TenTec
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TenTec] Century 21 Frequency counter

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Century 21 Frequency counter
From: Dukes HiFi <dukeshifi@comcast.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2017 20:36:22 -0500
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
The Century 21 uses a 500 KHz wide 1st IF that is produced by heterodyning the 
desired signal with a crystal oscillator for each band. 

This 5.0 to 5.5 MHz IF signal is amplified via a broad band IF stage, then 
mixed with the PTO via the product detector to produce the detected signal.

When Ten Tec put counters in most of these early radios, all they did was to 
count the PTO frequency and add (or subtract) that count from a preset for each 
band as determined by the oscillator crystal in use and whether the PTO is 
added to or subtracted from the crystal frequency to get the detected signal. 
The internal Ten Tec counters got this band crystal and add subtract 
information directly from the band switch.

If you use a simple external frequency counter connected via loose coupling to 
the PTO output line, you will only get an indication of the PTO frequency. 
While you COULD simply start from the low end of a given band as indicated by 
the band switch, then mentally add the reading to get actual operating 
frequencies, this would only work on SOME bands. On the other bands, the low 
end of the band is at the high end of the PTO frequency range.

That’s why people seldom try to use external counters with early Ten Tec radios.

A simpler alternative is a small counter that I have. This goes into the 
antenna line and counts the carrier frequency in transmit TUNE mode. This gives 
you a direct readout of actual transmitting frequency, but only when 
transmitting.

Sorry I couldn’t make it easier…

Gary


W0DVN


> On Apr 12, 2017, at 11:31 AM, J. Fielden <gijoe1644@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Where could I attach a freq counter to the C21?
> -- 
> 72/73, Jim - wa4ar
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>