 in. flat -head machine
gaps using the illustrations
screw was passed through
as guides.
the hole to hold the ball joint
Marble and onyx blocks can of the pen funnel. If desired,
sometimes be found at you can cement the pen
sales, or they can be pur- funnel to the socket using
chased from large electric epoxy, or "miracle glue."
lamp supplies firms, or from Four small felt pads were
firms that make sports added to the bottom of the
trophies. Funnels and pens socket.
can be purchased from the
larger hobbies and crafts
dealers. The table gives
some purchasing tips. The author used a
To mount items on marble marble block remorcrl
and onyx blocks you can from a discarded
either drill holes using basketball trophy
purchased for 750 at a
high-speed drills (at slow Salvation Army store.
speeds), or masonry drills, The hole in the block
or you can simply cement was used for mounting
the items on the blocks a funnel and pen. The
using epoxy glue or the crystal detector party
new industrial "wonder were glued to the
glues." block with epoxy glue.

34 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 POSSIBLE SOURCES

ON YOUR DESK
Bring back the days of "wireless" glory with
FOR DESK PEN SET
MATERIALS
Marble and Onyx Blocks
these fascinating and useful souvenirs! Salvation Army, Goodwill
Stores, auctions, rummage
sales
Gilbert & Miller, Inc.,
239 New Main St., Yonkers,
NY 10701. (This company
Here we have the
supplies marble and onyx
famous Westinghouse
blocks, as well as pens and
Aeriotron (WD -11) pen funnels. Write for catalog.)
triode tube which
made a big hit in the Pens and Pen Funnels
early 1920s because Gilbert & Miller, Inc. (see
you could heat the address above) Large hobbies
filament (1.1 volts) and crafts supplies stores
with a 11/2 -volt rlrycell Green Felt
instead of using a 6 - Notions and yard goods
volt storage battery. In departments of department
this case, the author stores
used a desk pen set Early Vacuum Tubes
purchased at a rum- Antique radio collectors (The
mage sale for 500, and following two antique radio
drilled four small holes newsletters also might be
for the tube base pins helpful: Antique Radio Topics,
to fit in, and then used published by Antique Radio
epoxy glue to hold it Press, P.O. Box 42, Rossville,
fast. Green felt was IN 46065-500; and The Horn
glued to the bottom of Speaker, published by
the marble to protect Cranshaw Publications, P.O.
polished desk surfaces. Box 12, Kleberg, TX 75145-
also 500.)
Watch ads in Collectors News,
Antique Trader, etc. for
antique radio collectors and
dealers wanting to sell early
radio vacuum tubes.
Crystal Detector Stands
Modern Radio Labs., 1477-G,
Garden Grove, CA 92642
Bill Baker, Route 3, Box 1134,
Here is a home-brew Troutdale, OR 97060 has some
stationary spark gap, Kilbourne & Clark crystal
such as used in the early detector stands (circa early
days of radio-known 1920s) to sell. Write him for
then as "wireless." Many prices.
of you Old-timers will
Crystals
recall using a Ford
Model-T spark coil to Modern Radio Labs. (see
provide the high voltage address above) sells various
for the spark! Assembly types of crystals. Write for
is easy. Simply pass a details and prices
machine scretc through Art Trauffer, 120 Fourth Street,
one of the mounting Council Bluffs, IA 51501 sells
holes in the base of the genuine MPM (Milion Point
Mineral) unmounted galena
spark gap to hold the
ball joint of the pen crystals in original factory
boxes (circa early 1920s) at
funnel. Glue felt to the
500 each, plus postage.
bottom of the hase to
protect polished desk Spark Gaps
surfaces. Buy from antique radio
collectors and dealers.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST, Fall -Winter 1975 35

www.americanradiohistory.com
ROCK BOTTOM COST

HIGH
BAND
MONITOR
Getting bored by the temp -humidity index? Slide an inexpensive weather monitor up or down for some exciting signal hunting!

BECAUSE they're priced so low, gen- any difference as long as the local oscil- holes at the mark and then install a
erally from $10 to $20, the lator is tunable. trimmer' capacitor on the cabinet near
"weather monitor" has been a hot To change the weather monitor tun- the holes. Or, you don't have to secure
gift item for the electronics experiment- ing range, all you need do is connect a the trimmer if you feel you will ex-
er, so you probably have one. Tuning small external trimmer capacitor across periment with different capacitor values,
the weather station frequencies of the oscillator tuning capacitor-the fine but it will be difficult to tune the sta-
162.40 and/or 162.55 MHz, these tuning control. The value of capacitor tions with a "floating" trimmer. You
small, inexpensive radios are supposed will determine which frequencies are can't hand -hold the trimmer because
to keep you up to date on the latest tuned. Keep in mind thàt as you tune the capacitance from your hand will
weather conditions. But as you've prob- lower in frequency the sensitivity is affect the tuning adjustments.
ably discovered yourself, unless you're sharply reduced, particularly below Slip the wires from the fine tuning
a boat owner with need for tide and about 160 MHz. A capacitor with a control through the holes you've drilled
sea conditions, you get a more up-to- maximum value of 7 pF will get you in the cabinet and seat the circuit
date report from your local news sta- down to the police/fire frequencies. A board. Then reassemble the monitor.
tion-AM or FM. 60 pF maximum trimmer will get you Connect the wires protruding
Also, reception is probably not all about to the top of the FM band, but through the cabinet to the trimmer
that great. The recommended receiver tuning will be extremely critical and capacitor using the shortest possible
sensitivity for weather station reception sensitivity will be very low. leads (cut off the excess).
is 0.6 uV for a 50 -mile range, and A 60 pF trimmer will also get you That's the whole bit. Use an insulat-
these inexpensive weather receivers some of the TV sound carriers above ed alignment-type screwdriver to ad-
can't get anywhere near this kind of 162 MHz. How can you receive signals just the trimmer. You'll probably be
sensitivity. above 162 MHz if the tuning range is able to tune a few TV stations immedi-
But there's no need to let an unused lowered? Simple. The harmonics of the ately. Tuning police/fire calls or any-
weather receiver sit on the shelf. For- local oscillator are used to receive the thing else will be more difficult because
tunately, very few models use crystal TV stations. For example, if you lower transmissions in these services are
control tuning, and they are easily con- the monitor's oscillator to, say, 100 short and fast. You can preset the tun-
verted to a police or fire monitor, or MHz, the oscillator's harmonic output ing by using a signal generator or a
even a sound channel receiver for the is also 200 MHz, and a very weak 300 well calibrated grid dip oscillator.
higher VHF TV stations. But remem- MHz. (The monitor's front end appears Remember, this is a fun project.
ber, there won't be any super -sensitiv- to pass the frequencies above the de- Don't hope for more than acceptable
ity. TV stations might be received some sign -range, 162 MHz, with greater sen- reception. But then who knows, you
30 or 40 miles from the transmitter, sitivity than lower frequencies.) might be able to tune your favorite TV
but you'll have to be within 2 miles or Tear It Down. To experiment you channel and keep track of the program
so of the average police or fire trans- must first get the circuit out of its while working in your shop.
mitter to pick them up. If you live near cabinet. Keep in mind these weather
an airport you might get coverage of monitors are inexpensive and designed
the aircraft frequencies above 108 to be assembled quickly by unskilled
MHz, but with sharply reduced sensi- workers. Don't go looking for tricky or
tivity. difficult assembly sub-systems. General-
The weather monitors are generally ly, one or two screws are all that's
similar in electronic design, though the holding the cabinet together. If neces-
packaging might be anything from a sary, unsolder the speaker wires, bat-
arnornaummummummummilizas
cube to a desk-top pen holder. The cir- tery wires and on -off switch wires, and
cuits are bare -minimum superhet re- remove the circuit board from the cab-
ceivers with a local oscillator tuned inet. Locate the trimmer capacitor used
over a limited range by a panel control. for the fine tuning and its two solder
Generally, there are two panel controls, terminals. Solder a 3 -in. length of solid,
one for volume and one for fine tuning. insulated wire to each terminal.
The fine tuning knob might have cali- Check how the board fits the cabinet
Install a small trimmer on the cabinet at
brations for both weather frequencies, and mark the outside of the cabinet
a point just outside the internal trimmer.
or no calibration at all. It doesn't make nearest the fine tuning. Drill two small

36 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 CID

- W1PEITROL 11
Mating "single sweep" windshield wiper gadgets to vehicles
often turns into an installer's nightmare-no more!
by Felix Peterson
WHAT'S IN COMMON with all these vehicles (besides unit described here is simply equivalent to turning the wiper
Middle East oil)? Wrong! It's not that they're out of switch on then off. A 555 -type timer controls the opening
gas, it's simply that until now, the very popular wiper and closing of relay contacts which are connected in such
delay function which helps keep windshields clean in a a way as to simulate turning the dashboard switch on and
drizzle or winter slush has given many auto buffs, hobbyists off. The time interval between wipes can be varied, and the
and commuters a rough time. unit does not interfere with normal operation of the wipers.
So many different windshield wiper systems are used on There are other wiper control units available, but one has
so many different cars and trucks that no one wiper delay to buy them before he can find out if they work on his car.
system has been right for everyone. A control system that Another problem with existing units is that some do not
worked in a'68 "Belchfire 8" might send its SCR or transistor park the wipers after each sweep. Eventually the wipers can
up in a puff of smoke when connected to a new "Mini 4 - stop in the middle of the windshield. This happens when the
Banger." rain lets up and there is more drag on the wipers, or when
Yet the popularity of these add-on gadgets grows and the car is stopped at a traffic light and the wiper motor slows
prospers. Big names and small list wiper delay units in their down due to drain on the battery. In contrast, the wiper
catalogs and ads. There's no doubt that drivers want to build control presented here causes the blades to return to exactly
a project that gives the convenience of a single -flick auto- their park position after each sweep.
matic windshield wiper. That's why we're here, and e/e There are two other useful features of this wiper unit. It
likes a challenge, so we put an author's head together with has a button for one-shot operation of the wipers, and dur-
ours and came up with the ideal wiper delay project. ing installation it can be adjusted to give two sweeps for
Why It's Best. If this system is not for your car, or if your each kick of the motor instead of one.
car and you refuse to get together with a workable instal- Before You Build. The object here is to determine
lation, you will know it before you sink valuable bucks and whether Wiper-Trol II will work on your car before you
construction time into the project. We show you how to build it. Some dpdt switches (such as Radio Shack 275-
check your car, truck, motorhome, Henry J, or anything 1537) are used because they are more convenient than
that has electrically operated wipers to be sure Wiper-trol II spdt. While car wiper circuits vary a great deal, most run
will work-before you build it. four wires to the motor; therefore, the test described here
Interested? Read on. will assume four wires. If your wiper motor has more wires,
Basic Operation. In virtually all cars, turning on the just use more switches. This will correspond to another relay
wiper switch momentarily will cause the wipers to sweep once, in the control box. If your wiper motor and washer pump
then return to their park position. The operation of the wiper are housed together, use only the wires to the wiper motor.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 37

www.americanradiohistory.com
 DASHBOARD TEST SWITCHES
WIPER-TROL II SWITCH /WILL BE CONNECTED
r -I I` HERE
+12 OFF I

There are two ways to determine

I

BLUE This example of actual

how to connect the dpdt test switches ON windshield wiper wiring is
NO CONN
into your car wiper circuit. One is to for a 3 -speed Chrysler
° RED
have a schematic for your car which +12 Corporation system. It is
- . WINDSHIELD
shows the inside workings of the wiper WIPER shown in the low speed
dashboard switch. The other is to de- I GREEN MOTOR position. While not entirely
termine the inside workings of the necessary in all cases, it is
4 I
nonetheless a good idea to
I

dashboard switch through a tracing pro-

cedure described later. I BROWN have a copy of your wind-
+12
shield wiper wiring diagram.
Let us first suppose you have a sche- L J
matic. The figure shows a typical wir-
ing arrangement (in this case, a TEST SWITCHES
Chrysler wiper). For low speed opera- To fully insure your success
tion, the dash switch connects the red BLUE before you build this wiper
and brown wires to the car battery -I- NCNB delay device, connect in-
terminal. Equally important, however, DASHBOARD
RED WINDSHIELD expensive toggle switches to
SWITCH WIPER test the wiper delay tech-
is the fact that the blue is connected to +12 --Lc`JB MOTOR
IN OFF
nothing for low speed, and the green is POSITION
nique. You simulate the
grounded. Your test switches would be A
operation of Wiper-Trol II by
connected as shown in the next figure. throwing both switches at
= B
BROWN the same time to confirm
With the dash switch off, and the test your hook-up.
switches at position A, the wipers +12 =p
should sweep. More important, how-
ever, with the test switches returned to
B, the wipers should go to their park eral Motors wiper circuits and switches. containing the color of each of the
position because the dash switch is The Volvo manual also shows switch wires, and the second column blank.
turned off. If the test works, the test details. The National books do not con- The object now is to find what each
switches can be replaced with the relay tain switch details, but have numerous wire coming from the switch side (de-
contacts of the control unit with confi- wiring diagrams which can be quite noted "S") is connected to, and write
dence that the unit will work on your useful. the data in the second column of the
car. If a diagram for your dash switch table. One ohmmeter lead is connected
Finding Data. Wiring diagrams that can not be found, a tracing scheme shown to an "S" wire, the other is connected
show the operation of the dash switch in the figure may be used to find out to the + battery lead, then to the chas-
can sometimes be found in the car's how to connect the test switches. The sis, then to each of the other "S" wires.
manual. Some manuals come with the -I- battery lead is disconnected (for In this way, for example, one finds that
car, others can be obtained from car positive ground cars, disconnect the the brown "S" wire is connected to the
dealers or the library. Several books of negative lead) and the ignition switch + battery lead, and the green "S" wire
value are listed at the end of this article. and wiper dash switch are both turned is connected to nothing. To conduct
These can be found in most public li- on. The wires to the motor are discon- this lest, one should have an ohmmeter
braries. The Chilton's Manual has a nected at the motor. Generally, there that can distinguish between adirect
specific section on wiper circuits. There is a connector at the motor that can connection, and a connection through
is detailed information in it for Ameri- just be unplugged. Now sketch a table a resistance of about five ohms. Some
can Motors, Chrysler, Ford, and Gen - like that shown, with the first column dash switches have resistors between

POWER

DELAY
PERIOD

MODE

SINGLE
SWEEP

Relay coils are wired in parallel to operate

in unison since more contact pairs are re- Perhaps the most interesting and clever feature of the Wiper-Trol II is the single
quired than are conveniently available in sweep (1 -shot) mode. Should you accidentally fail to turn the power off, the wiper
an easy -to-find relay. One coil draws 50 mA. 'will single-sweep 10 minutes after the last push of the button to improve your mind.

38 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 their terminals, and can make it appear
at first glance that one "S" wire is con- OHMMETER
nected to two different points, when
there may actually be a resistor be-
tween the "S" wire and one of the
points. TO"+" BATTERY
After the table is filled -in, the test TERMINAL
switches can be tried, also as illustrated
in the figure. Once the switches have
been connected, the car battery is re-
connected and the ignition switch is
placed in the on position, but the car
engine should not be running. If placing BROWN "S"
BROWN "
the switches in the A position sweeps
the wipers, and placing them in the B
position causes the wipers to park, the GREEN "S"
control unit will work when the test
switches are replaced with the relay WINDSHIELD
contacts. BLUE "S" WIPER
Other Hints. For those cars with MOTOR
relays built into the wiper circuitry, as
on some GM cars, the wiper control
unit can still work well, but the test BLACK "S"
procedure described above is best per-
formed with a car wiring diagram in
,hand so that you are sure to trace con-
nections through the dash switch and BROWN "S' B
not through the car relay. Again, a GM BROWN "
or Chilton Manual can be very useful
here. Also, remember that an improper
trace may cause some sparks to fly
when the test switches are closed-so be
prepared to open them quickly. A 3
amp fuse in the power lead to the relay
contacts should prevent damage. The
test switches should be operated simul-
taneously, and all leads to them should
be double-checked before the experi-
ment is tried. If the test switches do
not operate the wipers, check the
switches themselves, check your wiring 3A FUSE
and tracing, and, finally, try getting a TEST SWITCHES
description of the dashboard switch (OR RELAY CONTACTS)
+12V
from the library, a bookstore, or car THROUGH
service center. This may be the chal- IGNITION
lenging do-it-yourself part. SWITCH
As can be seen from the schematic,
it requires only one IC and a handful
WINDSHIELD
of óther components. The final as- WIPER
sembly fits on a 3 x 3 -in. perf board, SWITCH ON
and inside a small (3 x 2 x 4 -in.)
( LOW SPEED )
cabinet. Power to the IC should come
through the ignition switch and Si, BROWN "S" + BATTERY
which is on the front of the control CONNECTED TO -0.- LEAD
box. Switch S2 allows the unit to oper-
ate in a repeat mode, or a one-shot GREEN "S"
only mode. In the one-shot mode, the CONNECTED TO -- - NOTHING
wipers can be kicked at will with a
touch of pushbutton S3. With S2 in the BLUE "S"
one-shot position, R1 causes the wipers CONNECTED TO --.- NOTHING
to sweep once every ten minutes as a
reminder that power is on. In the repeat BLACK "S" + BATTERY
mode, the wipers are kicked by relays CONNECTED TO --»- LEAD
Kl and K2 at intervals determined by
R3 which is mounted on the front Example of how you determine if Wiper-Trol It is right for your vehicle. Simply
panel of the control box. The repeat disconnect battery lead, turn on ignition and wiper control, use ohmmeter to fill
mode allows one-shot operation as well. the table. This example is for 1973-1974 Volvo cars.
Set -Up. Resistor R5 is important be

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST, Fall -Winter 1975 39

 IGNITION KEY
Sl
cK) o

(POWER) REPEAT

-SHOT
S o
(MODE)
+12V
1
AUTO
1 T.IµF C2. R2
BATTERY
PARTS LIST FOR WIPER-TROL II 20K
Rl
C1-100-uF, 35-VDC electrolytic capacitor 10 MEG
C2-0.1-uF capacitor R3 (INTERVAL
01 -1 -amp, 50 -Ply silicon diode 8 7 6 5 05 MEG CONTROL)
ICI -555 -type timer IC ICI
Kt, K2-dpdt relay, 3 -amp contacts, 12-VDC 1 2 3 4
coil R4
Rl -10-meg., 1/2 -watt resistor 18K
R2 -20,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
R3-0.5-meg. linear taper potentiometer R5 ( KICK DURATION
R4 -18,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
50K CONTROL)
R5 -50 -000 -ohm linear taper potentiometer,
PC type
R6 -100 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
S30
--
-I CI
IOOµF
Si -spst subminiature toggle switch 1 -SHOT )
CHASSIS OF VEHICLE
S2-spdt subminiature toggle switch
R6 Dl
S3-spst pushbutton switch
100 St
Misc.-perf board, hardware, case approx.
2 x 4 -in., 3 amp
3 x
fuse and dpdt switches for
testing (see text), 4 -pin chassis connector
r--- r
I
-HE 1--
and mate (optional, see text), wire, solder, K2 KI
etc.
L_- J. D'

TO WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM LEADS

JI J2 J3

INTERVAL
WIPER-TROL II BETWEEN WIPES
C2 Kl
R5

+12V -RELAY__ r 5fl4 R6 DI o

OFF R4
cause it allows you to adjust the dura- OV- RELAY
I
I

LJ
I
I

8
ICI
1
Cl
tion of kick that is best suited to your
car, but it is located inside the control
box because the adjustment need be KICK DURATION
made only once. The figure shows that For the math -minded, relay-on "kick dura- RI
the kick duration is adjustable from 1.3 tion" time equals 0.7 (R4 + R5) Cl and is S3
BELOW
to 4.8 seconds, and the interval between 1.3 to 4.8 seconds in duration. Interval be-
"sweeps" is adjustable from 3 seconds tween "kicks" is equal to 0.7 (R2 + R3 + 4 rr7=1
R3

R4 + R5) Cl and varies with R3 from three

r \
to 50 seconds. Adjusting the kick dura- SI S2 R2 R3
tion to be a bit long (around 4-5 sec- seconds to fifty seconds. Waveform is out-
put of 555 -type timer Pin 3. Typical layout of parts on peri board.
onds) will cause the wiper to sweep
twice before parking, thereby drying
the windshield just a little bit better.
relay contacts. One arrangement is to be sure wiper motor power is off when
Relays Kl and K2 have dpdt con- run all normally closed contacts to con- the car is unattended (when the igni-
tacts, but a 4pdt relay may be used tion switch is off) .
nector 1, the center poles to connector
instead. The contacts must be of the Trouble Shooting. If the unit fails to
2, and the normally open contacts to
break -before -make type, and should be properly operate the wiper motor even
connector 3. This places all wiper mo-
rated for at least 3 amps, as should the though testing with the dpdt switches
tor wires on one incoming male connec-
wires connecting them to the wiper was successful, there can be only a.few
tor, and all switch wires on another,
motor. Chassis connectors (female) are simple reasons for the cause. Check to
thereby making installation straight -for-
convenient for handling wires from the ward. This method was used in the see that the 555 operates the relay coils,
author's model. that the wiring to the wiper motor is
References Another relay may be added i9 paral- correct, and that the relay contacts all
Chilton's Auto Repair Manual, 1974, Chilton Book lel with K1 and K2 if more contacts open and close properly.
Co., Radnor, PA There it is- a do-it-yourself wiper
are needed; up to 150 mA may be
Volvo Service and Repair Handbook, Clymer Publi-
drawn by the coils without harming the control that lets you drive with both
cations, Los Angeles, CA
National Service Data, 1974, Mitchell Manuals, 555. Power connected to the contacts hands on the wheel while it does the
Inc., San Diego, CA can come from the ignition switch to clean windshield bit!

40 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Hobbyist Power
Supply For TTL
TTL-type digital integrated circuits require a steady 5
volts for superior operation. Get ready for TTL projects with this
ultra -simple, high performance regulator.
by Herb Friedman
ELECTRONICS IS going digital! Not hot due to excess current drain, or avoid the fuss and bother of making
only are space TV photos relayed should a wiring error or breakdown in your own PC board, you can use a pre -
by digital techniques, but inter - the external circuit short -out the power drilled factory -made board which we'll
country TV sound across the big pond supply, the supply will automatically describe later.
(Europe) uses bits to represent audio. turn off, thus protecting both the power Transformer Tl is an ordinary 6.3 -
Right here in the U.S. we find TV re- supply components and the connected volt filament transformer rated at least
ceivers and FM tuners are "going digi- circuit. 1 ampere. Capacitors Cl, C2, and C3
tal." Even hobby projects such as you'll While you can always use a handful can be replaced with 1a single 3000-uF
find here in e/e are using digital ICs. of components to build a 5 -volt regu- unit rated at least 15 volts, but you'll
The 7400 series of digital ICs is lated supply for TTL-assuming you find it much easier to locate three 1000-
presently the most popular digital de- could possibly -find the necessary com- uF capacitors. Diode bridge D1 should
vice "family," primarily because of its ponents in your area-it's much easier be rated 5 to 6 amperes to handle the
rock -bottom cost and easy handling; to use a LM -309K, a single IC that peak current load of the heavy filtering
and it is more than likely that many contains all the components of a power (C1, C2, C3) . Do not try to get by
hobby or experimenter projects you're supply regulator in a standard TO -3 with a 1 -ampere bridge rectifier.
going to run across in the next year or case. Best of all, the LM -309K can be Capacitor C4 provides a low power
so will use the 7400 series of TTL purchased locally for about $2.50; and supply impedance to the connected cir-
(Transistor Transistor Logic). that's probably less than the cost of cuit; do not eliminate C4. Also, pilot
The only problem is that TTL almost discrete components if you decided to lamp I1 should not be eliminated or its
always requires a tightly regulated 5 - build from scratch. position in the circuit changed because
volt power supply, and take careful Inside Look. The LM -309K 5 -Volt it is used to discharge C4 when the
note of those words tightly regulated. Regulator is available `from many sur- power supply is turned off. Without I1
Often, the 7400 -series device will in- plus dealers and Radio Shack. Mounted C4 might retain a charge for several
stantly "blow" if 6 volts or a line tran- on a PC (printed circuit) or perfboard, minutes after the 117 VAC input power
sient is applied. The margin for error it can safely deliver up to 1 ampere. has been removed and can cause head-
when working with TTL is essentially Mounted on a heat sink }fou can aches and grief. When? Suppose you
zero. While a zener diode can be used squeeze out 3 amperes. The LM -309K connect up your project thinking there's
to provide, say, 5.1 volts, they are not gives the average experimenter every- no voltage from a supply that's turned
easy for the average experimenter to thing he's looking for in a TTL power off!
find, nor do they necessarily provide supply: tight regulation, transient pro- To insure long life, and since the
protection against line voltage tran- tection, thermal shutdown, and short
sients or short circuit protection. circuit turn-off.
What's needed is a full voltage regu- A typical TTL 5 -volt supply using
lator having both current and short cir- the LM -309K that's suitable for the
cuit protection. Should the supply run experimenter is shown. It's a rather
easy circuit to build and provides 5
The completed supply ready for installation volts at up to 1 ampere with the IC
in a cabinet or project. Pilot lamp 11, which mounted on a PC board. If you want to
also serves to discharge the output capacitor,
is not part of the PC board assembly.

Tl Cl C2 C3

Easiest way to build the power supply is to use this Radio Shack,PC board. All holes
are pre-drilled and the component positions are "screened"- on the top side. Back-
lighting shows the heavy copper foil showing through; it means customization
ICl Dl C4 without fear of damage to the foil strips.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 41

POWER SUPPLY FOR TTL

pilot lamp doesd't have to be bright

enough to read by, I1 is a 12 volt '25
mA lamp-one of those miniature pilot
assemblies that comes with attached
leads. Connected to 5 volts, it's bright
enough to see even in sunlight.
The supply shown in the photographs
ìs assembled on a factory pre -drilled PC
board available from Radio Shack for
$1.49. The top side has the component
locations screened in white paint. While
the transformer mounting holes are
spaced for the Radio Shack 273-050
6.3 -volt filament transformer, you can,
however, use any rated transformer
although you may have to drill new
holes. A rear -lighted photograph shows Just one example of a suitable cabinet installation, though any layout will work. The
the extra -wide copper foil that permits fuseholder is mounted on the cabinet base, while pilot lamp 11 is connected directly
easy customizing` of the PC board. ' across the output binding posts. An old plastic cap was used to give the base lamp a
More Data. The instructions supplied professional appearance.
with the Radio Shack PC board indi-
cate a different pilot lamp connection
than shown in our schematic. For this
supply do not follow the Radio Shack
connections; install the pilot lamp ex-
actly as indicated in our schematic.
The entire supply-except for power
switch SI, pilot lamp Il, and fuse Fl-
is on the PC board which you can in-
stall in any type of cabinet. Thé com-
plete supply shown uses a 4 x 23/8 x
6 -in. metal cabinet, with the PC board
end mounted by L brackets fashioned
from scrap aluminum. The fuse holder
is mounted on the base of the cabinet.
Output is from two spring -loaded push-
button terminals, but you can substitute
5 -way binding posts or any other out- This is the copper side of your circuit board drawn to its correct size. You can
put connections you prefer. purchase it preetched and drilled, or place carbon paper on a copper clad board,
Fuse FI can be anything from Va to trace the outline onto the board, and use etching solution to make your own board.
1/4 ampere. Use a standard fuse such as
3AG-not a slow -blow type.
Too Hot. 1f the last things you solder
Sl are the IC terminals, let everything cool
down before you check out the supply.
If ICI is excessively hot-from solder-
ing heat-the automatic thermal protec-
tion shuts down the output and you
+
5VDC
OUTPUT
TERMINALS
won't get any output voltage. A meter
connected across the output terminals
will indicate zero. After you are certain
IC is cool, measure the output; it
should be 5 volts. Next, connect your
voltmeter across either Cl, C2, or C3,
then short circuit the output terminals.
If you have assembled everything cor-
PARTS LIST FOR TTL POWER SUPPLY
IC1-LM-309K IC voltage regulator (National rectly the meter will indicate approxi-
Cl, C2, C3-1000-uF, 15-VDC or higher electro- Semiconductor Corp.) mately 10 volts even though the output
lytic capacitor, see text S1-spst switch is shorted. After the short is removed
C4-100-uF, 15-VDC or higher electrolytic ca- T1 -6.3 -VAC, 1 -amp or better transformer you should read 5 volts at the output
pacitor
D1 -50 -volt, 6 -amp diode bridge rectifier Misc.-cabinet, fuse holder, pushbutton or terminals.
F1-t/4-amp fuse, fast -acting other type terminals, circuit board (op- The only thing to keep in mind when
11 -12 -volt, 25 -mA pilot lamp, see text tional), wire, solder, hardware, etc. using this TTL 5 -volt supply is that the
output current is automatically limited
to 1 ampere.

