QRZ! Ham Radio 1/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - December 1993.iso/arrl/manuals

Text File | 1993-11-21 | 23KB | 650 lines

>From the files at the ARRL Automated Mail Server, ([e-mail]):

Prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc.,
Technical Information Service.

file: manuals.txt updated May 26, 1993

Reprinted from June 1992 QST Lab Notes Copyright 1992 American
Radio Relay League, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thank you for requesting the following information from the ARRL
Information mail server. ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information
free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.

For your convenience, you may reproduce this information,
electronically or on paper, and distribute it to anyone who needs
it, provided that you reproduce it in its entirety and do so free
of charge. Please note that you must reproduce the information as
it appears in the original, including the League's copyright notice.

If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or
distribution of this material, please contact Michael Tracy,
American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
([e-mail]).

This ARRL Technical Information Service handout has been derived
from the June 1992 QST "Lab Notes" column. Information has been
added to keep it current. You should also periodically check the
ham-classified section of ham and electronic publications.

How To Locate Manuals and Documentation

"Excellent rig. Needs a little work." How many times have you
passed up a good deal because you were certain you'd never find
the service information? How often have you sent your rig to the
factory for a bug that you could have fixed if you had the
documentation? Mike Gruber, WA1SVF, one of our ARRL Laboratory
Engineers, has searched high and low to find sources for service
manuals and other useful information. In this month's column he
gives you his results.--WB8IMY

Q: Why do I need documentation for my radio equipment?

A: Unless you're an electronics genius, proper documentation is
often essential to the repair or restoration of any radio
equipment. Even a simple schematic can save hours of time that
would be wasted otherwise.

Q: Okay, but is documentation readily available--even for my
antique receiver?

A: Believe it or not, there is a good chance that documentation
still exists for almost any radio you're likely to encounter. Your
success in finding it, however, depends on knowing what type of
documentation might be available for your particular piece of
equipment.

Q: What types of documentation should I be looking for? Where can
I find them?

A: Let's save the names and addresses for later and begin by
taking a look at the different types of equipment documentation
available. There are several:

Owner's Manuals: An owner's manual is supplied with the unit at
the time of purchase. It's intended primarily as an instruction
manual for the owner. It may not contain a schematic and service
data is usually minimal. Although it's better than nothing, an
owner's manual leaves quite a bit to be desired should a repair or
alignment be required.

Manufacturer's Service Manuals: Service manuals are usually sold
by the manufacturer. They contain vital repair, service and
alignment data. Most manufacturers supply service manuals for
their products, although some may not provide manuals for obsolete
equipment. If you're working with old equipment, it's possible
that the manufacturer may have gone out of business. Keep this in
mind the next time you purchase a new rig. Obtaining a service
manual will take a little extra effort, but you'll be making a
worthwhile investment in the future of your equipment.

Third-Party Service Documentation: This type of documentation is
is published by companies other than the manufacturer. It's
available in several varieties from basic schematics to complete
service manuals. While modern Amateur Radio gear is usually
excluded, third-party documentation offers a wealth of information
on antique receivers and modern consumer electronics.

Q: Wait a minute. You mean that there are companies that publish
and sell service data for another company's products?

A: Certainly! Some of the most noteworthy publishers--past and
present--include:

Howard W. Sams & Company Photofacts: Sams started publishing
Photofacts in 1946 with only 12 employees. Today Photofacts are
accepted as the standard for accuracy. Complete chassis
photographs are included and each component is clearly labeled.

Alignment procedures and normal voltage readings are always
provided. The extensive Photofacts library does not include modern
amateur equipment, but you'll find service data for some of the
classic shortwave receivers made by companies such as Hammurlund
and Hallicrafters.

Photofacts are sold in numbered folders and volumes. To obtain the
correct Photofact, you must find the reference number for your
particular piece of equipment in the Photofact Index.

There is an interesting sidenote to the Photofacts story. Sams
creates Photofacts from actual product samples. Instead of using
the manufacturer's schematics, the circuits are analyzed and
traced by Sams technicians!

