Some 32S-1 and early KWM-2 Transceivers
are beginning to exhibit various forms of instability that fails to respond to usual corrective efforts.
A common cause is capacitor C56 in the 32S-1 and C123 in the KWM-2. These are axial-lead ceramic
feedthrough capacitors which are mounted immediately to the right of the 6CL6 driver tube in the PA cage.
As they age, they become frequency sensitive.
At one time the typical symptom of a defective capacitor was
for the transmitter to operate properly on all bands except 15 metres, where it would oscillate. More recent
reports include almost any set of instability symptoms you might describe.
The conclusion is, that if an
older unit shows instabilities, the above mentioned capacitors should be
changed before other repair efforts are made. For a number of years a mica feedthrough capacitor (CPN 912-5232-000)
has been used in the 32S-1 and KWM-2 with complete success. The hole vacated by the old capacitor will have to be
enlarged slightly to accomodate the new capacitor.
The fix is easy.
1. Clip the excessively long wire out (completely) from C6B (and C6B only !)
to pin 7 of V11.
2. Install a 50uf, 50V cap ACROSS R66. By placing this across R66, the cap is
only switched in circuit when needed and COMPLETELY shuts off the tone osc.
when not in use. (no more modulated B+lines or "phantom" tone !!)
Adding a 5uF 400V lytic from the junction of R63/R62 to ground will stop
the "voltage jerk" during break in keying.
3. Last but least, replace C107 with a high-stability metal-film or poly cap of equal value.
Steve Uckerman, N2JXL
32S-1 Transmitter PUB NO. NOTE DATE DESCRIPTION SB 1 6/30/59 Improve VOX Operation SB 2 4/1/60 Improve Carrier Suppression SB 3 8/8/60 Revised 10/1/60 10/13/67 Add VOX Relay Time Constant Control SB 4 8/21/61 (Superseded by 32S-1 SB 4A) SB 4A 2/20/62 To Improve CW Operation SIL 0-59 7/28/59 Use as CW or AM Exciter SIL 1-75 10/15/75 Overcome Instability Caused By Aging SIL 2-75 10/15/75 Extended Operating Range SIL 0-60 2/3/60 VFO Oscillator Drift 32S-2 Transmitter PUB NO. NOTE DATE DESCRIPTION SB 1 Not Issued SB 2 4/1/60 Improve Carrier Suppression SB 3 8/8/60 Revised 10/1/60 10/13/67 Add VOX Relay Time Constant Control SB 3 8/8/60 Revised 10/1/60 10/13/67 Add VOX Relay Time Constant Control SB 4 Not Issued SB 4A 2/20/62 To Improve CW Operation SIL 2-75 10/15/75 Extended Operating Range 32S-3 Transmitter PUB NO. NOTE DATE DESCRIPTION SB 1 8/8/67 Revised 8/31/67 10/13/67 Improve VOX Circuit to Eliminate Intermittent Dropout and Improve Operation of First Audio Amplifier (Supersedes 32S-1 SB 4, and 32S-3 SB 5 and 6) SB 2 9/21/67 Removal of Audio Distortion SB 3, 4 Not Issued SB 5 6/11/63 (Superseded by 32S-3 SB 1) SB 6 7/10/64 Revised 8/28/64 (Superseded by 32S-3 SB 1) SB 7 6/1/72 Revised 8/7/72 10/15/75 Converts 32S-3 to 32S-3A SIL 2-75 10/15/75 Extended Operating Range 32S-3A Transmitter PUB NO. NOTE DATE DESCRIPTION SIL 2-75 10/15/75 Extended Operating Range