42 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 E f TERY CHARGER 500MÁ 1.75 HRS

10V 14 HRS

ON

Build this - e range NiCad battery charger with built-in automatic off timer!
by C. R. Lewart

ROLIFERATION of porta- (mAh). This value is usu-

ble electronic gadgets such ally given by the manufactur-
as calculators, tape recorders, er on the battery label. If no bat-
walkie-talkies, radios, etc., gave a big tery capacity is given, some common
boost to sales of rechargeable batteries. This values are shown in this table.
article should bring your knowledge on the rechargeable However, watch for the figures given by the manufacturer.
battery up-to-date and tell you about a truly universal charg- For example, you may find a sub C' cell in a D cell package.
ing circuit with an electronic timer which you can build. Battery Capacity 10 -Hour Rate 5 -Hour Rate
Rechargeable sealed batteries, besides many other advan- Size (mAh) (mA) (mA)
tages, make the operation of portable equipment quite in- AA 450 45 90
sub C 1000 100 200
expensive. Do you still remember the high cost of B and C 1500 150 300
filament batteries for portable tube radios? But even with D 3500 350 700
transistorized equipment, the cost of "cheap" throw -away Rule 1. Do not discharge continuously at more than the
batteries may he quite high. For example, a portable calcu- hourly rate (450 mA for AA cells). Whether this rule is
lator or a radio using four AA throw -away cells needs satisfied depends on the kind of equipment you are using.
battery replacement about once a week if it is used for 2 This rule will seldom he violated. Just don't try to run your
to 3 hours each day. This. comes to about $50 per year. electric power mower on a bunch of AA cells!
A set of four rechargeable AA -size Nickel -Cadmium (NiCad) Rule 2. Do not continue discharging when the battery
batteries costs around $8 end with proper care should last voltage is 0 volt (cell reversal). 1f you have several batteries
3 to 5 years or more. The cost of electricity used for re- in series, one will always have slightly smaller capacity than
charging comes to only about 10 cents per year. Quite a the others. When that battery is completely discharged, the
difference in cost! other batteries will still pump current through it. The only
What Proper Care? We mentioned that a rechargeable Ni- way to avoid this condition is to turn off your appliance im-
Cad battery will last for many years if proper care is exercised. mediately when the total series battery voltage drops sig-
Our charger described in this article will give your recharge- nificantly (by more than 1 volt). You will notice it when,
able batteries such proper care. There are three rules to for example, your radio starts distorting. Turn it off im-
observe when handling rechargeable batteries. They are all mediately.
expressed in terms of battery capacity in milliampere hours Rule 3. -Do not charge at more than the 10 -hour rate

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/!=all-Winter 1975 43

www.americanradiohistory.com
 where R4 = 2 X R3. The IC is con-
SUPERCHARGER The charger makes use of a newly -
nected in such a way that the timer
developed integrated circuit which com-
bines a built-in oscillator (similar to the resets itself when the circuit is first
555 -type) and a frequency divider of turned on. When its timing interval is
up to 65,536 (21"). This way we can up, it will turn the SCR off permanently
choose a basic oscillator frequency of until the circuit is first removed from,
0.77 Hz which can be obtained with then connected to the power line again.
reasonable resistance and capacitance The rest of the circuit is straight-
values and divide it by 216 to obtain forward. The output of the IC (pin 8)
timing values of up to 14 hours. The controls the gate of the SCR and lights
basic frequency, f, is determined by C2, up the LED. The chafging current is
R3, and R4. The frequency controlled by the variable resistor R9.
1 The current range with the values
f= shown is between approximately 40 and
Phone tip jacks shown here can be replaced 2 X R3 X C2 500 mA for up to 6 cells. Switch S1
with five way binding posts or, if you're
handy enough, eliminated altogether and
replaced with battery holders built right
into the supercharger case. Remember, too,
that you must remove the AC power cord
from the AC outlet to "reset" this timer.
(45 mA for AA cells) and do not con-
tinue charging at that rate beyond full
capacity for more than a few hours.
Slightly higher charging rates of up to
the 5 -hour rate are permissible as long
as the battery is still discharged. To
satisfy this rule, you need to control the
charging current and the charging time
as is provided by this charger. Some so-
called universal battery chargers put
either a too -high or a too -low current
into your batteries. As a result either
the battery will be damaged and its life
shortened or it will not get fully charged
in a reasonable amount of time.
These are general and safe rules.
Specially -constructed batteries (for ex-
ample, the so-called quick -charge bat-
teries) may let you break one or more
of these without causing permanent
damage. However, unless the battery With our photographer and artist both on the job, you should have little difficulty
locating parts on your supercharger perf board. While it is possible to byild this
manufacturer assures you to the con- unit in a much smaller area if you wish, beginners will find the extra room a benefit.
trary you better stick with our three
rules; otherwise permanent damage may
result. Either the battery will fail (go
dead) immediately or its life -span and R9
ISl I LS21u METER
capacity will be shortened.
Battery Charger. This charger is
capable of charging one to six cells
from AA to D size. It lets you control
the charging current and the charging R12 R13
time. You turn the charger on, set the R11

---
I 1

current to the 10-hour rate for a full R3 I 1

D4
charge or 5 -hour rate for a quick boost, D5
and forget it. After 14 hours (or 13/4 R8
C2 K
R4
hours for a quick boost) the charger will 1 R5
7
turn itself off. In other words, we pump IC
in 140 percent of battery capacity to 8 14
D2
charge it fully (40 percent is the typical RIO
loss in the charging process). For a R7

n
I 1

quick boost of 13/4 hours when the bat- F6 1

tery is completely or partially discharg- Cl R2 I

SCR
ed, we can go up to the 5 -hour rate to
obtain' about one-quarter full battery Dl O Rl
capacity. For special quick -charge bat-
teries follow manufacturer's recommen-
dations.

44 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 selects the IC divider output of either using a 14 pin socket. Do not insert the the correct operation of the timing cir-
2'6 or 213. IC until you are (1) finished with the cuit in less time, you can make the
The lowest divider ratio the IC is wiring, (2) have checked all connec- following temporary connections to en-
capable of, 256, is particularly useful tions, (3) and made sure the power is able the divide by 256 function. Con-
during the charger calibration. To select off. nect pin 12 and 13 of the IC tempor-
this counting/dividing mode, disconnect If you plan to charge the batteries arily to pins 14. and 5 respectively to
pins 12 and 13 from SI and temporarily outside your equipment, then you must select the 256 divider ratio. Try differ-
connect pin 12 to pin 14 and pin 13 to provide battery holders for various size ent values of capacitor C2 till you get a
pin 5. When you have finished the test, batteries which you want to connect to timing interval of approximately 3 min-
reconnect pins 12 and 13 to Si after the charger. Under certain conditions, utes and 17 seconds. Of course, this is
removing your temporary connection. you may be able to connect the charger not a critical parameter, but it should
In this mode the timer should turn it- directly to your appliance without re- be accurate to at least 3 minutes and
self off after 3 minutes 17 seconds plus moving the batteries, usually via the 17 seconds plus and minus 30, seconds.
or minus 10 seconds. The meter M1 is. "adapter" jack. You may have to look More Savings. Besides rechargeable
used as a volt meter (0 to 10 volts) at the schematic of your radio or batteries, regular throw-away zinc -car-
across the batteries or as a charging walkie-talkie to find out if the "adapter" bon batteries can also be recharged un-
current milliamp meter of 0 to 500 mA. jack is connected to batteries when a der certain conditions. Those conditions
its function is selectable with S2. The plug is inserted. If so, you can charge follow.
diodes D1 and D2 protect the meter the NiCads in the unit. Battery should not be completely
from overload. Once construction is complete, apply discharged (battery voltage should
Put It Together. You can mount all power and check to see whether or not stay above 1 volt).
components on a perfboard as shown the LED pilot lamp is on. If so, it Battery should not be leaking.
in the photographs. The wiring is not should remain on for either one, and Battery should be used soon after
critical. The MOS integrated circuit is three quarters of an hour or fourteen being recharged.
internally protected against static hours, whichever time you have selected Other popular "throw -away" batteries
charges, however we still recommend with the time select switch. To check are alkaline and mercury batteries. Mer-

T1

R3 R4 SCR
R8 (BOTTOM VIEW)
4.7 MEG

-
12 MEG 15 S2

117 VAC
R9
5002 0 o0 G

C2 R6
,IALF 18K
+ RH
9.5K
OUT
D2
Rl
1.5 K a D4
-14 A
SCR 43021
Q
D3
12 C S2
13 5 6 7 10 R5
1_4> 4.7 K O I S2
14H R7
R2
2.7 K
--Cl ºO13/4H
zo-Sl LED
N
4.7 K
R10
S2
MA O
200
µF
R13
10 Q

PARTS LIST FOR SUPERCHARGER

C1-200-uF electrolytic capacitor, 20-VDC or LED-light emitting diode, red, 20 mA R11 -9500 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor, 5%
better M1-0 to 1 -mA panel meter R12 -430 -ohm, 1/ -watt resistor, 5%
C2-0.1-uF capacitor, 12-VDC or better RI -1500 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor R 13 -10-ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
01 -1 -amp, 50-VDC bridge rectifier R2 -2700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor S1-spdt switch
D2 --general purpose germanium diode such as R3-4.7-megohm, 1/2 -watt resistor S2-dpdt switch
1N34A R4-12-megohm, 1/2 -watt resistor SCR -0.8 to 1 -amp, 100-volt silicon controlled
D3, D4-general purpose silicon diode such as R5, R7 -4700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor rectifier, G.E. C103
1N914 R6 -18,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor T1-power transformer, 117-V primary to 24-V
ICI-oscillator-timer integrated circuit, Mo- R8 -15 -ohm, 3 -watt or better resistor secondary @ 1 amp
torola MC14541CP Note-You can use two 71/2 -ohm resistors
Note - The oscillator -timer IC, a Motorola in series.
Misc.-perf board, hardware, push -in clips,
case approx. 6 x 4 x 3-in., 14-pin IC socket,
MC14541CP, is available for $3.50 postpaid R9 -500 -ohm wire-wound potentiometer
from Circuit Specialists, Box 3047, Scottsdale, R10 -1 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor output terminals, wire, solder, etc.
AZ 85257.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 45

www.americanradiohistory.com
 SUPERCHARGER

r TFRY CHARGER
e.
M.,

e
rov
I

Notice there's no on -off switch. That is a

function handled by the power cord. Plug it
in for on-pull it out for off! Why? It's
cheaper to build, for one. For another, all
counter reset signals are automatically gen-
erated each time the AC power is applied.
This no power switch arrangement makes it
easier to operate without accidentally reset-
ting the counter timer integrated circuit.
cury batteries are used where high All commercially available nickel -cadmium batteries for consumer use will (or,
energy concentration in low volume is certainly should) have some indication of what its charge rate and/or ampere hour
required. A camera or a hearing aid is rating is. The Burgess CD10 cell (far left) does not specifically mention charging
rate, but its ampere hour rating is shown on the label. You can, therefore, use
a prime example of such an application.
the rule of tumb which says charge for 14 to 16 hours at one tenth the battery
The mercury cell has three to five times rating or, in this case, 400 mA. This compares favorably with a 4 Ah Mallory cell.
the capacity of a carbon -zinc cell of the
same size but it costs five to ten times same dimension. The basic chemical re- charged. The voltage of a NiCad bat-
as much. action in a NiCad battery is as follows: tery drops by only 0.1 volt during the
Non -rechargeable alkaline batteries same period. Another important feature
have about twice the capacity of a Charged of NiCad batteries is the low internal
comparable carbon -zinc cell at approxi- Cathode Electrolyte Anode resistance on the order of about 30 mil-
mately three times the price. Mercury Cd(OH)2 + 2KOH + 2NiO liohm (AA cells)-about ten times less
and alkaline cells have similar nearly than for a comparable zinc carbon bat-
constant discharge voltage and low in- Discharged tery. This feature is particularly im-
ternal resistance characteristics as the Cathode Electrolyte Anode portant for class B type audio circuits
NiCad cells. However, they are not Cd + 2KOH + 2NiOOH which require more power during peaks
leakproof and should be removed from of speech or music. Batteries with a low
equipment if not in use. We strongly This reaction does not generate any internal resistance can supply the sud-
discourage you from trying to recharge gases. However, during the latter part den surges of power required for good,
mercury or non -rechargeable alkaline of the charging cycle, during overcharg- low distortion sound. Another important
batteries. Gases generated by the re- ing and during high discharge, hydro- feature of NiCad batteries, as com-
charging process in the sealed cell may gen, oxygen and electrolyte fumes are pared to zinc carbon, is that they can
cause an explosion and spread the caus- being generated. These gases will nor- be stored in a charged or discharged
tic electrolyte. mally reach an equilibrium condition state and are virtually leakproof.
You may atso run across rechargeable reacting with each other and with the For additional information about bat-
alkaline batteries. They are not as popu- porous electrodes. Sealed cells also have teries in general and/or NiCad batteries
lar as NiCad batteries, but are slightly a safety venting mechanism (activated in particular, refer to the following ma-
cheaper and have similar characteris- above 100 PSI) assuring that the cell terial. "More Staying Power for Small
tics to NiCad batteries. They are not, will not rupture under extreme condi- Batteries", Machine Design magazine,
however, as long-lived. Many other ex- tions. Repeated venting however, causes December 13, 1973; Nickel-Cadmium
cellent types of batteries are used in loss of the electrolyte and subsequent Battery Application Engineering Hand-
military and commercial applications. battery deterioration. For this reason book, General Electric publication num-
They did not yet find their way to the controlled charging is beneficial to ber GET -3148; Nickel -Cadmium Bat-
consumer market because of high cost. NiCad batteries. tery Application Engineering Handbook
From this short description, you may Other Advantages. A major advan- Supplement, General Electric publication
deduce that the NiCad battery is the tage of NiCad cells, in particular when number GET -3148-S] ; RCA Battery
most cost-effective battery in many ap- used for portable radios and walkie- Manual, RCA publication BDG-111B;
plications where the appliance is in talkies, is a nearly constant voltage dur- Eveready Application and Engineering
frequent use. ing the discharging cycle. Regular zinc - Data Book.
On the Inside. A NiCad battery con- carbon batteries lose their voltage at a From flashlight to photoflood, from
sists of layers of sintered cadmium and fairly constant rate and thus affect the toys to 2 -way, NiCads are in widespread
sintered nickel separated by fiber soaked performance of the equipment they are use. Everyone is ready to save a buck
in potassium hydroxide electrolyte. powering; however, rechargeable bat- these days; from a money -saving stand-
Sintering consists of baking a powder- teries keep their voltage nearly constant point, NiCad batteries have some defi-
ed metal to the consistency of a solid. until they nearly completely discharge. nite advantages. Maybe, if you are a
A sintered material is highly porous. Its For example, the voltage of a carbon heavy battery user, NiCad rechargeable
active area is several hundred times larg- zinc battery drops by approximately 0.3 batteries can help you. Why not check
er than that of a solid plate of the volts per cell when it is 50 percent dis - it out?
f

46 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST, Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 A Darkroom Color Analyzer

It's easy to make quality, bright color prints at home with

modern color chemistry and this electronic color analyzer!
by Herb Friedman

ONE OF THE SHUTTERBUG'S most sat- black and white (about 3 minutes), and exposure time at the very first crack.
isfying accomplishments is pro- the prints will be far superior to any- Most often, the very first print made
ducing his own color prints. For thing you're likely to get from a color with the analyzer will be good. At most,
years the time spent on and the cost of lab. it will take perhaps 0.10 or 0.20 change
making color prints were discouraging, One thing that takes the drudgery of filtration for a superb print. This is
but with modern color chemistry, such out of cólor work-besides the chem- a lot less expensive gnd time-consum-
as the Beseler system, you can turn out istry-is a color analyzer, a device that ing than making test print after test
quality color prints in less time than for gives you the correct filter pack and print. In fact, it's really the color an-
alyzer that puts the fun into making
Any one of the your own color prints!
primary colors on Color Analyzers Are Not Cheap.
RED
ADDITIVE PRIMARY this circle is A decent one costs well over $100, and
composed of its
a good one runs well over $200. But if
immediately
adjacent colors in you've got even a half-filled junk box
equal amounts. you can make your own color analyzer
MAGENTA YELLOW
SUBTRACTIVE SUBTRACTIVE
Each primary color for just the junk parts and perhaps $10
PRIMARY PRIMARY is also comple- to $15 worth of new components.
mentary to the A color analyzer is basically a minia-
color directly ture computer. You make a "perfect"
across the center
print the hard way-by trial and error
of the circle.
Complementary -and then calibrate the analyzer to your
colors added filter pack and exposure time. As long
GREEN
together form as you use the same box of paper and
BLUE ADDITIVE neutral densities.
ADDITIVE similar negatives, all you need to do to
PRIMARY It is the balancing
PRIMARY
of additive primary
make a good color print is focus the
colors of photo- negative, adjust the filter pack and ex-
graphic light posure so the analyzer reads "zero," and
CYAN sources and sub- hit the enlarger's timer switch. Even if
SUBTRACTIVE PRIMARY tractive -type color you switch to a completely different
filters that provides type of negative, the analyzer will put
control in color you well inside the ballpark, so your
print photography.
second print is a winner. (And even if

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 47

www.americanradiohistory.com
 a catastrophe. The printed circuit half-minidip removal might result in de-
COLOR ANALYZER board template has foils for both incan- struction of the PC board. We'll explain
descent and neon meter lamps, as well how to install the TO -5 IC on the PC
the filtration is off, the exposure will as extra terminals so you can use either board later.
probably be right on the nose.) a socket and plug or hard wiring for You can either buy or make the
Construction. The color analyzer the color comparator and exposure sen- printed circuit board (see parts list).
shown was specifically, designed for the sor. In short, you can make a lot of Either way, the first step is to prepare
readers of this magazine-essentially an changes to suit your individual needs. the printed circuit board. If you do it
electronics hobbyist with an interest in The template for IC1 uses a half- yourself, make it any way you like,
photography. All components are read- minidip, Signetics V -type package lead using free -hand or template resist. Noth-
ily available in local parts stores or as arrangement. However, you can also ing is critical, but be certain there are
junk box parts. Several protection de- use an IC with a round (TO -5) con- no copper shorts between the terminals
vices have been designed into the cir- figuration. If anything is wrong with the for ICI. Use a #56 bit for all holes.
cuit so accidental shorts won't produce IC you can get the TO -5 out easily. The Then use a larger bit for transformer
T1's mounting screws (#4 or #6
screws), a 1/4 -in. bit for resistor R6,
and a #30 to 40 bit for the linecord
connections (any bit that will allow
the linecord wires to pass through the
board).
Assemble the power supply and check
it out before any other components are
installed. Install transformer T1 first.
Any 24 -volt or 25.2 -volt center -tapped
transformer that will fit on the board
will be fine. Get something small, like
100 milliamperes. A Wescom 81PK-100
is a perfect fit.
Bridge rectifier BR1 is the low cost
Ml "surplus" found in many distributors.
0-1
mA
This type has the positive and negative
outputs at opposite ends of a diamond.
The AC connections are the remaining
opposite ends. Note that BR1 is in-
stalled in such a manner that its negative
output is farthest from transformer T1
6.2v
while the positive output is nearest to
T1. Make certain 'your bridge rectifier
has the same lead configuration; if it is
different, modify the printed circuit tem-
plate to conform to the rectifier you're
6.2v using. Get it right the first time.
Finally, install Cl and C2, R7 and
PARTS LIST FOR COLOR ANALYZER R8, and zener diodes D1 and D2. Take
BR1-50-PIV, 0.5-amp or higher silicon bridge (Note: you can also use two less expensive
care that the capacitors and zener
rectifier 12 -volt transformers with secondary windings diodes are installed with the polarity
Cl, C2-500-uF, 10-VDC or better electrolytic connected in series -aiding, if you have the correct. If the capacitors have their
capacitor space.) negative leads marked with an arrow or
D1, D2-6.2 -volt, 1 -watt zener diode The printed circuit board for the Color Analyzer line, these markings face the opposite
ICI-type 741C operational amplifier, see text is available direct from Electronics Hobby Shop, edges of the PC board (negative to the
11 -5 Box 192, Brooklyn, NY 11235 for only $5.50
-pin socket, DIN -type (optional, see text) outside). The zener diodes are installed
M1-0 to 1 -mA DC meter, see text (including postage and handling). Canadian ship-
so that their cathodes (the banded ends)
P1 -5
-pin plug, DIN -type (optional, see text) ments add $2 extra. New York State residents
face each other towards the center of
PC1, PC2-Clairex CL5M5L photocell, do not must add sales tax. No foreign orders, please.
substitute Postal money orders will speed delivery; other- the board.
R1 -10,000-ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor wise allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Initial PC Checkout. When the power
R2, R3-1-megohm potentiometer, see text If you cannot obtain the Clairex Type CL5M5L supply is completed, temporarily con-
R4 -500,000 -ohm potentiometer, see text photocell locally, write to Electronics Hobby nect a linecord. Connect the negative
R5 -100,000 -ohm potentiometer, see text Shop at the above address, enclosing $3 for lead of a meter rated 10 volts DC or
R6 -10,000 -ohm trimmer potentiometer (Mallory each photocell. Postage and handling are in- higher to the foil between Ti's mount-
MTC-14L4 for exact fit on PC board) cluded. No Canadian or foreign orders. New York ing screws (that's ground). Connect the
R7, R8 -820 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor State residents add sales tax. Postal money meter's positive lead to the junction of
R9 -100,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor orders speed delivery; otherwise allow 6-8 weeks
R7 arid D1, which is in the center of
S1 -2 -pole, 4 -position rotary switch (Allied Elec- for delivery. the board; the meter should indicate ap-
tronics 747-2003; adjust stops for 4 positions) Misc.-cabinet, pilot lamp for meter, 2 -in. or
S2-spst switch 3 -in. size Kodak Wratten filters #70, #48, and
proximately +6.2 volts DC. Then con-
T1 -117 -volt primary, 24 to 26.6 -volt secondary #99 (available from photo supply dealers), nect the positive meter lead to the R8
transformer, see text for point-to-point wiring calibrated knobs, wire, solder, hardware, etc. and D2 junction, which is near the edge
of the board. You should get approxi-
mately -6.2 volts DC. If the voltages

48 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST /Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 If you use a neon pilot lamp mount it
directly above the meter and shield the
- 3/4 IN.I- forward brilliance with a piece of black
tape; the lamp should radiate straight
NO 27 DRILL
DRILL FOR
down onto the meter scale. If you use
NO6 SCREW BEND the meter in the parts list, remove the
front cover by pulling it forward. Then
remove the meter scale. As shown in
SIDE VIEW TOP VIEW the photographs, place a black dot ap-
51/4 IN
(BEFORE proximately 3/16-inch wide at the cen-
BENDING)
ter of the scale. If you want, you can
also modify the meter for the incandes-
cent lamp. Drill a 1/4 -inch hole in the
BEND lower right of the meter from the rear.
DRILL
I/2 -IN. Position the meter in the cabinet and
HOLE mark the location of the meter hole on
of I/2 -IN ID
the panel. Remove the meter and drill
a 3/4 -inch hole in the panel. When the
meter is installed you can pass a "grain
The color comparator photocell Z -bracket is installed of wheat" lamp through the panel into
under a light integrator. If your enlarger has a filter holder the meter. Reassemble the meter and
under the lens, attach the Z -bracket to the holder. complete assembly.
The Comparator. The photocells
are far apart in value, or if the polarity towards the nearest edge of the PC used for the comparator and exposure
is wrong, make certain you find the board. Solder ICI and cut off the excess sensor, P1 and P2, must be Clairex type
mistake before installing IC1. lead length. CL5M5L. Make no substitutions. From
Disconnect the linecord and complete The edge of the PC board nearest a piece of scrap aluminum 3/4 to 1 inch
the PC assembly. If you use a 24 or 28 - ICI has four sets of paired foil termi- wide, fashion a Z -bracket to the di-
volt pilot lamp to illuminate the meter nals. These are provided as mounting mensions shown. Drill a 1/2 -inch hole
you connect to the holes adjacent to terminals if you connect the photocell close to the end of the longer Z -leg.
TI's secondary (24-V) leads. If you comparator and sensor without the use Fasten the other end of the Z -leg to
plan to use a neon illuminator, install a of a plug and jack. However, we strong- your enlarger's under -lens filter holder.
100,000-ohm resistor (R9) on the PC ly suggest the use of the specified DIN - If your enlarger does not have a filter
board and connect the lamp to the holes type connectors as they allow for easy
marked "neon." The lamp must have repairs if the connecting wires break. BR1 C2 R8 D2 ICl Rl
as little illumination as possible. Incan- (The connectors aren't that costly).
descent 24 or 28 -volt lamps must be Potentiometers R2 through R5 can
the miniature or "grain of wheat" type be linear or audio. taper, though audio
rated approximately 30 to 60 mA; the taper gives a slightly smoother adjust-
lamps come with attached leads. Do ment; use whatever you have in stock.
not use pilot lamps of the 100 to 500 The analyzer shown is built in a Bud
mA variety. The excessive light will 7 -inch AC -1613 Universal Sloping
confuse the analyzer. Cabinet. This is the least critical item
To install IC1 when it is the metal and you can substitute whatever cabi-
can TO5 type, fan out the #1 to 4 leads net you prefer. Just be certain the cabi-
and #5 to 8 leads so they form two net will accommodate the type of meter Ti Cl R7 Dl R6
straight lines. Note that the lead oppo- you use. This is the parts location when our PC
site the tab on a TO5 package is #8. Meter M1 should be O-1 mA with a board is used. To get a free template of
Insert the leads into the board leaving zero -center scale. But these are expen- the PC board, send a Self-Addressed
about 1/4 inch between the IC and the sive, so you can substitute any standard Stamped Envelope to: Davis Publications,
board. The IC is correctly installed if 1 -mA meter you want. You will simply
Dept. T, 229 Park Ave. South, New York,
the tab faces away from the transformer calibrate the instrument for zero-center. NY 10003.

PHOTOCELL EPDXY
3/16 -IN.
HOLE
FOR
WIRE
T-n I CUT
////11%,,,

The exposure sensor photocell is mounted in anything that will keep it in place on
the easel. This example was epoxy -cemented into a large control knob after the outside
dial section was ground off. In typical operation, the sensor is placed under the
Rear view of author's color analyzer shows
lens with the light integrator or filters.
vertical mounting of the circuit board.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

49
www.americanradiohistory.com
COLOR ANALYZER the switch and the control "C" for cyan.
(We suggest you paint the cyan knob
insert a blue-green. Also paint the other
holder, or if it has a permanent swing - knobs the appropriate color.) Advance
away red filter under the lens, mount a Sl one position clockwise, find the cor-
Paterson swing -away light integrator rect knob and label both "M" for ma-
(available from local photo shops) un- genta. Advance the switch another posi-
der the lens. Fasten the short leg of the tion clockwise, find the knob and label
Z -bracket to the integrator-lkhich has both "Y" for yellow. The last switch
pre -drilled holes-so that the 1/2 -inch position and knob is labeled "W" for
hole is on the optical center of white (white light exposure). Makebcer-
the lens. Then cement photocell P2 tain the C, M, and Y controls are read -

Close-up of meter face showing a small

TO Slab TO 24V scale -illumination lamp in lower right
WIPERS PANEL LAMP PRIMARY 117 VAC corner. This lamp should not be operated
at full voltage to avoid fogging the film.

-R8- dark or very low light). This is normal -

and there will be no damage to the

G 4 D2
IA
' BÉ?1,'
S2
circuit or the meter. (Note: If you use
a zero -center meter the pointer will
5 IC G?+ barely pin on both sides.)
M
12V Install the Z -bracket under the lens.
Y
METER
-R7- CT-}
IeV -T l If your enlarger uses a filter holder un-
w
+
Rs,6"--C
DIÁ
l+ E2
der the lens insert a diffusion screen or
y Cl glass, or a Beseler Light Integrator or
similar ground glass in the filter holder.
(GROUND) You are now ready to make color
prints.
The first thing you need to make
T I r' fine quality color prints is a high speed
DRILL OUT SECONDARY (OPTIONAL) chemistry, such as the two-step Beseler
system which can produce a finished
There are few parts on the PC board and nothing is critical. Modify the board
if you wish. Trimmer potentiometer R6 should be a flat mount, so it can print in two minutes. The second item
be adjusted through a hole in the cabinet. you need is the electronic color analyzer
for which we've already given you the
plans.
in the hole and attach the connecting ing P2, the color comparator mounted Color Variables. Color materials
wires; these can be extra -thin zip cord under the enlarger lens. such as the negative, printing paper, en-
such as used for short-length speaker Set SI to any position, set all other larger lamp, and even color correction
connections. (This whole bit reads a lot controls to their mid -position, and turn filters vary in their sensitivity to light
more complicated than it is. Use the on bright room lights. If the meter pins colors from batch to batch, roll to roll,
photographs as a guide.) out or approaches full scale deflection, and time to time. Even the enlarger's
Photocell P1, which measures the ex- adjust trimmer control R6 so the meter optical system can have a color cast.
posure light, can be mounted in any- pointer just pins (don't be afraid to For this reason it is generally impossible
thing heavy enough to hold it in place pin the meter). Depending on the to place a negative in your enlarger,
on the easel. The photographs show the amount of light the meter pointer will expose the paper, and develop a good-
photocell epoxy-cemented in an over- pin right (for bright light) and left (for let alone decent-color print.
size control knob.
When the complete analyzer is as-
sembled, attach oversize calibrated
knobs such as the Calectro E2-715 to
R2 through R5. The knob calibrations
are important so they should run out to
the very edge of the knob' skirt. If the
calibrations don't run to the edge you
To avoid upsetting a control
won't be able to preset the controls with
setting while groping for the
any reasonable degree of accuracy.
on -off switch in the dark-
Place a fine line or other indicator di- room, mount switch 52 as far
rectly above each knob. as possible from the controls.
Checkout. Connect the photocells to
the control unit and apply power. Don't
worry if the meter pins at either end of
the scale. Set switch Si to the extreme
clockwise position and adjust R2
through R5 until you find the control
that changes the meter reading. Mark

50 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 The subtractive printing procedure is filter (Kodak Wratten No. 99), switch
particularly well adapted for use with a the analyzer to MAGENTA and adjust the
color analyzer, is the easiest method for magenta control for a null meter read-
the amateur, and is exceptionally fast- ing. Remove the green filter, install a
handling, so the illustrations to follow red filter (Kodak Wratten No. 70),
.