John F. Rider Perpetual Troubleshooters Manuals: "Rider's," as
this series is commonly known, was first published in 1930 and
covered radios back to 1926. The first numbered volume, however,
appeared in 1933. New volumes were published at a rate of about
one per year until the last one, volume 23, appeared in 1953.
(Rider's for TVs, however, went from 1948 to 1957, volumes 1
through 18.)

Rider's is indexed by a system that is very similar to the
Photofacts. Several index volumes were published, such as volumes
1 to 7, 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 16 to 22 and 23 only. Unlike Photofacts,
however, Rider used service data provided by the manufacturers.

RCA Victor Service Data Books, commonly called "Redbooks." These
cover RCA receivers manufactured from 1923 to 1950. The first
volume covered receivers from 1923 to 1928. A new volume was
published each year until 1950.

Supreme Manuals: Compiled by M. N. Beitman, these first appeared
about 1930 and covered radios made as early as 1926. One volume
per year was published until the company went out of business in
the 1950s. These generally contain only schematics; Riders and
Photofacts are far more complete.

Hugo Gernsback's Official Radio Service Manuals: Six volumes were
published from 1929 to 1936.

Mallory Radio Service Encyclopedia: First published in the early
'30s, the Mallory Encyclopedias contained a very complete listing
of radios by manufacturer and model number. In addition, an exact
tube complement was given for each product. This information can
be very useful if you are seeking service data for an old radio
with an unknown model number.

Q: Speaking of tubes, what about vacuum tube data? Is that kind of
information still available?

A: It sure is! Data for Eimac tubes, frequently found in amateur
amplifiers and other high-power RF applications, is currently
available from the manufacturer. Transmitting tube data can also
be found in the ARRL Handbook; look for it in Chapter 35 if you
have a recent edition. Data books for other tube types, such as
receiving tubes, have been published by several companies. Most of
these data books are no longer in print. Copies, reprints and even
old originals can still be obtained if you know where to look. Two
of the most popular data books for tubes are:

RCA Tube Manuals: These are probably the most common tube manuals
-- especially for receiving tubes. Separate manuals were also
published for transmitting, special purpose and industrial tubes.
These manuals first appeared in the 1930s and were frequently
updated.

General Electric Essential Characteristics Tube
Data Books: These are similar to the RCA Manuals.

Tube substitution guides have also been published by Sams and John
F. Rider.

Q: Now that I know what I'm looking for, where can I find the
documentation?

A: If you prefer the manufacturer's service manual, start by
contacting the manufacturer directly. If the manufacturer is out
of business, or no longer supplies the manual you need, you have
other options. For example, try obtaining a copy from a manual-
supply company.

If you're working with military gear, manual-supply companies are
also good sources. And, some military equipment manuals can still
be obtained from the government. (More about that later.)

If you think a Photofact or Rider might be available based on the
age and type of equipment involved, check with your local library.
Many city and university libraries have them and will let you make
photocopies provided that no copyright laws are violated.

If your local library can't help you, try one of the "schematic
services" that cater to antique radio buffs. Their prices are
generally quite reasonable. Don't forget to check the hamfest flea
markets and yard sales. Service information can turn up in the
most unusual places!

For a difficult case, you might try a classified ad in QST. A
classified ad in a publication that specializes in the type of
equipment involved (such as Electric Radio Magazine\1/ or Antique
Radio Classified\2/ for surplus or antique rigs) may be very
effective.

ADDRESSES

Q: Come to think of it, I have several radios that could be put to
good use--if they were working! How about those addresses you
promised?

A: Here they are. Good luck with your projects!

    Alinco Electronics, Inc
    438 Amapola Ave
    Suite 130
    Torrance, CA 90501
    tel [phone]
    Supplies Alinco manuals only.

---

    Amateur Wholesale Electronics
    PO Box 224
    1040 Industrial Dr
    Watkinsville, GA 30677
    tel [phone] (technical service and orders)
    Manuals and replacement parts for Azden Radios.

