E.F. Johnson Ranger User manual

i ' '\.I
' OPERATIIG MA"UAL
VIKING RA :NGER
TRANSMITTERLEXCITER

Built-in VFO-TVI Suppressed
75 Watts CW Input-65 Watts phone Input
Instant Bandswitching -7 Amateur Bands

RANCER
Effectively TVI suppressed, and completely self-contained, the
Viking "Ranger" transmitter/exciter kit is designed for easy
assembly
by either novice or experienced amateur. A phone
and CW transmitter on the 10 through 160 meter amateur
bands, the
"Ranger" may also be used as a flexible exciter
without modification.
As a transmitter, the "Ranger" is a rugged and compact 75
watt CW input or 65 watt phone unit. 100% AM modulated,
the "Ranger" has a pi-network coupling system that will
match antenna loads from SO to SOO ohms. Covering seven
amateur bands, 160,80,40,20, 15, 11 and 10 meters-built-in
VFO or crystal control features high gain audio within the
communications speech range.
As an
exciter, the "Ranger" will drive any of the popular
kilowatt level tubes and will provide a high quality speech
driver system for high powered modulators . The "Ranger's"
design permits basic control functions for the high power
stage to be handled right at the exciter-no modification or
internal change required to shift from transmitter to ' exciter
operation with all connecting leads TVlfiltered inside the
"Ranger" cabinet.
TRANSMITTER / EXCITER KIT
A nine pin receptacle on the rear of the transmitter brings
out TVI filtered control and audio leads for exciter operation.
This receptacle also permits the "Ranger" to be used as a
filament and
plate "power source and also as a modulator
for operating auxiliary equipment such as a VHF transmitter.
Available at the output receptacle are 6.3 V AC at 5.5 Amp.,
500 V
DC at up to 210 MA and 300 V DC at up to SO MA
along with the full 33 watts output of the modulator.
BUILT-IN VFO- The built-in VFO, patterned after the famous
Johnson
Model 122, is extremely stable. Separate calibrated
bandspread dial scales for each of the seven bands and a
new 6 to 1 planetary dial mechanism using a 2Ya" diameter
knob result in exceptional tuning accuracy with velve t smooth
control. The 28.0 to 29.7 MC calibration alone is nine inches
long and 14 .0 to 14.35 MC covers more than three inches on
the
dial. For permanent accuracy, di al pointer is connected
directly to the frequency determining VFO element. Plexiglass
dial is edge lighted; ruled Plexiglass pointer rides close
against
dial on metal bearing to insure a minimum of parallax.
Precise 10 kc calibration increments on each band provide
l!niform and accurate dial interpretation.
KEYING- Excellent break-in keying characteristic, a special
design aim
in the "Ranger," is achieved by light loading,
voltage regulation and careful circuit design.
Easy to tune, the "Ranger's" basic tuning controls are
located on the VFO Dial escutcheon. QSY within the phone or
CW portion of a band is usually possible by merely changing
the VFO
frequency setting. For larger frequency excursions,
simply touch up the
grid {Buffer! tuning, adjust loading, and
dip the final. Simple as ABC. Other controls, used for
initial tuning, changing bands or changing mode of transmis-
sionare as follows: Off- Tune-Phone-Standby-CW switch,
Bandswitch, Crystal 1-Crystal 2-VFO-VFO
Zero switch, Meter
Off-Osc.-Buffer-Grid-Plate-Mod . switch, Audio Gain, RF
Drive, Coupling and Auxiliary Coupling . The VFO frequency
control, Final Plate tuning and Buffer tuning dials are located
on the VFO dial escutcheon.
TVI SHIELDING AND FILTERING-Completely TVI Sup-
pressed, the
"Ranger" cabinet is sealed electrically, using
flexible monel braid on the inside of the front panel and
large cabinet overlap. A cup type shield seals the meter,
and spring
contact washers on the front panel shafts prevent
possible radiation from shaft clearance openings.
Power line and relay jack have double l type filters, and all
auxiliary socker, meter, dial lamp, key, meter, and meter
lamp leads have l
filter networks. To minimize chassis har-
monics, interior harness leads and filaments are by-passed.
Careful final by-passing plus special circuit techniques minimize
harmonics in the
output circuit.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
VFO-EXCITER- The front panel bandswitch, switches all
stages from the VFO through the final amplifier. The series-
tuned
Colpitts VFO circuit, with temperature compensation
and voltage regulation, is designed to operate very lightly
loaded for maximum stability.
The crystal
oscillator /VFO isolator stage (6Cl6J has broad
tuned plate circuits to eliminate need for a separate tuning
control. The buffer (6Cl6J plate circuit tunes to the operating