Provides a wealth of will refer to the subtractive system. switch the analyzer to CYAN and adjust
worthwhile info for An electronic color analyzer basically the cyan control for a null meter read-
photographers inter-
ested in the color print
consists of a photocell (vacuum tube ing (the color controls yellow, magenta,
techniques available photomultiplier or photoresistor) posi- and cyan refer to the color of the sub-
from Kodak or your tioned under the lens, blue, green, and tractive filters in the filter pack). Fi-
photo dealer. Their red filters mechanically positioned over nally, remove all filters from under the
publication No. E-66. the photocell (or positioned over the lens, switch the analyzer to WHITE and
cell by hand) and a meter that indicates . adjust the white control (exposure con-
One way we can correct for these the amount of light falling on the cell. trol) for a null meter reading.
variables is through an additive ex- The meter is connected to the photocell (The color analyzer in this project
posure, exposing the paper through through independent potentiometers as uses a separate photocell for the ex-
blue, green, and red filters for differing shown in the figure. Color analyzer posure. If you look at the easel yop'll
lengths of time. Since blue, green, and readings will be accurate for most nega-
red create all the colors in additive tives and lighting situations as long as
printing, any correction can be obtained the same box of printing paper is used.
by controlling the precise timing of each The system needs to be recalibrated
exposure. The additive system is a pain only when the printing paper is changed
in the neck for the hobbyist, for the (so purchase boxes of at least 100
slightest desired change in the color sheets to avoid extra work).
rendition or saturation (exposure) can The .first step is to make a really fine
involve changes in the exposure through print from a decent negative. You can
all three filters. do it the hard way, one print at a time,
A printing system that's easier to use or use a Beseler Subtractive Calculator
and more favored by hobbyists is the which puts you inside the ball park on
subtractive exposure. A single filter pack the first try. When you have made a
made up of two of the filters known as print with satisfactory flesh tones and
*YELLOW, MAGENTA, and CYAN makes color saturation don't disturb the en-
all the color corrections at the same larger or timer controls. Modern color print chemistry techniques
time. This filter pack is placed between To Continue. . . . Place the color from Beseler include this subtractive color
calculator to aid filter selection.
the enlarger lamp and the negative; vir- analyzer's probe on the easel or swing
tually all modern enlargers have a draw- it under the lens (if it is mounted on see a shadow cast by the Z -bracket
er in the lamphouse to accommodate the enlarger). Install a light integrator- holding the color comparator cell. Posi-
a filter pack. A single exposure through which is nothing more than a piece of tion the exposure cell on 'the easel so it
the filter pack is all that's required to ground glass or its equal-under the is just off the edge of the shadow. If
make a color print. Some of the more lens, between the lens and the analyz- you prefer, you can place several thick-
expensive enlargers have what is termed er's probe. The light integrator scram- nesses of opaque paper over the color
a "dichroic head" with variable filters bles the picture into a diffused "white comparator cell and use it for the
as part of the light system; 'the exact light" which contains all the color white measurement, though we suggest
value of filtration is simply dialed by elements of your negatives and you use the separate cell.)
the user. Again, all the color correction the filter pack. Place a blue filter When all the controls are adjusted
is provided at one time by the dichroic (Kodak Wratten No. 98) on top of the you have programmed the color char-
head so only a single exposure is light integrator. (Note that most hobby- acteristics and exposure of your "refer-
needed. ist analyzers have a selector switch that ence" print into the analyzer, and you
More Info. A full and complete treat- also mechanically positions the correct should note the control settings and
ment of both types of color printing is filter over the photocell.) Turn on the exposure time for future use.
contained in the Kodak publication enlarger and adjust the analyzer's yel- Down to Business. Now assume you
Printing Color Negatives; this book is low control for a convenient reference want to make a print from another
a required reference for anyone who meter reading. (Usually, center -scale or negative. Put the new negative in the
wants to make quality color prints. The "null" is used as the reference reading, enlarger. Then set the degree of en-
book also gives .the most convenient but any meter reading can be used as largement and focus, leaving the lens
operating procedures for electronic a null.) wide open. Place the analyzer's probe
color analyzers. Remove the blue filter, install a green under the lens, install the light integra-
tor and set the analyzer's switch to
CYAN. Install the red filter on top of the
FILTjRS YELLOW The basic color analyzer. Once controls light integrator and adjust the lens aper-
BLUT` are matched to a "standard" negative, ture until the meter indicates null.
LIGHT FROM
maim> GRNT MAGENTA just select filters for a null on the Switch the analyzer to MAGENTA, install
ENLARGER meter for each individual color and white. the green -reading filter and note the
RED I" PHOTO-
CELL CYAN
meter reading. If it is not at null, add
WHITE or remove magenta filters (from the
filter pack) until the meter shows a
null. Then switch the analyzer to YEL-
LOW, install the blue -reading filter and

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 51

 Take the meter reading, or adjust the
COLOR ANALYZER appropriate color control, slide the new
reading filter in place before withdraw-
modify the yellow filtration in the filter ing the old one, switch the analyzer, and
pack until the meter shows a null. make the new meter reading. Repeat
Finally, set the analyzer to WHITE, re- this for the third reading filter. You'll
move all reading filters and adjust the note that this procedure keeps bright
lens aperture for a null indication. white light from falling on the photo-
Through the color analyzer you have cell between meter readings. If you
now established a new filter pack and want to change filters under room
exposure for the new, negative. If the s.131.41,1[WW...26.1
lights, make certain there are about five
new negative uses similar lighting to the seconds of darkness between turning the
reference negative the print should be room lights out and turning the enlarger
perfect. If the lighting *as considerably on.
different the print will be good-ac- The whole bit might sound somewhat
ceptable to most people, but requiring Kodak color printing filters. Typical filter
complicated, but after you've run
just a slight filter pack modification for designation CP2OY means color filter with through the procedure once or twice to
a great print. a .20 density; the color is yellow. get the hang of things it shouldn't take
Swinging Filters. In the previous you more than a minute or so for a full
example the filter pack would wind up required. If you still can't null the color analysis of a new negative.
with magenta and yellow filters-which meter, it means magenta should not be The Kodak Wratten filters needed are
is what is generally needed. Some Koda - in the filter pack. available from professional camera
color negatives, however, might require As we mentioned, a more thorough shops. For the construction project,
cyan lters plus magenta or yellow (but discussion and procedure for using a color analyzer 2 -in. or 3 -in. Kodak
never all three). This information will color analyzer is found in Kodak's Wratten filters Nos. 98 (blue), 99
have been programmed into the color Printing Color Negatives. (green), and 70 (red) are recomme-
analyzer, so you will have no difficulty Most, but not all, commercial color ed. If you have difficulty obtaining
if you make a slight modification in analyzers use photomultiplier tubes these specific filters you can make the
procedure. The first meter reading, the which have no light memory, nor are following substitutions, through the
one where you adjust the lens's aper- they confused by infrared from the en- analyzer's precision will be slightly re-
ture, should be made for the filter you larger lamp. These units are, as you duced: 47B (blue), 61 (green), and
are. not using in the filter, pack. For would expect, relatively expensive. Low 92 (red).
example, if your basic filter pack has cost models use photoresistors. The Pro Shop. We could not close
cyan and magenta, switch the analyzer More Data. Photoresistors are infra- without some words on commercially
to YELLOW, place the blue -reading filter red -sensitive and they have a light mem- processed color prints such as you might
in position on the light integrator, and ory, both of which can confuse the order from a drugstore or camera shop.
close down the lens for a null indica- meter. The infrared is easily handled by Commercial color labs have as high (if
tion. Then proceed with the other read- installing a heat or infrared filter glass not higher) a remake rate than the
ings. If your reference negative did not in your enlarger (it should be there to amateur if quality color prints are de-
require cyan in the filter pack, if it had protect the negative anyway). The light sired. As a general rule, it takes two
yellow, magenta, or both, and you find memory is handled by using a consistent tries to get a decent color print, so the
a new negative just can't be pulled in measurement procedure. The best way hobbyist with a color analyzer is way
for null meter readings with yellow and is to turn the enlarger off, install the
. ahead of the game because he can turn
magenta filters, it indicates the new reading filter and the light integrator, out, at worst, two good prints for each
negative requires cyan filtration, so start turn off the bright room lights, count three first tries. The average is even
with the assumption that yellow is not to five, and then turn the enlarger on. higher than this as the hobbyist gets
skilled in the use of a color analyzer.
Commercial labs come close to a
hobbyist's results only when they are
equipped with a video analyzer such as
the Kodak Video Color Negative An-
alyzer Model 1-K; and Kodak only
claims a 75'7 + first try acceptance rate
for their analyzer. The video analyzer
is a 5 -in. x 5 -in. TV display. The opera-
tor views the color negative as a posi-
tive color TV image, and adjusts the
TV's controls for proper color balance
and brightness (saturation). The con-
trol settings are translated to the print-
ing equipment's filter adjustments so
that the final print is similar to the
image displayed on the TV.
The video analyzer is a fast and easy
way to get good color prints on the
Professional equipment used by color labs includes this
first try, but since video analyzers cost
Kodak Video Color Negative Analyzer. It uses a 5 -in. color in the thousands, the color analyzer is
TV screen to assist an operator in selecting the correct filter. the best thing going for the hobbyist.

52 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST 'Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
Choose the one that's just right Industrial Electronics Black and White TV Servicing- comparable in importance to the
for you...the one that can make You open great career opportuni- 'Advanced development of nuclear energy
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'
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Electronics Technical Institute, Dept. 480-095
Little Falls, New Jersey 07424
ity, success! for you. It can be valuable prepa- Send me the Electronics Technical Institute Catalog.
Communications ration not only for a technical Name
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ETI's communications program sales, management and adminis- Address
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development possibilities in elec-
tronics. Solid-state, receivers, Digital Electronics-Advanced Interested in another held? Check the Technical Home Study School program
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future here! tomorrow! L J
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 55

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Rl
SINGLE WET 5K
BI

BATTERY MONITOR
GELL(2V)
JI
R4
DI R3
IN758A 5K
SIX GELL 2 7K
A
BATTERY(12V)

& CELL CONDITION 01

A C

J2
0
TESTER PARTS LIST FOR BATTERY MONITOR &
CELL CONDITION TESTER
B1 -1.4 -voltmercury cell, Eveready E640
D1 -10 -volt,1/2 -watt zener diode (1N758A or
HEP 20220 or equiv.)
11, J2-binding posts; red, black
M1 -1 -mA DC meter
R1, R4 -5,000 -ohm miniature potentiometer
R2 -470 -ohm, 2 -watt resistor
by Charles Green
R3 -2,700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
S1-spdt rotary or toggle switch
Misc.-plastic chassis box and panel 6 x 31/2
x 17/8 -in. (approx.), perf board, push-in
clips, plastic mechanical pencils and solder
for test probes (see text), wire, etc.

to cut out the M1 mounting hole in the

panel and install the meter in approxi-
mately the same position shown in the
panel photo. Then locate and mount
Electro -chemical action 51, JI and J2. Cut a section of perf
board to size, and drill two holes to fit
tests your car battery! the M1 terminal screws to mount the
board. Install the perf board to the
meter terminals with two solder lugs
supplied with the meter.
Mount the board components with
push -in clips at the approximate loca-
tions shown in the board photo. Use
ARE YOU ONE OF THE many Who are volt difference over that of B1, and M1 short leads for best mechanical rigidity,
servicing his own car? It pays to will indicate a current flow (voltage) in and wire as shown in the schematic.
make sure that the battery is in the circuit. The 1.4-volt meter scale Make sure that D1 and B1 are con-
good shape to prevent that slow, grind- marking is equivalent to meter zero. nected with the proper polarities as
ing start when you are in a big hurry. When S1 is set to the "six cell bat-
R2 R3 R4 R1
D1
Just adding water at intervals isn't al- tery" position, zener diode D1 operates
ways enough to ensure that the battery similarly to battery BI in the other
will be in top condition when you need it. position. Since D1 is a 10 -volt zener
With our expanded-scale battery test- diode, a test voltage higher than 10 volts
er you can make periodic tests of your is required to allow MI to indicate volt-
battery to insure that the battery is in age.
good shape. The tester is built in a Potentiometer R is the calibration
1

compact plastic cabinet and includes pot for the single wet cell meter cir-
easy-to -make special probes for the cell cuit, and R4 is the calibration adjust-
electrolytic tests as well as overall bat- ment for the six cell battery circuit.
tery voltage tests. The construction of Series resistor R2 provides a minimum
the tester is simplified for ease in current flow through the zener so that
building. it will operate properly.
Tester Circuit. When Si is set to the Construction. The Tester is built in
"single wet cell" position and voltage is a 6 x 31/2 x 7/8 -in. plastic box with a
at J1 and J2 (from the test leads), M1 plastic panel. The box dimensions are
will indicate only when the test voltage not critical, and any convenient size can
at J and J2 is higher in value than
1 be used. To minimize possible electrical B1 Ml
1.4-volt battery B1. For example, if the short circuit hazards, do not use a metal Perf board showing components including
test voltage is 1 volt (positive polarity box. Most of the components, are in- location of meter as dashed line. Mercury
at J 1 and negative polarity connected stalled with push -in clips on a 3 x 21/2 - cell battery will last its shelf life, which
to J2), the meter will not indicate since in. perf board with remaining parts is generally two years for a fresh battery.
the B.1 voltage is 1.4 volts. When the mounted on the box panel. Eliminate D1, R2, R3, R4, and Si for a
test voltage is 1.5 volts, there is a 0.1 The best way to start construction is dunk-test only meter. 2-V is center scale.

56 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST 'Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 Use the plastic body of a
PROBE HOLE mechanical pencil or modify
HEAT -SHRUNK a set of old VOM leads.
TUBING OR TEST END OF /4 -in.
TAPE LEAD SOLDER HOLE Either way, wrap 10 to 18
turns _ of "wire" solder
-: 111111111111111111e
around the end to serve as
the electrolyte contact sur-
PLASTIC BODY JOINT SOLDER WOUND PLASTIC
face. Shrink tubing makes a
OF MECHANICAL (SEE TEXT) BETWEEN HOLES, GLUE SEAL neat job. Connect the wire
PENCIL OR PEN SEE TEXT
(ABOUT 2 TURNS)
lead and the solder together
before trying to put the
lead into the hole.
shown in the schematic. Carefully solder zener diode specified, you can copy the top of the battery cannot be seen),
B1 to the push -in clips with a minimum photo of the meter scale and cement it' momentarily place the probe into the
of heat, or the mercury cell may be over the meter scale of your meter. Set electrolyte of a cell and quickly with-
destroyed. If desired, you can use com- Si to the single wet cell (2 volt) range draw the probe if the meter (M1)
mercial mounting clips for the battery and connect the tester to an exact source swings sharply upscale, indicating over -
that do not require soldering. of 2 volts DC. Adjust R1 for, an M1 voltage. The 1/4 -in. plastic section at the
Wire the remainder of the tester cir- indication of 2 volts (at center scale). end of the probes should minimize the
cuits and the panel components. Care- Then set Si to the six cell battery (12 possibility of shorting out the cell be-
fully check the wiring and make sure volt) range. Adjust R4 for a 12 -volt tween the plates, but use care in placing
that M1 is connected with the proper center scale indication with exactly 12 - the probes into the battery holes; hold
polarity. volts input to the tester. Make sure that them in your hands-do not just drop
Test Probe. The tester requires spe- you have connected the right polarity them into the electrolyte while taking
cial probes for the electrolyte test. As input for these calibration adjustments readings. Place the probes just far
shown in the drawing, the probes are (JI connected to positive (-b) voltage enough into the electrolyte to obtain an
made from solder wrapped around the and J2 connected to negative (-) volt- M1 indication. The probe electrodes
end of a plastic tube (we used a plastic age terminals). may have slight tendency to polarize
body of a mechanical pencil and #18 For a more accurate meter calibra- (act like little miniature storage bat-
60/40 rosin core solder). tion (and if you are using a different teries due to electrochemical action on
Begin construction by selecting a pair size 1 MA meter or a different type of the solder) and affect the meter indica-
of mechanical pencils with black and 10 -volt zener diode) you will need a tion. To prevent this, slightly agitate the
red plastic bodies for your test leads. calibrated variable voltage DC power probes in the electrolyte while testing.
Carefully cut off the metal pointed end supply or a DC supply with a poten-
of each pencil and remove the entire tiometer and a monitor voltmeter. Cali-
mechanical assembly from inside the brate both ranges of the 'tester by ad-
pencil. Clean out the inside of the pen- justing R1 and R4 for midscale indica-
cils so they are completely hollow and tions as in the previous (cemented
have no inside obstructions. meter scale) procedure, and then mark-
Drill two holes spaced 3/4 -in. apart ing the meter scales in accordance with
approximately 1/4 -in. from the end of the calibrated DC power supply or the
each pencil body, and wrap wire solder monitor voltmeter. Our model was cali- Inside the meter. Mount perf board to
between the holes as shown. Insert the brated from 1.4 to 2.6 volts on the 2 - meter using screws. in meter terminals.
ends of the wire solder into the holes to volt range of Si, and from 10 to 14 Solder leads to battery B1 terminals di-
hold the turns in place. The end of the volts on the 12 -volt range. rectly or use a battery clip.
wire solder in the hole toward the other Operation. Automobile storage bat-
end of the pencil body (the fbrmer teries consist of a number of 2-volt cells Test your storage battery at periodic
eraser end) should be long enough to connected in series-three cells for a 6 - intervals and note the cell readings.
reach through the body end to be care- volt battery and six cells for a 12 -volt This will give you a performance record
fully soldered onto the test lead. Then battery. As shown in the drawing, the to check when you suspect that the bat-
carefully push the solder back into the tester probes are inserted into the elec- tery may be defective. When a battery
plastic body with a portion of the test trolytic filler holes of a pair of adjacent starts to go bad, it will show up as
lead. Do not try to stretch the wire (series-connected) cells so that the test- widely different voltages between cells
solder or use too much tension or the er will indicate the voltage between the (usually one cell will start to go bad
_

solder will break, Carefully insert short electrolytes in each cell. This voltage is before the others-not all the cells at
plastic sections into the body end to approximately 2 volts, depending on once). For best results, make your
wedge the test lead in place and pre- the condition of the battery cells. The periodic tests when the battery is in ap-
vent it from being pulled out, then test will show the condition of the proximately the same electrical state of
tape or use heat shrink plastic tubing positive plate in one cell and the nega- charge; the battery should be fully
on the lead end of both test probes. tive plate in the paired cell. By making charged and have stabilized for some
We used hot plastic from an electric tests of each pair of cells along the time before making tests. The probes
glue gun to seal up the open end of the battery, the overall condition of the should be washed and dried after each
test prod and at the places where the battery can be determined. Make sure use to prevent corrosion from affecting
solder is fed into the holes. Do not put that you observe proper test probe the readings. The 12 -volt scale of the
any hot plastic over the solder turns. polarities. tester can be used with a normal set
Calibration. If you have a 1 -mA If you are not sure which cell is the of test probes to periodically check full
meter for M1 of the same size scale as. correct mate of another cell (since the battery voltage across the battery
in our model, and the same type of arrangement of cells under the plastic terminals.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST 'Fall -Winter 1975 57

www.americanradiohistory.com
Build an antique
ANTENNALESS l' -TUBE REUEN RECEIVER

This model -maker's delight actually works!

by Art Trauffer
ANUMBER of people would like to need only two or three 9 -volt transistor of z26 gauge enameled copper magnet
build a.one -tube regenerative re- batteries connected in series. wire, having three taps near the outside
ceiver, similar to the popular one - Spiderweb Coils. The drawing of of the coil. In winding the spiderweb
tubers of the early 1920s, but they hesi- the coil form is an actual size pattern coils you start on the inside of the forms
tate, thinking that a long outdoor an- for making the two spiderweb coil and wind to the outside. Punch two
tenna is needed. So here's a novel re- forms. The writer used gray sheet fiber smalj holes in the form and anchor the
ceiver, resurrected from an item in used for electrical insulation, but if you end of the wire in these holes, allowing
Hugo Gernsback's RADIO NEWS cannot obtain this use stiff cardboard six inches of wire for connections later.
magazine of the early 1920s, which re- and two coats of shellac. Wind about 25 turns on the form; then
quires no antenna and works well with Stationary coil L1 consists of 55 turns twist a small loop in the wire for a tap;
only a connection to your water pipe!
As a bonus, you will get less man-made BP2 BP3 L1 BP4 L2
and natural static! 4 - PRONG BRASS
WAFER SOCKET SLIDER
This breadboarded regen receiver is FOR TYPE 30 TUBE
beautiful in its simplicity, and you can TRIODE
probably find most of the parts in your
"junk box." Coils L1 and L2 are the
c2*
highly efficient "spiderweb" type of Rl
coils that were popular in the old days, RADIO KNOB,
and for capacitor Cl you could use the BP1
OR PAN LID
KNOB
RF section of a gang capacitor sal-
vaged from a junked AC-DC table
radio. You can use any low-filament - CI

voltage, low-filament -drain triode tube

1
for VI. The writer used a type 30 in BASEBOARD CLIP BRASS ROD BP5 BP6
this project, since it has a filament drain
of only .06 amps, making it easy on the All wired and ready to pull in those DX casts. Wiring is point-to-point, see schematic.
"A" battery For a "B" battery, you

58 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 then wind 15 more turns and make
another tap. The 55th turn (outside
end of winding) will be tap number 3.
Put a little Dupont Duco cement on the
twist of each tap to make the taps rigid
so you can scrape off the enamel on the
taps for clip connections later on.
Spiderweb coil form shown
Spiderweb coil L2 is the feed-back at right is same -size
coil, or "tickler coil" as it was some- pattern. Use it to make
times called in the old days. L2 has another. You'll need two.
about 50 turns of #26 wire, and no
taps. Note that both coils should be
wound and mounted so the turns of
wire are in the same direction.
Putting It Together. Referring to
photo of the regen radio, the hardwood

NOTE IFRECEIVER DOES NOT OSCILLATE,

REVERSE THESE TWO LEADS.

baseboard (oak, walnut, maple, etc.) is

L2 71/2 in. by 51/2 in. by 1 in. The sup-
porting upright for the coil assembly is
a 21 in. length of 1
in., or 5/a in.
round or square wood dowel, screwfas-
tened at the bottom using a 1 in. flat-
head wood screw and glue.
To make the adjustable assembly for
the coils, use small diameter brass. tub-
ing (two telescoping lengths) obtainable
O BP6 at hobby and crafts supply stores. The
PHONES author used 1/8 in. diameter tubing for
BP5
the stationary support "rod," and mat-
TAPS C1 ing tubing for the sliding "rod," but you
365 pF may want to use larger, more rigid
pieces. The stationary member is about
o 0 0 3'/2 in. long, and the sliding member is
BPI BP2 BP3 BP4 about 3 in. long.
GROUND A- A+ B+ Drill holes of the required size
B -
through the center of coil LI form, and
through the wood upright dowel near
the top. Pass the stationary brass rod
PARTS LIST FOR ANTENNALESS -TUBE REGEN RECEIVER
1
through the hole in the coil form and
into the hole in the dowel. Glue or
C1-365-pF. variable capacitor Misc.-hardware: Knob for Cl. Mounting
C2-250 or 220-pF. (.00025 ceramic disc
Duco cement is used to hold coil L1
uF) screws for Cl. Mounting screws for Fahne -
capacitor stock clips. Soldering lugs. Mounting
securely to the wood upright.
R1-2-megohm, -watt resistor.
1/2 screws and stand-off collars for tube Drill a hole of required size through
V1-any low filament voltage, low filament socket. Hookup wire. Flexible wire for center of coil L2 form, and cement the
drain, triode vacuum tube (Author used "tickler" coil (L2) pigtail leads. Small coil form securely to one end of sliding
type 30) alligator clip. Pair high -impedance mag- brass tube. A knob goes on the other
1-baseboard-mounting socket for vacuum netic earphones. "A" battery for VI. "B" end of this brass tube.
tube (V1) battery for Vl. Two or three 9 -volt tran- The tube socket (type depending on
BP1-BP6-medium-size Fahnestock clips sistor batteries connected in series. (see tube used) is supported by two stand-
L1-home-made spiderweb coil, with three Antennaless text).
off metal collars, as shown.
taps (see text)
12-home-made spiderweb feed-back ("tick- For type 30 tubes, try the following sourc- The schematic diagram shows the
ler") coil (see text) es: Mr. George Haymans, WA4NED, Box simple hookup. Connections should be
1-#26 gauge enameled magnet wire for LI 468, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. soldered wherever possible. Use a sensi-
and L2 Modern Radio Labs., P.O. Box 1477, or tive pair of high -impedance magnetic
1-4 -in. by 8-in. piece gray sheet fiber, for 10322 Ballard Drive, Garden Grove, Cali- earphones when listening. A size D
making coil forms (see text) fornia 92642. flashlight cell will last for a while with
1-wood baseboard, 71/2 -in, by 51/2 -in. by Or any of the other surplus tube mail-order
a type 30 tube, but a No. 6 ignition
1/2 -in. hardwood
firms that advertise in radio and elec-
tronics magazines.
battery will last longer. No switch is
L-round or square 1/2 -in. wood dowel, 21/2 - used-simply disconnect the "A" bat-
in. long (holds spiderweb coil assembly) Other low filament voltage, low drain, tri-
ode tubes: 1H4 -G, 1G4-GT, VT -24/864, tery! For the "B" battery, connect two
2-round or square telescoping brass tubing,
for spiderweb coil slider (see text). 1B5/25S, 1H5 -GT, 1LE3, 1LH4. or three 9 volt transistor batteries, in
series.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 59

 ILE
AS
ALARM
by . R. Lewart

Now our mobile gas alarm means Although we don't always like to knowledge, made such efficient use of
safety on the road: it stands silently think of it, there is a danger associated the power required to operate its sensor..
by-sniffing with an electronic nose with deoxidizing (combustible) gas such OK. No problem when you're powered
for dangerous combustible gases. When as propane -fired camper stoves, gasoline by your local electric company! It's
just a small concentration accumulates fumes in the bilge of a boat, and exhaust when your power system is based on a
around its solid-state nostrils . . . fumes released by everything from die- storage battery that even -watt be-
1

WHAMMO! The area is shattered. Not sel trucks to lawn mowers. There's even comes important.
by a tragic explosion, but by a loud the possibility of flame -out and gas leak- With a series dropping resistor lower-
screaming alarm that keeps on sounding age with a plumber's soldering torch. ing 12 volts to the required 1.2, you
until you turn it off! All these situations and many more can waste 9 times the power actually
Best of all, this alarm can be con- can mean danger if gas is allowed to used by the gas detector element. This
veniently powered by electrical systems accumulate in confined areas. Though is pure power waste you can't afford
found in cars, campers, trucks, travel the special semi -conductor gas sensor when operating from battery power-
trailers, motorhomes, houseboats, speed- used in this project has been the basis even high power auto batteries. Multiply
boats, electric -start outboard boats, air- for kits and construction articles in that power loss by the number of hours
planes, all -terrain .vehicles, even your magazines in the past, none, to our the unit is in operation (say, overnight)
electric -start lawn mower-virtually
everywhere 12 -volt DC power is avail-
PARTS LIST FOR MOBILE GAS ALARM
able.
C1-220-uF electrolytic capacitor, 35 to 50 S1-switch, spst, any style pushbutton or tog-
VDC gle you select
C2-0.1-uF capacitor, 25 VDC or better SCRI-silicon controlled rectifier, Radio Shack
C3-0.01-uF capacitor, 25 VDC or better 276-1079, or General Electric C106.
D1 -9 -volt 1/2 -watt zener diode Z1-semiconductor gas detector model 105
D2 -4 -volt, 1/2 -watt zener diode (Available from Southwest Technical Prod-
ICI -555 -type timer integrated circuit ucts Co., 219 West Rhapsody, San An-
Q1-HEP-700 or Radio Shack 276-2026 tran- tonio, TX 78216 for $6.25 postpaid)
sistor Z2-sonalert model SC628 or equiv.
R1 -100 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
R2 -110,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor Misc.-wire, solder, perf board, push -in clips,
R3 -10,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor cabinet approx. 3 -in. high by 4 -in. wide by
R4 -270 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor 6 -in. deep IC socket, knob, 7-pin miniature
R5 -4700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor tube socket for Z1, polarized socket for 12 -
R6 -220 -ohm, 1 -watt resistor volt input power (Calectro F3-170 shown),
Author's model for portable use. A remote RV -10,000 -ohm potentiometer, linear taper automotive -type cigar lighter accessory
location for both the semiconductor "nose" R8 -3300 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor plug and cord for 12 -volt input power, etc.
and Sonalert alarm is an option to consider.

60 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 on a camping trip, and you come up
with a hefty amount of wasted watt-
hours.
But with this project e/e efficiently
snips the AC power cord and moves
the solid-state gas sensor anywhere 12 -
volt DC power is available.
You can have this modern gas sensor
for use away from power lines that
draws hardly more than one tenth of an
amp at 12 volts-an average power of

15
MM
ICI Q1 SCR Z2
STAINLESS STEEL (TOP VIEW ) Dl,D2 (METAL SIDE ( METAL SIDE TOP VIEW
MESH DOWN) DOWN)
SENSOR
9 5 A C
2__3'
o o
METAL WIRE
16 4
MM 111
E C
n--[
G A C

BASE

CONNECTORS

This interior view of the gas sensor

element shows that the unit is electri-
cally symmetrical. Either element can
serve as the input or the output of this
rugged detector.

