Conar 231 Guide
Assembling
and
Using
your
CONAR
Signal
Tracer
Model
231
QUALITY
EQUIPMENT
BUILT
ON A
HALF
CENTURY
OF
SERVICE
IN
ELECTRONICS
THE
CONAR
MODEL
231
SIGNAL
TRACER
SPECIFICATIONS
Probe: High
input
impedance
FET
connected in a source-
follower circuit
Input
Modes:
Untuned
rf. audio, and three selectable ceramic-
filter tuned inputs covering the standard broadcast i-f
frequencies
(262
kHz, 455 kHz, and 10.7 MHz)
Semiconductors:
Three integrated circuits, three transistors,
and
five diodes
Controls:
Volume control, band switch, coarse
attenuator
switch, fine
attenuator/on-off
switch, and AM/FM switch
Power Requirements: 110 to 120 V
AC
60 Hz
Dimensions:
8-1/2"
wide, 6" high, and 6-1/2" deep
Shipping Weight: 6 lb
CONTENTS
1. Introduction . .
..........
.
..................
Page 1
2. Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
3. Initial Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 30
4. Operation
......
.
..
. . .
.......
.
.........
.
...
Page 32
5. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 34
6. Parts
Li
sts
Probe Circuit Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Main Circuit Board
..
.........
.
.........
....Pages 6, 8 ,
IO
,and 12
Chassis/Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
Front
Panel .
...........
.
............
..
. . . Page 18
Final Assembly . . . .
...................
.
..
. Page 27
THE
MODEL
231
SIGNAL
TRACER
The Model
23
I
is
an
all
solid-state
tuned
signal tracer
of
advanced design.
It
features an active
probe
with an
input
impedance greater than 10 megohms. Band switch selection
of
fixed ceramic filters tunes the
instrument
to
any one
of
the
three common i-f frequencies. In
addition.
an
untuned
rf
input
and
an
audio
input
enable
you
to
trace a signal from the
antenna to the loudspeaker in
almost
any AM, FM, or AM/FM
receiver you might be called
upon
to
service.
If you purchased
your
signal
tracer
wired ,
turn
to page 32
and read the operating
instructions.
If
your
instrument
is
the
kit version,
you
are probably anxious
to
begin
construction,
so
let's get started.
ASSEMBLY HINTS
There
is
no satisfaction like
that
of
building a kit and having
it work perfectly the first time
you
try
it. Here are some
suggestions
that
will help
you
reach this goal.
It's a good idea
to
read over
the
entire
assembly section
before beginning actual
construction.
This way
you
get an
overall picture
of
what
is
to
be done
and
how
each stage
of
the
assembly relates
to
the others. When
you
are ready
to
begin
construction, read each step
through
and make sure you
understand what must be done.
After
you
perform
each step,
check it
off
in
the
space provided and proceed
to
the next
step.
Follow the Instructions.
Perform
each step in the exact
order given.
Don't
try
shortcuts
such
as
omitting
steps or
assembling the kit from the
schematic
diagram.
Our
experience
has shown
that
even veteran
kit
builders make wiring errors
when they fail
to
follow directions. Tracking down and
correcting wiring errors in
completed
kits can be a tedious and
time-consuming process. By far,
the
quickest
shortcut
is
to
follow the assembly
instructions
to
the
letter.
Do a
Good
Soldering
Job.
Poor
soldering
is
the greatest
single cause
of
problems in
completed
units. Most
of
the
soldering in this kit will be done
on
a
printed
circuit board.
This makes it easy
to
do a professional-looking
construction
job
without
being a professional.
You
will need a small pencil
soldering iron.
To
mount
components
on the
circuit
board,
first bend the
leads
to
fit the holes in the
board
using
your
longnose pliers.
Next, pass the leads
through
the
holes and press the
component
down until it rests squarely
on
the surface
of
the
board. You may
bend
the leads
on
the
other
side
of
the
board
slightly
outward
so
that
the
component
stays
put
when you
turn the board over for soldering.
