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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets. |
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23rd Apr 2019, 8:56 pm | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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RF power transistor testing
Picked this bargain/money pit up for less than the price of the heatsink. Someones gone to a lot of thought with this then spoilt it by tacking bits on like an afterthought
I'm going to give it a full rebuild. I don't like the rats nest biasing circuits, and I'm thinking of using the LM723 bias circuit as per the Motorola application note. I'm hoping the power transistors aren't fried but I'm working on the assumption that they are. What's the recommended way to test them, just checking for shorts/open circuits and checking the diode junctions, any precautions etc? Thanks |
23rd Apr 2019, 10:10 pm | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
Made a start. Cif bathroom cleaner. Never known anything like it to lift dirt.
Also isn't the internet wonderful. Couldnt' find any info on it so googled 140 watt push pull amplifier and found this. |
23rd Apr 2019, 10:48 pm | #3 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
Thinking about it after a beer, should I just reassemble it as is first off then give it a sniff of rf and see what it's doing or not ?
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24th Apr 2019, 3:53 am | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 2,340
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Re: RF power transistor testing
I found what I think is the original auction listing for it - definitely says not working, so another beer and a bit more thinking may be in order.
That amp is probably straight out of one of Motorola's app notes if you can find it. |
24th Apr 2019, 9:21 pm | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
Terry. Over here most radio/cb type equipment is listed as not working to cover the sellers from bad selling experiences. The last cb linear I bought as a non worker was fine when tested.
Stripped it down and these are the components that will be changed as a matter of course. I can now get at it to perform resistance and voltage checks. Nothing appears to have let magic smoke out The heatsink has been snook into the dishwasher. Last edited by Steve G4WCS; 24th Apr 2019 at 9:41 pm. |
29th Apr 2019, 4:40 am | #6 |
No Longer a Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.
Posts: 2,679
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Re: RF power transistor testing
........hmmm I thought I read on a thread somewhere that somebody else did this, perhaps they had a lot of, or a high concentration, dish wash powder (which is very alkaline and attacks anodizing and aluminium) and it spoiled the nice black anodizing on the heatsink. But you may be ok if the solution is weaker and/or temperature lower and not get any issues. It might be better to do it by hand with a trace of the friendly hand dish wash and a small soft brush.
I found the thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=139689 Last edited by Argus25; 29th Apr 2019 at 4:48 am. Reason: add link |
29th Apr 2019, 12:47 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
It survived the dishwasher, but has had a coat of satin black anyway
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29th Apr 2019, 1:11 pm | #8 |
No Longer a Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.
Posts: 2,679
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Re: RF power transistor testing
......just a thought possibly not a wonderful idea to spray the surface where the transistors screw down with spray paint, as it is not a wonderful thermal conductor.
Was the anodized finish damaged at all in the dishwasher ? |
29th Apr 2019, 1:29 pm | #9 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
I haven't, I've only painted the visible elements, and no.
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3rd May 2019, 11:15 pm | #10 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
rebuild started. Old tantalums and elecs are going. A couple of old 15 ohm carbons have drifted away so will be replaced.
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3rd May 2019, 11:43 pm | #11 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2,181
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Re: RF power transistor testing
AVO on ohms . Junction test/DVM on diode test. if inconclusive, isolate base ( if possible ) for further testing.
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4th May 2019, 10:42 pm | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
Pet hate 1. Untidy wiring
Pet hate 2. Non flux removal |
17th May 2019, 11:03 am | #13 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
It lives.
Haven't tried it at full power levels as I hadn't put thermal compound on the power transistors https://youtu.be/Dy_cqqq89xI I've added a small computer fan to it as there are some parts inside that get warm and aren't heatsinked, I used a riding helmet bag for filter material as it's very breathable It's quiet enough https://youtu.be/WT7t1fq6Kc8 Plan is to use it with the IC-251 which has a Mutek front end. Should make quite a good setup |
17th May 2019, 12:03 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,554
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Re: RF power transistor testing
A riding helmet bag sounds expensive.
I normally use a vacuum cleaner motor filter. They are made to be cut to size. I just linked to the first one on a search. Wilco stopped stocking them for some reason. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-V.../dp/B004A8JMSE A cheaper one. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078VTCW79/ref=dp_cerb_1 Last edited by Refugee; 17th May 2019 at 12:06 pm. Reason: Cheaper one added |
17th May 2019, 12:15 pm | #15 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 632
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Re: RF power transistor testing
Quote:
the helmet bag was being cleared out anyway but I spotted its potential |
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