1.2 watts. We've used the handy 555 -

type timer to power -pulse the detector
at the 12 -volt level, so the average
power is similar to that provided by 1.2
volts DC.
How Does It Work? Three basic
parts of the circuit are a power -saving
filament voltage supply for the sensor,
the gas sensor device itself, and the
alarm tripping circuit. Let us look at
them one at a time.
The power supply for the gas sen-
sor consists of pulse -generating inte-
grated circuit IC1 and a PNP power
transistor Q1. The integrated circuit
sends periodic pulses which turn the
power transistor on and off and thus
gate the battery power. This approach FRONT
saves approximately 80 percent of the
, battery power as compared to the con-
Follow this layout exactly making point-to-point wiring connections underneath
ventional voltage dropping resistor or
the perf board and to push -in clips. Take extra care that correct polarity is applied.
power transistor with heat sink meth-
ods. Zener diode D1 assures a constant
filament supply for the sensor inde- noxide. The sensor restores itself to
RESISTANCE pendent of changes in the battery volt- high resistance a few minutes after the
BETWEEN PINS a 2.
AND PINS 3 B. 4
1

age. gas source has been removed, and it

HIGH
The gas sensor element (see in- has a life span of several years.
terior view) is composed of bulk semi- The alarm tripping circuit turns
conductor material (mainly tin oxide) the buzzer on when the sensor resis-
heated by a thin filament coil. The semi- tance decreases so that the voltage at
LOW
TIME
conductor material lowers its resistance the gate of the SCR exceeds a value
when exposed to a variety of deoxidiz- preset by R7, the sensitivity adjustment
POWER GAS GAS SOURCE
CONNECTED DETECTED REMOVED ing gases. The sensor reacts to hydro- potentiometer. Once the SCR is trig-
gen, carbon monoxide, propane, and or- gered, the buzzer starts to operate.
Time vs resistor graph shows why you ganic solvent vapors in the alcohol, ke- Then, switch Si must be used to reset
must warm up the heater element for a tone, and benzol families. For example, the SCR to stop the buzzer. Zener diode
few minutes before making a sensitivity the sensor can easily detect concentra- D2 prevents the circuit from sounding
adjustment final. tions of only 100 ppm of carbon mo- (Continued on page 103)

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

.61
www.americanradiohistory.com
 beginners field effect integrated circuit broadcast band amplitude modulation receiver

THE BEST WAY for the newcomer to Detected signals from Q1 are coupled form. It's not necessary to count the
radio to learn about receivers is to through C7 to the integrated circuit turns, as the coil may have to be modi-
build one! The easiest type of re- and amplified. The amplification is con- fied to fit your particular antenna. Con-
ceiver to build that will be reasonably trolled by R7, and the audio output is nect the wire ends through holes at
selective and sensitive is the type that coupled to J3 for an external speaker each end of the coil form and connect
grandad built back in the golden days of (8 to 45 ohms), or earphones. A 3 -volt the wires to two solder lugs mounted at
radio-the regenerative receiver. But this battery or DC power supply is con- one end of the coil form (see photos).
one has been brought up to date. Instead nected to J2 to supply the necessary Set the coil aside.
of old-fashioned tubes, this receiver uses electrical power for the receiver cir- Install the front and rear panel com-
a field effect transistor (FET) regener- cuits.
ative detector and an integrated circuit Construction. The FET-IC receiver
(IC) for the audio amplifier. is built in a 51/4 -in. deep by 3 -in. high
Our model tunes the broadcast band by 57/8 -in. long metal cabinet. Most of
from 550 kHz to 1600 kHz; it provides the components are installed on a 41/4 -
very reliable reception for the beginner. in. by 41/2 -in. perf board section. The
The receiver is built in a handy metal remaining parts are mounted on the
cabinet, runs on two dry cells, and is front and back panels of the cabinet.
designed for simplified construction The parts placement is not critical, but
with perf board mounting of compo- for best performance follow our com-
nents. The receiver can be used with ponent layout and wiring placement.
earphones for digging out the broad- The RF coil LI is wound on a 2 -in.
cast band DX, and it will operate a long section of 11/4 -in. (outside di-
speaker when tuned to strong local ameter) plastic tube. A type of plastic
stations. tube used for protecting golf clubs-
Circuitry. Signals from the antenna obtainable in sporting goods stores-is
at J1 are coupled via the antenna trim- used for our coil form. But a cardboard
mer capacitor Cl to the tuned circuit mailing tube I1/4 -in. in diameter can
L1 -C2 and then detected and amplified also be used.
by the gate -leak detector Q 1. Some of Begin construction by tightly wind-
the RF energy is fed back from Q1 to ing #28 enameled copper wire in a
Ll-C2 via the tickler coil L2, then de- single layer over 1l -in. of the coil
tected and re -amplified again by Ql.
The amount of RF energy feedback is
adjusted by the REGEN control, R1, in Simple diagram of wavetrap as it is con-
shunt with the tickler coil L2. When nected to the receiver. Simple parallel tuned
there is too much feedback, the gate - circuit provides an extra measure of selec-
leak detector Q1 circuit will oscillate, tivity.
an undesirable condition.

82 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 C7
01 10µF
J4 Cl C3 R6
5 TO 80 pF 470 pF ( 10K;

-^
+ C
G
ANT . I( C4
470
C2 R2 pF
GND 365 R3
2 2 MEG
pF 240
S1
14 13 12 11 10 9 8
ICI (TOP VIEW)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C12
R4 200µF
L2 RI 1251
J3
500
12
C5
10µF 100K
R5 L n AUDIO
OUTPUT
REGEN

C6 10µF
OIµF
T T .005µF
C10
1
100 +
)1
R7
C11
01 5K 10µF
VOLUME
(+) (-)
3 V DC

PARTS LIST FOR BEGINNER'S

C1-5 to 80-pF trimmer capacitor (see text) FET-IC BCB RECEIVER

R4 -12 -ohm, -watt resistor, 5%
1/2
C2-365-pF variable capacitor 11,12-screw-type terminal strip R5 -100,000 -ohm, 1/2 -wattresistor
C3, C4-470-pF ceramic or mica capacitor 13-phone jack R6 -10,000 -ohm,') -watt resistor
C5, C7, C8, C11-10-uF, 3-VDC or better elec- Ll-RF coil: #28 enamel wire wound 11/2 -in. R7 -5,000 -ohm audio-gaper potentiometer
trolytic capacitor on 11/4 -in. dia. coil form (see text)
C6-100-uF, 3-VDC or better electrolytic ca- L2-tickler coil: 2 turns hookup wire wound
pacitor on LI (see text) Misc.-metal cabinet 51 x 3 x 57/s-in., pert
C9-0.01-uF capacitor Q1-FET (Motorola HEP802 or equiv.) board and push -in clips, 11/4 -in. dia. coil
C10-0.005-uF capacitor R1 -500 -ohm linear -taper potentiometer with form (see text), metal spacers, hookup wire,
C12-220-uF, 3-VDC electrolytic capacitor spst switch knobs, 3 -volt battery or 3-VDC power supply,
1C1-quad 2-input gate, RTL -type (Motorola R2-2.2-megohm, 1/2 -watt resistor high-impedance earphones or speaker (see
HEP570 or equiv.) R3 -240 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor, 5% text), wire, solder, etc.

ponents as shown in the photos. Capac- tions to the circuit. Of course, an IC as shown in the schematic. Make sure
itor C2 is mounted on two 1/2 -in. metal socket can be used if mounted on the that the connecting leads to Cl, Ll,
spacers on the box bottom and as close board by soldering its contacts to push - L2, Rl, C3 and the "gate" lead of Q1
as possible to the front panel. Mount in clips. are as short and direct as possible. Keep
the 41/4 -in. by 41/2 -in. perf board on Connect the front and rear panel these leads up in the air and away from
the box bottom with a 3/8 -in. spacer at components to the perf board circuits all the wiring of ICI. Complete the
each corner.
To Continue. Temporarily position
the trimmer capacitor, Cl, at the rear
corner of the perf board (located as
shown in the photos) and mark and
drill a 3/8 -in. access hole in the rear
panel for the Cl adjustment screw.
Mount the RF coil Li on the perf
board near C2 by soldering one of the
coil lugs to a ground lug installed on
the nearby corner mounting screw, and
solder the other coil lug to a push -in
clip on the perf bòard. Wind two turns
of hookup wire around the base of L1
(in the same direction as the L1 wind-
ing) and connect the start of the wind-
ing to the ground lug, and the finish of
the winding to a push -in clip on the
perf board. This winding is the tickler
coil L2, and may have to be adjusted
for best operation.
Lay out and wire the perf board com-
ponents as shown in the photos and
schematic drawing. In our model, the Use perf board and push in clip construction for your receiver. is simple and avoids
leads of ICI are flattened out and the pitfalls of loose components and shorting wires. Solder lugs are bolted to op-
soldered to push -in clips for connec- posite sides of the coil form and then soldered to two push in clips.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 63

www.americanradiohistory.com
 FET RECEIVER wiring of the receiver. Make sure that
all wiring is fastened so that it will not
move about.
Operation. For best reception, an
outside long wire antenna and a good
ground (fastened to a cold water pipe)
are required. The antenna should be as
long as possible and mounted high up
in the air. The mail order houses have
antenna kits available which come com-
plete with the necessary insulators and
lead-in wiring.
Connect the antenna lead to the ANT
Use a short piece of wire to connect one
Alternate method of listening to your radio. terminal of the wave trap to the radio. Clip.
terminal of J I and connect the ground
Although audio power output is low, strong your longwire antenna to the other wave - lead to the JI GNb terminal. Connect
local stations produce a reasonable sound. trap terminal and tune out interference. (Continued (01 page 102)
Study -his picture with its callouts of parts carefully before you begin wiring.
GND ANT J1

Cl

R4

C5

R3

R5

C4

R2
C1l

C7

Ql
IC -1

C3

C12

R6 L

Sl

R1

64
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST; Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 floor. A 5 -inch midrange driver and a
7> This Plain Jane
super tweeter face forward to provide
the all important midrange and high
occasional table frequencies. The woofer is rolled off
conceals ...
at 500 Hz. Tite tweeter picks up the
highs from 3300 Hz and up. Of course,
the midrange unit operates from 500
Hz to 3300 Hz. This frequency divi-
sion is supplied by a 3 -way crossover
network that contains sound level con-
SOUND FORCE trols for the treble and highs. The power
handling capacity is rated at 60 watts.
a 3 -wayspeaker Construction. Before you purchase
system with downward the speakers, locate a 16 -in. cube -shaped
occassional table. They are made of
facing woofer! high gloss plastic in black, yellow, red
and gray colors. Take a good look at
the construction of the table before you
decide upon the color. The table legs
must be right angle shaped, not square,
and it should be of one-piece construc-
tion rather than the kind with remov-
able legs. These tables are usually found
in stores that feature unfinished furni-
ture.
When you have obtained the table
that suits your decor, check the inside
by Herman F. Johnson dimensions between adjacent legs at the
under side of the top. This dimension
should be 151/2 -inches in both direc-
tions. The dimension 153/a -in. at the top
of the drawing labeled front Elevation
REMEMBER that old saying once in material; wood joints and jointing allows for 1/16 of an inch at all sides
common use, "Children should be screws are hidden from view; and for of the top panel for grille cloth cover-
seen but not heard!" A loud- convenience in assembly, the screws are ing of the front and both sides of the
speaker should be the direct opposite, driven from the outside, into the en- enclosure. If the dimensions are less
it should be heard but not seen. A closure. than 151/2 -in. between legs, the square
speaker system need not look like one of This is a high performance 31vay dimensions of the top panel should be
the "common box" variety, either. This system that employs speaker compo- reduced accordingly. The dimensions of
one is a box system, but it was designed nents available at Radio Shack. The en- the top determine the overall dimen-
to fit into a popular piece of furniture- closure is designed to provide outstand- sions of the other panels.
the small occasional table known as a ing bass performance from a small View "A -A" in the drawing (top re-
"parsons table." By employing one of system. The bass output is enhanced by moved) indicates the location of all the
these tables to house a speaker system, locating an 8 -inch high compliance panels, supporting cleats and glue
the enclosure can be made of unfinished woofer facing downward toward the blocks. Details "A" and "B" locate the
cleats. Round dots indicate the location
of brads that secure each cleat and glue
block to a panel. Details "C" and "D"
provide the locations of screw holes
(round dots) in the top and bottom
panels.
Construction Sequence. You will
need a half sheet (48 x 48 -in.) of plain
particle board, 1/2 -inch thick. Half a
sheet is more than enough to build one
enclosure, but it is not enough for a
stereo pair. When the panels have been
cut to size as indicated in the drawings,
lay out the center locations for the
speakers as shown in the front eleva-
tion view and in view "A-A." Carefully
cut the midrange and woofer openings
with a sabre saw. The 13/4 -in. diameter
Check the Bill of Materials appearing on the last page of this article. Of course, you opening for the tweeter is best cut by
must have one set of materials for each speaker you wish to build. You should
always use "zip'; cord for speaker connections on moderate and high power a hole saw chucked into an electric
installations; never that thin stuff sometimes sold on spools as "speaker hook-up drill.
wire." Use it for connecting intercoms, if you must, but stick to the #18 for hi-fi. Ten feet of 3/4 -in. square pine is re-
quired for cleats and glue blocks. See

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST, Fall -Winter 1975 65

 the Bill of Material for the lengths. The
SOUND FORCE BOTTOM PANEL
glue blocks are the vertical corner re-
(REMOVABLE) inforcements, all others are labeled
TABLE LEG
14-3/8'n x 14-7/8in. cleats. Pencil -outline the location of
TABLE each cleat and glue block on one side
I5-3/8'n'SQUARE TOP of each front, back and side panel. Start
(SEE TEXT) on the back panel where two long cleats
TWEETER
are aligned along the panel edges as in-
34-1/2i"
dicated in Detail "A". These lines serve
I3

DIA.
I-3/4in.DIA_
-wein - Th T
as guides when glue is applied. One inch
brads secure each cleat and glue block
to the panels. Countersink the brads
I

t
I

5'n about 1/4 -in. below the surface. The use

4I

?I

6-
I
of cleats assists in the assembly and in-
M
MIDRANGE I

sures construction of an air tight en-

r- t -u
closure (air tightness is a basic require-
GRILLE CLOTH 121' WIDE
ment to obtain good bass performance).
FLOOR 14 3/8in. Next, lay out the screw hole center-
FRONT ' VIEW "A-A" lines on the top and bottom panels as
(INSIDE ) shown in Details "C" and "D". Center
punch each screw location and drill
TOP LOCATION
I 16 -in. holes as indicated. Then, as-
A look at the front and rear semble the front, sides, and back panel
. . .
(top and bottom, left) of
a ç in the position shown in view "A-A"
,
º J
LT]
z
TWEETER
OPENING
the forward -facing speaker
and align the top panel. You are now
J gO panel. Inside view A-A
2
J
W
Z W F- ti (above) is a drawing of what ready to mark screw locations into the
á (.75c
oJ
MIDRANGE you would see if you could top side of the cleats with the M6 -in.
Q. Y f- OPENING
look down from the top drill. At this point you should examine
J LONG CLEAT (4I-Ì1/2'n into the speaker enclosure. the screw locations to see if any screw
r
w . . The bottom panel which is likely to hit a brad when it is driven.
supports the downward - If a screw location appears to be too
LOCATI'n
ONS 3 CENTERS

L'° facing woofer is held to the

I

BACK PANEL 14 3/8in. close to a brad, it is best to drill another

IA "K/51 in four cleats with screws hole 1/4 or 1/2 -in. away from the brad.
which are positioned as
DETAIL A
shown in detail "D" at right.
When you are satisfied that all screws
FRONT PANEL, INSIDE FACE
(BACK PANEL SIMILAR, WITHOUT SPEAKER OPENINGS)
will clear, reassemble the same panels,
down side up, and repeat this process
SQUARE for the bottom panel. When you are
satisfied that all screw holes are in the

.
FRONT LONG CLEAT (4) clear, re -drill all of the holes %4 -in.
10-I/2in-x15-3/841 TOP y3/4'^x3/411-1
diameter and countersink for No. 6
. . screws. It is to be noted that four (4)
BRADS 3in CTRS I
screw holes are required in the front
3/4in. x 3/4in. and back panels for screwing into the
N SHORT CLEAT (4) glue blocks. All of the panel edges
should be given a coating of resin sealer

r
O 3/4'n.x3/4in.
GLUE BLOCK (4) to prevent flake off.
You are now ,ready for the final as-
1 9 sembly-except for the preparation of
screw holes to mount the speakers. This
14 7/8in data follows under speaker component
wein FRONT EDGE 7/8in.
DETAIL "B" installation, below. Coat all mating sur-
DETAIL "C"
LEFT SIDE PANEL, INSIDE FACE
(TOP PANEL)
faces with white glue between the panel
(RIGHT SIDE PANEL SIMILAR)
and the cleats; then, screw the top. down
14-3/8in. firmly. Do the same for jointing the
front and back panels to the glue blocks
you have installed on the sides.
Speaker Component Installation.
To complete your "box within a box" you All of the speakers are mounted to the
will require panels for the left and right inside face of the panels. However, the.
sides as detailed on B above; you will diameters indicated in the drawings will
also require the top piece shown in
allow the two cone drivers to be
detail C. This can be planed or filed as
necessary to fit the inside chracteristics of
"backed in" to their respective openings
your table. Remember, the back panel is on the inside faces of the panels, so
similar to the front panel (detail A) each driver will be centered in the
but without the speaker openings. opening. In this position, center punch
all four (4) mounting holes from the
DETAIL "D"
(BOTTOM PANEL) frame of each unit. Remove the speak-
ers and drive ' 2 -in. No. 8 sheet metal

66 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 screws into the panels about U -inch terminal No. 2 is the plus (+) terminal. stapler will do the job if held firmly),
deep. Then, remove the screws and Sound Damping. A minimum then draw it up over the edge of the
scrape off the displaced wood around amount of damping material is recom- top panel -and staple it to the top. Re-
each screw hole. This procedure will mended to be installed inside the enclo- peat this process for covering both side
prevent damage to the cone of a speaker sure to absorb reflections from the in- panels. It is also a good idea to cover
should a screwdriver slip when driving side surfaces, back to the woofer. Cut the woofer should a pet crawl under
a screw. The woofer and the tweeter two pieces of one -inch thick fiberglas to and damage the cone. Staple an 81/2 -in.
should be mounted with screws. The fit over the cleats and glue blocks at square piece of grille cloth to the bot-
hole locations you have marked for the the back and on one side. And, cut a tom panel.
mid range unit should be drilled 11/64 - third piece to fit over the cleats at the Before inserting the enclosure into
in. or 3/16 -in. in diameter for 8-32 top. Staple. or thumb tack the damping the table, examine the inside skirt edges
machine screws. material to the cleats. of the table below the top. If these
The back of the midrange cone must Your enclosure is now complete ex- edges are a sharp right angle, round
be isolated in the enclosure from the cept for the final installation of the them over with a file to avoid abrasion
woofer. This is readily accomplished by bottom panel containing the woofer. of the grille.
bolting a plastic cover over the back Install four (4) lengths of 3/4 -in. by With the table in an upside 'down
side of the midrange driver. A dessert '/4 -in. self -stick foam weather strip tape position, lower the enclosure down be-
bowl was used by the author. Any bowl on the face of the bottom cleats along tween the legs. Then drill two holes
that is quite stiff and has a flanged edge the inside edge of each cleat to insure diameter, through the table legs
all around will do the job nicely. There air tightness under the bottom panel. and into both side panels in a low posi-
is no need for a gasket. The edge of the Then, screw it down in place. tion about 11-in below the top of the _

bowl can be clamped to the smooth Grille cloth provides an attractive table and at about 11/4 -in. from the out-
back surface of the speakers frame by method of covering the exposed un- side right angle corner of each leg.
the mounting bolts. finished front and side panels. It is sold Drive 3/4 -in. No. 6 round head, plated,
The recessed space behind the back by most electronic parts stores by the wood screws in until the table leg is
panel is convenient for mounting the foot from rolls 32 or 36 -in. in width. drawn snug to the enclosure. These four
crossover network. Draw a horizontal Threy 12 -in. wide strips about 14 -in. screws are all that is required to sup-
pencil line on the back panel at 41/4 -in. long will cover the front and both sides port the enclosure in the table.
from the bottom edge and center mark when centered so that the edges are Operation. As stated earlier, the bass
the location for two 1/2 -in. No. 6 pan between the panels and the table legs response is robust. If the lows are too
head sheet metal screws 47/n -in. apart. as indicated in the front elevation view. strong for your ears, cut back on your
Drive these screws in about half way. Pick out a soft, cloth -like; grillelinate- bass control at your receiver. It is of
Slotted openings are provided on the rial that will take a 'smooth right angle considerable advantage to have variable
back of the network for hanging it on bend.. Coat the edges with rubber ce- output for both the midrange driver
two screws. The network is a self con- ment, about '/z -in. wide, with a paint and the tweeter. The midrange control
tained unit. Hence, three sets of con- brush to prevent fraying. Staple or tack should be advanced more than half way
necting wires must be brought through an end edge of the material to the bot- and the tweeter control to about
holes in the back panel for connections tom edge of the front panel (a paper one-quarter turn for most rooms.
between each speaker and a 12 -screw
terminal strip on the network. Drill
holes through the back panel at 11 -in. RILL OF MATERIAL FOR SOUND FORCE
from the bottom edge for a snug fit to Quantity Name Size Material
the hookup wires. Follow the instruc-
tions attached to the network for con- top panel 15 3/5 -in. sq. '/z -in. particle board
nection to the speakers with juwer bottom panel 14% -in. x 147/4 -in.
wires between designated terminals to 2 side panel 14% -in. x 147/rin. 1/º -in. particle board
engage the installed tweeter and mid- 1 front panel 103'º -in. x 153/4 -in. 1/2 -in. particle board
range level controls that are located on 1 back panel 10 -in. x 143/4 -in. 1/2 -in. particle board
the front of the network. 4 long cleats 3/4 -in. sq. x 143/4 -in. pine
Cut the speaker hookup wire (zip 4 short cleats 3/4 -in. sq. x 11 -in. pine
cord is fine) in about 24 -in. lengths. 4 glue blocks -in. sq. x 8 -in.
3/4 pine
Solder one of these to the woofer ter- 44 flat head 1 -in. No. 6
minal lugs, one to the midrange lugs wood screws
(through a snug fit hole in the side of 4 machine screws
the plastic cover), and the third to the
7 sheet metal 1/2 -No. 8
pull -type binding posts located on
screws
the tweeter. Red dot terminals on the
SO wire brads -in.
speakers should be connected to their 1

respective plus (+) terminals on the 1 occasional table 16 -in. x 16 -in. x 16 -in. plastic
network (2, 8, and 10). Unmarked ter- 1 woofer 8 -in. (Radio Shack 40-1341)

minal lugs should be connected to the 1 mid -range 5 -in. (Radio Shack 40-1292)
negative (common) .terr>,ninals on the 1 tweeter 13/4 -in. (Radio Shack 14-1274)
network (1 and 6) Since two wires
. 1 network 3 -way (Radio Shack 40-1339)
must be connected to terminal 6 in a
Misc.-Grille cloth, rubber cement, glue, speaker cord, connectors, 4-sq. ft. of 1 -in. fiberglass,
3 -way system, it is a good idea to use
etc. (Author used Sycro "Parsons Table" from Sycro division. Dart Industries, Inc.,
spade connectors. The input terminals Syracuse, NY 13201)
are located adjacent to terminals No. 1

and 2. The input 'terminal adjacent to

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST!FaIl-Winter 1975 67

Stop Wasting Energy!
BUILD TIME TALLY
With electric power at top price, you will want to conserve it more than ever!
by Thomas R. Fox

SOMETHING'S been hanging in there drive the counter directly, which simpli- directly to the battery) to point "A"
too long drawing current all the fies things quite a bit. on the schematic. Connect a wire from
time, and it's costing you a bundle! Put It Together. Since the entire point "B" to the negative terminal of
What is it? Who knows? But you can project minus the power supply has few- the battery or to any convenient ground.
find out with this simple electromechan- er than ten parts, construction is a snap. If the timer runs even with the switch
ical counter driven by a single inte- If the meter is to be used in outdoor off, you've connected point "A" directly
grated circuit and connected to the "on" equipment, one of the first things to be to the battery, bypassing the switch. Try
switch of an electrical device, or appli- done is to find a protected spot in the another terminal on the key switch (a
ance, or any electric -start engine. equipment to mount the circuit. voltmeter comes in handy when tracing
By combining an up-to-the-minute If the meter is to be used indoors to circuity). Before making the final instal-
integrated circuit with the old reliable count the minutes a TV is on per month, lation, make sure the Time Tally works
electromechanical counter, you can for instance, a case should be used to only when the key switch is on.
make an ultra -simple and inexpensive mount the counter. An IC socket can With positive ground systems, connect
elapsed time meter. The 555 -type timer be used for the 555 or connections can point "B" to a terminal on the key
used here is a very handy IC because be soldered directly to its leads if prop - switch and point "A" to a ground. The
it is amazingly stable and accurate; its per precautions against overheating are counter itself can be mounted in any
-

timing isn't significantly affected even if taken. Use a 20 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor location where the numbers can be read.
the supply voltage varies widely. in series with one lead of counter Z1 It is not necessary to mount it in the
The circuit, (see Fig. 1), centering if the meter is to be built into outdoor front panel.
around the 555 timer, emits half-a -sec- equipment that uses a 12 -volt battery. Since the Time Tally records minutes,
ond negative pulses once every 60 sec- With 6 -volt systems or with one of the not hours, the "hours" usually referred
onds. This short, power -stingy pulse AC power supplies, eliminate the series to in the owner's manual should first be
triggers the electromechanical counter resistor. converted to minutes by multiplying the
whose memory requires no power what- Connect a 6 or 12 -volt battery used hours by 60. For instance, a 25 hour
ever. The 555 output is sufficient to on the machine being tested or, if it is maintenance schedule should be chang-
to be built for indoor use, use four "D" ed to a 25X60 = 1500 minute sched-
cells in series or a 6 -volt lantern battery ule. It is most convenient to make the
to calibrate the meter. change right in the manual. It is also
c/ RI R
2 MEG
helpful to record' the last minute you
tR With R1 set near its mid -point, the
2.22 MEG
counter should advance one step every serviced the engine.
55-60 seconds. Adjust R1 so that the For Indoor Appliance Use. Use the
6 OR 2
VDC R3
8 7 6 5
1C2 counter clicks exactly every 60 seconds Time Tally to find out which appli-
555 IC
(SEE TEXT) 15K#
I 2 3 4 (decreasing the resistance of Rl de- ances are gobbling up those expensive
L__. creases the time). kilowatt-hours. The following formula
T For Outdoor Engine Use. Since it finds the exact costs of those "suspect-
R4
22A is the most common, your machine ed" appliances:
probably has a negative ground electri- W(0.05) m
OiOIO!0lll zl
Fig. 1 cal system (negative battery terminal 60,000
connected to chassis). However, make where
PARTS LIST FOR TIME TALLY sure by either examining the electrical W is wattage of appliance
Cl-20-VDC or better, 20-uF Tantalum capas wiring diagram or by using a voltmeter. m is minutes in use
citor. In negative ground systems, connect D is dollars per month
Note: Common electrolytic capacitors may be a wire to a terminal on the key switch The above equation is based on an
used with some loss of timing accuracy. (not to a terminal that is connected (Continued on page 103)
C2-0.01-uF capacitor, any type, 12 VDC or
better r
ICI -555 -type timer APPLIANCES POWER CORD SWITCH RATED AT I5A
OFF -ON SWITCH RATED AT 154 TI D2
R1-2-Megohm potentiometer, linear taper 6-12 N ¡.A
R2-2.2-Megohm, 1/2 -watt resistor 115 VAC
VDC II6.3VAC C3T
AC -DC A
R3 -15,000-ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor POWER B
SUPPLY B 3A TO IA RATING
R4-22-ollm, 1/2 -watt resistor TO REST OF n n #14 WIRE
#14 WIRE
Z1-Electromechanical counter, 6-VDC, 5 -digit, APPLIANCE
CIRCUITRY PLUG RATED AT I5A
surplus type J Fig. 2
Note: Author used ITT type CE5OBN5014U. Fig. 3
These units are available for $4.95 each plus
postage for 10 oz. from BA, 3199 Mercer, Putting Time Tally to work. Use Fig. 2 set-up with permanent installations; Fig. 3
Kansas City, Mo 64111. shows AC -DC supply. D2 is rated at 1 A, capacitor C3 is 10-uF at 15-VDC or better.