l Shielded Meter
-----,H J.~-·'II=II!!!=;====I~
TVI Filters
TVI Filters ----. P:'
~---Shielded Built-In VFO
l
----- "function" Switch
1 High
"Q" Pi-Netw---,-or...;.k __ -+~
Output Coil
1
Coaxial Output Connector
Key Jack -----..J
::::;J ---- Relay Jack
1 Microphone
Jack ____ l~i~.ilg •• 1!l1l1i -r=;:;...--- Plug-for exciter operation
1 Fused
line Plug ----'-----
1
frequency at all times, maintaining a relatively high C/l ratio
to insure good harmonic and subharmonic rejection. A sep-
arate front panel drive control allows precise drive adjust-
ment
for optimum amplifier performance.
1 FINAL
AMPLIFIER-An efficient pi-network tonk circuit is
designed to handle 50 to 500 ohm resistive antenna loads
and is capable of tuning out large amounts of reactance.
Plate circuit capacitor switching provides the best combination
1
of variable and podding capacity for ease of tuning and
proper loading. Final amplifier tube is a 6146.
SPEECH-MODULATOR
SECTION-A three stage triode
speech amplifier, with inverse feedback, provides exception-
J
"..... ally flat response and stable, low impedance drive to the
110dulators. The first
two amplifier stages consist of cascade
connected triode sections of a 12AX7 working into a parallel
connected 12AU7 power driver. Extra high speech gain
permits the use of virtually any communications type dynamic
]
or crystal microphone. A three circuit microphone connector
is provided to facilitate connection, i.f desired, for push-to-
talk operation.
Push-pull 1614 transmitting type modulators operate within
J tube ratings
to deliver more than sufficient audio power for
100% amplitude modulation. Plate saturation limiting pr,e-
vents
large swings beyond full modulation, at the some time
providing some limiting of the waveform to reduce distortion
and spurious output if transmitter is over-modulated .
A special
feedback loop, using a tertiary winding on the
modulation transformer, provides damping for exceptional
stability and flat response in the speech stages and provides
improved regulation for directly driving closs B2 modulators
when the "Ranger" is used as on exciter . Frequency response
is flat within 3db from 250 to 3000 cycles and falls off rapidly
above and below these frequencies. Audio quality is very
pleasing yet has the extra audio punch needed for com-
munications effectiveness.
or auxiliary power
ClAMPER- The clamper circuit, using a pentode connected
6AQ5, protects the final tube in case of excitation failure,
yet allows full modulation swings without danger of peak
distortion.
POWER SUPPLY AND CONTROL-Self-contained low volt-
age and high voltage power supplies use choke input filtering
-high voltage supply delivers 500 to 525V DC to the final
and
modulators-low voltage supply delivers300 V DC for th e
exciter and speech stages.
A
separate relay jock (with internal TVI fllte'rs to prevent
harmonic radiation from connecting wires) provides 115 V
AC for antenna change-over and control relays. The relay
jack is energized by the Operate Switch on the front panel.
Transmitter fuse
is located in the 115 volt power plug for
easy access.
Complete instructions for using the "Ranger" as a self-
contained Transmitter, as an Exciter and Speech Driver, or
as a Power and Modulator source for VHF-UHF transmitter
are included in the instruction manual. No internal changes
necessary when switching
from transmitter to exciter opera-
tion-ail functions handled at standard 9 pin power recep-
tacle and matching plug at rear.
Crystal socket, located on front panel, accommodates two
crystals and can be switched from front panel. Meter is
illuminated and meters all stages with selector switch.
APPEARANCE-Extremely sturdy and compact, the "Ranger"
measures only 15" x 11-5/16" x 9". The 18 gouge steel cabinet
with drawn rounded corners is finished in rich maroon
wrinkle enamel-with a smooth maroon and gray enameled
front panel. Entire chassis and front panel slides out of
cabinet after removing just two knurled tie bolts and 8
shield 'retaining screws.
When removed, topside and under-
chassis are completely accessible. Guide rails insure easy
reinsertion
of the chassis into ,cabinet.
ASSEMBLY-Designed as a complete kit, the "Ranger" may be assembled by either
novice or experienced amateur. Assembly instructions include photographs, diagrams
and step-by-step
wiring directions. All information needed including tube socket
diagrams and
component color coding is furnished with the kit - no outside source
of information required. Chassis, panel, cabinet and all shields are formed and
punched
at the factory. No drilling or other metal work is necessary. Complete to the
last detail, the
"Ranger" kit includes cabinet, knobs, dials, pre-calibrated VFO dial,
/"" 'Vi ring harness, hardware, brackets, connectors, and all necessary electrical compon-
ents. Complete operating instructions included. Shipping weight approximately 54 Ibs.
$179
50
Cat. No. 240-161 "Viking Ranger" Kit, less tubes ........ .. ... . .. . .. . ....... .
Cat. No. 240-161-2, "Viking Ranger'; wired and tested. $258.00 Amateur Net.
AMATEUR NET

CRYSTAL
CHART, BLOCK, AND
SCHEMATIC
DIAGRAMS
6146
Crystal Bands 6AU6
6el6
6el6
p,
CRYSTAL
NETwORK
160 meter 160
osc.
V,O
BUfFER rlNA.1,.
80
AMP.
80
meter 80
40
40
meter 40
20
~12AX7
15
F"iR5T
SPEECH
AMP.
10
6.5 Mc. 11
TO ALL LOW
Chart shows crystals which may POWER STAGE.S
be used full output on the ama-
F'IL.L3v
teur bands covered by the TO
AUDIO
FILAMENTS
"Ranger."
-
E. F. JOHNSON COMPANY
•
WASECA, MINNESOTA
Form 724K054 Catalog No. 724
Printed in U. S. A.