To
solder the
component
leads
to
the foil pads, apply the
tip
of
the iron so .that it
touches
both
the lead and the foil. At
the same time, feed
the
end
of
the solder
to
the lead and the
foil until a small
mound
of
molten
solder surrounds the lead
and covers the pad. When this happens, withdraw the solder
and then the iron.
After the solder has solidified, clip
off
the lead close
to
the
solder
mound
with
your
diagonal cutters. When soldering
components
on the circuit
board,
watch
out
for solder bridges
that
cause short circuits. Each time
you
solder a connection,
make sure
that
the solder
mound
covers only
that
connection
and does
not
run over
to
a
nearby
pad or foil path.
When
you
connect
wires and
components
to
controls and
switches
on
the
front
panel, be sure the mechanical connection
of
the wire
or
lead
to
the terminal lug
is
secure before you
solder. Do this by
hooking
the wire or lead through the
terminal lug, then crimping
it
with
your
longnose pliers before
soldering.
Each chassis wiring step will include a notation such
as
(NS),
(SI),
(S2), or
(S3).
These
notations
tell
you
whether
to
solder the
connection
made
in
that
step and,
if
so
, the total
number
of
wires
to
be
connected
at
that
point. Each time
you
make a solder
connection,
check
to
see
that
you
have the
correct
number
of
wires
connected
to
the terminal lug. The
notation
(NS) indicates
that
a
connection
should
not
yet be
soldered because
other
wires will be added. When
you
install
the last wire,
you
solder
the
terminal, and this will be
indicated
by
the
letter
S followed by a number. The
number
tells
you
how
many
leads are supposed
to
be
connected
to
the
terminal before it
is
soldered.
For
example,
if
a step says,
"Connect
a wire
to
lug 6
(S3),"
there should be three leads
connected
to
this
terminal
before it
is
soldered. In cases where
a wire
or
component
lead passes through a terminal or lug and
connects
to
another
terminal
or
lug, it
counts
as
two
leads, one
entering and one leaving
the
terminal
or
lug.
As
stated
earlier,
poor
soldering
is
the greatest single cause
of
problems in
equipment
returned
to
us
for repair. You can
greatly reduce the possibility
of
poorly soldered connections
in your signal tracer
if
you
clean the leads on the resistors and
capacitors before installing
them.
Do this by scraping the leads
lightly with a knife,
or
twisting
them
between two pieces
of
fine sandpaper. You
can
further
guard against poor soldering
by using a clean,
hot
iron at all times.
Be
sure
that
enough heat
is
applied
to
avoid rosin
joints
. This
is
of
the
utm
ost
importance.
Another
important
point
to
remember
is
to avoid using
too
much solder. Use
only
enough
to
lightly cover the leads and
terminal
you
are soldering. Let any excess solder flow
onto
the
tip
of
your iron and wipe
it
off with a damp
rag
or sponge.
Big
blobs
of
solder on terminals or circuit board pads
are
almost
certain to result
in
trouble.
Lastly,
use
only the solder supplied with this kit. If,
for
some reason, you buy more solder locally, make sure the
container
is
marked "rosin-core solder." Do not
use
acid-core
solder
or
solder paste flux.
If
you
use
either
of
these, you
will
ruin your instrument.
We
cannot service any instrument on
which acid-core solder or solder paste flux has been used.
Use
the Figures. Pictorial diagrams throughout this manual
show the placement
of
parts and the details
of
construction
steps.
In
some cases a part may fit into position
in
more than
one
way,
only one
of
which
is
correct. Study the figures
carefully and make sure that you know exactly how a part
is
to
be
mounted before proceeding.
In
some cases the illustra-
tions
may
be
slightly distorted to show certain details.
In
most
instances, however, the illustrations
in
this manual show
all
parts
in
proper perspective.
Be
sure to route and position
all
wiring exactly
as
shown
in
the diagrams.
CHECKING
PARTS
All
of the small parts
in
this kit are packed
in
plastic
bags.
