Viking Ranger Crystals

[AB9SX]

Does the Ranger use crystals at the fundamental frequency of the crystal, or what is the multiplier?

73
Thanks

Jim AB9SX

[W8JI]

Depends on the band.

On 160 you have to use a 160 crystal.
On 80 mine works OK with a 160 or 80 crystal, but the 160 rock makes a readable but weak signal on 5.3 MHz.

On 40 it's probably best with a 40 meter crystal. A 160 crystal for 40 makes fairly bad spurs out of band, and an 80 meter rock in my Ranger and Ranger II has a spur on 10.5 MHz that makes it through the tuned circuits. That might cause problems for you because on mine it is pretty strong.

On higher bands, mine works great with a 40 meter crystal and multiplying up. Mine works OK on 15 meters with a 10.56 MHz crystal, so I assume they all will. I never had a 14 MHz crystal to try, or anything higher. The design looks like it favors a 7 MHz xtal on all bands above 40.

I think if you are ordering crystals, you better order fundamental for 160, 80, and 40 and then use a 7 MHz crystal for all bands higher up.

[W4HAY]

If you're looking for rocks, I've ordered several FT-243 units from www.AF4K.com . I've used them in 6AG7, 6V6, and 6AH6 oscillator circuits and they work just fine, including the ones with modern crystals in them.

The Ranger uses a 6CL6 for the crystal oscillator, which is very close electrically to the 6AG7.

[W8JI]

The problem is the tuned circuits and oscillator circuity, not particularly the tube type. :-)

[W4HAY]

Actually, referring back to Crystal Controlled Oscillators in March 1950 QST, several circuits and tubes were tested. Power pentodes such as the 6AG7 were deemed superior to beam power tubes such and the 6V6 and 6L6 with respect to low grid current and stability, including in the Modified Pierce circuit. Of the circuits, the Modified Pierce operated with the lowest crystal current. The Grid-Plate circuit had the highest crystal current, except when the 6AG7 was used. Later ARRL Handbooks added the 6AH6 and 5763 to the 6AG7 as preferred tubes.

Overall, the 6AG7 was the winner.

[W8JI]

Actually, referring back to Crystal Controlled Oscillators in March 1950 QST, several circuits and tubes were tested. Power pentodes such as the 6AG7 were deemed superior to beam power tubes such and the 6V6 and 6L6 with respect to low grid current and stability, including in the Modified Pierce circuit. Of the circuits, the Modified Pierce operated with the lowest crystal current. The Grid-Plate circuit had the highest crystal current, except when the 6AG7 was used. Later ARRL Handbooks added the 6AH6 and 5763 to the 6AG7 as preferred tubes.

Overall, the 6AG7 was the winner.

His question was what mode of crystal was required, overtone or fundamental. The type of tube has NOTHING to do with that question at all. The mode of the crystal 100% depends on the tuned circuits and the circuity from the oscillator to the PA. In the Ranger the crystal oscillates in fundamental mode, and later stages are multipliers. The oscillator also multiplies on some bands in the Ranger. This is true regardless of tube types, or what other totally unrelated radios do with the same tube type.

The Ranger accepts a 160 crystal for 160 and 80, is better yet with a 160 crystal for 160 and an 80 meter rock for 80. It is best with a 40 meter crystal on 40 and higher. If he tries to use a crystal other than that, no matter how it works in totally different rigs, he can get into spurious signal issues with the Ranger.

As for the article, different tubes behave differently in oscillators. I'm not debating that point at all.

He asked what the Ranger uses, not some different circuit with a similar tube.

73 Tom

[KA4DPO]

Use a 160 meter crystal for 160, it will also double to 80 if you wish.

You can use an 80 meter crystal on 80 and it will work better, no chirp or other issues.

Use 40 meter crystals for 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.

You will need a 6 point something MHZ crystal for 11 meters but you're not going to do that are you.....

[KL7AJ]

Ahh...you discoved that too. Good call!

Eric

[KA4DPO]

Ahh...you discoved that too. Good call!

Eric

Thank's Eric. It didn't hurt that I have one, had it for about 35 years now but don't use it much anymore.

[AB9SX]

Thanks!! While the discussions are interesting, you have cut to the heart of the matter. I was most concerned with spurious emmissions than anything else. I have just recently gotten interested in "boat anchors" and find them interesting. If you can follow a schematic, you can make them live. I have a huge selection of crystals, but I want to choose the best for the application. I have a nice range of 40 meter crystals, and a fair selection of 80 meter crystals including AM calling frequencies.

Of course I can use the VFO, but the companion receiver that I bought was extremely out of calibration so I have no assurance that the VFO on the Ranger is within calibration. One problem at a time. Before I jump to using the VFO, I would feel more comfortable with something I know is stable.

73,

Jim Holich
AB9SX