68 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 1

www.americanradiohistory.com
 INFLATION -BUSTING DIGITAL CLOCK

DATE
ALARM

NIA)1ICLOCK
The basic parts-IC, display, transformer, and IC socket-actually cost
similar items used in our last clock!
one half as much as you can pay for

by C. R. Lewart

TIME FREEZE! What's time freeze? To 10 -minute snooze alarm. It has provi- clock. With it you set the time ahead a
tell yott the truth, nothing that great sion for internal battery power opera- minute or two, wait for your time
. . . we think it's everything else tion. It can be operited in either the 12 - standard (WWV, local radio, Ma Bell,
about this digital clock that's so great! or 24 -hour mode. It knows the days of etc.) to count down to zero, flick the
First of all, it's even simpler to build the month (you update just once every function switch, and watch your clock
than our first clock project-a very four years at leap year). It is simple to start counting frcm "00" seconds every
popular one published over a year ago. build without a printed circuit board time. A small feature, perhaps, but
Secondly, you'll find that even fewer because there are no driver transistors something everycne appreciates.
parts do more jobs. for the display. It uses a standard low- Other features of the clock are as
But today the best feature is one that cost "calculator" type display, and the follows: You can select between time,
is uppermost in everybody's mind-the display is internally wired-only 13 con- date, alarm "set time, or time/date
major parts cost. In fact, the overall nections operate all 42 segments of the display (a time iisplay for 8 seconds
clock cost is just about half the price of six -digit display. And all the display followed by a d; to display for 2 sec-
our previous clock project. It's the least connections are made to an IC con- onds) . A 50 or ,i0 Hz switch and the
expensive electronic digital clock we nector for ease of assembly. time freeze feature let you set time with
could find-kit, project, or asseinbled- It all adds up to one thing: You ease (in the 50 Hz position, the clock
that has just about every feature you should be able to build this clock for a will run 20 percc nt faster on a 60 Hz
can think of in a line -powered digital price considerably lower than digital line) . You also have a "snooze" button
clock. clocks with fewer features. And, oh yes, to recycle the a arm by ten minutes.
It is a 6 -digit clock. It is a calendar. about time freeze: It's the simple "sec- There is only ore switch for setting
It is a 24 -hour alarm clock. It has a onds hold" .feature you get with this hours, minutes, aays, and months! Ad -

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 69

www.americanradiohistory.com
 CLOCK ALARM
SET CONTROLS SPEAKER Q2
MAXICLOCK Q1

ditional features are an "alarm is set"

red LED indicator, leading zero blank-
ing, and a green LED to indicate p.m.
The clock also provides an optional
24 -hour display, stand-by battery power,
and display brightness control.
How Does It Work? The brain of the
clock is the Cal -Tex CT7001 integrated
circuit consisting of thousands of tran-
sistors; it counts down the line fre-
quency to seconds, minutes, days, and
months. Internal memories record the
number of days in each month and the
alarm settings. To avoid large numbers
of wire leads, the display digits are
multiplexed, which means that "gating"
signals (digit turn -on signals) are ap-
plied in sequence to the "control" grid
of each digit. But it happens so fast you
"see" a continuous 6-digit display. The
display segments of all digits are con- POWER ICl DISPLAY
nected in parallel right inside the dis- TRANSFORMER PANEL
play case. It comes pre -wired that way
in its compact enclosure. Birds -eye view of major parts location in a compact and very
The first transistor, Q1, turns the tight design. Consider building your clock in a more original
leading zero o$ when the "SF" seg- setting for wall (or even built-in) display with hidden power cord.
ment (see schematic) appears-this is
the only segment not required to form
digits 1 and 2. The second transistor,
Q2, is a programmed unijunction tran-
Í Si
S2
/ o, O O 03
ö 0 LED1
LED2

0
sistor which drives the speaker to sound o
the alarm. You can change the sound o (402D00
0 R25 R23 R24
S3 SPEAKER o Cl O C3
of the alarm by making Cl smaller or
larger as you desire.
Construction. To build the clock we
o
0
>
E
, R4
R22
Ó o
8 C2
o
p
ó F
ô
used point-to-point wiring on a 3 x 4 -in.
perf board. The clock fits into a 3 x 4 x
5 -in. cabinet, but you may want to build
it in a slightly larger cabinet with differ-
S4

P-1
o
o

o
o IC
o
ti

'
o
o
o
UD
RS
E P
S5 DO C4
ent styling. If your soldering skills are Ti
oo
C A
limited, we would recommend a 4 x 5 x o EY
D150 N
6 -in. cabinet. All external connectors are CS 14 15 o
brought out to push -in terminals at the 0 R24 R2I
edge of the perf board.
Ss O R18 0 '

Be careful handling the integrated

circuit. A socket for the IC is a must.
Install the IC in the socket only when Optional Features. You may want to clock must be reset when switched from
you are finished with all the wiring to drop some of the features provided in 12- to 24-hour display.
prevent a static charge from damaging the basic clock to simplify its construc- Stand-by battery power. A couple
it. tion. You may also want to add a few of 9 -volt batteries as shown on the
The display is quite sturdy, though extra features if you feel strongly about schematic will provide stand-by power.
dropping it on its edge on the concrete them. Mix and match; it's up to you. When the AC is on they do not supply
basement floor (as we did during con- Leading or blanking zero in the any current to the circuit. When the AC
struction) will definitely wipe it out! Cut 24 -hour mode. If you prefer a leading 0 is off the drain on the batteries is only
a hole in the front of the cabinet for the (05 15 45 instead of 5 15 45) leave about 3 mA. Though the display will be
display and attach it with a bracket, out Q1 and R19 to R21. off, an internal oscillator will keep the
glue, or masking tape. All display con- Display ' brightness. If you would counters running so that the correct
nections are brought out on pins similar like to control the intensity of the dis- time and date will be displayed when
to a 14 -pin dual in-line IC. The pins play, replace R24 with a 500 -ohm po- the power returns. For this option, re-
have to be bent slightly to fit into the IC tentiometer connected as a rheostat. place R22 with a 5000 -ohm poten-
socket. To improve visibility, we recom- Twenty -four-hour display. You tiometer connected as a rhéostat. Adjust
mend putting a sheet of smoked or can choose the 24 -hour mode instead of it by unplugging the clock for one min-
green -blue plastic or glass in front of the the 12 -hour mode simply by connecting ute at a time (with a stand-by battery
display. D18 as shown on the schematic. The installed). Then, check whether it is fast

70
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fail-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 vss
PM
RI
27K - J1h--- R4

1 2K
R18

2.7K rLED VL
D12
1-C3
.01
R23
..,,A 2 1 56K
GC
02 r. CI 3 14 23 27

i
24
R2 1µF R25
SPK TO 6 PLACES
56K 6 39K
VDD VDD 013 (INC. DIRECTLY TO
DISPLAY PANEL)
vL 28 15 2 PLACES 25 N e 016
015 R24
Ir IC) BLUE
VDD
TOP
} VIEW 26 3312 12
C2 C5 VAC Ti
14 DI4
i00 RED
160 pF µF
CT 7001 22 a l

BROWN
V
SS
- C4 12 VAC
ICI TO 100 µF
3 PLACES BLK
SLATE
8
D17 .AD
9 10 I I 12 7 18 17 16 15 19 20 21 YEL C
S1
Dl VSS
4V 6 BLK
CAL o a D2 4.. SA
VAC
ALM
RUN
o a D3
e-G3 SB
GR/YEL
O S6
...G4 SC R26
ALM D4 J SD
6212

--'-
0 0_
ON In o
bSNOOZE 0 4.- SE o FI F2
S5
TIME )Da6 --G5 1= SF TO DISPLAY
G6 SG
O O ALT OPTIONAL
S3
CAL
o aD7
R3 2.7K n{- tt
¢
0 -
cirr it
N rY
STANDBY POWER
019
a
020
tk
RESISTORS VDD
R5 TO R17
ARE 15K 08
D9 I DIO
011 R20 R2
LED 1 Q 47K 2.7 K
1

ALM ON MIN
DAYS

}
p HRS
MONTHS
50 Hz
4
C) 60 Hz

15K
VSS

24 HOUR DISPLAY
ICI 018 ¡Cl
V1h
R19
G1
TO DISPLAY
PIN 9 -.---+-
+ PIN 6
B 1-Pair of 9 -volt transistor radio LED1-Red light emitting diode, S5-Dpst toggle switch
batteries. alarm -on indicator S6-Normally open pushbutton
Note: required only when LED2-Green light emitting diode,. switch
standby battery power option is p.m. indicator T1-Power transformer, P8361
included. Q1-Npn silicon tr.ansistor, HEP Z1 -7 -segment, 8 -digit fluorescent
C1-1-uF capacitor, any type, 50 S0007 display with internally strapped
VDC or better Q2-Programmable unijunction segments for multiplex display
C2-150 or 160-pF disc capacitor, transistor, HEP S9001 system, ISE DP89A used by
50 VDC or better R1 -27,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
author
Note: You can parallel -connect a R2, R23 -56,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt Misc.-Small 3.2- or 8 -ohm speaker
100-pF and 47-pF to obtain an resistor used only if alarm option is
approximate value. R3, R18, R21 -2700-ohm, -watt
1/2
included (Radio Shack 40-262 or
C3-0.01-uF disc or tubular resistor equiv.); cabinet (author used 3
capacitor, 50 VDC or better R4 -12,000 -ohm, 1/ -watt resistor x 4 x 41/2 -in. unit but suggests
C4, C5-100-uF electrolytic R5 to R17, R19-15,000 -ohm, 1/2 - larger size for novice builders
capacitor watt resistor such as Radio Shack 270-253
D 1 to D11, D16, D18-General R20 -47,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor which is 51/4 x 3 x 57/8 -in.); wire,
purpose silicon diodes such as R22 -1500 -ohm, 1/ -watt resistor, solder, hardware, 14 -pin DIP IC
1N914 see text sockets for display (2 required),
D12, D13-General purpose R24 -33 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor, etc.
germanium diodes such as 1N34 see text A partial kit of parts consi g of a Cal -Tex
D14, D15, D19 -1 -amp, 200 -volt R25 -39,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor CT7001 NCH, the ISE DP89A display panel (Z1),
silicon diodes, 1N4003 R26 -62 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor and a 28 -pin socket for ICI is available from
D17 -4 -volt, 1/2 -watt zener diode S1 -4 -position, single -pole rotary
Photolume Corp., 118 E. 28th Street, New York,
NY 10016 for $26.95 postpaid. Power transformer
D20-6 -volt, 1/2 -watt zener diode or slide switch Ti can be added to the basic kit for an additional
$3 of the time of your original order only (total
ICI-Time/date/alarm clock -on -a - S2-Spdt center -off toggle switch for 4 items noted in this offer is $29.95 postpaid).
chip (Cal -Tex CT7001, do not S3-Spdt center -off toggle switch Postal money order will speed delivery. Otherwise
substitute.) allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. (New York
S4-Spst toggle switch residents must add sales tax.)

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 71

 IRS/I40 GAL 50 At.
MAXICLOCK 1ee
(71` ef1,

'
MIN/DAY T1M 60 Hz SNOOZ1
or slow when the AC power is again
applied and adjust R22 in the direction
which will reduce error. z w- e
Operation. Set the time, date, and :.c 4 ä
alarm by turning Si to the proper posi-
tion (either time, date, or alarm). Then
flip and hold S2 in the hour/months or
minute/day position-whichever you
wish to set. You will notice that the Just a pair of 14 -pin dual -in -line IC "Set" switch S1 (see the schematic)
function you have elected to set will sockets are needed to connect this tells the clock which of its three func-
increment at one digit per second for as compact display with the circuit board. tions you want to adjust with the left
long as S2 is in the off -center position. Display is actually an 8 -digit device hand switch (S2). Just hold S2 in the
You will also notice that setting one originally for calculator use. Here we up position to set hours or months;
function will not affect any other func- blank the third and fifth digits to sep- hold it down to adjust minutes or day
tion. This feature allows you to set arate hours, minutes, and seconds. of the month.
February 29 in a leap year without
upsetting any other function. You will
also note that moving S1 to time stops
the clock. When S2 is then actuated,
seconds will reset to 00. These two
imaginative features make for precise
and easy time setting. After making all
your settings, return Si to its normal
run setting.
The display mode, time-only, date -
only or alternate (time and date), is
selected with S3.
The alarm on switch S5 also turns on
a red LED to make you aware that the
iißóiElt3:
urRcsc4E, 111§I`a a a
DP89A
REAR VIEW
G6 G5 G4 SA SB SF SG

This hi-fi setting is strictly digital with your home-brew

digital clock and Heath's AJ-1510 "digital" FM tuner. Hi-fi
fans can even add Infinity Systems' Class D Switching Power Amp.

alarm is set. The warning light may

SC SE SD F2 F1 G3 G2 GI ICI PERF SPK
save you from being awakened at 7 a.m.
X- DO NOT CONNECT , LEAVE OPEN BOARD on a weekend.
The alarm can be set up to 23 hours,
59 minutes in advance (let the alarm
Q1 02 ring for a minute, or better still, just
S0007 S 9001 276-2076
turn it off for a minute before flipping
S5 back on for tomorrow morning's
}~f
greeting) Switch S6 is the snooze but-
.

e A G C ton and will give you another ten

minutes sleep in the morning if you can
BOTTOM VIEW manage to give it a nudge.
SA When you set time or alarm, the p.m.
SF/SG ISB light will indicate whether your setting
Perf board mounting is simple enough corresponds to a.m. (light off) or p.m.
SE/ /SC if you use spacers, screws, and nuts as (light on).
shown. You can mount the display The Wrap -Up. So that's it! A clock
SD
panel (Z1) with anything from double - project that gives you more for less is
SEGMENT sided tape to epoxy glue. If you select e/é s style. Our supplier of hard -to -find
(DENT the alarm option, you must use a small items has promised to hold the line on
DIODES speaker; it can face downward (as prices (see the parts list), so we expect
shown) or forward for more sound. these optional features and useful func-
The kit of basic parts includes the 28 - tions to bring our readers the best clock
A pin IC socket-see parts list for details. their inflation-fighting dollars can buy.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

72
www.americanradiohistory.com
 a professional power supply for hobbyists
... compared to the job it does
the cost is peanuts!

by William Montgomery

Sure, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool experimenter/hobbyist, and I've had the fever for some time. And
if you're like me, there's a good chance your budget is just as tight.
That fiscal fact plus an appreciation for a good, efficient design is the "need" that helped provide
the "shove" that got the ball rolling to crank out this handy power supply for my own use. Looking
over the line-up of commercial units and talking to people in the field gives a pretty good picture
of just what features are important and which are popular. You'll find them all here with an experi-
menter/hobbyist's parts budget to boot! Not a bad deal, actually.
You get the benefits of a commercial lab supply for as little as twenty-five dollars-all new parts,
complete with case-by building it yourself. A full-blown version complete with switchable front -
panel voltmeter/ammeter will peak out at about thirty-five dollars; but if you can scrounge up a
25 -volt, 2 or 3 -amp power transformer, don't need the meter, and you have a case, all new parts
go for about $17. Any way you build it, performance is never sacrificed.
Background: Having the right level cf DC power available to test a transistor circuit, a motor, or the
like is all too often a problem. It is the old story of not having the right tool at the right time. Bat-
teries don't offer variable voltage or much power. Purchasing an inexpensive, unregulated supply
may be satisfactory in some cases, but when transistors in the test circuit begin switching on and
off, you may find the supply voltage going up and down. Ideally, one would like to have a selectable
voltage level that will not change as the load changes, a fair amount of available power, and an
adjustable current limit in order to Protect both the supply and the item being tested.
Although ICs are available that deliver regulated voltage selectable over a range of around 0 to 20

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST, Fall -Winter 1975 73

www.americanradiohistory.com
 POWER SUPPLY

35v INPUT
(UNREGULATED)
Q1

R1

3
I

.5 VOLT REFERENCE
Fig. 1 VOLTAGE

Author's simplified schematic to show the

principle of operation. Reference voltage
is not necessarily a battery. It could be,
but it's not very practical. In this supply
it consists of pre -regulator zener D2 and
the one -amp silicon power diode called Dl.

volts, the power delivered by these ICs

is only a few watts. Finally, to purchase
a supply that has the desired features
would cost a fair amount mainly be-
cause one would have to buy a profes-
sional -type supply. The answer to all
this, however, is really very simple. The
power supply, described here can be
built in only a few hours at low cost,
and the features are outstanding.
While the basic principle of operation
of this regulated supply is well known-
mainly an operational amplifier control-
ling a power transistor-we have design-
ed this particular unit using components
that offer the most for the money and
simple circuit "tricks" that provide the
best return for your efforts. The result Close-up of construction area showing author's use of transistor sockets for
is a supply that uses a handful of elec- D3, D1 and D2, and Q2. Main point-to-point wiring is done under perf board
tronic parts costing about $20 with the where hodge-podge wiring techniques can't be seen.
following features:
Twenty watts of available out- heart is a power transistor which regu- point A in Fig. 1 is "pulled" closer -to
put power (above 20 watts, for lates power to the load. Fig. 1 is a ground than before. The voltage across
safety, the voltage begins to de- simplified schematic showing how it R2 is then less than the reference volt-
crease automatically). works. The unregulated voltage comes age, so- the op amp sees an imbalance,
Adjustable current limiting from a transformer and full wave recti- or error voltage, at its input which is
(maximum current fed to the fier. Placing a load across this voltage amplified and sent to Q1 to turn it on
load can be pre-set to any value directly would cause it to drop sharply- (make it conduct) more. Q1 then
between 0.1 amp and 1.0 amp). which is what we want to avoid. "pumps" more current into the load,
One-half percent regulation (at Resistors R1 and R2 determine a volt- thereby maintaining the output voltage
10 volts output, for example, the age gain for the 741 op amp by (1 + at its desired level.
voltage will drop only 0.05 volt R1/R2). The output of the op amp, In addition to regulating voltage, this
between no load and full load). and therefore the regulated output unit limits current. In the complete sche-
Adjustable output voltage of VOUT is given by VOUT = 0.6 X (1 + matic we see that the desired current
0.6 volt to 30 volts. R1/R2), where 0.6 is the reference limit is selected by adjusting R6. When
Short circuit protection (the voltage built into the circuit. This equa- current through R7 causes the voltage
output of the supply can be ac- tion holds only when the voltage drop at the base of Q2 to be about 0.7 volt,
cidentally short circuited without across R2 equals the 0.6 reference Q2 begins conducting from collector to
harming the supply or even blow- voltage, so it is the job of the op amp emitter thereby grounding the output
ing a fuse; try it!) . to force this to happen. The process is of the op amp and lowering the output
How It Works. This regulated power basically simple. VouT is selected by voltage, which in turn has the desired
supply has a "heart" and a "brain." adjusting R1 with, for example, no load effect of limiting the current to the
The brain is a 741 operational amplifier on the output. As a load is applied, it pre -selected level.
IC which detects error signals. The momentarily causes VOUT to drop since The 741 op amp is an ideal device to

74 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 R1 (E ADJ)
IC
TOP VIEW D1 D2 50K c e
o
IC1

-
210
8 5
2 3
H1
HEP
i

-o OUTPUT
- -{
o
4 --JL4 b S9140 I

R2
1K CA e
Q2 R8
S1 D3 D1
R3 2N5 296 1 MEG
T1 2A
F1
3 50V
1K
¡(I ADJ)
1/2 A (+) R5 R6
125V 25V 6252 50012
1

R4 *Are.
2052 R7
110 VAC 5S2,5W
l
INPUT
Q1
BOTTOM VIEW
Q2
METAL BASE
DOWN D3
CTf
LW C
T
L - - VV1r
R9,t00K
ooJ S2

i
i

D2
(D
TOP VIEW
3
A
1 -0 io---1
OPTIONAL!'I
b I e
2

O 4
1

I+)
WIRING
FOR METER
+2_1 5Oµ
4V 1AMP

You may find the 5 -watt, 5 -ohm resistor R7 difficult to locate. If so, use a 5 -ohm, 10 -watt
resistor (Lafayette 33-46046) or two 10 -ohm, 5- or 10 -watt units in parallel (such as Radio
Shack 271-132). A dual 741 op amp (such as Radio Shack 276-138) can be,expected to meet the
author's 10 mV offset spec; for correct pin functions, you change pin 7 to 8 and pin 6 to 1.

PARTS LIST FOR PROFESSIONAL POWER SUPPLY

CI -1000-uF, 50-VDC electrolytic capacitor for $4.35 postpaid from Circuit Specialists, only if meter M1 is used)
01 -1
-amp, 50-VDC silicon diode P.O.Box 3047, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. S1-spst switch
D2 -12 -volt, 1 -watt zener. diode Q2 -2N5296 npn power transistor S2-dpdt switch (required only if meter Ml is
D3 -2 -amp, 50 -volt diode bridge R1 -50,000 -ohm linear -taper potentiometer used)
ICI -741 -type op amp R2, R3 -1000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor Tl-power transformer: 120 VAC primary, 24
M1-50-uA panel meter; optional, see text R4 -820 -ohm, -watt resistor
1/2 VAC at 2 amps secondary
QI-npn darlington power transistor (Motorola R5 -62 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
HEP S9140 or equiv.) R6 -500 -ohm linear-taper potentiometer Misc.-perf board, hardware, aluminum case
Note: Must be used with a 22 sq. in. heat- R7 -5-ohm, 5 -watt resistor approx. 3 x 5 x 6 -in., 1/2 -amp fast -acting fuse,
sink such as Radio Shack 276-1358. HEP R8-1-megohm, 1/2 -watt resistor (required only fuse holder, kit of mounting hardware for Ql
S9102 may be used for Ql if a 30 sq. in. if meter M1 is used) (HEP A0450 or Radio Shack 276-1370), sili-
heatsink is used. The HEP S9140 is available R9 -100,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor (required con heat sink compound, wire, solder, etc.

use here because it is inexpensive and 0.6 volt and draw 1 amp through a load, fit on a 4 x 5 -in. perf board and within
has built-in short circuit protection for Q1 will "drop" about 35 volts across it; a 3 x 5 x 6 -in. -cabinet. The transformer
its output which allows Q2 to ground at 1 amp, that's 35 watts. Without an may have a center tap (yellow on the
the output to limit current. When select- ice cube on it, Q1 on the heat -sink we Radio Shack version) which can be cut
ing among the various 741 op amps on have suggested will heat to about 80°C. and taped since it is not needed. All 120
the market, choose one that, according At this temperature it is capable of dis- VAC leads that go to Sl, the fuse
to its specification sheet, has an offset sipating 50 watts, which is well enough holder, and Tl, must be covered with
voltage of less than 10 millivolts; other- above the actual 35 watt requirement insulating tape to avoid the shock haz-
wise ,the lowest output voltage from the for safe operation. ard associated with these points. In
power supply will be proportionately To obtain the low reference voltage (Continued on page 101)
greater than the 0.6 volt specified here. for pin 3 of the 741, a regular diode
Power transistor Q1 is a darlington (D1) is used since voltage in the for-
type, which means it has a current gain ward direction causes a sharp knee (the
of about 1000. Inside, it is basically voltage at which conduction begins) at
one transistor driving another. This re- about 0.6 volt. It is serving, therefore,
sults in the high current gain. This high as a low voltage zener diode at a frac-
gain is needed to prevent the op amp tion of the cost. To greatly improve
output from being overloaded, which regulation, D1 is fed by a lfvolt zener,
would reduce regulation quality. D2, so we- have a reference within a
Our Overdesign. Transistor Q1 is reference and a very inexpensive way
rated at 90 watts, but remember that to obtain a stable low voltage. Notice tape wrapped around the on -off
such ratings are at room temperature Nuts, Bolts 'n Solder. Construction switch. Safety first is best. The author
(25°C). If you set the output voltage to is straightforward. All components will used 500-uF capacitors in parallel for Cl.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

75

www.americanradiohistory.com
 DARKROOM PRINTING METER.
Print -paper saver gives you fine B&W prints sooner!
by Herb Friedman

20 -second exposure-place it on the signed for construction and use by the

easel at the point of maximum light typical e/e photographer/electronics
transmission through .the negative (the hobbyist. It features a calibration-
black reference in the print-deepest called "speed"-adjustment to accom-
TRY TO grind out wallet-size prints or shadow) and adjust the lens diaphragm modate slow to fast enlarging papers
enlargements from a full 36-ex- until the printing meter's pointer indi- (such as Polycontrast and Kodabro-
posure roll in only one evening and cates some reference value you have mide) and readily available parts, many
you'll know just how frustrating life previously selected. of which will be found in the typical
That's the whole bit. Expose the experimenter's junk box. The layout is'
can be. Every change in magnification
and negative density means a different paper for your normal 10 or 20 -second non-critical-any cabinet can be substi-
exposure. And if you use test strips or exposure and the first print will be a tuted; there are no critical shielded
exposure guides to hit the correct ex- good print. Maybe even a great print.
posure you're making at least two If you're grinding out wallet -size jobs
prints for every one you need. for the whole family, each print from
The way to take all this drudgery out each frame will have the same excellent
of your darkroom work is to use an quality.
electronic printing meter, a device that A Hint. The key to successful use of
takes only seconds to indicate the cor- a 'printing meter lies in the fact that,
rect exposure, regardless of whether except for some particularly artistic
the enlarger is at the top or bottom of work, any print will look decent to ex-
the rack, or whether the exposure and cellent if there is some deep black, even
negative development is over or under. if it's just a spot of black; for the black
A quick example will illustrate how to highlight or border -white contrast
easy it is to make prints with a printing gives the vival appearance of a full
meter. Let's assume you have just contrast range, even if the greys are
choçked the negative in the enlarger merged. For those who do porttaiture,
and have cropped the picture exactly a printing meter can be user-calibrated
the way you want it. Now you take the for "flesh tones." The sensor is really a large tuning, knob
probe from a printing meter-which you The printing meter shown in the with photoresistor PR1 embedded in epoxy,
photographs has been especially de- plastic or RTV rubber adhesive.
have previously calibrated for a 10 or

76 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 circuits (not even shielded wire is
J1 C1 T1
used); and except for the photoresistor
sensor, just about any component qual-
ity will do. There is absolutely no sense
in building the project with the best
components money can buy because the
best components won't affect the final
performance one iota.
Construction. The unit shown is as-
sembled in a 51/4 x 3 x 57/8 -in. metal
utility cabinet. Connecting jack J1 is
optional as the photoresistor sensor,
PR 1, can be hard -wired into the cir-
cuit. If you use a jack, note that it must
be the three -terminal type such as is
used for stereo connections; the ground
connection is not used since neither Nothing is critical so
PRI lead is grounded. Do not use an don't crowd the layout.
Two parallel terminal
ordinary phone or phono jack as they
strips provide the tie
will ground one of the PR1 leads. Plug points for the rectifier
P1 must similarly be a matching three - diodes and power supply
terminal stereo type. Either miniature
or full-size jacks and plugs can be used. typewriter errors (available in station- Note that meter M1, power switch
Bower switch S1 can be anything ery stores). First, snap the plastic cover Si, and jack JI have been positioned
you care to use-lever, slide, or toggle. off the meter. It might feel secure but on the front panel so as to provide the
Use the least expensive slide switch if it's not. Grasp the top of the cover and maximum room for the speed control's
you're trying to keep the cost down. force the cover outward and down, calibrated knob. Use the largest pos-
The meter, M1, is a Lafayette Radio taking care that when it snaps free the sible knob as the greater the calibra-
99-26262 illuminated 0-1 mA S -meter. pointer isn't damaged. Next, remove the tions the easier it is to reset the control
This meter was selected because it has scale by taking out the two small screws to a desired paper speed.
built in pilot lamps with 6 and 12 -volt and sliding the scale out from under Power transformer TI can be any
connections. When 12 -volt -connected to the pointer. Do not attempt to paint 6.3 -volt filament transformer rated 50
TI, which is 6 volts, the pilot lamps are the scale while it is mounted in the mA or higher. (A 6-volt transformer
dim enough not to affect the sensor and meter as a single drop of the fast -setting scrounged from a portable cassette re-
bright enough so that you can see the correction fluid can ruin the meter if it corder will work just fine.)
pointer in the darkroom. Meter MI gets into the pivot bearing. When re- Power Filter. If the line voltage in
mounts in a 11 -in. hole, which can be installing the scale, hold the screws with your home is known to be reasonably
cut with a standard chassis punch (if a tweezer or long -nose pliers until you constant, assemble the unit as shown in
you have the punch). "catch" the first few threads. -When the the schematic. If your local utility likes
Sort Them. The meter scales are scale is secure, snap the meter's cover to bounce the line voltage, or if ap-
jammed with numerals that can be con- into position. (On the unit shown all pliances cause your line voltage to vary
fusing in the darkroom so the best bet scales and markings other than 0 -to -1 (indicated by dimming lights), install
is to paint out the unwanted "calibra- have been painted out, as the 0 -to -1 zener diode D5 across points A and B.
tions" using Liquid Paper or Liquid scale is the most convenient to see The zener will provide a regulated 6
KO-REC-TYPE, products used to correct under dim lighting.) volts, with the slightly lower circuit

PHOTO RESISTOR
EPDXY

MODIFIED
KNOB

After the sensor is completed, punch a

hole in a matching cardboard disc and
cement the disc over the sensor. The hole
The specified meter has five terminals. The two on the bottom row are for the provides a smaller sensitive area required
meter movement. The top row terminals are for the 12 -volt lamp connection. for prints 4 x 5 or smaller. Better results
The remaining terminal is for a 6 -volt lamp connection and is not used. with larger prints are also obtained with
the mask.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

77
 DARKROOM PRINTING

voltage (6 VDC rather than 9 VDC)

providing slightly reduced sensitivity.
Normally, you will not need D5, so
there's no need to get it unless you're
certain you need it.
In order to get speed control R2 to
increase sensitivity in the expected
clockwise direction, its ground terminal
is opposite to the usual volume control
ground. Facing RI's shaft with its ter-
minals sticking up, the ground terminal
is the one on the left.
Meter Ml has five terminals. The
one designated "+" and the one adja-
cent to it are the meter terminals. The
Use the largest calibrated knob you can install without interference by other
three terminals above the meter termi-
panel components. The greater the calibration area on the knob the easier it is to
nals are the pilot lamps. The extreme
préset the paper speed with accuracy.
end pilot lamp terminals are the 12 -
volt connections. The center terminal
is not used for the 12 -volt connection. Pass the PRI leads through the hole Mask Down. Now, the surface area
The Eye. The only assembly that re- in the knob from the top. Tape it in of the photoresistor is too large for
quires some care is the sensor. The position. Feed a section of linecord or small prints -4 x 5 or smaller-and even
sensor itself is a photoresistor; however, speaker wire through the setscrew hole some 8 x Hrs. So cut a disc the diameter
the photoresistor doesn't have enough and solder the wires to PRI as close as of the knob from shirt cardboard or a
heft to maintain its position on the possible to the knob. Trim away the manila file folder (but not oak -tag) and
excess PR1 leads; they should not pro- using a standard hand punch (such as
easel, so it must be mounted in a sup-
trude below the knob. Remove the used in schools) punch a hole in the
port that can maintain its position
without falling over. The sensor as- tape holding PRI, get PRI as close to center of the disc. Apply rubber cement
sembly shown consists of PRI epoxy - the center of the knob as possible, and to the rim of the knob and the inside
cemented into a relatively large knob. then pour in a quantity of fast-setting rim of the disc. When the cement is dry
The knob must be plastic-not metal, epoxy or liquid plastic from a knob re- drop the disc on the knob so the hole
though it can have a metal decorative pair kit or plastic modeling kit, and let exposes a small part of the photoresis-
rim-and it's best if there is a recess on it set a few minutes until the plastic tor's surface. It's not all that critical;
the top even if the recess is produced hardens. Keep thé level of the epoxy the hole doesn't have to be precisely
or plastic below the top of PRI-use over the center of the photoresistor.
by a rim. Remove the set screw and
drill out the set screw hole with a bit less rather than more. If you can't get However, the unit is calibrated for a
approximately 3/16 -in. (not critical). epoxy or plastic you can use G.E.'s punch -size hole and might not work
Then, using a 3/8 -in. bit, drill through silicon RTV rubber (adhesive, caulk, properly if the disc is not used, or if
the shaft hole clear through the top of window sealer, etc.) ; but the RTV rub- the hole is a hand made "pinhole."
ber must cure for at least 24 hours. Use the punch.
the knob. If the shaft hole has a brass
(or other metal) bushing make certain Similarly, pack the bottom of the knob Using the Meter. The first step
the drill bit removes all the metal. with epoxy, plastic or rubber. (Continued on page 102)