The
bags
have
identifying labels on them
so
that you can select
the
bag
or
bags
that you need for a particular assembly stage.
For example, the first bag
of
parts that you
will
need
has
a
label that reads
in
part SA-231. This bag
is
divided into
five
separate compartments. The parts
in
each compartment
arc
used
in
the assembly
of
the circuit boards. Parts should
be
removed from the individual compartments only
as
they
are
called for
in
the instructions.
The individual parts list with each
of
the assembly stages
gives
the part number. quantity, description, and price
of
the
parts used
in
that particular assembly stage. You should refer
to these parts lists if you ever
have
to order a replacement part
for your signal tracer or
if
a part
is
missing from your kit.
Do
not try to check the entire parts contents of this kit
at
one time. Instead. gather and check the parts called for
in
each
of
the assembly steps.
If
you find you are missing a part or if a
part
is
damaged.
go
ahead with the assembly after you write
us
for a replacement.
In
cases where
we
feel you may
have
difficulty
in
identifying a part,
we
have placed a small drawing near the
parts list which should help you identify the parts. Nuts and
screws are shown actual size.
You may find
an
occasional parts substitution
in
your kit
such
as
a capacitor rated at a higher voltage (400 V instead
of
200
V)
than one called for
in
the parts list or a resistor having
a closer tolerance (5% instead
of
10%).
These changes
are
minor and
will
not affect the operation
of
your instrument. If
any radical changes are made, a notice
will
be
enclosed with
your kit.
Be
sure to read
all
enclosures before you start the
assembly.
ASSEMBLY
For your convenience. the assembly
of
the
Model
231
is
broken down into four separate stages. At the end
of
each of
the first three stages. you
will
have built a complete
subassembly
of
your signal tracer. Then,
in
the last stage, you
will
connect the subassemblies to make the completed
instrument.
PROBE ASSEMBLY
Locate the following parts from bag SA-231:
Part
No.
CN102
CN113
CN261
EC68
12
Quan.
1
1
1·1/4"
LONG
Description
0.01 µF,
50
volt disc,
+80%,
-20%
tolerance
75
pF
disc, 10% tolerance
1 µF
tantalum,
10% tolerance
Probe circuit board
( )
Price
Each
.38
.10
.74
.60
START
f
1
µF
TANTALUM
COMPONENT
LEAD
OBSERVE
POLARITY
11
( ) 2 ( )
1
/2"
LONG
2k
COMPONENT
LEAD
RED·BLK-RED
10 ( ) 3 ( )
2N4126
TRANSISTOR
15k
SEE
DETAIL
A
BRN-GRN-ORN
9 ( ) 4 ( )
1
MEGOHM
BRN-BLK-GRN
75 pF DISC
8 ( ) 5 ( )
TS20
TRANSISTOR
SEE
DETAIL
A 0.01
µF
DISC
7 ( ) 6 ( )
470k
1"
LONG
YEL-VIO-YEL
COMPONENT
LEAD
Fig. 1. Assembling
the
probe
circuit board.
3
HA902 5 Solder
.06/ft
JAlO
1
Phono
jack with
nut
and
washn
.25
NU15
3/8"
X
32
hex
nut
.03
PL15 1 Probe tip .35
PR-2 1 Black probr, tip .20
PR12 1 Signal tracer probe housing
.4-0
RE73 1 1 megohm, 5%,
1/2
watt .24
(bm-blk-t:m)
RE129 1 2k-ohm, 5%,
1/2
watt .24
(red-blk-red)
REISS 1
470k-ohm,
5%,
1/2
watt .24
(yel-vio-yel)
RE165 1
15k-ohm,
10%,
1/2
watt .24
(bm-t:m-om)
TS20 1
2N5457
transistor
1.00
TS47 1
2N4126
transistor .50
WA14 1 Flat washer .03
Refer now to
Fig.
1 and perform the assembly steps
in
the
order indicated.
MOUNT
TRANSISTOR
APPROXIMATELY
1/4"
ABOVE
BOARD
BEND
DOWN r
..