---

    Antique Audio
    41560 Schoolcraft
    Plymouth, MI 48170

Older factory manuals for RCA, Zenith (including Transoceanics)
and several others. Riders volumes 1 through 22, Sams Photofacts 1
through 600, Beitman's volumes 1 through 10 and Sams Transistor
Service Manuals volumes 1 through 90. The price is $5 per
schematic up to 8 pages. Fifty cents for each additional page.
Written inquiries for schematics preferred.

---
    Antique Electronic Supply
    6221 South Maple Ave
    Tempe, AZ 85283
    tel [phone]

Antique Electronic Supply supplies pre-1960 service manuals for
many electronic products, including communications receivers. The
cost is $4.50 each. A catalog of antique radio parts and books is
also available. They offer reprints of some older service manuals,
tube manuals, a tube substitution guidebook and even a ballast
tube manual.

---
    Ardco Electronics
    PO Box 95
    Berwyn, IL 60402

Manuals for 95% of the Hallicrafters product line. The company was
founded by Anthony Dambrauskas, the Hallicrafters service manager,
when Hallicrafters went out of business in 1978. Today, the
business is being carried on by his son Robert. Manuals range in
price from $7 to $20.

---
    Brock Publications
    PO Box 5004
    Oceanside, CA 92052

Manuals for for all amateur equipment sold by Swan Electronics.
Also stocks manuals for Cubic Communications, Astro and Siltronix
products. Brock Publications is a home business owned by Grace
Brock who retired from Swan Electronics/ Cubic Communications in
1990.

___
    Cardwell Condenser Corporation
    80 East Montauk Highway
    Lindenhurst, NY  11757
    tel [phone]
    FAX [phone]

Manuals for Hammarlund equipment. In addition, they also have a
limited supply of components for Hammarlund receivers and transmitters.
They also manufacture roller inductors and variable capacitors.

---
    Center For Legislative Archives
    National Archives
    Washington, DC 20408
    tel [phone]

(Record Group 287) US Army Technical Manuals for radio equipment
manufactured from 1940 to 1979. Photocopies can be obtained at a
cost of 25 cents per page and a $6 minimum order. A "Reproduction
Service Order" must first be completed by the National Archives to
determine the cost of the specific manual you desire. The manual
on this form must be identified by its proper Army Technical
Manual number. If this number is not known, contact your nearest
US Government Depository Library for assistance. (These are
usually the main public libraries in large and medium-sized
cities.) A booklet entitled Indexes and Lists to Army Technical
and Administrative Publications 1940-1979; The National Archives
Microfilm Publications Pamphlet Describing M1641, also available
from the Archives, describes this procedure.
___
    Dean K Kidd, W7TYR
    27270 SW Ladd Hill Rd
    Sherwood, OR  97140
    tel [phone]

Manuals and data for older Tektronix test equipment.

---
    Eico Electronics Instrument Co, Inc
    363 Merrick Rd
    Lynbrook, NY 11563
    tel [phone]

Eico manuals for the last 25 years. Calls are accepted on Monday,
Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM Eastern time.

---
    Fair Radio Sales Co, Inc
    1016 East Eureka
    PO Box 1105
    Lima, OH 45802
    tel [phone]

Manuals for surplus equipment. Also some Tektronix manuals and
vacuum tube data. Catalog available.

---
    Hi-Manuals
    PO Box 802
    Council Bluffs, IA 51502

Extensive collection of manuals from the mid-30s to the 70s.
Amateur Radio equipment is included. You must order from a current
catalog and "dropped list." The cost is $3 for both. Many Heathkit
manuals in stock. They also supply vacuum tube data from the RCA
Receiving and Air Cooled Transmitting Tube manuals and the Rider
#35 Tube Substitution Guide. The cost is $5 per tube plus a
business-size SASE. Your check will be returned if the tube data
is not available. Hi-Manuals cannot accommodate technical
correspondence, quote requests or telephone calls.

---
    Howard W. Sams & Co
    2647 Waterfront Parkway East Dr
    Indianapolis, IN 46214-2041
    tel [phone]
    tel [phone]

You can order Sams Photofacts through your local distributor
(saves postage and handling costs), by mail or by phone. Sams
covers most consumer electronic items manufactured since 1945. A
photocopy service for manufacturer's manuals and Rider's data is
also available.