117 VAC

C1-100-uF, 15-VDC or better, electrolytic

capacitor
D1 to D4 -1 -amp, 50 -volt silicon diode
D5 -6 -volt, 1 -watt zener diode (optional, see
RI -150-ohm, -1/2 -watt resistor
R2 -10,000 -ohm audio taper potentiometer
text) (Radio Shack 276-561 or equiv.) Misc.-large knob for mounting photoresistor,
11, I2-meter lamps, part of MI (see text)
S1-spst switch
case 51/4 x 3 x 57/Brn., 5 -lug terminal strips
T1-transformer: 117 volt primary, 6.3 volt at
11 -3 -circuit jack and plug set (optional, see for mounting components, wire, etc.
50 mA or better secondary
text)
M1-0-1 mA movement, illuminated S -meter The National 4941 photoresistor is available from the Electronic Hobby Shop, Box 192, Brooklyn,
(see text) NY 11235 for $3.75 postpaid. New York state residents add sales tax; Canadian orders add $2
PR1-photoresistor (National 4941 or equiv.) for extra postage. No foreign orders, please.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

78
www.americanradiohistory.com
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becoming popular in commercial radio and
TV sets.
A Printed Circuit is a special insulated I ADDRESS
chassis on which has been deposited a con-
ducting material which takes the place of
wiring. The various parts are merely plugged CITY & STATE ZIP
in and soldered to terminals.
Printed Circuitry is the basis of modern
Automation Electronics. A knowledge of this
subject is a necessity today for anyone in-
PROGRESSIVE "EDU-KITS" INC.
terested in Electronics. 1189 Broadway, Dept. 517EN Hewlett, N.Y. 11557
CIRCLE 12 ON READER SERVICE COUPON

www.americanradiohistory.com
 BUILD A
PROFESSIONAL
DWELL /TACH
Stretch more miles
from your gas supply,
plus tune-up tips!
by C. R. Lewart

GASOLINE prices going up, and

WITI-j in the illustration. When the contacts amplifier -limiter. section. The meter
with the growing concern about air close, ground is applied to the bottom reading then corresponds directly to the
pollution caused by automobile ex- of the ignition coil, and voltage across percentage of time the points are closed.
haust, a well -tuned car becomes a must. the points drops to zero as current flows Calibration. The easiest way to ini-
One of the essential tools for a tune-up is in the ignition coil primary. tially adjust your unit is to connect it to
a dwell/tachometer that helps you adjust In the integrated circuit there is a a 12 -volt battery and use a small 6.3 -
your engine to its optimum specs. What temperature -compensated monostable volt filarraent transformer to supply 60
we describe here is a dwell/tach based pulse generator section, an amplifier - pulses per second from the power line.
on a newly -developed integrated circuit. limiter section, and a voltage regulator A 60 -Hz line frequency corresponds to
It's easy and inexpensive to build, but section. the following meter reading in rpm. Set
with the IC it will also be more precise For the tachometer mode, the input meter to the proper reading with cali-
and easier to handle than most currently circuit (R1, R2, R3, D1 and Cl) as- bration control R5. A 4-cyclinder en-
available commercial units. You may sures that only the initial high -voltage gine scale would read 1800 rpm with
either put the unit in a portable case, as spike caused by the opening points trig- the 60'-Hz input, a 6 -cylinder engine
we have done, for use as a diagnostic gers the pulse generator. The generator would read 1200 rpm, and an 8 -cylin-
tool, or you may mount it permanently produces a single rectangular pulse der engine, 900 rpm.
on the dashboard. whose amplitude is determined by If, for example, you decide on a
The main advantages of the circuit are the IC parameters, and whose pulse 2000 -rpm full scale for a 6-cylinder
readings basically independent of the bat- width is determined by R4, R5, and C2. engine (equivalent to 3000 rpm for a
tery voltage, temperature, and the shape The pulses are amplified and fed into a "4-bánger" and 1500 for a V-8), set
of the voltage at the points. one -milliampere meter which reads the calibration control R5 for a 0.6 mA
How Does It Work? First let's con- average current. The higher the RPM, reading. The calibration reference for a
sider the shape of the voltage at the the more pulses, and the higher the 6 -cylinder engine in rpm (1200) di-
distributor points. When the points open meter reading. vided by the full scale in rpm (2000)
there is a sharp spike of 100 to 300 In the dwell meter mode we bypass times the full scale meter reading (1
volts followed by damped oscillation the pulse -generator section of the IC mA) equals the calibration point meter
settling at the battery voltage as shown and apply the signal directly to the reading in current (9.6 mA). Once cali-
brated, the rpm value is determined by
sly multiplying the meter reading and the
A DI K full scale. In this example the full scale
IC1(TOP VIEW) is 2000 rpm, so a meter reading of, say,

RI

CONNECT 6.8K
TO IGNITION CI
COIL(-) 0047
TERMINAL µF

TO GROUND

TO +12 VDC

PARTS LIST FOR OWELL/TACH

C1-0.005-uF capacitor R2, R3 -1200 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor

C2-0.22-uFcapacitor R4 -4700 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
C3-470-pF capacitor R5 -50,000 -ohm potentiometer
D1-Zener diode, 9 -volt,1/2 -watt R6 -3900 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
ICT-SW781 (available directly from the R7 -500 -ohm potentiometer
manufacturer, Stewart Warner Corp., 730 E. R8 -220-ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
Evelyn Ave., Sunnyvale CA 94086, for $5.25 S1-4PDT switch, 3 sections used
postpaid) T1-Transformer. 117 VAC to 6.3 VAC
Clip "meter" wire from dwell/tach to
M1-0.1 mA meter ignition coil minus terminal. Look for
R1 -6200 -ohm, 1 -watt resistor (you can use Misc.-Cabinet, perf board, clip leads, wire, "distributor" wire. It runs from the (-)
two 12,000 -ohm, 1/t -watt resistors in parallel) solder, etc.
terminai to the base of your distributor.

82 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 0.4 mA would mean an engine rpm of with R7. When the input (points) lead
800. Once R5 is set it should not re- is disconnected, the meter should read 300 V
-PLUG FIRES
quire recalibration unless alccidentally full scale. Due to excellent voltage reg-
moved. If you prefer several ranges on ulation in the IC, this potentiometer
loo V
a tachometer, or if you would like to should not need adjustment after your
PULSE
use the same scale for 6- and 8 -cylinder initial setting. Full scale automatically GENERATOR 12 V DC
engines, switch -select a second pot of corresponds to a 45 -degree angle for an TRIGGERS
DV
the same value as R5. Use one switch 8 -cylinder engine, 60 degrees for a 6 - 1.--PLUG
setting to calibrate for 6 -cylinder en- cylinder, and 90 degrees for a 4. EXTINGUISHES
gines, then throw the switch and use the Operation. Connect plus and minus POINTS OPEN POINTS CLOSE
second pot to calibrate for 8 -cylinder power input leads to your 12 -volt car (END OF DWELL TIME) (START OF DWELL
TIME)
engines. battery. Switch S1 to the dwell function
It might be a good idea to tape a and adjust if necessary for a full scale A pulse generator in your dwell/tach is
small mA -to -rpm conversion chart to meter reading, then connect the third designed to trigger just once each time the
the back of your meter. -Compute rpm lead to the points (thin wire going from points open and a plug fires. Erratic
values for major meter divisions to give coil minus to the distributor housing). behavior in some non -electronic
tachometers is due to this complex wave.
Now you are ready to take measure-
ments. dwell reading is not within specifica-
Auto Ignition Into. Let's define some tions, the point gap may be incorrect,
of the points about ignition points. A the cam worn, the rubbing block worn
term used very widely is distributor con- or the moveable contact arm may be
tact dwell. Degrees of distributor dwell distorted.
are the degrees of rotation during which Mini Lube Job. Distributor lubrica-
the breaker, or contact points, remain tion is something which is usually over-
closed. This is commonly referred to as done. If the distributor has an oiler on
dwelll angle or cam angle. Correct dis- the outside of the distributor base, add
tributor contact dwell is essential for three or four drops of SAE 10W motor
'good ignition performance and point oil to the oiler. If there is a felt wick
life. Distributor contact dwell in effect under the rotor at the top of the dis-
is the amount of time that the points tributor cam, use three to six drops of
remain closed. During this interval of SAEIOW oil. All grease should be
time, magnetic energy builds up in the wiped from the distributor cam and '

ignition coil, which, when the points rubbing block. It's very important that
open, generates the high voltage pulse the ignition points be free of grease or
that arcs across the spark plug elec- oil.
trode. Generally a longer dwell period Many ignition systems use dual
Use perfboard construction and lay out (larger dwell angle) is more advanta- breaker points. These dual breaker point
circuit components as shown. R7, Si, and geous for high speed operations. systems are designed for long life and
M1 are located on front panel. Replacing ignition points is a simple good high speed performance. They are
yourself a quick conversion capability, matter of unscrewing the point retaining handled in the same way as single igni-
particularly if you choose a full scale plate and screwing dawn the new one. tion points with the following excep-
of other than 1000 rpm. If you select a This is just the beginning of a good tions: One set of contacts should be
1000 -rpm full scale for V-8 engines, the tune-up. To check dwell reading you blocked open with a clean insulator. A
meter will read directly in rpm. Just should have a dwell meter. Like most, matchbook section makes a good clean
ignore the decimal point. For example, ours is combined with a tachometer. insulator for this. Adjust the opposite
.55 would be 550 rpm. With the engine running and the dwell set of points to specifications using a
With fhe values of components meter/tachometer connected you should dwell meter. Loosen the stationary con-
shown, you can adjust R5 for a full observe the dwell meter reading. If the tact block screw just enough so that the
scale reading for a 6 -cylinder engine dwell reading is within specifications for stationary contact can be moved with a
between approximately 1200 and 6000 the engine then you can assume you have light touch, otherwise it will be difficult
rpm. the correct gap, and that point contacts to set the contacts accurately. When the
A dwell meter adjustment is done are in satisfactory condition. If the one set of contacts has been adjusted
for the correct clearance, tighten the
stationary contact lock screw. Block the

t
WIDE GAP
adjusted set of contacts with an insula-
tor and adjust the other set of contacts
in the same manner as the first set.
Remove the insulator and recheck the
SMALL tightness of the stationary contact lock
DWELL)
screw. If the contacts have been prop-
? LARGE erly adjusted the dwell should be as
DWELL specified for both contact sets. Again
O
you must make sure that the gap and
the dwell specifications are met for both
As a gasoline engine runs, a
normally closed switch called the "points"
isconstantly being pushed open by a cam. Whenever the points open, a
sets of points.
high voltage is generated by the ignition coil to "fire" a spark plug. Don't Overlook The Carb. A list of
Dwell shows how many degrees the cam turns before it opens the points. malfunctions caused by a sick carbure-
tor reads like a "Who's Who of Auto

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 83

 just the idle speed and mixture after the mal wear. Clean and regap after 5,000
PROFESSIONAL DWELL TACH air cleaner is installed. miles of use. Choice three would nor-
(Note: late model smog -controlled mally apply to spark plugs that have
Ailments." It includes hard starting, cars usually have a plastic limiter that 10,000 miles of use or more on them.
flooding, delayed acceleration, poor gas restricts the movement of the mixture Assuming that no particular compli-
mileage, stalling, rough running, fouled screw. An acceptable mixture of adjust- cations exist, soak the spark plugs in a
spark plugs, and the gas leaks at the ment should be possible within its good parts cleaner for a few minutes to
carburetor. limits.) remove any oily deposits that exist.
Not all of these problems, however, Turn the idle adjusting screw in slow- To remove carbon' deposits, use a
result only from an ailing carburetor. ly until the engine is about to stall. At small knife or any other small tool
For this reason you should make sure this point, turn it out about a half -turn. which will fit up inside the plug along
spark plugs, ignition parts, compression, If the engine seems to race, turn the the insulator. Be careful not to chip the
and timing are all in good condition throttle adjusting screw out slowly until ceramic and avoid the use of a wire
before beginning carburetor service. In the speed comes down. wheel, which will completely ruin the
short, make sure your engine is cor- Service Your Plugs. Be extremely plug.
rectly tuned, because your carb depends careful how you apply the socket Hard carbon formations are often
on the proper operation of the rest of wrench over the spark plug insulators. impossible to remove. As you examine
the engine. While they can resist the sledge -hammer the plugs, you may notice such a condi-
All types of carbs-no matter how blows under extreme temperatures and tion, or possibly a burned condition of
many barrels-have only one throttle load that take place inside the cylinder the electrodes. In such a case, it's ad-
adjusting screw. Two- and four -barrel each time they fire, they can be cracked visable to install a new set of spark
units, however, have two idle adjust- by carelessly banging them with a plugs as you'll need them soon anyway.
ment screws-one for each idle system. wrench either taking them out or put- If the condition of the spark plugs is
Warm the engine to operating tem- ting them in. satisfactory after cleaning, open the
perature and have the choke valve com- After removing your spark plugs, you gap. File the electrode sparking surface
pletely open when adjusting. Start the have three things you can do: put them with an ignition point file before open-
engine and let it idle. If it stalls, turn right back in the engine, have them ing up the gap. You will get better
the throttle screw in until the engine is cleaned and regapped and reinstalled, firing from clean, flat surfaces, so this
running steady without any foot pres- or replace them with new spark plugs. is an important part of spark plug ser-
sure on the accelerator. In the first case, you may merely vicing. Finally, adjust the gap to the
The idle mixture should be adjusted want to examine the general condition manufacturer's specifications (Check
to give a smooth idle. Missing is a sign of the plugs or check to see if the heat the owners manual).
of too lean an idle mixture, while rolling range is correct for the particular en- Making sure you have the right spark
or loping indicates too rich a mix- gine. Choice number two would be nor- plugs installed and that they are in good
ture. Turning the screw in leans the mal if spark plugs have only been used condition is vital to good ignition sys-
mixture. It may be necessary to read- for around 5,000 miles and show nor - tem performance. But it's only part of
the story. Other parts of the system
must be working properly if the plugs
are to do their job. Wiring, distributor
components, and coil condition all affect
the production of a healthy spark.

HIGH VOLTAGE
TO DISTRIBUTOR

BALLAST
+o o
RVDC IGNITION
SWITCH

IGNITION
COIL
BREAKER
POINTS CONNECT
DWELL
METER
HERE
CONDENSER
CAM

This is a typical non-electronic ignition

system used for nearly all auto and truck
engines since Henry Ford dropped
buzzer ignition for his Model A.
Tune -up helped this overdrive equipped '68 Rambler increase mileage from Additional part of ignition switch
21 to over 25 mpg at today's 50-mph speeds. They laughed when I ordered usually shorts out the ballast for more
overdrive back in 1968. Now one tank gives us a 375 -mile driving range! spark during starting.

84 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fait-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 With a parabolic mike offering sonic and electroi.c amplification
you're in tune with Helix Aspera to Yellow -bellied Sapsuckers!

ENGLISHMAN George Riley lives in After stumbling over a couple of ra-

Kent, works in London, and goes dar antenna dishes a few years ago, I
home to an unusual hobby. finally decided to put one of them to
"It all started about a couple of work. Since I was no microwave expert,
years ago when I borrowed a friends I decided to try an acoustic applicatüon.
parabolic directional microphone dish. After all, I reasoned, a parabolic dish
This type of equipment is hyper -sensi- is a parabolic dish whether it is used for
tive and can be pinpointed to record a reflecting and focusing microwaves or
sound without external noise interfer- sound waves. The result is the parabolic
ence. I was using it to record the sound microphone described in this article.
of crickets when I suddenly heard a if you want to go all out for added
strange 'slurping crunching' sound. This gain, look over the surplus dealers' list
turned out to be a large snail 'making for an 18 -inch or larger aluminum mod-
the most of some hard grass. From then el. As nearly as I can tell with the test
on I was hooked," says George. equipment available, the 18 -inch reflec-
Experts such as zoologist Donald J. tor adds ,about O -dB gain to the micro-
Horror have used the parabolic micro- phone.
phone technique to produce 331/2 rpm Constructions. It's simple enough as
records that sonically illustrate orni- reference to the photos will reveal. The
thology books and booklets.* mount for the dish is made of wood

ELECTRONICS Ih,OBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 .35

www.americanradiohistory.com
BUG MOTHER NATURE

and masonite. The dish is held in place

by three threaded rods which also serve
as the microphone support. Almost any
kind of rod material will do, as long as R2 P5
IO MEG 6 b
it is or can be threaded. I happened to HI
have some odd pieces of 9 -gauge alumi- MICROPHONE
num clothesline which threaded easily INPUT Cl
with a 10-32 die. Make the rod length
about 71/2 inches to allow sufficient lee-
O 03
04
.047µF
way for adjusting the microphone for
optimum focus. A small bracket or
block may be added where the dish
touches the wooden base to add rigidity, ( NOT USED)

and a hole in the center of the base will

Rl R3
make it convenient to mount the whole 470K NOTE: 6.8 K
assembly on a camera tripod. CONNECT ICI
Any low-priced ceramic or crystal LEAD 10 TO GROUND
microphone cartridge will work well
with this reflector. The one shown in the
photograph happens to be out of a pre - PARTS LIST FOR A PARABOLIC MICROPHONE
WW II hearing aid!
Mount the microphone cartridge on B1, B2 -2U6 -type 9 -volt battery
IC1-3018 integrated circuit (RCA CA3018),
the rods with rubber bands. The exact C1-0.047-uF disc or tubular capacitor available from Circuit Specialists Co., Box
method of attaching the rubber bands C2, C3, C5, C6-1-uF electrolytic (observe 3047 Scottsdale, AZ 85257; $2.00 postpaid
to the microphone cartridge is left to the polarity) or tubular capacitor, 35 volts or R1 -470,000 -ohm, Va -watt resistor
better R2-10-megohm, 1/2 -watt resistor
ingenuity of the builder, since this will R3, R5, R8 -6800 -ohm, 1/4 -watt resistor
C4-0.01-uF ceramic disc capacitor
largely depend upon the physical con-
figuration of the microphone.
Next route a 16 -inch piece of shielded are used as a Darlington pair in an response to the desired audio range. In
microphone cable from the microphone emitter-follower circuit in the first stage. addition to limiting the frequency re-
along one of the rods, through the dish This provides the necessary high input sponse, this capacitor also reduces the
(but inside the back plate), and termi- impedance required by the crystal mi- tendency of the amplifier to oscillate at
nate the cable in a phono plug. The crophone. The two following stages higher frequencies, which could result in
cable should have sufficient slack so that utilize Q1 and Q2 respectively as con- instability and low output. The 3 -dB
it may be easily plugged into the ampli- ventional common emitter amplifiers. point at the low frequency end is about
fier box. Also, be sure to allow sufficient The average gain per stage is about 38 70 Hz, sufficient for this application.
lead slack at the microphone end of the dB. Two 9 -volt transistor batteries are
cable so that the shock mount effect of Capacitor C4 across audio gain con- used to power the amplifier; not because
the rubber bands is not nullified. This trol R6 provides a 3 -dB roll -off at 15 of high current drain, but, to avoid com-
will complete the microphone reflector kHz, thus limiting amplifier frequency mon coupling between the output stage
assembly, which should be set aside until
the amplifier is built.
Electronics. The amplifier is a three
stage affair using an RCA CA3018 inte-
grated circuit. Transistors Q3 and Q4

Place components above and below the

raised perf board. High impedance circuit
makes it necessary to shield the amp in a Suspend the microphone you use from rubber bands that extend to the support rods.
metal box. Or, a clamp wrapped in foam packing material holds Riley's microphone securely.

86 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 °Common Bird Songs, the title of a booklet
and record by Borror, is available from Dover
Publications, 180 Varick Street, New York
10014 for $3.50 postpaid; order number
21829-5. It provides songs of sixty species
such as the Robin, Cardinal, Bluejay, Bobo-
link, and Tufted Titmouse!
61 B2 R8
6.8K BOTTOM
VIEW
the amplifier input with a short piece of
CONNECT TO R7
METAL CASE 390K cable.
Check Out. When testing the ampli -
CB
'fier on the bench, either have the
lµ microphone connected to the input ter-
minals or substitute a half-megohm re-
OUTPUT sistor for the microphone input. If you
Q2
C3
C3yF
have a hum problem it is probably
1µF caused by nearby AC wiring. (I had to
04- Jl turn off power to the workbench when-
R6
.01µF 5K
ever I tested the amplifier out of its
case.) Alternatively, you may find a
place in the house that is hum free;
make your tests there. With the ampli-
fier completely enclosed in its case, there
is absolutely no hum pickup problem.
When you are satisfied that the ampli-
R4, R7 -390,000-ohm, 1/4 -watt resistor microphone (high impedance crystal, see
fier is stable and working properly,
R6 -5,000 -ohm audio taper potentiometer with text), wire, solder, etc. solder the short microphone cable to the
spst switch Note: The ETCO catalog lists a "government input terminals and mount the amplifier
Misc.-Aluminum case, 2 x 4 -in. perf board, surplus" aluminum parabolic reflector. ETCO in its case. You are now ready to set up
plugs, jacks, hardware, push -in terminals, ,Electronics, 464 McGill Street, Montreal the microphone for maximum gain. To
125, Canada. do this, you will need a code practice
oscillator or other source of audio signal
and earlier stages of the amplifier. An with the amplifier if the orig ñal layout and an AC voltmeter with a ten -volt
RC decoupling network could, of is followed. All amplifier components range connected to the amplifier output.
course, be used instead of two batteries, are mounted and wired on the perf Set the equipment up in a clear area.
but it was found that oscillation would board as shown. The volume control, Enable the CPA and adjust the audio
occur in spite of the decoupling network capacitor C4, and the earphone jack are gain so that the voltmeter reads two
after the batteries had been in service mounted on the part of the minibox that volts or less. Next move the microphone
for awhile. Two batteries absolutely serves as a cover and battery holder. All cartridge towards and away from the
guarantee against amplifier instability connecting wires are soldered to push -in center of the dish to find the micro-
during the useful life of the batteries. terminals on the perf board, and the phone position giving the greatest out-
The total current drain of the amplifier, perf board is mounted above the bat- put. Do not let the voltmeter reading
by the way, is only 1.5 mA. teries with small bolts and spacers. After go above three volts because overload-
No trouble should be experienced assembly, connect the microphone to ing the amplifier will make it difficult
to find the point of maximum gain. Af-
ter finding the best position for the
microphone, secure the rubber bands on
the support rods with dabs of cement.
PARABOLIC DISH The parabolic snooper may be used
in several ways. As a portable field in-
MICROPHONE
strument, just plug in a set of 2000 -ohm
CARRYING HANDLE earphones and be on your way through
the woods. The unit will also work as a
MASONITE BACK combination microphone -preamplifier
SUPPORT with any amplifier or tape recorder.
AUDIO AMPLIFIER
However, if you are using a speaker for
monitoring outside noises, be sure to
WOOD BASE have sufficient acoustic isolation between
the microphone and speaker, such as
CAMERA TRIPOD closed doors and windows. If you don't,
all the world will know by your feed-
back howl that you are listening. When
using the unit with an audio power am-
plifier it is best to run the gain quite
high on the amplifier and adjust the
system gain as needed with the preamp
gain control.
The audio amplifier cabinet cover is secured to the Masonite back support per - Now you're ready for a new world of
nutting snap removal of amplifier chassis for inspection. close-up sound.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

87
www.americanradiohistory.com
 Our outboard rig makes QSL waves-adds
20dB minimum gain to any shortwave

CAN YOU REMEMBER the early days ceiver input. Image signals (which often low impedance emitter follower, and it
of TV-back to the mid- and late- take the pleasure out of receivers with will match, with a reasonable degree of
1940s-when the Joneses, who had low frequency single -conversion IF am- performance, just about any receiver
the only TV in the neighborhood, would plifiers by jamming desired signals) input impedance. As long as your re-
strain to clean up a snowy, flickering vanish as if by magic when passed ceiever has two antenna terminals, one
picture by adjusting a "booster" that sat through a high -Q booster or preselector. "hot" and one ground, you can use the
on the top of their 12 -in. phosphor In short, a top quality super booster SUPER DXER.
cyclops? such as the SUPER DXER, will add an- Optimum performance will be ob-
Well, more often than not those out- other dimension of performance to any tained if your receiver is equipped with
board boxés, with their 6J6s in push- shortwave receiver. an antenna trimmer. Just as the antenna
pull tunable circuits, didn't amount to What It Can Do. The SUPER DXER trimmer peaks the receiver for use with
the proverbial hill -of -beans. Those provides from 20 to 40 dB of signal any type of antenna, it also adds some-
World War II vintage tubes were not boost-the exact amount is determined thing extra when matching the SUPER
at all well suited to the new-fangled by the particular input characteristics of DXFR.
wide -band requirements of TV. But your receiver. Figuring on 6 dB per S - Set Bandpass. The SUPER DXER
later on as the technology advanced, unit, that's an increase of better than 3 has a tuning range of slightly more
and more powerful transmitters were to 6 S -units. In plain terms, the SUPER than 3 -to -1 between 5 and 21 MHz.
built, good, solid pictures became the DXER will bring in stations where all That means if the low end is set to 5
rule. your receiver will pick up running bare- MHz, the upper limit will be slightly
Unlike the old TV boosters, today a foot is its own noise. higher than 15 MHz (3 times 5). If
good booster for short wave receivers-a The SUPER DXER's input is a diode the lower limit is set at 7 MHz, the
preselector-can be designed with all protected FET (field effect transistor) ; upper frequency limit will be slightly
the advantages of the latest solid-state the protection diodes are built into the higher than 21 MHz. Since the slug in
devices; and, to boot, it can be simple FET so that excessively strong input tuning coil L1 is adjustable, you can
and very easy to build. It's the easiest signals, and even static discharges, will select any operating range between 5
way to turn any receiver into an even not destroy Ql. Since the FET's input and 21 MHz.
hotter signal sniffer. You use a booster impedance is many thousands of meg- SUPER DXER, though a very high
(a very high gain RF amplifier) be- ohms, there is virtually no loading of gain device, is absolutely stable if built
tween the antenna and the receiver the Ll/C1 tuning circuit; its "Q" re- exactly as shown and described. There
antenna terminals. A good one will also mains high and provides a very high will be no spurious oscillations or re-
provide sharp image rejection by adding degree of image -signal attenuation. sponse. It is possible that changes in the
a relatively high -Q circuit to the re - The SUPER DXER output circuit is a component layout or construction will
result in self -oscillation at certain fre-
quencies; hence, make no modifications
or substitutions unless you are qualified.
Getting Started. Your first step is to
prepare the printed circuit board. Using
steel wool and a strong household
Add an extra 20+ dB gain to your short- cleanser such as Ajax or Comet, thor-
wave receiver. Simple kit -of -parts is avail- oughly scrub the copper surface of a
able. You supply the outer case and knob. 21/4 -in. x 31/4 -in. copper -clad board.
Note: Wrap 11 ground wire as shown above. Any type will do-epoxy or fiberglass;
the type of board is unimportant. Rinse
the board under running water and
dry thoroughly.
Cover the copper with a piece of
carbon paper-carbon side against the

88
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 copper-and place under the full-scale
template we have provided. Secure the BOTTOM
PC board in position with masking tape. VIEWS
C2 -1- SI
01
Using a sharp pointed tool such as an 001m B1 SOURCE DRAIN
ice pick, indent the copper foil at each
component mounting hole by pressing
the point of the tool through the tem- 91
01
40822 C
02
2N3394
C4
9V

I GATE
ti),\
2
0s5'

GATE

g2!
I

plate and carbon paper. Next, using a L1 .001

ball point pen and firm pressure, trace
the foil outlines on the template.
After all foil outlines have been
11

I I
-Z
/j'' 365pF
CI IHi EMITTER

COLLECTOR
02 BASE

traced, remove the PC board from un- BPI

II 1 C3 R3
i
O .001 4 7K
der the template and, using a resist pen, 11
4
Ii
fill in all the desired copper foil areas RED
II DOT
with resist. Make certain you place a
2
dot of resist over the indents at each of 1