--
..
'
I"".,
t
I
V1
I 11
Fig.
1.
Detail A.
Refer to Fig. 2 for the following steps:
(
1)
Locate your completed probe circuit board. Solder the
shorter
of
the two wires connected
to
one
end
of
the board to
the center terminal on the
phono
socket. The socket should
end up approximately 1/2" from the end
of
the board
as
shown . . . .
.........
.
...
. . .
.....
..
.....
...
.....
( )
(2)
Wrap
the second wire around the threaded portion
of
the
phono socket
as
shown
...................
.
.......
( )
(3) Carefully insert the probe circuit board assembly inside
the probe housing
as
shown. The threaded portion
of
the
phono socket should
protrude
from the end
of
the probe . ( )
(4) Secure the assembly in place by tightening the
nut
and
washer
(WAI4)
on the
phono
socket firmly up against the
probe housing
.......................
.
....
· · · · · · ( )
F"ig.
2. Installing
the
probe circuit board in the probe housing.
4
Refer
to
Fig. 3 for the following steps:
(5)
Screw the probe tip
as
far
as
it will go into the plastic
nosepiece
..
. .
..........
..
...
..
. .
..
...
.
......
...
( )
(6) Unscrew the knurled collar from the probe tip and set it
aside temporarily .
..
....
.
....
.
.....
..
.
...
.......
. ( )
(7) Slide the probe tip assembly
into
the probe housing, being
careful to guide the free
end
of
the bare wire coming from the
probe circuit board down
through
the
center
of
the tip. This
wire should come
out
of
the small hole on the side
of
the
probe tip
...
.
....
.
....
.
..
. .
...
......
.
...
...
.. ..
( )
(8) Wrap the wire
around
the
probe
tip
in
a clockwise
direction
as
shown. Secure the wire in place
by
reinstalling and
tightening the collar on the
probe
tip .
.....
. . . .
..
.
...
( )
This completes the assembly
of
the
probe. Set it aside
in
a
safe place until called for later. Fig.
3.
Installing
the
probe
tip
and
nosepiece.
5
MAIN
CIRCUIT BOARD
ASSEMBLY
Locate the following parts:
Part
No.
EC91
Quan.
From bag 5A-231:
5084
5086
5095
5096
I
1
19
Description
Main circuit
board
14-pin IC socket
16-pin IC
socket
8-pin IC
socket
Circuit board receptacles
Price
Each
1.75
.75
.75
.50
.05
Refer now to
Fig.
4 and complete the numbered steps
in
the
order shown.
INSERT
FROM
COMPONENT
SIDE
5096
Fig.
4.
Detail
A.
6
2
14-PIN
INTEGRATED
CIRCUIT
SOCKET
3
16
-PIN
INTEGRATED
CIRCUIT
SOCKET
4
8-PIN
INTEGRATED
CIRCUIT
SOCKET
.
01JJF
-~70k-
START
+
10
CIRCUIT
BOARD
RECEPTACLES
SEE
DETAIL
A
CD
at
-.I
en
UI
0 D 0 0 D
"'
"'
D D
I\)
D
,--,
., '
-1JJF--
I~
~
I
-1on-
\
.,,
o 1
,
__
,,'
+
-2.7k-
-22pH-
n
[]
"'
.....
....
+ 0
0
...
-1on-
0
t::
0
.,,
....
I 'C -
.,,
0
....
<
c..
-
I 0
<
.01JJF
• 1
-100-
~D
0
::>
....
-1.Zk-
n
...
•
I
0
....
't:
...,
0
•
....
-
/ \
\ I
'--"'
N
N
0
't:
.,,
--
....
,,
""
'
I ell \
I 0 I
+'
't::
I
'
.....
-:!!
....
...
l~-·0-:..-1JJF-[]
f
~
.01JJF
IC1
---1000JJF/2~V--
+
.01JIF
0
_.
p_.
~
262kHz
~D
-;
c::J •
H % I
DO
NOT
INSTALL
RECEPTACLE
AT
THIS
LOCATION
..
a a a a o a
...
