THE 6V6 MC KIT WHICH PASTIME PROJECTS MANUFACTURES AND SELLS OUT OF OHIO USA USES A METAL CHASSIS. RECENTLY AN AMATEUR OPERATOR ORDERED A KIT WITHOUT THE METAL CHASSIS. THIS SAVED THE COST OF THE ALUMINUM CHASSIS. IT ALSO SAVED THE LABOR (MACHINE SHOP) FOR ALL OF THE METAL DRILLING, THE HARDWARE FOR MOUNTING THE BOTTOM PLATE, THE SPECIAL BOTTOM PLATE, AND SO ON.
THAT’S A LOT OF MONEY! WE HAVE ADDED A PRICE OPTION FOR THE 6V6MC KIT – WITHOUT CHASSIS – TO OUR WEB SITE – http://www.pastimeprojects.com – FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE IN ORDERING. AS, ALWAYS THE PAYPAL OPTION IS RIGHT THERE FOR YOUR USE. PLEASE CHECK IT OUT! IF YOU ARE “OLD SCHOOL” AND USED TO BUILD RADIOS ON MOM’S PIE PANS, THIS MAY BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT THE OLD DRILL AND HAVE SOME FUN. BEST REGARDS – GLENN B FOR PASTIME PROJECTS. [www.pastimeprojects.com]
On our website https://pastimeprojects.com we have a page for used equipment which can be reached by using the “buttons” a the top of the home (index) page. It is called “Special Sales”. We have a lot of used equipment to list. We will try to describe it as honestly and accurately as possible.
Today we are listing (2) used MFJ – 451 Keyboard Keyers with manual. These send messages through ham radio stations by converting typed letters to Morse code and sending its output to radio transmitters. We looked up on the internet and saw one recently sold for $67.00 . We also have a Zenith ZKB-3 163-86 (an IBM -AT Compatible keyboard) which we purchased to try with the Keyers. (Being advertised on the internet for $170.00)
We tested these units with the keyboard and had good results. More photos and description will be added to the “Special Sales” as time allows. We are not expert at solid state devices, computers, keyboards, and therefore cannot fully test these items. We will guarantee you will get an honest evaluation before you buy.
If this is the kind of thing you like to play with, please make us an offer directly to our email address. No offer will be binding until you and I agree on all transactions.
The 6V6 MC (Metal Chassis) coil consists of an octal base coil form. The kit builder winds the coil for 80 or 40 meter ham band operation. It includes a second winding which matches 50 ohms load. (Your antenna system.) It is difficult to wind, count, strip and draw the coil wires down into the proper pins in the bottom of the coil base. Since the coil form consists of a base which is edge glued to a plastic tube, the joint can be somewhat fragile. Instructions are included with each coil on how to re-glue.
In order to make the tube coil form a little stronger, we came up with some large heat shrink material to support the joint. The assembled coils will include this heat shrink ‘belt’ for added strength.
We hope you appreciate this change. Perhaps it will help you through the coil winding procedure with a little less frustration. Best regards, Glenn Brown for Pastime Projects. http://www.pastimeprojects.com
The Pastime Projects (www.pastimeprojects.com) 6V6 MC Ham Transmitter Kit was introduced some time ago as a newer design to the 6V6 RW (Remember When) ‘slat board’ Kit which is a reproduction of ARRL’s design from the late 1940’s. The 6V6 MC uses a different type of crystal oscillator and a much improved chassis.
Recently a fellow amateur asked if he could buy the kit less the metal chassis, because he wanted to use his own chassis (I suspect a pie pan?) . Yes! He purchased – and built – his own interpretation of what he had as a new ham back in the 1960’s. The detailed instruction manual was supplied along with other parts but just less the metal chassis we normally supply.
Because of the cost of the metal chassis, and the machine shop fabrication of the chassis to our specifications he saved around $30.00 in cost of the kit.. (Have you priced machine shop costs lately?)
We offer this option… See our web page.. If you dont see it, send us a “Contact Us” message as seen in the web pages. We will fill in the details.
We have noticed some other things about the 6V6 MC Kit: The coil form has been strengthened by adding a large diameter heat shrink band around the junction of the base and coil form itself. Crystals seem to hold up better and produce more output in the 40 meter version. They also don’t seem to destroy themselves quite as much as some of them did in the 80 meter version. There is some question of the link coupling used on the 80 meter version. It may be capable of more output. We are checking further; meanwhile our friend overcame this problem by using an antenna tuner on 80 meters.