---
    ICOM America, Inc
    2380 116th Ave NE
    PO Box C-90029
    Bellevue, WA 98009-9029
    tel [phone]

Manuals and parts for ICOM products. Call for prices. Most service
manuals cost around $25 for base and mobile units; $20 for hand-
held units.

---
    Kenwood (East Coast)
    East Coast Transistor Parts, Inc
    2 Marlborough Rd
    W Hempstead, NY 11552
    tel [phone] (orders only)

    Kenwood (West Coast)
    Pacific Coast Parts Distributors, Inc
    15024 Staff Ct
    Gardena, CA 90248
    tel [phone] (Outside CA)
        800-262-1312 (CA only)

    Kenwood product manuals only

---
    Japan Radio Company

Service manuals are available from JRC dealers. The three
companies likely to have JRC manuals in stock are:

    Electronic Equipment Bank
    323 Mill Street NE
    Vienna, VA 22180
    tel [phone]

    Gilfer Shortwave
    52 Park Ave
    Park Ridge, NJ 07656
    tel [phone]

    Universal Shortwave
    6830 Americana Parkway
    Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
    tel [phone]

---
    Jim Farago
    4017 42 Ave South
    Minneapolis, MN 55406-3528

A complete set of Riders, Volumes 1 through 23, covering radios
from 1924 to 1954. The cost is $3 per copy plus SASE. The customer
must provide the unit name, brand name and model number.

---

    Land Air Communications
    95-15 108th Street
    Richmond Hill, NY 11419
    tel [phone]

Authorized dealer for Kenwood, ICOM and Yaesu manuals. Also
carries Collins, Johnson, Hallicrafters, National and other
manuals. Can provide schematics on most equipment dating back to
1945.

---
    Peter Markavage
    27 Walling St
    Sayreville NJ  08872
    908-238-8964

Extensive collection of Laffayette manuals, also some Nation, Clegg,
Heathkit, etc. Send SASE for list.

---
    Musty Manuals
    HamHeaven Communication Corp
    645 Wheeling Rd
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    tel [phone]

An extensive collection of owners manuals, service and maintenance
manuals, catalogs, magazines and other technical facts on all
types of early and late model radio equipment--including ham gear.
Manuals come with updates or articles, product reviews and other
tidbits of information. Catalog available.
---
    MECCA
    1132 Conway Dr
    Newark, OH 43055
    tel [phone]

Used manuals for test equipment, amateur equipment and early
receivers. Prices range from $5 to $35. Send an SASE with your
request for price and availability.

---
    Olde Tyme Radio Company
    Suite 317
    2445 Lyttonsville Road
    Silver Spring, MD 20910
    tel [phone]
    Some RCA Tube Manuals and Riders for sale. Catalog available.

---
    Puett Electronics
    PO Box 28572
    Dallas, TX 75228
    tel [phone] or 214-327-8721

Schematic diagrams "for nearly any radio receiver." Cost is $5
with manufacturer and model number; $15 plus drawing and
description if the manufacturer or model number is unknown.
Reproduction manuals, Rider's indexes, RCA Vacuum Tube Manuals,
and many other service/instruction manuals for classic radios and
related equipment are available. Some amateur equipment manuals
including Collins. Test equipment manuals include Hewlett Packard,
Tektronix, Hickock and others. Also supplies recordings of old
radio shows as well as tubes and other antique radio components.
Catalog available.

 ---
    Radio/TV/Ham Schematics
    Alton H. Bowman
    4172 East Ave, RD 2
    Canandaigua, NY 14424

A large collection of manuals and schematics for Amateur Radio
equipment and other electronic products from 1920 to 1970--many
unusual. Welcomes requests for odd-ball material with and without
model numbers or labels. Prices are $5 for schematics and $7.50 to
$10 for manuals. An SASE is appreciated. Alton emphasizes that
this service is his hobby and not a business.

---
    R. L. Drake Company
    230 Industrial Drive
    Franklin, OH 45005
    tel [phone]
    Drake product manuals only.