..
...
.,,,,,,,
CD
..i
OI
QI
• <"
5 ( )
9
CIRCUIT
BOARD
RECEPTACLES
SEE
DETAIL
A
Fig. 4. Circuit board assembly, Stage
I.
7
I
bi
OI
::>
l
0 0
.......
ro
.-
0
Locate the following parts from bag SA-231: RE154 3.9k-<>hm,
5%,
1/2
watt .24
(om-wht-red)
REISS 1 470k-<>hm,
5%,
1/2
watt .24
Part Price
(yel-vi~yel)
No.
Quan. Description Each RE164 l lk-<>hm, 5%,
1/2
watt .24
.74 (brn-blk-red)
CN261 1 l
µF
tantalum RE176 l
l.2k-ohm,
5%,
1/2
watt .24
C0175
l
22µH
coil .30 (brn-red-red)
CR4 2 1N60 diodes .45 RE179 l
2.
7k-<>hm,
5%,
1/2
watt .24
CR32 l 12 volt, 10% zener diode .30 (red-vio-red)
REI 2 10 ohm, 5%,
1/2
watt
.24 RS4 l 10
ohm,
10%, l watt .20
(bm-blk-blk) .24 (bm-blk-blk)
RE3
100
ohm,
5%,
1/2
watt
SR17 2 Silicon diodes, l ampere, 50 PIV .21
(bm-blk-bm) .24
RE126
330
ohm,
5%,
1/2
watt
Refer now
to
Fig. 5
and
complete
the
numbered
steps in the
(om-<>rn-bm)
RE139 l 0.56
ohm,
5%,
1/2
watt
•24 order shown.
8
17 ( )
18
2.
7k
RED
-
VIO
-
RED
( )
Q)
....
0 D
START+
OI (JI
0 a
1
1
µF
TANTALUM
OBSERVE
POLARITY
a
22
µH
+
,,,.--'
COIL
----c:::::J>-.!
I
't:
~
\
:-
16 I )
3.
9k
ORN
-
WHT
-
RED
15 ( )
330 OHM
ORN
-
ORN
-
BAN
14 ( )
10
OHM
BRN-
BLK
-
BLK
13 ( )
470k
YEL
-
VIO
-
YEL
12
100 OHM
BRN-
BLK
-BRN
11
1N60
DIODE
OBSERVE
POLARITY
.01Jlf
-c::t-
-c.::r
01
¢i 0
.
01J.1F
..
L:}
.01µF
-c::::r
0
..
(JI
0
"
0 a
~
-
0
....
10
( )
1.
2k
BAN
-
RED
-
RED
-c::r ,
'
--
..
+
-.
..
+ 0
-0
.01µF 0 't:
0
.,,
....
I
"t:
-
.,,
0
~
<
"'
0 I 0
<
-
't:
.,,
•
..
D
-c::t- n
1000Jtf/2SV
a a
--
OI (JI
0
..
'I:
.,.
1k
BRN
-
BLK
-
RED
Fig. 5. Circuit board assembly, Stage II.
9
-
l:
.,,
I
"
--/
N
N
0
't:
...,
-CI:::}-
+
0
( )
2 ( )
10 OHM
BRN
-
BL
K-
BL
K
3
1N60DIODE
OBSERVE
POLARI
TY
4 ( )
10
OHM
, 1
WATT
BRN
-
BLK
-
BLK
5
12
V
ZENER
DIOO
E
OBSERVE
POLARIT
Y
6
SR17
DIODE
OBSERVE
POLARIT
Y
8 ( )
0.
56
OHM
RESISTOR
Locate the following parts from bag SA-231:
Part
No. Quan.
CN46 2
CN86
11
CN159 2
CN288 1
Description
100 µF, 25 volt electrolytic
0.01 µF, 1 kV disc
150
pF
disc
NPO
180 pF, 500 volt silver mica,
5%
tolerance
Price
Each
.45
.18
.09
.25
Refer now
to
Fig. 6 and complete the numbered steps in the
order shown.