END VIEW
the corner mounting holes. Pour about
PARTS LIST FOR SUPER DXER
one inch of etchant into a small con-
tainer and float the PC board-copper B1 -9 -volt
battery (Eveready 216 or equal) and Q2-npn transistor, 2N3394
foil down-on top of the etchant. Every connector R1, R2, R3 -4700 -ohm, 1 -watt resistor
BP1 -insulated binding post Sl-spst switch (power on -off)
five minutes or so gently rock the con-
C1-365-pF subminiature tuning capacitor
tainer to agitate the etchant. After 15 C2, C3, C4-0.001-uF, 25-VDC or better ceramic A kit of all the above components including the
or twenty minutes check the PC board disc printed circuit board is available from the Elec-
to see if all the undesired copper has 11-RCA-type phono jack tronic Hobby Shop, Box 192, Brooklyn, N.Y.
been removed. When every trace of the L1-5 to 20 -MHz antenna coil, Custom Com- 11235. Price of $24.50 includes postage. New
undesired copper is gone, rinse the ponents SW -520 York State residents must add sales tax. No
board under running water, and then Q1-MOSFET, RCA 40822 foreign orders. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.
remove the resist with steel wool or a Postal Money Order speeds delivery.
resist "stripper."
Continue. Drill out all the mounting shaft to which a tuning dial for the red dot faces the bottom edge of the
holes marked by an indent with a #57, broadcast band can be attached. Remove PC board-the edge closest to the coil.
58, or 59 bit-this includes the corner the mounting nut and ground washer Also note that the lug connected to the
mounting and Cl mounting holes. Then from Cl's shaft. Then make certain top of the fine -wire primary is adjacent
drill the corner mounting holes for a the shaft's retaining nut is tight. It is to the bottom of the heavy -wire second-
#6 screw, and use a 5/16-in. bit for the usually supplied loose. Discard the ary. When the red dot is facing the edge
Cl mounting hole. ground washer and secure C1 to the PC of the PC board, both these lugs are
Install tuning capacitor C 1 first. Tun- board with the mounting nut. Then in- against the board. Solder the lugs to the
ing capacitor Cl should be the type stall tuning coil LI. Make note of two matching holes in the PC board. Use
provided in the kit of parts. It has a things about L1: the terminal end of L1 the shortest possible length of wire to
plastic dust cover and a long shaft. Do has a large red dot (ignore any other connect the remaining primary (fine-
not use the type supplied with a short marks); L1 must be positioned so the wire) terminal to the antenna input
printed foil. Connect the remaining Li
terminal (heavy wire) to its matching
hole with solid, insulated wire-form a
right angle bend in the wire so it doesn't
touch L1. Now mount the remaining
components.
Orienting Q. Note that Q1 is posi-
tioned properly when the small tab on
the case faces the nearest edge of the
PC board. Also note that the round
edge of Q2 faces the nearest edge of the
PC board. The flat edge of Q2's case
should face Cl.
Because the printed copper foil faces
the front panel when the assembly is
'mounted in the case, and is therefore
inaccessible for soldering, the connect-
ing wires to front panel components
should be installed at this time. Solder
6 -in. solid, insulated wires to the an-
tenna, output, and output ground, and
Exact PC board size. Transfer' image to copper -clad board using carbon +9V foils. Solder the negative (usually
paper. This is the bottom (copper) side of your board. Mount it black) wire from the battery connector
to the front panel with 114 -in. spacers between board and panel at each to the ground foil.
mounting screw. Secure the battery to the back of the cabinet with tape The SUPER DXER is mounted in a
standard plastic or Bakelite case ap-
Iproximately 63/8 -in. x 3 3/16 -in. x 17A3 -

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 89

 "bottom end." Adjust Cl for maximum mind that, if the signal is sufficiently
received signal or noise and mark the strong to begin with, the receiver AVC
panel accordingly. Repeat the procedure will "absorb" the SUPER DXER'S boost,
SUPER OXER at approximately 7, 10, 14, and 15 (or
20) HMz. The panel markings are im-
and the speaker volume will probably
remain the same, though the S -meter
portant because the SUPER DXER'S tun- reading will increase. SUPER DXER'S
ing is so sharp it must be preset to near boost will be most apparent on very weak
the desired frequency or you'll receive signals, digging out those signals below
nothing-neither signal nor noise. The the receiver's usual threshold sensitiv-
in. The front panel must be aluminum.
panel markings complete the adjust- ity, making them perfectly readable.
If the cabinet is not supplied with an Don't worry about strong signals
aluminum panel, obtain an optional or ments.
Pull 'em In. To prevent self-oscilla- overloading your SUPER DXER; it is
accessory metal panel. Do not use a virtually immune to overload even from
plastic panel. tion, you must keep the antenna wire as
far as possible from the coaxial output excessively strong signals. However, the
Drill a 3/a -in. hole in the center of the
cable. To receive a signal, set Cl to the booster's output can be so high as to
front panel. Position the PC assembly overload the input of some budget re-
over the hole with Cl's shaft fully in- approximate desired frequency and then
tune in the signal on the receiver. Final- ceivers. If this occurs simply reduce the
serted through the hole, and mark the
ly, peak Cl's adjustment for maximum booster's output by detuning Cl just
locations for the four PC board moult- enough to drop the overall signal
ing screws. Drill the panel and tem- signal strength as indicated on your- re-
ceiver's S -meter, or listen carefully for strength below the receiver's overload
porarily secure the PC board to the value. Happy DXing!
panel. Then locate the positions for an increase in speaker volume. Keep in
power switch Si, antenna input binding
post BPI, and output jack J1. Make
certain J1 is as close to the PC board R2
output terminals as is possible-within TO 8l(+)
11 inches. THRU SI
Remove the PC board and drill the C2 GI G2 I
C3 RI
holes for the panel components. Power TO JI
C4
R3
02
11
switch Si can be any inexpensive spst CENTER
type such as a slide switch. Install the CI
panel components and then the PC
board. To prevent the copper foil on the TO BI(-)
underside of the PC board from short-
ing to the panel, place a 3/a -in. plastic or
metal spacer, or a stack of washers, be-
OUTER
TERMINAL LI
LI -2
-4/ TO BPI
tween the PC board and the panel at LI-3y
each mounting screw. Connect the panel L1-I
components to the appropriate wires ex-
tending from the PC board and the
SUPER DXER is ready for alignment. For exact part placement on PC board, see diagram above. View is from component
(top) side of your Super DXer board. Layout below shows a completed Super DXer.
Alignment. Prepare a length of 50 Pins 3 and 4 of the dual winding coil L1 are shown in an end view for clarity.
or 52 -ohm coaxial cable (such as RG - Q2 R2 01
58) that will reach from the SUPER
DXER'S output jack to the receiver an-
tenna input terminals. Solder a stand-
ard phono plug to one end. Take care
that you do not use ordinary shielded 03
C2
cable such as used to interconnect hi-fi
equipment; coaxial cable is a must.
Connect the coax between the SUPER
DXER and your receiver. Rotate the Cl
shaft fully counterclockwise and install 04
a pointer knob so that the pointer ex-
tends to the left (9 o'clock position). RI

Connect your antenna to binding post

BPI. Then, set Ll's slug so that the R3

bottom of the screwdriver slot is level

with the very top of L1. This will pro-
vide a frequency range of approximate-
ly 5 to 15 MHz. If you back out the
slug 1/a inch, the frequency coverage
will be from approximately 7 to 21
MHz. You can use any in-between slug
adjustment.
Turn on the receiver and booster, and
set the receiver tuning. to 5 MHz, or LI CI

whatever frequency you selected for the

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

90
www.americanradiohistory.com
 - u.41
.,,,

.,^"....."'...
OW
._.
_

..-...-......-'---.
u Wee'

..
# a
w
M
.
.
t,i
_
w
--
A DX LïNTRAL PROJECT...

SWLs
STATION
FINDER
r l Tune this stable wide -band oscillator to any SWL
station you want to remember; come back the next day
and "zero beat" your receiver to the very same spot.

by Charles Green, W6FFQ

SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS have been a Perf board and push -in, clip -type con- in the Q1 drain circuit. The Q1 source
source of interest for many years struction is used for easy building. The is connected to the tap on L1 that sup-
with their exotic and different SWL station finder is built into a com- plies the rf feedback necessary to make
forms of programs from all over the pact 61/4 -in. long by 33A -in. high by the circuit oscillate.
world. Many shortwave listeners 2 -in.deep plastic utility box, and it re- Construction Facts. The SWL sta-
(SWLs) spend many hours tuning for quires only two penlite cells for a pow- tion finder is built in a 61/4 -in. long by
elusive stations on the international er supply. No connection is required to 33/4 -in. high by 2 -in. deep plastic utility
shortwave broadcast bands. your shortwave receiver; the station box with a metal panel. Most of the
But, once an interesting station is finder has only to be placed close parts are mounted on a 4 -in. long by
found, there may be a problem in lo- enough to the receiver for its radiated 25/3 -in. wide section of perf board with
cating it the following day, if the short- rf to be picked up. push in clips, and the board is installed
wave receiver has poor dial calibration The Circuit. The SWL station finder behind the metal panel with three 3/3 -in.
or frequency stability. Also, many re: is essentially an rf oscillator with a long metal spacers. The parts placement
ceivers used by SWLs have bandspread hariley (grounded drain) circuit and a is critical because of the high frequency
dials which are only calibrated for the FET (field effect transistor) used as the operation of the circuit, and for best
amateur radio bands-not the interna- oscillator (Q1). The high input resist- performance follow our component lay-
tional shortwave bands. ance and low heat generation of the out and wiring placement. All of the
Our SWL station finder project will FET together with the large value of wiring must be made with short lengths
make it easier to relocate a desired SW capacitance in the tuning circuit (L I, of solid hookup wire for best frequency
station on a receiver the following day. CI) provide low drift performance. Al- stability.
This project has an rf oscillator which so, there is no rf output connection as Begin construction by mounting the
is "zero beat" with the SW station's fre- the circuit radiates the rf signal to the vernier dial on the panel in the approxi-
quency, will hold the calibration, and receiver, thus minimizing oscillator mate position shown in the photos. Cut
deliver a signal close enough to the loading. the perf board section to size and
station frequency to locate the station When Si 'is depressed, electrical pow- mount Cl through holes cut in the
.on the following day. er from B 1 flows through the Q 1 cir- perf board (in the position shown in
This SWL station finder covers a 5 cuit which oscillates at a frequency in the photo) using three machine screws
to 18 MHz range to include the most the 5 to 18 MHz range determined by in threaded holes in the front of Cl.
popular international shortwave bands. the setting of Cl (which tunes L1). Install a ground lug on the lower
Construction is simplified by using a Capacitor C2 and R1 act as the "gate mounting screw of Cl placed on top
commercially wound coil add solid-state leak" which biases Q1, and C3 is the of the perf board.
oscillator circuitry. bypass capacitor which grounds the rf Temporarily position the shaft of Cl

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 91

www.americanradiohistory.com
 STATION FINDER

onto the vernier dial and locate the

mounting holes for the 3/s -ih. metal
spacers. Remove the vernier dial and
then cut the rotor shaft of Cl to the length
required to fit when the 3/8 -in. spacers
are installed. On our model (for greater
rigidity and a neater appearance) we
used long machine screws for the ver-
nier dial mounting that also fit through
the 3/s -in. metal spacers and held the
board. But, if this is believed too diffi-
cult, you can mount the perf board with.
3/s -in. metal spacers at each corner of
the board.
After the pert board is mounted, lo-
cate and cut a hole in the metal panel
for S1 in the position shown in the C3 Rl C2 LI
photos. Cut a bracket from sheet alumi- Very simple wiring job gets you a variable frequency reference for SWLing.
num to fit around the two penlite cells
that are series connected to make up
the 3 -volt battery BI. Drill a hole in the L1 pin numbers by the position of the
end of the bracket to fit the mounting green dot on the coil form as shown
screw of S1. Then install S1 and the Bi in the schematic drawing.
bracket on the metal panel with the Install Ql, Rl, R2, C2 and C3 with
bracket positioned as shown in the push in clips on the perf board between
photo. Si and Cl as shown in the photo. Posi-
Mount Li on the perf board parallel tion the components as in our model,
to the base of Cl. A solder lug fitted on and cut the leads short so that the com-
top of the coil with an extra nut and ponents will remain in place without
soldéred to another solder lug mounted any movement for best frequency sta-
on the adjacent 3/4 -inch spacer mount- bility. Wire the rest of the circuit as
ing screw keeps it in place. The other shown in the schematic drawing keep- Low drain circuit is powered by three AA
end of L1 is held by soldering pin 1 to ing all leads as short and direct as cells. Holder can be made from scrap piece
a push-in clip on the board. Locate the possible. of aluminum or bought. Vernier dial has 8
to 1 turns ratio for precise adjustment.

Q1 R2
HEP 802 1001i Testing And Calibration. Calibration
C2 of the station finder is not necessary,
47pF
C3 but for convenience in tuning, you can
5000 pF mark the ends of the vernier dial to
Si indicate the high frequency end (18
BI MHz) with Cl at minimum (plates
L1
3VDC
N unmeshed) capacity and the low fre-
quency end (5 MHz) with Cl at maxi-
L mum (plates meshed) capacity. Rub -on
GREEN 2
DOT
decals can be used to mark the vernier
dial ends and for marking the metal
END VIEW panel.
BOTTOM VIEW Preset L1 by adjusting the tuning
NC slug all the way into the coil (for maxi-
mum inductance), and adjust Cl for
PARTS LIST FOR STATION FINDER S1-spst push-button switch, momentary con- maximum capacity. Place the station
tact, normally open finder unit near your shortwave re-
B1 -3 -volt battery (two penlite cells in series,
see text)
ceiver, and tune the receiver to 5 MHz.
Misc.-61/4 x 33/4 x 2 -in. plastic utility box with
C1-10-pF to 365-pF variable capacitor Press S1 (to' on position) and adjust the
metal cover plate (Radio Shack 270-627),
C2-47-pF ceramic or mica capacitor 2 -in. precision vernier dial, perforated board
tuning slug of Ll for maximum re-
C3-.005-uF capacitor and push in clips, 34 -in. metal spacers, ceived signal. Place the station finder
L1-5 MHz to 18 MHz tapped oscillator coil (J. hardware, wire, solder, etc. metal panel into the plastic box and it's
W. Miller C -5496-C) ready for use.
Q1-field effect transistor, HEP 802 (Motorola) J. W. Miller C -5496-C coil is available
The If your shortwave receiver does not
R1 -47,000 -ohms, 1/2 -watt resistor from Circuit Specialists, P.O. Box 3046, Scotts-
have an S' meter to indicate the un -
R2 -100 -ohms, 1/2 -watt resistor dale, AZ 85257, for $3.80 postgaid.
modulated carrier of the station finder,
(Continued on page 101)

92 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 FEATURING illuminated digit -set dials,
automatic reset, and safelight control,
the PHOTO TIMER eliminates error -
prone juggling of room light, safelight,
and timer switches and dials. You can set
the timer in complete darkness and you
can be sure the safelight was off when
you used your enlarger printmeter. The
large easily-read dial indications make
the timer a joy to use. The timer also
includes push -to -start and push -to -stop
buttons.
Using the 555 precision IC timer, the
timer circuit is not affected by line volt-
age changes. Timing is adjustable from 1
to 119 seconds in one -second steps. Ac-
curacy and repeatability depend only
on the accuracy of the timing resistors
and quality of the timing capacitor. The
PHOTO TIMER is easily constructed at
low cost.
Circuit Operation. The schematic dia-
gram shows a 555 precision timer con-
nected as a one-shot timer with auto-
matic reset. The timing interval is de-
termined by timing capacitor Cl and by
timing resistors selected by switches S1
and S2. Assuming pin 5 of IC1 is dis-
connected from calibration pot R9, the
time interval T (seconds) equals 1.1
times R (megohms) times C (micro -
farads). Timer-output at pin 3 controls
both normally -off load relay K 1 and
normally -on load R6. If one load is de -

PHOTO TIMER
energized, the other is energized and
vice-versa.
With Cl initially held discharged by
IC1, timing commences when start but-
ton S4 is depressed causing a triggering
pulse at trigger pin 2. The relay closes Designed for your creative difference
instantly and Cl begins to charge
through the timing resistor. When the by a darkroom craftsman.
voltage of Cl rises to two-thirds of the This precision tool
DC supply voltage, IC circuits are acti-
vated causing the relay to open and Cl does everything but
to discharge completing the cycle with turn off the lights!
automatic reset. A timing cycle in prog-
ress may be terminated by depressing
stop button S3.
Calibration pot R9 varies the timing by Adolph A. Mangieri
control voltage at pin 5 accounting for
tolerances of timing capacitor Cl. Pro-
vided with both normally -on and nor-
mally-off loads, the IC circuit draws a

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 93

www.americanradiohistory.com
 PHOTO TIMER edges. Ream the center hole to clear
the shafts of switches S1 and S2. Drill
board, dial discs on the switch shafts,
and trial mount the assembly on the
through a pair of small panel knobs and panel. The dial discs should rotate with
cement a knob to each disc using epoxy little wobble and no contact with the
fixed load current from the power sup- cement. panel. If needed, enlarge a switch hole
ply. Resister R7 sets the DC supply Drill suitably spaced (one disc diame- on the board to correct any disc tilt by
voltage to about thirteen volts. Voltage ter) slightly undersize holes in the panel shifting the switch slightly. Remove the
clamp zener diode D2 limits the supply and ream for a close fit for the shafts of circuit board assembly from the panel
voltage to safe values if the supply the switches. Cut the perforated board and affix the discs at the top end of the
voltage should rise. Timing is not af- to size and drill four holes for 6-32 x shafts. This simplifies application of dry
fected by changes in supply voltage. 2 in. spacer bolts which support the transfer numerals at the edges of the
Rectifier diode D1 eliminates voltage board behind the panel. Drill four discs while using the switches to index
spikes at K1 which would re -cycle the matching holes in the panel, bolt the the disc for each position. Label the
timer. board directly against the panel, and "ones" dial with three zeros and 1
Construction. Build the PHOTO TIMER locate and machine holes in the board through 9. Label the "tens" dial 1
in a 9 x 5 x 3 in. metal cabinet. Begin to accept the switches. Cut out a 3/8 by through 11 leaving a blank space. You
construction by cutting out two 21 in. 3/a in. window in the panel midway be- can remount the assembly on the panel
dial discs from 1/16 in. thick red or tween the switch shaft holes. Complete and check and correct any badly aligned
white transluscent plastic. The discs are machining of the panel and apply panel numerals.
easily cut using a holesaw. Chuck the labelling and a clear protective coating. Using 1/16 in. aluminum, make the
discs in a mandrel and true up the Install switches S1 and S2 on the compartment partition supporting trans -

R1 2200 *
R1O R11---- R18 R2 R7 R8
fl 150K 47 82

1 2- 9
T1
S1( ONES ) HEP 176
**
R19 R2O R21 ----R28 R29 R6
270

N.0
INE 555 TIME
12

BLANK 10 11 DI
S2 ( TENS )
HEP 154T
N.O
*R10 THRU R18= 22OK N.C.
A II)
K1
* * R19 THRU R29 2.2 Meg. =.

A START
1 c -4%-r-3 8 o
2c a7 N.O.}
3c 36 S4
T.O5 µF
4c
ICI
35
D1
C
D2
_ I3
ENLARGER SAFE AC
117 VAC

LIGHT

PARTS LIST FOR PHOTO TIMER

C1-4-uF, mylar capacitor, 50-VDC (Cornell R1 -2200 -ohm, -watt resistor

1/2 SI, S2-single-pole, 12 -position switch, short-
Dublier WMF or similar) R2, R3 -150,000 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor ing type
C2-0.05-uF, capacitor, 100-VDC or better R4 -3300 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor S4-spdt momentary pushbutton
S3,
C3L1000-uF, electrolytic capacitor, 35-VDC or R5 -6800 -ohm, 1/2 -watt resistor S5-spdt toggle switch (FOCUS/TIME)
better R6 -270 -ohm, 1 -watt resistor S6-spst toggle switch to match S5 (ON-OFF)
131 -1 -amp, 50 -volt silicon rectifier (HEP 154) R7 -47 -ohm, 1 -watt resistor T1-miniature transformer, 117 -VAC pri., 12 -
D2 -15-volt, 1 watt zener diode (HEP 607) R8 -82 -ohm, 3 -watt ww resistor. Note-delete VAC sec, 300 -mA
D3 -1 -amp, 50 volt bridge rectifier if 14 volt lamp such as #53 is substituted Xl, X2, X3-AC chassis receptacles
I1-see R8 note or #47 panel lamp for Il.
12, 13-neon panel lamps R9 -10,000 -ohmtrimpot Misc.-panel knobs, case 81/2 x 41/2 x 3 -in.

1/2 -watt resistors,

(Vector W30-86-46), perf board, push -in
IC1-555-type integrated circuit RI0 to R18 -220,000 -ohm,
terminals; translucent plastic sheet 1/16 -in.
K1-dpdt relay, 12 -volt DC, 3 -amp contacts, 5% or better
thick for dial, small knobs, line cord, IC
coil resistance 350 ohms, coil current 50 R19 to R29-2.2-megohm, 1/2 -watt resistors,
socket, spacer bolts (4), wire, solder, etc.
mA. (Radio Shack 275-206 or equiv.) 5% or better

94 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 PANEL
WINDOW

ONES

Digit -set discs can be made at home from a

plastic sheet. Press -type numerals can be
used for neat job after cutting out the discs
if you draw a temporary base line for each
double digit and use it to align numbers.

carbonate, or polystyrene low -leakage,

low -loss type. Cl was made up by con-
necting two 2 uF capacitors in parallel
but you can use a single 4 uF capacitor.
You can use a 5 uF capacitor by chang-
IC -design photo timer features backlighted digit-set dials, pushbutton start and ing R10 through R18 to 180,000 ohms
stop buttons, and safelight control. Modern circuitry provides high accuracy and and R19 through R29 to 1.8 megohms.
repeatability over the 1 to 119 second timing range. Home darkroom using our photo
timer is equipped with Omega B color enlarger.
Checkout And Calibration. Using a
VOM, verify the presence of approxi-
former Ti and relay Kl. The partition window to accept panel lamp I1. Tint mately thirteen volts DC across Cl,
is secured by two of the spacer bolts. the lamp with red transparent lacquer. about fifty milliamperes current in R7,
Cut out a portion of the flange of the Complete wiring of the board using a and about five volts AC across lamp II.
partition to avoid interference with the socket for IC1. Carefully observe polari- If you have substituted for Ti, it may
"ones" dial disc. Make a bracket to ties of D1, D2, and C3. Use shielded be necessary to resize R7 and R8 ac-
accept the socket of K1 and affix to the wire for connections to pushbuttons S3 cordingly. To calibrate the PHOTO
partition. Wire the AC sockets, neon and S4. Install resistors R10 through T1M$R, plug a sweep second electric
panel lamps (supplied with external R29 directly on the switches. It's usu- clock into socket X1. Turn S6 on and
voltage dropping resistors), and toggle ally a simple operation to defeat the set S5 to time. Set the dials for fifteen
switches before installing T1 and K1. switch detent stops on S1 and S2 allow- seconds. Depress start button S4 and
Wire the normally been poles of the ing continuous rotation of the dials. Set observe elapsed time on the clock. By
DPDT relay in parallel to double the the switches to pick up R10 and R19 trial settings, set R9 so that the clock
current rating. and position and secure the dial discs runs for fifteen seconds. Next, set the
Install a large rubber grommet on the for 11 seconds readout. dials for 119 seconds and observe
circuit board directly behind the panel Capacitor Cl should be a mylar, poly- elapsed time. If you have used high
quality capacitors for Cl the interval
should check close to 119 seconds with
T1 D3 R10TORI8 R8 I1 Cl

Dial discs are labeled 0 to 9 (units) and

1 to 11 (tens) with discs positioned at top

Kl of switch shafts while using the switches

13 C3 D1 S4 Si IC1 R6 S3 to index the discs. Illustration shows 119
seconds. This system allows resetting to
the exact time within the resolution and
Major parts layout showing author's use of two 2-uF caps in parallel for Cl.
accuracy of the system's electronic timer.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 95

www.americanradiohistory.com
 i`
PHOTO TIMER DrcKEY FLASHER is a real party stop-
per that will literally get you
switched on-sequentially flashing

ji
neon shirt buttons or tuxedo studs.
Dickey Flasher is inexpensive, easy to
build and a real conversation starter
,
for light social situations. Slip your
hand into your pocket, turn on the
./
switch and your shirt front begins
'`
/e

¡
flashing like a neon sign.
The circuit is a multi -neon -bulb ver-
sion of the well-known simple neon re- e\
-
laxation oscillator. Less battery, the
parts cost about two dollars. More com-
monly, one sees the circuit built as an
S ! %. ; : i
amusing display novelty. The current
drain is so low (about 200 microamps) Cut through the party's gloom
that a small B battery will keep Dickey with flashing studs
Flasher going continuously for months.
Our amateur home darkroom includes the How It Works. Let's begin with the
e/e Color Analyzer featured in the Sept. - one bulb flasher as shown in the dia- by John E. Portune, WB6ZCT
Oct. '74 issue. It's located in the background gram. When switch Si is closed, current
to the right of the dry chemical (fixer) box. flows through resistor Rl and begins to
charge capacitor Cl. The value of the
resistor and capacitor determines the
flash rate -0.5 megohms and 0.5 micro - es the firing voltage of the neon (typi-
farads will give a flash rate of about 1 cally 60-70 volts) the neon fires, pro-
second. A lower value of either will ducing light, and becomes a short cir-
make the unit flash faster. circuit. This quickly discharges capaci-
But at the moment current begins to tor Cl and extinguishes the neon lamp.
flow, the neon gas is effectively not in The process then begins all over again
the circuit. A non -conducting neon is with the charging of Cl.
virtually an open circuit. When, how- In the schematic drawing of the mul-
ever, the charge on the capacitor reach- ti -bulb version of Dickey Flasher, the

Line (117 VAC) circuits and relay are placed

at left side of the partition. Heavy -weight
perforated board supports rotary switches S1 Assembling Dickey Flasher is like wiring up a rat's nest.
and 52. Timing resistors mount on switches. Actually, it is more a wiring harness than a boxed project
simply because it is made to fit under clothing without
the integral parts, except neon bulbs, exposed. Insulate
some allowance for inaccuracy of timing
all electrical connections against body perspiration. And
resistors. make the cables'long enough only to reach where they must go
Put It To Work. Plug the enlarger into without too much extra length which may annoy the wearer.
socket Xl and safelight into socket X2.
Plug the enlarger exposure meter into
socket X3. Set S5 to Focus when focus-
ing or using the exposure meter. The
safelight will now be off as is required BATTERY
for use with any enlarger exposure PACK
meter. To expose the print to the set
time interval, switch S5 to Time and
depress the start button S4. During NEON LAMPS
exposure, the safelight will be off but II, I2, I3
will return automatically upon comple-
tion of the exposure. Panel lamp I3 will
be on during the exposure interval. If
you have inadvertently overlooked set-
ting of the timer or lens opening and
have initiated the exposure, you can
terminate the exposure with return of
safelights by depressing stop button S3.
By the way, photo fans, check out our
B&W photo print analyzer coming soon
in a future issue of e/e. It's the comple-
ment to our very popular "Darkroom RESISTORS a
Color Analyzer" project in the Septem- CAPACITORS
ber -October 1974 issue of e/e.

96 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 was chosen to replace the number of by appropriate length pieces of light,
studs on a formal evening shirt or two -conductor speaker wire. In wear-
dickey for other occasions and situa- ing Dickey Flasher, the batteries go in
tions it is possible to make five or the right rear pocket, the capacitors
more neon lamps fire in sequence. and resistors in the left rear, the switch
Putting It All On. In making Dickey in the left front and the neons are
Flasher portable and concealable in pushed through the button holes. An-
one's clothing, the battery presents the other version of the flasher the author
biggest problem. NE-2 neon lamps re- enjoyed had five bulbs built into a hat
quire a minimum of about 80 volts DC along with the resistors and capacitors.
to fire. A small 90 -volt B battery, or The battery and switch remained in
two 45 -volt units will work fine. But pockets. Everything should be covered
they are usually too thick and bulky with tape; masking tape is the least
to carry easily in one's pocket. To expensive. Try to keep wires away
overcome this, a battery pack of ten or from parts of the body where you per-
more common small 9 -volt transistor spire.
radio batteries are snapped together in Getting the Most Laughs. Experi-
series using their own terminals back- ence has shown that it is best from the
to-back as connectors. (Incidentally point of view of entertainment not to
this is not a bad way to replace hard - let the bulbs flash all the time. Rather,
to -get B batteries in older tube -type arrive at the party with Dickey Flasher
portable electronic equipment.) switched off. Then during conversa-
Taped together, the battery pack re- tion, quietly slip your hand into your
tains considerable flexibility and is pocket and turn on the lights without
slim; both are handy features if you any outward show. You'll find that the
action is basically the same. The only have to sit down for a couple of hours reactions will be spectacular. Some will
difference is that now there are several during an evening. The cheapest 9 -volt instantly dissolve in laughter, others
resistor -bulb legs connected in parallel batteries you can find are quite satis- will go blank not believing their eyes,
across the battery, and the capacitors factory, the current drain is so low. and a few will try to ignore you. (The
are connected in a ring between the Group the capacitors and resistors last group is the funniest!)
legs. This succeeds in causing the together, soldering the leads directly But no matter how and when you
charge -discharge process to transfer and using tape to insulate everything. use Dickey Flasher you'll find this lit-
from leg to leg, sequentially. More Connect the neon ,bulbs, the battery tle group of lights well worth the small
than three may be used; the number pack and the switch to this RC unit investment in sheer entertainment.

PARTS LIST FOR DICKEY FLASHER

B1-90-VDC battery made from 10 9 -volt R1, R2, R3 -470,000 -ohm, 1/2 or 1/a -watt re-
transistor batteries sistor
Cl, C2, C3-0.47-uF, 200-WVDC capacitor- S1-On-off toggle, slide, or rocker switch,
printed circuit types are flattest miniature types preferred (Radio Shack
11, 12, I3-NE-2 neon lamp. NE -2H may be sub- 275-603, 275-401 or 275-611 or equiv.)
stituted for higher brightness provided B1
uses 13 9 -volt batteries because of higher Misc.-Wire, solder, masking tape, etc.
bulb firing voltage.