---
    Robot Research Inc
    5636 Ruffin Rd
    San Diego, CA 92123
    tel [phone]
    Robot manuals only.

---
    Slep Electronics Co
    PO Box 100
    Otto, NC 28763-0100
    tel [phone]

Operation and service manuals; schematic service for old and new
amateur radios, commercial and military surplus test equipment,
commercial and surplus military radios, antique radios and
equipment manuals. Catalog not available due to large stock. Send
an SASE for price and availability. Include make and model of each
unit.

---
    Sony Publications
    PO Box 20407
    Kansas City, MO 64195
    tel [phone], extension 33 (Customer Service)
     Manuals for Sony shortwave receivers and other products.

---
    Steinmetz Electronics
    7519 Maplewood Ave
    Hammond, IN 46324
    tel [phone]

Schematic copies from a complete set of Rider's and Beitman books,
some older manufacturer's manuals (consumer radios only) and Sams
Photofacts. The cost is $3 for the first schematic copy, $2.50 for
the second and $1.50 for each additional copy. Include an extra
dollar for research if the model number is unknown (SASE
preferred). Also carries vacuum tubes and other parts. Catalog
available.

 ---
    Surplus Sales of Nebraska
    1502 Jones St
    Omaha, NE 68102
    tel [phone]

Stocks a complete line of manuals for Collins amateur equipment
and partial collection of commercial equipment. Call or send an
SASE for price and availability. Collins parts are also available.

---
    Ten-Tec, Inc
    PO Box 8010
    Sevierville, TN 37864
    tel [phone]

Manuals for Ten-Tec products only. Most older manuals are
available and they will make photocopies. Call or write for
specifics.

---
    US Army Military History Institute
    Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5008
    tel [phone]

Technical manuals for military radio radio equipment. If possible,
include the manual number with your request. If this is unknown,
include a complete description of the equipment including the
model name, model numbers and the time period in which the
equipment was in use, if known. Once a specific manual is
identified, it may be obtained in one of two ways. If the
Institute possess three or me copies, one may be borrowed through
interlibrary loan procedures. This process must be initiated at
the your local library. Alternately, photocopies can be purchased.
The minimum cost is $6 for up to ten pages. Each additional page
is 25 cents. Each patron is allowed up to 300 pages per calendar
year. Selected bibliographies of Institute holdings are available
through interlibrary loan.

---
    Varian Associates, Inc
    301 Industrial Way
    San Carlos, CA 94070-2682
    tel [phone]

EIMAC tube data for tubes from 1-kW to 1.5-kW plate dissipation
including all glass-envelope tubes. 200-watt, 800-watt and larger
tubes are manufactured in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can use the
telephone number shown above to access either plant for data on
any EIMAC tube.

---
    VISTA Technology Inc
    3041 Rising Springs Ct
    Bellbrook OH 45305
    tel [phone]

Newly published manuals for selected models of Rockwell/Collins
Amateur Radio equipment. Authorized by Rockwell International.

 ---
    W7FG Vintage Manuals
    3300 Wayside Dr
    Bartlesville OK  74006
    tel [phone]

They have almost all of the old Collins, Drake, Hallicrafters,
Hammarlund, Heathkit, Johnson, National and swan owner's manuals.
They also have a fair selection of many other brands.

    Western Nebraska Electronics
    HC-84, Box 1
    Potter, NE 69156
    tel [phone]

A complete collection of Collins manuals. The cost is $12.50 for a
reprint copy, or $35 for a printed copy. Also carries a large
supply of Collins parts.

---
    Yaesu USA
    17210 Edwards Rd
    Cerritos, CA 90701
    tel [phone]
Owners and service manuals for Yaesu products. Also sells
components.

---Notes: \1/Published monthly by Barry Wiseman, N6CSW, 4 Aspen
Pl, Durango, CO 81301.

\2/Published monthly by John Terrey, 498 Cross St, PO Box 2,
Carlisle, MA 01741, tel [phone].

The members and HQ staff would like to thank the following people
for their contributions to this information file:

WA1SVF

Send any additional information or changes to [e-mail].

73 from ARRL HQ.