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IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION! PLEASE READ
Return Policy on Kits When Not Purchased Directly From Vectronics: Before continuing
any further with your VEC kit check with your Dealer about their return policy. If your Dealer
allows returns, your kit must be returned before you begin construction.
Return Policy on Kits When Purchased Directly From Vectronics: Your VEC kit may be
returned to the factory in its pre-assembled condition only. The reason for this stipulation is,
once you begin installing and soldering parts, you essentially take over the role of the device's
manufacturer. From this point on, neither Vectronics nor its dealers can reasonably be held
accountable for the quality or the outcome of your work. Because of this, Vectronics cannot
accept return of any kit-in-progress or completed work as a warranty item for any reason
whatsoever. If you are a new or inexperienced kit builder, we urge you to read the manual
carefully and determine whether or not you're ready to take on the job. If you wish to change
your mind and return your kit, you may--but you must do it before you begin construction, and
within ten (10) working days of the time it arrives.
Vectronics Warrants: Your kit contains each item specified in the parts list.
Missing Parts: If you determine, during your pre-construction inventory, that any part is
missing, please contact Vectronics and we'll send the missing item to you free of charge.
However, before you contact Vectronics, please look carefully to confirm you haven't misread
the marking on one of the other items provided with the kit. Also, make certain an alternative
part hasn't been substituted for the item you're missing. If a specific part is no longer
available, or if Engineering has determined that an alternative component is more suitable,
Vectronics reserves the right to make substitutions at any time. In most cases, these changes
will be clearly noted in an addendum to the manual.
Defective Parts:
Today's electronic parts are physically and electrically resilient, and
defective components are rare. However, if you discover an item during your pre-construction
inventory that's obviously broken or unserviceable, we'll replace it. Just return the part to
Vectronics at the address below accompanied with an explanation. Upon receipt, we'll test it.
If it's defective and appears unused, we'll ship you a new one right away at no charge.
Missing or Defective Parts After You Begin Assembly:
damaged after construction begins are not covered under the terms of this warranty. However,
most parts supplied with VEC kits are relatively inexpensive and Vectronics can replace them
for a reasonable charge. Simply contact the factory with a complete description. We'll
process your order quickly and get you back on track.
Factory Repair After You Begin Assembly: Kits-in progress and completed kits are
specifically excluded from coverage by the Vectronics warranty. However, as a service to
customers, technicians are available to evaluate and repair malfunctioning kits for a minimum
service fee of $18.00 (½ hour rate) plus $7.00 shipping and handling (prices subject to
change). To qualify for repair service, your kit must be fully completed, unmodified, and the
printed circuit board assembled using rosin-core solder. In the event your repair will require
more than an hour to fix (or $36.00, subject to change), our technicians will contact you in
advance by telephone before performing the work. Defective units should be shipped prepaid
to:
Vectronics
1007 HWY 25 South
Starkville, MS 39759
Parts and materials lost or

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Summary of Contents for Vectronics VEC-1120K

  • Page 1 From this point on, neither Vectronics nor its dealers can reasonably be held accountable for the quality or the outcome of your work. Because of this, Vectronics cannot accept return of any kit-in-progress or completed work as a warranty item for any reason whatsoever.
  • Page 2 When shipping, pack your kit well and include the minimum payment plus shipping and handling charges ($25.00 total). No work can be performed without pre-payment. Also, provide a valid UPS return address and a day time phone number where you may be reached.
  • Page 3: Tools And Supplies

    100-kHz or less. Use it on-the-go or at home with your home-brew or Vectronics QRP CW transmitter kit. Powered by a common 9-volt transistor battery, it’s always ready for action...
  • Page 4: Before You Start Building

    VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual BEFORE YOU START BUILDING: Experience shows there are four common mistakes builders make. Avoid these, and your kit will probably work on the first try! Here's what they are: 1. Installing the Wrong Part: It always pays to double-check each step. A...
  • Page 5: Resistor Color Code

    VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual If you make a mistake and need to remove a part, follow these instructions carefully! First, grasp the component with a pair of hemostats or needle-nose pliers. Heat the pad beneath the lead you intend to extract, and pull gently. The lead should come out.
  • Page 6 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual on during construction. Some builders find it especially helpful to arrange resistors in ascending order along a strip of double-sided tape. Some VEC kits may contain molded chokes which appear, at first glance, similar to resistors in both shape and band marking. However, a closer look will enable you to differentiate between the two--chokes are generally larger in diameter and fatter at the ends than resistors.
  • Page 7: Parts List

    VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual Transistors: If transistors are installed incorrectly, damage may result when power is applied. Transistors in metal cases have a small tab near the emitter lead to identify correct positioning. Semiconductors housed in small plastic cases (TO-92) have an easily-identified flat side to identify mounting orientation.
  • Page 8 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual then be able to identify it by process of elimination. Finally, your kit will go together more smoothly if parts are organized by type and arranged by value ahead of time. Use this inventory as an opportunity to sort and arrange parts so you can identify and find them quickly.
  • Page 9 2.2 uH molded choke (red-red-gold) .211 uH variable inductor, green coil form 470 pF monolithic (471) The following list of parts is common to all models of the Vectronics direct conversion receiver and should be included in your kit. Please inventory the following parts: Capacitors: "...
  • Page 10 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual LM386 audio amplifier, 8-pin DIP LM602 linear RF IC, 8-pin DIP 78L05 voltage regulator Connectors: " Part Description Designation RCA jack, ANT connector, pc mount 1/4 earphone/speaker jack, pc mount Miscellaneous: " Part Description Designation IC sockets, 8-pin DIP...
  • Page 12 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual STEP-BY-STEP ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Before assembling your kit, please take time to read and understand the VEC kit warranty printed on the inside cover of this manual. Read through the assembly instructions to make sure the kit does not exceed your skill level.
  • Page 13 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual Not Good Good “Solder” When you are directed to solder, this means to solder the part’s leads in place, and to inspect both (or all) solder connections for flaws or solder bridges. If no soldering problems are noted, nip off the excess protruding leads with a sharp pair of side cutters.
  • Page 14 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ! ! 1. Install the 1.0-uH molded-choke (brown-black-gold) at the L2 location designated by the silk-screened legend on the PC board. Solder. ! ! 2. Install and solder the 10-uH choke (brown-black-black) at location L3. ! ! 3. Install and solder the 470-pF monolithic capacitor (471) at location ! ! 4.
  • Page 15: General Assembly