10
14
180 pF
SILVER
MICA
13
0.
01
µF
DISC
12
150 pF DISC
11
0.
01
µF
DISC
10
0.
01
µF
DISC
9
0.
01
µF
DISC
( )
( )
( )
15
( ) 16
0.
01
µF
DISC 0.
01
µF
DISC
....
O>c.11
."'
"'
-
p o o a a o a
00
.
0
L::}-
1~~
gO
0
0 :o D .P
-·
;,;;.
~
~
•
....
~
-
··
u
8 . ( ) 7
0.01
µF
DISC
150pFDISC
Fig. 6. Circuit board assembly, Stage III.
11
( )
( )
START
' ( )
0.01
µF
DISC
2 ( )
100
µF
ELECTROLYTIC
OBSERVE
POLARIT
Y
3 ( )
100
µF
ELECTROLYTIC
OBSERVE
POLARITY
4 ( )
0.
01
µF
DISC
5 ( )
0.
01
µF
DISC
6 ( )
0.
01
µF
DISC
Locate the following parts from bag SA-231:
Part
No.
Quan. Description
CN279 2 330 µF,
16
volt electrolytic
CN334 1 220
µF
35 volt electrolytic
CN347 1000 µF, 25 volt electrolytic
COI62 1 Quadrature coil
CR27 1 10.7
MHz
ceramic filter
CR28 1
455
kHz ceramic filter
CR29 1 262 kHz ceramic filter
IG65 1 CA3089 integrated circuit
IG66 1 LM380 integrated circuit
IG67 1 753 integrated circuit
TS43 1 2N4124 transistor
NOTCH
Hg. 7. Detail
A.
Price
Each
.40
.45
.75
.75
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.50
1.75
.45
12
Refer now
to
Fig. 7 and performed the numbered steps in the
order shown.
This completes the assembly
of
the main circuit board. Set
the completed board aside in a safe place until called for later.
CR29
Hg. 7. Detail
B.
12
1/
2"
JUMPER -USE
COMPONENT
LEAD
11
QUADRATURE
COIL
10
CA3089
SEE
DETAIL
A
9
2N4124
SEE
DETAIL
B
8
753
SEE
DETAIL
A
( )
( )
( )
c
-
13
330
µF
ELECTROLYTIC
0
CD CD
a o o
c.__:)
:::>
-c::J-
c___ _
• f
ij
262kHI
iD
0 "
..
c 0 0
..
--
...
• •
....
•
7 ( )
455
kHz
FIL
TEA
( )
0
u
6
0
...
...
10
.7
MHz
FIL
TEA
0
( )
Fig.
7.
Circuit
board
assembly, Stage IV.
13
START
+ ( )
LM380
SEE
DETAIL
A
2 ( I
220
µF
ELECTROLYTIC
OBSERVE
POLARITY
3 ( )
330
µF
ELECTROLYTIC
OBSERVE
POLARITY
4 ( )
1000
µF
ELECTROLYTIC
OBSERVE
POLARITY
( )
262
kHz
FIL
TEA
CHASSIS/REAR
PANEL
ASSEMBLY
Locate the following parts:
Part
No.
CH86
PAS6
TR106
Quan.
From
bag
38-231:
FU6 l
GR8 l
HA86
4
IN21 l
NUl
4
PCl l
PL13 2
SC97 4
WAIS
4
@
NU1
Description
Main chassis
Rear panel
Power transformer
l
ampere
fuse
Strain relief
Circuit
board
standoff
insulators
Fuse
holder
6-32
nuts
Line
cord
Oiassis
mount
PC
connectors
6-32 x
3/8
11
black Phillips-head screws
No. 6 lockwashers
GAS
PL
13
SC97
Price
Each
l.7S
l.7S
2.so
.22
.15
.OS
.43
.03
.40
.40
.03
.02
(A)
(B)
(C)
Fig. 8. Detail A.
14
