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Re: Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board

To: Topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board
From: Lee STRAHAN <k7tjr@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2020 03:36:06 +0000
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
  Hi Guys,
   I got advance information of the 2N5109 and its cousin the 2N3866 
transistors demise.  I used the 2N3866 in my older design Hi-Z 75 ohm preamp so 
this transistor should suffice in most preamps that used the the 2N5109 . I 
bought a good supply of the 2N3866 devices and can offer them up to the ham 
community for $3.00 each in small quantities. I intend to support hams that are 
in need of these devices in small quantities only which should prolong the 
lives of the ubiquitous single transistor feedback preamp such as the HI-Z and 
the W7IUV.
   I am not selling these transistors through Hi-Z Antennas but through private 
sales. E-Mail through k7tjr@msn.com or address below. There is no profit to me 
involved. There will be postage costs involved also.

      Also do not buy the Motorola labeled 2N3866 or 2N5109 devices from China 
as they are nothing more than audio transistors at best. I tried them.

Lee    K7TJR
8125 SW Larch Dr.
Culver, OR   97734



-----Original Message-----
From: Topband <topband-bounces+k7tjr=msn.com@contesting.com> On Behalf Of 
Richard (Rick) Karlquist
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2020 3:31 PM
To: VE6WZ_Steve <ve6wz@shaw.ca>; Topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board



On 3/1/2020 2:22 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:
> Just like some guys enjoy woodworking and making furniture that they may not 
> really need, I like to build radio things just for the fun of the project 
> even though I may not really “need” it.  For three years I have been using 
> the original 9 circle RX array kit that I bought from DX-engineering, and it 
> has performed well, but I wanted to build my own and add my own design tweaks.
> 
> Using KiCad, I have designed and built a 9 circle RX array combiner with a 
> 2N5109 pre-amplifier integrated onto the same board.
> 

> 73, de steve ve6wz
> _________________
>

Now I know why you work stuff I can't even hear :-)

The 2N5109 is just about extinct.  Did you secure a source for it before you 
laid out your PC board?  If you did, please share it with the rest of us.  Most 
people are now using substitutes for the 2N5109 with varying degrees of 
success.  Are you possibly doing that?  Of course those substitutes are not in 
a hermetic metal can, so the PC board has to be laid out for differently for 
them.

You might want to look at these references for so-called "E-field" arrays of 
whip antennas:

A military design:

https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/documents/DST-Group-TR-3522.pdf

Various improvements to the above:

http://home.earthlink.net/~christrask/Complementary%20Push-Pull%20Amplifiers.pdf

You also find a lot of other good stuff on Chris's site.

They go beyond the DXE design.

Good luck with your project.

BTW, how do you like KICAD?  I'm currently using a grandfathered EAGLE 7.7 
perpetual license, but "some day" I might switch to KICAD.

73
Rick N6RK
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