Always more to check… Very best regards Glenn Brown for Pastime Projects.
Pastime Projects (www.pastimeprojects.com) sells on eBay as seller “billglennbob” . As well
as selling products manufactured by Pastime Projects at special prices, we also sell other
items of interest. Be sure to watch for our eBay sales. Why not add us to your bookmarks?
73 Glenn for Pastime Projects… pastimeprojects(at)yahoo(dot)com
Pastime Projects – makers of radio amateur kits – in Central Ohio would like to recommend to our friends and customers that you visit the Findlay Ohio 2018 Hamfest. It will be held September 9, 2018 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds in Findlay Ohio.
For more information visit hamfest@findlayradioclub.org . This is 76th year for this gathering. They are expecting 1,500 paid attendees at this years hamfest. Lets make it 1,501 shall we? We will look for you there “Lord Willing And the Creek Don’t rise”
The 12k5 “Lookma” transmitter kit we have manufactured and sold since 2006 has a little
secret. About ten years ago we changed the design of the little coil included with this
kit. When we changed the design, we also started to assemble the coil and include the
assembled version in the kit. The coil winding is probably the most difficult part of
assembly. Even though the instructions for winding are included, we decided to do this
part of the kit build ourselves. (Our ten year old secret)!
Have fun! 73 Glenn for Pastime Projects.
The Pastime Projects (www.pastimeprojects.com) web site contains warnings about copyright
terms and conditions. This may frighten away those experimenters who are inspired by the
vintage makeup of our kits. That is the last thing we want to do! Please email us at
pastimeprojects(at)yahoo(dot)com for permission to copy or request copies of our materials.
We are “Makers” “do it yourselfers” handy men, or what ever you call yourself!
Let us hear from you! How can we help you?
I recently saw where a new ham operator was questioning how one tunes a HF transmitter that does not have a built in meter in the output circuit. He was referring to the Pastime Projects 6V6 transmitter kits but the question would apply to similar low to medium power transmitters.
One easy and cheap way is to use a CB Field strength /SWR/power meter. If you check the specifications, you will find these meters will work just fine on all HF frequencies from 160 to 10 meters and beyond. Many are listed at safe power ratings of 10 to 1000 watts of output power. And, they sell for $30.00 or less (much less) on eBay! Ideal for experimenting and measuring our HF transmitter kits performance with almost lab rating results for low surplus prices.
Simplest way to use the meter is as a field strength meter. The meter will have a hole for a short wire antenna to attach. (Make sure the wire antenna you use has some kind of top on it to prevent injury to an eye!) With the meter near your transmitter – but not electrically attached – try transmitting into an antenna and tune your FSM for maximum strength. The meter follows the strength of the transmitter, so tuning for maximum should get you great results.
Good luck! Always get help from your local club when you can. A good experienced radio amateur is always a friend to have. 73 Glenn .. for Pastime Projects.
In the October 2017 QST Magazine Tom Gallagher NY2RF , ARRL Chief Executive Officer, wrote a commentary about new hams (radio amateurs). He noted that of the thousands of newly licensed hams each year, nearly half never get on the air.
Please take time to open your October 2017 QST to page 9 and read Tom’s editorial “Second Century – A learning Moment”. This is a call to arms for us more experienced hams to remember our elmers (Mentors) who showed us the way. We need to take the time and effort to get back to basics and help the new hams get on the air. ARRL is doing its share but this needs some one-on-one training as well.
Pastime Projects (www.pastimeprojects.com) has manufactured radio amateur projects from the 1940 and later eras. (Grandpa’s radios). We are proposing to write do-it-yourself articles for new hams. Our format tends to be very fundamental, without too much engineering data. The hows, not the whys. What media would best suit our articles? Would a PDF file emailed to you be worthwhile? Read through our past POSTS and see if this format would work for you.
Pastime Projects has a new regenerative receiver kit. Our biggest concern is its a little complicated. We are considering offering it as a multi step mailing in increments so that the builder tackles one assembly step at a time. Good idea? Let me know. W8JZI Glenn Brown, owner, Pastime Projects. pastimeprojects (at) yahoo (dot) com.
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