Conference cvg::hamradio_iii

503.0. "Novice Needs Help Listening" by USDEV1::CLEMENT (Smells like Nirvana) Mon May 19 1997 17:39

    I recently acquired a general coverage receiver (HF - broadcast to 30
    megs) with a CB transmitter included.

    It is a Hammarlund HQ 105 TR.

    I do not know much about how to use it, but am intrigued!

    I would like to "listen" to short wave and could use suggestions on
    what to listen to from our general area, I am in Milford MA.

    My problem is that I am not sure how to setup the unit.  It has an rca
    type input jack for an antenna.  I was not sure what to put in there so
    for now I inserted an audio cable to try and "make an antenna",
    thinking that any wire should do.

    Here are the features and what I have been told they mean thanks to
    someone on the internet.  I do not understand all of this and am trying
    to get up to speed asap.  

    Thank you for your help and patience with a very green amateur...

    The HQ-105TR is a general coverage receiver combined with a crystal
    controlled CB transmitter.  It covers broadcast through 30 MHz.  The
    transmitter needs a crystal to determine what frequency it operates on.
    It was made in the mid-60's and is the same receiver as Hammarlund's
    bottom-line HQ-100 (single conversion, no product detector.)
    
    There are numerous outlets for manual copies, including W7FG.  He is
    on the Web and I think his telephone is 1-800-807-6146.
    
    If you are not familiar with the standard controls on a vintage
    receiver,
    I will try to explain their basic use.  
    
    The receiver will not turn "on" unless the little knob below the clock
    is turned "on" or to "auto" (just like an old alarm clock).
    
    SELECTIVITY -- "OFF" thru end of range - controls bandwidth of the 
      receiver.  Wide is best for AM, while narrower is for CW/SSB.
    
    FREQ, "Q MULTIPLIER" - This is a circuit to increase the selectivity of
      the receiver by causing the IF amplifier to narrow its response.  By
      playing with the controls, you should be able to peak the signal and
      narrow it until it "rings" and goes into oscillation (too much).
    
    SENSITIVITY - Probably the same as RF Gain.  Full up for AM...reduced
      for CW or SSB reception to prevent distortion on the audio.  Works
      together with the AGC switch (see below).
    
    ANTENNA - Probably the antenna trimmer, used to peak the signal on 
      whatever band, or frequency you are tuned to.
    
    AUDIO GAIN - Volume control. (See below on how to set for CW or SSB.)
    
    MAIN TUNING - Used to select the frequency you want to listen to.  It
      should have scales that agree with the various band positions.  It
      also should have markings for the Ham Bands that are fine-tuned with
      the Bandspread control.  Put on a marking and tune the ham bands with
      Bandspread.
    
    BAND SPREAD - See above.  Also used for fine tuning in non-Ham bands, 
      but doesn't provide actual frequency read-out except on ham bands.
      If this isn't left in the correct position, the main tuning will not
      read the correct frequency.  Check at WWV (2.5, 10, 15, or 20 Mhz to
      see which end to set it at in order for the main tuning to read the
      correct fequency.  (Provided the receiver is close enough to being
      calibrated to premit this test!)  
    
    BFO - An internal oscillator that enables reception of SSB and CW. 
    With
      this design, you HAVE to turn up the audio gain and use the
    Sensitivity
      control to set overall volume for CW/SSB - when the BFO is "on". 
    This
      knob probably adjusts the BFO frequency for best tone on CW/SSB.
    
    Switches;
    Rotary; "Tuning Range MCS" with the following positions;
    20 BS, 10 - 30, 4 - 10, 1.6 - 4, .54 - 1.6
    
    (This is the bandswitch.  It puts you on broadcast band (.54-1.6) and
    the shortwave frequencies (1.6 - 4 Mhz, 4 - 10 Mhz and 10 - 30 Mhz.)
    
    Rotary; OFF, REC, SEND, BFO - Selects OFF, Receive, Send (Transmit) and
      turns on the BFO for CW or SSB reception.
    
    Toggle Switch; MAN, AVC - Manual (AVC) for SSB/CW...AVC (on) for AM.
    
    Toggle Switch; OFF, LIM ON - Noise Limiter ON-OFF - Usually works only
      in AM mode to reduce pulse-type noise.
    
    Hope that helps.  The transmitter should not be used unless you are
    sure you know what frequecny it is set for.  It could be on the CB
    band, or on the 10-meter Ham band (in which case you need a license).
    You also need a resonant antenna in order to transmit.  Of course,
    any piece of wire can be used to test the receiver.  
     

    a few tens of feet of wire connected to the center terminal of the
    audio jack and held off the ground should get you going for reception.
    
    Somewhere around 6MHz (5900-6200kc, on that dial 8-) you should find a
    fair amount of shortwave activity (BBC, VOA, etc etc). WWV (time) is at
    2.5, 5, 10, and 15MHz; you should be able to hear one of those (ticks,
    with announcement and tone on each minute) (if the voice if female, you
    are hearing WWVH from hawaii) .. CHU (time) from Canada is at (I think)
    3.330 and 7.330 MHz (beeps, announcment in french and english on the
    minute)
    
    that should get you started..
    
    ...tom
    
    

    According to the 1963 Hammarlund catalog I keep at my desk, the
    HQ-105-TR is labelled as a "New Citizen-Ham Band Transceiver."
    
    I'll quote from the catalog since I do not think anyone will mind a
    little copyright infringement right now...
    
    "A full-fledged Hammarlund-quality receiver, skillfully combined with a
    five watt input, single crystal controlled transmitter.
    
    The HQ-105 TR can be utilized for boty CB and Ham operation. The
    transmitter can be easily retuned -- thus permitting the citizens band
    operator to swing to amateur radio as soon as a general license has
    been granted.  Features push-to-talk or switch-to-talk operation,
    S-meter and tuning indication, separate Q-multiplier and BFO, built-in
    automatic noise limiter, and unique auto-response circuit.  HQ-105 TRS
    has built-in speaker in place of clock-timer."
    
    Then the catalog goes on with specs:
    Transmitter -- 5 watt input -- 100% modulation. For CB or 10 meter
    operation. CB crystal supplied.
    Receiver --Continuously tunable from 540 KCS to 30 MCS with outstanding
    sensitivity ansd selectivity.
    Q-multiplier--Permits continuously variable selectivity to meet most
    operating conditions.
    Beat Frequency Oscillator -- Highly stable. Variable from zero to +/- 3
    KCS.
    Auto-Response -- Automatically adjusts audio response to fit receiving
    conditions.
    Circuit -- 11 tube transceiver design.
    Power Supply -- 105-125 volts, 50-60 CPS, 70 watts.
    S Meter -- Calibrated 1 to 9 in steps approximately 6 db.  Also
    includes db scale above S-9 to 40 db.
    Sensitivity -- An average of 1.75 uVolt produces a 10:1 signal-to-noise
    ratio.
    Variable Selectivity -- One position for high quality broadcast. One
    position for Q-mulitplier continuously variable from 100 CPS to 3 KCS.
    AVC Action -- Operates on RF nad IF stages. Provides fast, smooth
    action.
    Maximum Audio Output -- 1.0 watt (undistorted)
    
    They also made an 8-channel switch that plugged in to the crystal
    socket so you could switch-select up to 8 transmit frequencies.
    The specs for the HQ-100 receiver are identical, except it claims only
    68 watts power consumption.
    
    I knew I saved that catalog for a reason!

    Thank you for the information!  I have a hectic schedule this week,
    but will try the wire and tuning information asap!
    
    Mark