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• Informative manual answers questions on receivers, hookups and uses - enhances resale value, too! • Ideal companion to the Ramsey QRP20 CW Transmitter • Runs on a standard 9-volt battery • Clear, concise assembly instructions lead you to a finished product that works FIRST time! •...
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RAMSEY MINI-KITS Many other kits are available for hobby, school, scouts and just plain FUN. New kits are always under development. Write or call for our free Ramsey catalog. HR20 AMATEUR RECEIVER KIT INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ramsey Electronics publication No. MHR20 Revision C1 First printing: January 1995 COPYRIGHT 1994 by Ramsey Electronics, Inc.
Ramsey Publication No. MHR20 Price $5.00 KIT ASSEMBLY AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR HR20 AMATEUR RECEIVER KIT TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to the HR20 ....4 About Direct Conversion ....5 Circuit description ......6 Parts list ..........7 Schematic diagram ......9 Parts layout ........10 Assembly instructions ....11 Initial testing ........14...
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The Ramsey HR20 has something fun and easy for each of them. Note To Beginners: Building the HR20 is really no harder than any of our other receivers in this series. Just follow the directions carefully. All you need to know to successfully complete this receiver is contained in this detailed manual.
ABOUT DIRECT CONVERSION RECEIVERS: The HR20 is a “Direct Conversion” receiving circuit. There is no need for IF (intermediate frequency) circuitry. The receiver “processes” the incoming signal right at its own frequency, with no need to mix or transform it with additional internal oscillators and amplifiers running at intermediate frequencies such as 455 KHz.
Still another problem is that of AC line hum whenever an unregulated power supply is used rather than batteries. The Ramsey HR20’s use of the SA602 integrated circuit chip offers a circuit configuration that is as immune as any simple superhetrodyne to the classic problems with Direct Conversion receivers.
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PC mount pushbutton switch (S1) REQUIRED, NOT SUPPLIED: 9-volt battery (alkaline or heavy duty type) Earphone, or small speaker Antenna and suitable cable OPTIONAL: Ramsey Electronics Case and Knob kit, Model CHR or; Your own choice of enclosure and hardware HR20• 7...
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Since we are trying to keep assembly of the board simple, we will not be able to fully describe each individual component’s function as you build, but Ramsey's "Learn-As-You-Build" kit assembly philosophy still stands.
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10. Install D2, 6.2 volt Zener diode. This is the smaller of the two diodes and has a painted glass body. This diode acts as a voltage regulator by keeping the voltage across it constant. 11. Install C10, a 100-220µF electrolytic capacitor. Electrolytic capacitors HR20• 11...
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OPTION: with JMP-1 installed the bandspread of your tuning dial is the normal 250KHz. To get more bandspread in the ham band install C14 as shown in the parts diagram and install R7 (2.2k) in place of JMP-1. 24. Install S1, the power switch. HR20• 12...
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Congratulations! You have completed the assembly of your HR20 receiver kit. Now is a good time to sit back and admire your work and make a final check of all solder joints and component placement.
INITIAL TESTING OF YOUR HR20: You’re now ready to power up and test your HR20, but before you begin take some time to sweep off your bench of any loose component leads or solder splashes. A clean work area not only makes testing less frustrating but also less prone to problems.
Even if your shortwave set does not have a BFO (beat frequency oscillator) for CW-SSB, you’ll still hear a powerful ‘hiss or quieting’ when your shortwave receiver is tuned near the frequency of the HR20. Your shortwave receiver is actually picking up the oscillator signal within the HR20!
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Sideband (LSB), with Upper Sideband (USB) used for 20 - 18 - 15 - 12 - 10 Meter SSB. To check or ‘scan’ a given band for SSB signals, tune your HR20 up from the low end for USB signals and down from the high end for LSB.
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Remember the SA602 circuits similar to the Ramsey HR-series generally call for sets of C or D cell batteries! For Experienced Builders more information regarding audio output is in the general notes.
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• MORE AUDIO POWER - ANOTHER WAY If you want to use your HR20 for casual band monitoring while you are busy across the room, in the shop, to share with a class or club or group and want LOTS more volume, try building up our very inexpensive Ramsey BN-9, 2 watt general purpose amplifier kit.
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DC power supply. A careful check of all construction WILL solve your problem. Over 95% of the kits returned for repair have nothing more than a simple assembly or construction error! HR20• 19...
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ALTERNATE POWER SOURCES: Most of the HR20 circuitry can be operated from 6 to 14 volts without damage or significant modification. However, it is quite important that you carefully hook up with the correct polarity; reverse polarity or excessive voltages WILL damage your kit.
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If you want the opposite of bandspread (that is as MUCH frequency range as possible over full rotation of the tuning knob ) increase the value of C4. This will cause the varactor diode to have greater effect on the tuning. Try values of 33pF up to 100pF. HR20• 21...
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You will experience a frequency change of several KHz when connecting or disconnecting the counter. Also, this additional capacitance in the oscillator circuit reduces the tuning range to approximately 100 KHz, thus offering HR20• 22...
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The following is an audio preamplifier idea submitted by one of our customers. Ramsey Electronics in no way warrants that this modification will achieve any particular ideal signal-to-noise ratio or audio frequency response, but is does significantly boost the output of the SA602 reaching the LM386 audio amplifier IC.
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Make sure the receiver is working properly and that you understand how to use and repair it BEFORE making any changes in the original design. Enjoy it! HR20• 24...
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Notice that this is not a "fine print" warranty. We want you to understand your rights and ours too! All Ramsey kits will work if assembled properly. The very fact that your kit includes this new manual is your assurance that a team of knowledgeable people have field-tested several "copies"...
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Please do not include your own hardware such as non- Ramsey cabinets, knobs, cables, external battery packs and the like. Ramsey Electronics, Inc., reserves the right to refuse repair on ANY item in which we find excessive problems or damage due to construction methods.