    This completes the installation of parts unique to the 30-meter receiver. Proceed to the section titled "GENERAL ASSEMBLY". VEC-1120K 20-Meter Receiver: ! ! 1. Install the .22-uH molded-choke (red-red-silver) at the L2 location designated by the silk-screened legend on the pc board. Solder.
  • Page 16 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual need only read the first three bands of the color code during the following steps. All resistor leads should be formed as shown below. Install and solder resistors at the following locations: .4" ! ! 2. R2 15-ohm (brown-green-black) ! ! 3.
  • Page 17 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual rectangular shaped notch. The silk-screen legend on the PC board will indicate proper orientation. Inspect each socket carefully, and straighten any bent pins before attempting to installation. Important Note: If you do not wish to use sockets with your kit, you may omit them and mount the ICs directly into the board (an option experienced builders may prefer).
  • Page 18 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual 78L05 ! ! 9. Install the 78L05 so its body is keyed to the silk-screen outline for IC U2. Re-form U2’s leads as needed so it sits close to the board. Solder. Installation of Electrolytic Capacitors: Electrolytic capacitors are polarized devices, and must be inserted with respect to polarity.
  • Page 19 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ! ! 2. Stress relief is provided to prevent battery leads from flexing and eventually breaking at their connection point. Find a hole part-way back on the left edge of the PC board (near SW1). Use the plastic tie- wrap provided in your kit to secure the battery leads in place, as shown below.
  • Page 20 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ! ! 6. Locate the RCA jack. Install at J1, making sure it is fully seated and level before soldering in place. ! ! 7. Find the double-sided adhesive tape. Remove one of the protective covers to prepare for installation.
  • Page 21 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ! ! 15. Solder the jumpers to the capacitor rotor lugs, and to the ground foil run on the bottom of the PC board. ! ! 16. Cut a 6” length of 24-AWG insulated hook-up wire in half.
  • Page 22 Important Note: To perform alignment and tests, you will need knobs on the control shafts for the tuning capacitor and gain control. These knobs are not included in your direct conversion receiver kit. However, Vectronics makes a customized enclosure for your kit (VEC-1100KC), which includes knobs.
  • Page 23 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ALIGNMENT The receiver tuning capacitor may need to have jumpers installed to allow tuning over wider sections of the band you wish your receiver to cover. Several options are shown in the tables below. Chose the maximum tuning range that best meets...
  • Page 24 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual VEC1180 tuning: 302pF 350 kHz 262pF 310 kHz 222pF 270 kHz 180pF 230 kHz 140pF 190 kHz 82pF 110 kHz 40pF 55 kHz VEC1140 tuning: 302pF 262pF 222pF 180pF 310 kHz 140pF 250 kHz 82pF 150 kHz...
  • Page 25 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual Local Oscillator Alignment: There are several methods for aligning the local oscillator portion of the receiver. Use the method that is easiest for you. Using a receiver: ! ! 1. Place the VEC-11xx direct conversion receiver next to an Amateur or general coverage receiver that covers the band of interest.
  • Page 26 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ! ! 3. Connect a speaker or headphones to jack J2 on the receiver. ! ! 4. Set the receiver gain fully CW (clockwise) and the tuning knob fully CCW (counter clockwise). ! ! 5. Select a tuning tool that properly fits coil L1. The 20 meter kit requires a hex type alignment tool.
  • Page 27: Final Alignment

    VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual or inserted into the coil. You will have to adjust the coil in small increments, and observe the point where the proper frequency is reached when the tool is removed. FINAL ALIGNMENT Once the tuning range is set, the RF input stage must be peaked for best sensitivity.
  • Page 28 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS The Vectronics direct conversion receiver can be installed in a variety of enclosures of your own design or choosing. Radio Shack offers many inexpensive and attractive cases that may be adapted for this purpose. You might consider selecting a case roomy enough to house an internal speaker, or larger battery pack.
  • Page 29 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual simple to make, and are very effective antennas. For QRP work, or for receive only applications, low-cost RG-58 52-ohm coax is fine. CATV 75-ohm cable, such as RG-59, will also work well. The formula: 234/(frequency in MHz) = 1/4-wavelength in feet will give the length of wire needed for each leg of the dipole.
  • Page 30: In Case Of Difficulty

    IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY Only high-quality components and proven circuit designs are used in Vectronics kits. In very rare instances is a defective component the source of a problem.
  • Page 31 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual You can “prove” the LO is working by listening for its signal on a monitor receiver. See if this general checklist helps isolate your problem: 1. Does not turn on: Check battery condition, snap clip, and power leads.
  • Page 32 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual THEORY OF OPERATION AND SPECIFICATIONS Technical Circuit Description: Potentiometer R1 serves as a continuously variable RF attenuator and is the receiver gain control. Using the RF gain control to set volume is advantageous as it also reduces strong in-band signals that could otherwise overload the receiver front end.
  • Page 34 VEC-1120K/1130K/1140K/1180K Instruction Manual ENCLOSURE Vectronics has designed a matching enclosure just for your Direct Conversion Receiver Kit. The matching enclosure is an all metal box which includes knobs, hardware, decals, and rubber feet. Enclosure model: VEC-1100KC. To install your receiver in the VEC-1100KC matching enclosure follow these instructions (read all instructions before beginning ...

This manual is also suitable for:

Vec-1130kVec-1140kVec-1180k

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