R1
SI 470K
NEON LAMPS
PROTRUDING
FROM
BUTTON
HOLES

I2 I3
B1 -90V C1 C2
0.47y F 0.47pF
I I

R1 R2 R3
470K 470K 470 <
CAPACITORS BATTERY
8,RESISTORS PACK
C3
0.47p F

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 97

www.americanradiohistory.com
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www.americanradiohistory.com
 Classified
Continued ASK HANK,
in electronic computers. 1 want to study
computers and would like to know if
ELEMENTARY ELECTRONICS would be good
HE KNOWS! for the study.
MONEYMAKING OPPORfUNIrIES-Cont'd (Continued from page 18) -V. S., Jersey City, NJ
$300 DAILY In Your Mailbox -Free Report reveals
wealth -building secrets. Saffar, Box 90133I0.- Atlan- If you want to become an Olympic
ta, GA 30344. Gold -Medal Track Star, you have to learn
ing for the diagram for an Andrea Radio,
FANTASTIC MONEY -MAKING OPPORTUNITY!
At home stuffing envelopes. FREE Information. Send serial No. 11606. If you can help, write how to walk first. Now is the time in your
Stamped Self -Addressed Envelope NOW. Shields
to him at P.O. Box 5220, St. John's, Nfld., life to prepare for a vigorous high school
Gifts. 18635 Groverdale, Covina, CA 91722.
Canada A1C 5W1. program of mathematics and science. The
MAKE EXTRA MONEY. New booklet shows you
-

more courses, the better. Also, get involved

how to make money in your spare time -without
working. $1.00. Shields Co., 18635 Groverdale. Dept. in some computer club in high school. If
975, Covina, CA 91722. Loaded Question none is available or one cannot be started,
MONEY made with small ads. No work! And you
can operate on credit! Ads placed in your name.
Hank, I've got a question. Since a lot get involved in the physics and math clubs.
Repay ad costs advanced monthly, while ad works. of CBers run power and think they know And give yourself some bonuses, read as
Information, application, $1.00 (refundable). Norman
Drake, 320 East. 43rd St., New York, N.Y. 10017. all about radio, why aren't they radio many books on the subject you can find.
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN
amateurs? Or do you have to have 3 kW As for ELEMENTARY ELECTRONICS, we
to be a "fine CBer out there"? suggest you keep it on your required
STUFF 'N' SERVE SAUSAGE KIT. Homemade
sausage in your kitchen. Includes seasoning, apices. -R. D., Kansas City, MO reading list.
casings, stuffing horn. Makes 10 lbs. Only $5.95. Re-
fills available. C. and L. Watson Sales. 2A Hwy. W.
Box 166B, Foristell, MO 63348. Hey, pal, seems like you're taking a Twice as Much
PERSONAL shot at the CBers. Well, what you say is Since CD -4 discs for 4 -channel hi-fi
very near to the truth for too many systems contain twice as much information
JAPANESE introductions! Girls' photographs, de-
scriptions, brochure, details, $1.00. INTER -PACIFIC. CBers, but there are many CBers who live as stereo discs, is their playing time half
Box 304 -SC, Birmingham, MI 48012. by the book. And believe me, if they that of the stereo disc?
"DATE WITH DIGNITY" Professional Matching. wanted to be hams, they would be hams. -J.B., Linden, NJ
Drawer 6765. Fort Worth, 76115 (817) 921-0281
Anytime. Ham radio is not the ultimate answer to
ACUPUNCTURE without needles. Complete course radio 2 -way communications. Because the The CD -4 disc playing time is essen-
Ft. Worth, 76116.
$10. Synergy, Box 26113, bulk of the hams obey the law doesn't tially the same as a stereo disc. The added
1000 LONELY LADIES FOTOS in world's largest mean that ham radio is the only answer. I information, or channel space, is added
marriage partner catalog -$5. Intercontact: Box 737, would like to point out that the breed of
Lauderdale 33302 or Box 12, Toronto M4A 2M8. by increasing the frequency band spread
SINGLE? Widowed? Divorced? Nation-wide intro-
ham I knew is vanishing. They are not of the disc. CD -4 discs go up to 50,000
ductions! Identity, Box 315 -DC, Royal Oak, MI appliance buyers and band snobs who hertz, and require special phono playback
48068.
refuse to chat with novices. There is much cartridges to extract the full four channel
CUBAN Cigars. Formerly made in Havana. now in your house to ¡lean up, so don't worry
Hand -Rolled by Tampa's Master Craftsmen form information recorded.'
finest imported tobaccos. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Brochure free. Boutique, 8501-B Woodburn Court,
about the CBer.
Tampa, FL 33615. That's the Ticket
JAPANESE Girls Make Wonderful Wives. We have Old Tubes Do you need a special CB license to
large number of listings. Many interested in mar-
riage. Only $1.00 brings application, photos, names, 1 have sotne old electron tubes. Where operate SSB?
descriptions, questionnaire, Etc. Japan International
Box 1181 -AA, Newport Beach, CA 92663. can 1 get some information about them? -E. B., Sylvania, OH
CONTRACEPTIVES FOR MEN-by mall! Samples -D. P., Canan, TX
and Catalogue-$1.00 POPLAN. Box 2556 -Dept. Nope, just the run-of-the-mill Class D
CDG-2, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
I sent your letter to Jim Fred, the An- ticket is good enough.
X -FILMS-Lovelace, Others. Sample $1.00 (Refund- tique Radio Editor for ELEMENTARY ELEC-
able). Action. 217DP, Port Richey, FL 33568.
BEAUTIFUL MEXICAN GIRLS Wanting American
TRONICS magazine. e/e is the sister publi- Low Power Linear
Boy -Friends. Details, Photos "Free". World. Box cation to ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST. If you I'd like to know if there is an amplifier
3876 -DC, San Diego, CA 92103.
are interested only in selling the tubes, to boost the power on my CB from 100
ADVICE ON JOB HUNTING. I Have Some Startling try a local flea market. milliwatts to 3 or 5 watts?
Information, Not Commonly Known. Price $1.00. (Ohio
Residents Add 5 Cents Sales Tax). W. J. Wagner,
Dept. 517. 5715 Chevrolet Blvd., Parma. OH 44130. -R. S. B., Great Falls, MT
They Grow Up Quick
FEEL BETTER! Easy common sense diet program.
$1.00. Jon Dee Associates, '7610 Penn Avenue South Hank, in the March/April 1975 issue of Anything you can do that will add on,
5218H, Richfield, MN 55423. ELEMENTARY ELECTRONICS you answered modify, alter, or whatever, will make your
CORDLESS VIBRATOR -MASSAGER. Unique tubu- K. K. of Winnipeg, Canada, who is a 12 CB transmitter illegal. Stay loose, keep out/
lar shape with smooth contours for facial toning,
penetrating and relaxing spot massage. Operates on year old, that since he is "a smite young," of the FCC fuzz's hair. Want a full 5
", $3.00. Deluxe model,
flashlight battery. 7" x 11/2", watts? Pick up a legitimate CB rig. If cash
-

complete assortment of attachments, 72" x is/,". the Science Fair Shortwave Radio Kit
battery $8.95. ADAM & EVE, Box 2556, Dept. CDG-3. would be good enough for him to as- is short, look for a used unit or a three -
Chapel Hill. NC 27514.
semble. I'm 12 years old also and have channel job for under $100.
PHOTOGRAPHY - PHOTO FINISHING & SUPPLIES
made a Heathkit 8-track tape stereo sys-
SAVE HUNDREDS of Dollars!!! Make your own tem, intercoms, and also a Dynaco tuner
S & M Densitometer. Send $3.00 for detailed draw-
ings and instructions. A must for successful pho- and amplifier. I made the Science Fair Kit Grounded Out
tography in your darkroom. Order direct from: S &
i.I In-truments, Dept. EH9, 229 Park Avenue South. when 1 was seven. I think that K. K. 1 í111S1 voice strong, objection to your
New York, N.Y. 10003.
should get an electronic kit which is a statements concerning the ground (green)
RADIO & TELEVISION little more sophisticated. terminal of electrical outlets in the Jan./
BUILD Distance Crystal Sets. 10 plans -25e: Hand- -S. G., New York, NY Feb. 1975 issue of ELEMENTARY ELEC-
book 18 different -50e: 20 different -50e. Catalog
250, refundable. Laboratories, 1477 -EH. Garden TRONICS. The National Electrical Code
Grove, CA 92642. Hey, S. G., I believe I was right about requires without exception that the ground
TV TUBES 360 each. Send for Free 48 page color K. K. and the kit recommended. It's not terminal be connected to the power line
catalog. Cornell. 4217-W University, San Diego.
California 92105. how old you are, but the experience be- ground via a conductor at least as large
SCIENCE & CHEMISTRY
hind you. Let K. K. build a few easy kits as the "hot" wire to the outlet, in all new
before he gets to the Heaths and Dynas. installations. Many deaths are the direct
FIREWORKS. Asosciated novelties. Simplified man- (Gee, it was nice to hear from you.) result of operating certain equipment (es-
ufacturer's textbook, $5.00. Guaranteed. Tropic, Box
95M5, Palm Bay, FL 32905. pecially power tools and appliances) with-
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT Computer Bug out the proper ground. Electrical noise
1 am just 13 years old and am interested reduction, which you. gave as the reason
GIANT Bargain Packed Canadian Surplus Catalogs
$1.00. Etco Electronics -DC. Box 741. Montreal "A"

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975 99

www.americanradiohistory.com
for grounding an outlet, is strictly a fringe Heck no! The replacement is the new
benefit. Your ignorance on the subject was type to be used with your set. I'll bet it's
further indicated when you said that the an RCA make and uses the latest "matrix"
ground terminal should be connected to which means better color than before.
the outlet box via the outlet mounting Also, the new tube contains improved X-
lugs. Y strongly suggest that you clarify radiation attenuating glass-a safety plus
your statements. at no extra cost. You know, you have a
-C. B., Monroe, LA good man servicing your TV set.

You are correct. It appears that I erred Get the Point?

but 1 would like to call your attention to I have a very large collection of 78 rpm
your phrase "all new installations." I was records dating back to 1910 and play them
talking about an old installation, which is from time to time using "Kacti" needles.
not covered by this code. I would like to Alas, my supply has dwindled to zero and
point out that if the ground terminal is I can't seem to buy any. What should I
automatically connected to the box, why do?
the green ground screw? The answer is -Edwin Strauch
simple-do not rely on the mounting 327 No. Penn St.
screws, which may rust. Also, plastic boxes Allentown, PA 18102
are making the scene-they're good insu- "Crude as it may be, Alex, Some of our readers, Edwin, are sure to
lators. One thing I believe we both agree I think we may have licked have a few spares they can let you have or
on is the reading of the National Electrical the high -cost -of -energy problem." let you know of a suitable substitute. May
Code. It's good reading and may save I suggest you record your discs on cas-
your life. settes? Playback would be easier and re-
cord wear -and -tear reduced considerably.
What's a BFO radio parts available from most parts sup-
I have an 8 -band radio and on it there plies stores who service hams.
is a BFO switch. Can you tell me what Getting Out of Town
it's for? Wind Power Please burn this letter after you answer
-R. P., Edinburg, PA I set up a fan -generator combination on it. Last night 1 juinped a pair of leads to
Sure can. When the BFO is on, it will a small tower and now I get about 30 a burglar alarm system in a supermarket
cause a whistle to be heard whenever a amps AC at 15 volts. I'm using a car's and all hell broke lose. What gives?
station's carrier is present. You may have alternator as the generator. What can 1 do -A. P., Chicago, IL
to jiggle the fine tuner knob to get the with this power after seeing it is not re- The better systems sense changes as well
tone you like to hear. Now this whistle, liable because the wind varies in speed? as cicuit breaks. When you put your clip
or toile, is annoying when listening to an -E. E., Ellenville, NY lead across the circuit to deactivate a por-
AM station, and that's why you can turn You're talking about 450 watts of power. tion of the system, you changed the resis-
it off. However, when a station is broad- Pass it through a resistor and use the heat tance of the loop. This was sensed by the
casting an unmodulated or Morse code to assist your regular heating system. May- alarm system and it automatically called
signal, the BFO provides the tone neces- be the resistive load can be placed on your the cops besides waking up the neighbor-
sary to hear the signal. That way you can garage floor which will keep the car warm hood and your getaway driver. Listen, if
copy it down. for fast starts on very cold mornings. The you are electrically inclined, why not in-
wind is fickel and you can't rely on a vestigate one of the home correspondence
Good Trio fixed frequency output or constant voltage schools that advertise in this magazine.
I'm looking for a shortwave receiver, output. But, a resistor doesn't care pro- Earn some scratch from an honest job
one with good sensitivity. 1 picked out vided it can take the maximum power or like TV servicing and beconje a good cus-
three receivers, one a Heathkit GR -78 current available. For maximum power tomer of your local supermarket. In the
which is a six -band covering 190 kHz to transfer, the lead-in line must be #10 meantime, get out of town. This is one
30 MHz. I also saw a Lafayette HA -600, copper wire or better. letter I will not burn.
a 5-band amateur and shortwave receiver,
covering 150 kHz to 30 MHz. The third Inside CB
one was a Realistic DX-160, 5 -band cover- Can you advise me where I can get in-
ing 150 kHz to 30 MHz. Which one formation on basic CB operation, rules
shall 1 get? I need some professional help. and regulations. I ant also interested in a
-J. G., Greenfield Park, Que. copy of 1975 CB YEARBOOK. Where can
All these products have published speci- I get one?
fications which are believable-they are -R. H., Davenport, IA
made by reliable outfits. As for which You're out of luck-the 1975 Edition of
receiver to buy, it is your decision because the CB YEARBOOK is sold out! But don't
only you can know' exactly what you dispair. ELEMENTARY ELECTRONICS has
want. Check the specs carefully. Then Kathi Martin giving inside info each issue
check the features and compare the lot along with timely and interesting features
against the prices. Lots of luck! and technical reports throughout the year.
And more! The 1976 issue of CB YEAR-
Ham Parts BOOK is due on the newsstands on Novem-
In your Match' April issue of ELEMEN- ber 18, 1975. Look for it!
TARY ELECTRONICS there was an article on
shortwave antennas by Joe Rolf, and it Tube Switch
included a schematic and picture of an I had tmy color TV picture tube replaced
antenna tuner. At what company (their in my home. The repair man "broke the
address too, if possible) can 1 get the coil. vacuum" and told me to get rid of the dud.
The ones mentioned were B&W 3008 and In doing so, 1 noticed that he replaced a "Computed answers withheld pending
Air Dux 532T. I8VBTP22 with a H-18VBKP22. Is he payment of my lease which as of
-W. M., Waterloo, IA screwing me up? this date is two days overdue!"
The parts in question are typical ham -B. M., Jeffers, MN

100 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST 'Fall -Winter 1975

 mounting of two resistors and a good brads about 3/4 -inch long were used in
R= Cubed electrical connection for the clip -leads. place of the flea clips. Before you ham-
(Continued from page 16) The cube in the photo measures two mer them in place, practice on a scrap
inches on a side,_ but could be made piece of wood. If all the brads were
other end -to -end. The following inter- either larger or smaller. Measure an inserted at the same location on the
mediate values (and all their multiples equal distance in from each corner and three faces at each corner, they would
of 10) are thus available: 12, 15, 18, drill 'a 1/16 -in. pilot hole for each meet, bend and chip the wood. A bit of
19, 42, 45, 48, 49, 72, 75, 78, 79, 92, mini -clip, push the clip in with a pair offset is required. We licked the prob-
95, 98, and 99. Fig. 2 shows how the of pliers, and orient each one so that lem by hammering the brads in at an
decades should be laid out on a flat it is parallel to the others. angle, to avoid in -wood collision of brad
piece of cardboard before assembling The cube is best laid out in two flat points. The brads make góod mechani-
the cube so that the proper ends of the pieces, as shown in Fig. 2, then cut and cal and electrical connections. In fact, it
decades are adjacent, and the connec- scored, and the two pieces glued to- withstood the 101/2 EEE crunch of
tions mate between the faces. The ac- gether. Each face of the cube is painted some klutz. That's ruggedness! Build
companying tables give a few examples with the appropriate color -code to indi- your R -Cube today, build two, build
but not all of the combinations possible) cate the decimal multiplier (same as several-they beat resistor substitution
of terminal connections for obtaining the last color band on each resistor in boxes and stack even better.
different intermediate resistance values. the decade), and the numbering is all
The cube is constructed of "artist - done with press-on numbers. One or
board" since it is inexpensive and easy more decades can, of course, be omit-
to work with, but wood, plastic, or any ted, and can always be added later if
other insulating material can be used. desired.
The mini -clips press fit into the artist - Had to Be Different. The Editor's
board without requiring glue or crimp- approach to building R -Cube was simi-
ing, and provide convenient right-angle lar, but we used a wooden block. Brass

hardware and a socket (see parts list) with an external meter it will not
Pro Power Supply should be used to hold the device firmly change unless the pre-set current limit
(Continued from page 75) to the heat -sink. The mica insulator in or power limit (20 watts) is exceeded.
the mounting kit can be coated with If a meter is desired, however, the sche-
addition, a 3 -prong plug should be used silicon heat -sink compound to aid in matic shows how one can be 'connected
with the ground prong going to the cooling Ql. To further aid in cooling to serve as both an ammeter and a
cabinet-as with any properly protected Q 1, holes should be drilled in the bot- voltmeter.
electrical tool. Capacitor Cl may be tom of the cabinet, and holes should Calibration. To calibrate the voltage
increased to 2000 uF if better regulation be present along the top or sides of the control, Rl, connect an external meter,
is desired. It is best to use a 4 -pin socket box. Q2 can be nearly any transistor turn R1 to different voltage levels, and
for D3 and a mini -DIP socket for the with a gain of at least 50 and a rating mark these voltages on the panel next
IC to avoid heating the devices them- of 40 volts and 25 mA. The Q2 sug- to Rl. To calibrate the current limit
selves when soldering. gested here does not require a heat -sink. control, R6, set R1 to 10 volts, apply a
The heat -sink for Q1 can be mounted Finally, a voltmeter is not needed in 10 -watt, 10 -ohm load and turn R6 down
directly on the perf board. Mounting the cabinet since once the voltage is set until the voltage just begins to drop.
Major circuit/component This is the 1 -ampere point; it can be
areas include heat sink marked on the panel next to R6. To
and Q1 which is on perf get the 0.1 -ampere mark, change the
board pre cut to "wrap load to 100 ohms at 10 volts (1 -watt
around" transformer T1 resistor). Turn R6 until the voltage be-
and the optional meter. gins to drop, and you've got the 0.1
Electronic regulator
circuitry is wired
amp limit. Current limit points in be-
in the small pert board tween are obtained in similar fashion.
area just to the left of This power supply takes about four
Q1. Filter cap C1 is hours to assemble and should provide
held to the board with years of stable performance.
hefty wire tied to
the pert board securely.
SWL Station Finder
(Continued from page 92)

you can intermittently tap SI to pro-

duce a series of CW "dashes" and then
tune for the loudest "clicks" in the re-
ceiver. Or, if you have a beat frequency
oscillator (BFO) on your receiver, you
can adjust the BFO for a convenient
audio note (as in CW code reception)
and tune for best reception.
Do not place the station finder too
close to the receiver, or it may overload

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST Fall -Winter 1975 101

www.americanradiohistory.com
the receiver, and result in broad tuning. When you have found a shortwave the desired shortwave station close to
Place the receiver far enough away for station that you wish to listen to again, the frequency. You may have to fine
sharp tuning for best results. Tune the depress S1 and zero beat the station tune the receiver slightly to compensate
station finder from the high frequency finder signal with the received station. for warm-up drift of your receiver.
end of the vernier dial (minimum capac- Do not retune or disturb the station You can also use the station finder
ity) downward and toward the lower finder unit until the next day (at the to transfer the tuning of a shortwave
frequency end to minimize the possibil- correct time of reception). Tune your station from an uncalibrated bandspread
ity of receiving image signals; tune for shortwave receiver until you hear the dial to another position on the main
the strongest signals as heard in the station finder (but first push and hold tuning dial by zero beating the station
receiver. Si). You should then be able to find with the station finder signal.

ing note on a piece of paper or in a printing paper.

Darkroom Printing Meter notebook the dial reading from the While the most pleasing print usual-
(Continued from page 78) speed control's calibrated knob. This is ly has some black, there are times
the reference speed value for the par- when there can be no black, such as
is to select a decent reference ticular printing paper. For example, snow scenes, portraits, etc. You can
negative and make a good print using let's say you made the test print on peg the speed control's calibration to
a 10, 15, or 20-second exposure. We Polycontrast using the #2 filter, and a grey corresponding to a skin tone, or
suggest 20 seconds. as it will become the speed knob indicates 5.6. Next any other degree of grey you might de-
your standard exposure, and will be time you want to print using Poly - sire. The only thing you cannot do is
sufficiently long to allow moderate contrast with a #2 filter you simply calibrate the meter for highlights, since
dodging. When you are certain you set the speed knob to 5.6, put the sen- the meter might not have enough sen-
have a print exactly the way you want sor under the darkest shadow area and sitivity for slow papers, and highlights
it, and without disturbing the enlarger's adjust the lens diaphragm for a refer- can completely fool the meter.
controls, place the printing meter's sen- ence meter reading. Everything will be If desired, you can take a speed con-
sor under the brightest light falling on set for your standard exposure time. trol calibration reading for each type
the easel-it produces black (maximum Changing Filters. Kodak provides a of paper (using your standard nega-
shadow) on the final print. Now turn speed rating for all their papers and tive) for both shadow detail and inter-
on the printing meter and allow about you can easily work out the correct (or mediate grey. This way, you can quick-
five seconds for warm up. Adjust speed close) speed control settings without ly set up for typical snapshots, scenics,
control R2 so the meter pointer in- making a "perfect" test print for each or portraits.
dicates any meter reading you want to type and grade of paper. For example, Keep In Mind. The sensor has a
use as a reference. It doesn't matter changing from a #2 to #4 filter usu- slight light memory, so we suggest the
what the reading is as long as you al- aly means' increasing the exposure by sensor be turned face down when not
ways use the same reference for the a 3.5X factor. If your #2 exposure is being used and the power switch be
standard exposure time. For example, 10 seconds, the #4 exposure will be turned on and off in the dark, though
0.2 on the meter scale is a good choice 35 seconds-somewhat long. You can, you can keep the darkroom illuminated
because it is well illuminated by the however, open up the lens diaphragm by a safelight with the power switch
meter lamps. But you might just as for a 3.5X light increase (close enough on. Meter readings, however, must be
easily select mid -scale as the reference value) and adjust the speed control for taken with all room lights off; only the
meter reading. It doesn't make any dif- the reference meter reading. The new enlarger should be on and the print
ference; just be consistent. speed control setting is the speed value meter should be positioned so that its
Once you have adjusted the speed for the #4 filter. You can do this with meter lamps do not illuminate the sen-
control for the reference meter read- variable contrast filters or numbered sor (even slightly).

antenna tuner ready for connection to you depends on the type of DX hunting
Antenna Systems for SWLs your antenna system and receiver. you want to do and the space available.
Summing Up. The best antenna for A long-wire with the antenna tuner
(Continued from page 31) shown will work well for general listen-
ing. If you're interested in a particular
tuner that you can easily build is shown part of the work and a particular band,
in Fig. 5. Details of the tuner built in a a single frequency dipole pointed in the
small utility box is shown in the photo- right direction will give excellent results.
graphs. This SWL antenna tuner can be If you want one antenna that will do
used to improve the performance of any as much as possible, use a multi -band
longwire antenna. Select the proper antenna. In any case, those hard to log
range for Cl with Si and peak Cl for DX stations will come a lot quicker
with any of these antennas, mounted as
best S -meter output on your receiver.
Fig. 6 is a photo of the completed SWL high as possible.

that the positive supply lead is connected mum amplitude position (fully clock-
FET Receiver to the (+) terminal and the negative wise), and adjust REGEN control R1 to
(Continued from page 64) lead is connected to the (-) terminal. mid -range. Tune C2 until you hear a
Plug in a pair of high impedance ear- station in your earphones; it may be
either a 3 -volt DC supply or two 11/2 - phones (1000 ohms or more) to J3. received as a "whistle" or beat note.
volt dry cells in series to J2. Make sure Set the volume control R7 to maxi- This is the undesired condition men -

102 ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975

www.americanradiohistory.com
 tioned before and is caused by the os- capacity to better match your particular radio stations. To overcome this effect
cillation of the gate leak detector cir- antenna length. Also, you may have to back in the golden days of radio,
cuit of Q1-the result of too much RF adjust the position of the L2 tickler grandad used a device called a "wave
feedback. Therefore, adjust R1 until coil, or add or subtract turns to cover trap." This consisted of a tuned circuit
the whistle disappears and the station the entire band. Do not be afraid to in series with the antenna that attenu-
is heard. Retune C2 for best recep- experiment with this coil. If you do not ated the interfering station's signal and
tion. Practice will be necessary for hear any signals that "whistle," reverse allowed weaker signals to be received.
good results. the circuit connections to L2. Also, try If there is a strong local station in-
The most sensitive and selective point moving the tickler coil further up L1. terfering with your reception, construct
of the R1 adjustment is just below the Speaker operation for personal lis- a duplicate of L1 and connect it in
point of oscillation. After tuning in a tening can be achieved with strong local parallel with a variable capacitor of
station, use R7 for comfortable audio stations. A 45 -ohm speaker (the type the same value as C2 to serve as a
volume; R1 should not be used since it that is used in intercom systems) is best wave trap (see drawing and photo).
reduces selectivity as well as audio for this receiver. Other lower imped- Tune the wave trap variable capacitor
volume. ances down to 8-ohms will result in to the same frequency as the interfering
Adjust the antenna trimmer Cl for lower audio volume. station. The easy way to do this is to
best sensitivity over most of the band. A Modern Wave Trap. The regener- first tune your receiver for maximum
This setting may have to be changed ative type of receiver is sensitive, but received signal of the interfering sta-
for best results at the band ends. If since it only uses one tuned circuit (un- tion; then tune the wave trap (con-
necessary, the value of Cl may have to like a multi -stage superhet receiver), it nected in series with your antenna lead)
be changed to a different maximum is subject to overload by strong local for minimum received signal.

Therefore, after connecting the instru- house the entire project. Mounting the
Mobile Gas Alarm ment to a 12 -volt car or boat battery, gas sensor is easy, fitting into a 7 -pin
(Continued from page 61) wait for four to five minutes with Sl in miniature tube socket. Pins 1 & 2 are
off position and R7 at minimum (coun- interchangeable, as are pins 3 & 4.
ter -clockwise) resistance. After the time Though we mounted the sensor in the
an alarm if a transient appears on the has elapsed, turn S1 on and start turn- same cabinet as the rest of the circuit,
12 -volt power supply line. ing the sensitivity adjustment slowly you may want to install it at some re-
Operation. The gas sensor element clockwise. When the, alarm sounds, mote location in your boat or trailer
has a fair amount of thermal inertia as switch S1 off, turn R7 slightly back, and connect it via a 3 -wire, No. 18
shown in time versus resistance graph. then switch S1 on again. To obtain stranded cable to the alarm box. Use
maximum sensitivity you can repeat the cabinet as a heat sink for transistor
the sensitivity adjustment after a half Q1; it does not have to be insulated
an hour. since the collector on the metallic tran-
When the buzzer sounds, the only sistor tab is at ground potential. You
way to turn it off is with S1 (not with can pick the 12 -volt supply from the
the sensitivity adjustment). Check the cigarette lighter or by making a sep-
circuit by rubbing a drop of gasoline arate connection to your battery. Use
or alcohol on your fingers near the a socket for the integrated circuit to
sensor. The alarm should then sound. It avoid overheating the pins when solder-
then takes the sensor four to five min- ing.
utes to restore itself to the same sen- There is a strong possibility that a
sitivity. number of asphyxia-related camping
Construction. The project is straight- tragedies could have been avoided if
forward. Follow the layout shown. All this simple gadget had been on the job.
the components fit on a 3- by 4 -in. perf Of course, nothing takes the place of
board. A 6- by 3- by 2 -in. cabinet will safety first! A propane -fired cooking
stove should not be used to warm an
enclosed camper or trailer while people
Typical temporary installation in a pick-up sleep. Similarly, children should be
camper. Recreational vehicles often have taught the dangers of "haphazard" ad-
an electrical outlet supplying 12 -volt power. justment of kitchen knobs.
this approach is sometimes difficult. An- described in the outdoor -engine use
Time Tally other approach, which makes the Time section.
(Continued from page 68) Tally even more versatile, is shown in The indoor version of the Time Tally,
Fig. 3. With .this set-up, one merely if used with the power supply shown in
average utility cost of $.05 per kilowatt plugs the appliance into the Time Tally Fig. 3, can be used as a digital cooking
hour. plug. The appliance switch is left on timer. Just flick the switch the minute
There are two ways of connecting the so that the appliance can only be turned an egg goes into boiling water or a TV
Time Tally to the appliance being timed. on or off by using the Time Tally dinner goes in the oven, and watch for
The simplest way, in theory at least, is switch. the recommended minute to show up.
to connect a 6 or 12 -volt power supply Other Uses. The Time Tally can Here a resettable 6-volt counter would
directly to the appliance on-off switch also be used in an auto to time the come in especially handy, but you can
as shown in Fig. 2. However, because length of driving time for a trip. Here mentally note the present reading and
the switch is often in a tight corner, the Time Tally should be connected as watch for the desired one.

ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST 'Fall -Winter 1975

103
www.americanradiohistory.com
 Compare what you get
training and you'll
Compare costs Compare training Compare choices
Only NRI offers five complete NRI is one of the few home study Most schools offer one course in
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NRI saves you tuition because an outside-source "hobby kit." hands-on experience. Then
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salesmen, and we engineer our experiment with the power on; state color TV course for $795 ;
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We don't buy "hobby kits" from completed to learn trouble- for trained technicians with an
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schools charge you hundreds of
dollars more for an equivalent
course.

104
ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST/Fall-Winter 1975
www.americanradiohistory.com
 iniV/Audio ho e
choose NRI.
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