Experimenting With Modifications; Conclusion, Learning More - Ten-Tec 1253 Assembly And Instruction Manual

9. Erratic bandswitch operation; bands change when receiver is
bumped. The subpanel is mounted too lightly against the front
panel putting pressure on the switch. Move the subpanel as
needed to correct the problem.
Experimenting with 1253 Receiver Modifications
Radio amateurs and electronics hobbyists are just like car buffs
and many other hobbyists -- ever tinkering with and customizing
their equipment, regardless of whether it is factory-built or kit-
built. This was quite common in the decades before the typical
ham transceiver became an expensive, imported box tightly-
packed with sub-miniature components. We are well aware that
the roomy, straightforward design of the 1253 receiver virtually
invites creative tinkering and perhaps genuine enhancement.
We've seen enough magazine articles over the decades about
minor modification of TEN-TEC equipment to expect this. We
encourage you to make sure the receiver is working as designed
before trying any changes.
You may try building a power supply on the battery shelf in place
of the "C" cell holders. Be prepared for possible AC hum from
the transformer which no amount of filtering may solve. A better
approach could be an external wall transformer with proper
filtering built on the battery shelf. You may wish to change band
coverage characteristics by adding small-value (pF) capacitors in
the board positions conveniently provided for "C35-C42.'" You
may choose to replace the insulated antenna terminal assembly
with some sort of coaxial connector. Or, add an active antenna
circuit and telescoping whip for portability.
Please understand that chatting about modification ideas is
beyond the purpose of T-KIT Technical Assistance.
Conclusion
If you enjoy shortwave radio listening, you'll soon yearn for and
then get or build a more elaborate receiver. You might even
work on getting a ham radio license and setting up a station for
transmitting and receiving. As the years go by, we have a hunch
that you'll always remember the first thrills of building and
listening to your T-KIT 1253. And, because it's compact and far
more sophisticated than the first receivers of yesteryear, we
suspect you'll actually keep it and keep on listening to it when
nobody else is looking!
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