TALES OF THE AC-1!
Joe, I have enjoyed your
site and the many fine contributions regarding the
Ameco AC-1 novice transmitter. After reading
several nostalgic letters of hams who had one as a
young novice, I decided to copy the transmitter
from the schematic here on your web site. I
designed the artwork and had a silk-screen made to
screen the front panel after painting. See attached
picture of the W9BMW copy AC-1A. It was a fun
project and it really works great. I have been fortunate
to locate and restore two Ameco AC-1 transmitters
since building the copy. They turned out great! I
created a copy of the artwork and made a
silk-screen for these and any future restorations.
(see before and after picture) I use my home-brew
copy and my other Ameco transmitters all the time.
I have had many great QSOs all across the country.
I operated SKN this New Year's Eve with only my
AC-1 and made lots of entries in the log. It is
always nice to note the surprised response of the
ham when I tell them I am on an Ameco AC-1
TX. Thanks for your
recognition of the Ameco AC-1 and what role it
played in getting so many young hams on the air. It
continues to be a sought after piece of ham history
and anyone who locates one and gets it on the air
can consider themselves truly lucky. Thanks for the nice
website and hope to work you and others with AC-1
to AC-1 on the air! Regards, Monte Allen W9BMW
Dear Sir, I have some old pointer knobs
for you, if you will send me your address. My E-mail address is
[email protected]. The transmitters here are
all homebrewed. The main
transmitter is a 10GK6 / 1625 MOPA transmitter. The back up transmitter is a
21LR8 MOPA. I found your website last week and started pulling parts to
build a homebrew version of the AC-1. 73's Best regards, Rich WB3COB
I bought mine used in 1959
(then call KN4QZO) Used it about 4 months with
S38C. First Class!! Bought for $10 and gutted it
for parts later on UGH! I do have the ORIGINAL
manual. I just may home brew
one. 73 Charles
K4QZO
Boy....does that bring back
memories....thanks for sharing that story about your AC-1 even though the
ending was very sad!!! I had an ac-1 that worked!! and
I a had a companion 1 tube regen receiver that I also built ....it looked
like the ac-1 (same type chassis and looks) but I am not sure if it was by
Ameco. Anyway...my first (sort of)
contact was on 40 meters.....I was so nervous that when I heard my own call
being sent by someone else on cw, I started shaking so much all I could do
was listen in amazement as that unknown W5 was pounding out my call
letters ....KN6ZSR ....KN6ZSR....KN6ZSR. But
KN6ZSR couldn't answer his call
because KN6ZSR's whole body was shaking so much that his fist couldn't
manipulate that brand new J-38 that was connected
to the AC-1! My fist just wouldn't
steady through all the shaking of my body for me to return his call!! Oh
boy ....that was a time when wireless communication was pure
unadulterated MAGIC and just too much for a young
boy of 12 years to handle at that
time. Thanks again for your wonderful
story about your AC-1. If you find an extra AC-1 please let me know! And by
the way.....How can I subscribe to Stogies, Skirts and Shortwave
? Regards, Mike, K6ZSR Webmaster, Electron
Bay
Very nice. I've had the
schematic on my wall for a while. Maybe I'll try to build one sometime. I'm sure
I'm never going to find one at a hamfest. 73, Nick, WA5BDU
Hi Joe: Still have MY AC-1 on the shelf
here. It last spit RF in 1973. I received the rig, already
built, as a gift from my uncle, K8CFO, in recognition of my passing my
Novice exam in 1967 and becoming WN9UWU. Coupled with my trusty Knight
Kit STAR ROAMER, I actually worked 80 and 40 meter QSO's on a fairly regular
basis with an 80 meter dipole and a knife switch coupling the antenna to
either transmitter or receiver. The AC-1 was eventually replaced by a DX-60A
and the STAR ROAMER went on the shelf in favor of a HQ-170A. That
HQ-170, BTW, was carried home, by hand, from the train station several blocks
away. No UPS in those days...my box came by REA Express from Henry Radio in
Butler, MO. The AC-1 came off the shelf in
1973 when I was relicensed as WN9JLK. I suspended a slinky from my dorm
room window and worked North America with impunity (and more than a few
TVI complaints). The old girl has been on the shelf ever since. I lost my photocopied manual
long ago, but I still have the halved tube base I employed as a plug for the
key leads (J-38!). Thanks for the
memories. 73, de Mike,
K9UW Amherst, WI
I am amazed at the interest in
the Ameco AC-1. About 3 years ago I was walking through a
small hamfest in central Ohio and spotted an Ameco box on
the table. Low and behold, it was an AC-1 NEW IN THE BOX AND
UNASSEMBLED. Needless to say I bought it. I hesitated
building it for a long time because it probably is the only
one still in kit form. One Saturday I decided it was time
and built it. It is absolutely mint. I made about 5 contacts
on it and put it on display in the shack. What a great
collectors item. de Jerry K8RA
Enjoyed your little web article
on the Ameco AC-1. Don't specifically remember that rig but I built a
6V6 oscillator transmitter on a cake pan about 1967. I don't recall that
it ever worked either HI. Just finished building a 12BY7/1625
transmitter from the 1964 ARRL handbook. Fired it up literally tonight.
Seems as though the switch I added to switch 110 VAC to a remote
Tx/Rx relay was wired directly across the AC line instead of in series. Blew
a 10 or 15 amp breaker in my power strip and filled the room with
smoke HI. Rewired it and got the transmitter up and running and
contacted Michigan, British Columbia and Montana on 80 Meters. Used
empty plastic pill bottles for coil forms. Next project is to wind the
coils for 40 meters and find some more crystals to use. Next project
is a transmitter from a ham named Harry in Upplands Sweden. Uses two
tubes and delivers 7 or 8 watts. good luck with the Ameco. 73 Bud WAORGG Colo Springs CO
I never owned an AC-1, but a
few years ago, in cleaning out the shack of a friend SK, I found the
documentation for one...no AC-1, just the
assembly instructions. I became a novice in 1962,
lured by the interesting QST magazines my uncle (W6GBK) left at my house. I
remember wondering how the AC-1 in the ads in back of the magazine could be
for a real "transmitter" when the photos in the front of the magazine
showed ham stations with Collins and Hallicrafter transmitters with tuning dials
and meters. The AC-1 couldn't really be a transmitter, could it? It was
some time before I learned how simple a transmitter could
be. Ever since finding the AC-1
documentation I have been planning to build a replica. I have all the parts
(many times over) and only need to get a few other higher priority projects
out of the way. I will bookmark your page and
keep in touch. Would especially like to get the front panel artwork as
close as possible to original...by the way, gray hammertone paint is available.
I got some at WalMart and used it on an old cabinet. Roger K6XQ
1960 was an ac-1 and a bc
348,still have the bc 348.About two months ago started thinking about the ac-1
found one on the internet within a week.Bought it for $20+$10
shipping. It's in fair shape replaced the filter cap,and 6x5 and 6v6 with nos in
the box tubes. Loads up fb into a 25 watt bulb.Am presently rebuilding my
shack to fit the old novice rig and my old upgrade rig a Heath DX40 &
NC98.Great to find this site and read all the notes about the AC-1. 73 Tom,
WA6APN
Just stumbled across this site
and couldn't help but smile. The AC-1 was MY first novice rig when I was
about 14...put it together with my father looking over my shoulder. Fired
it up...nothing. Never did make a contact on it. Unfortunately I didn't know
anyone who knew any more than I did. Thanks for the
memories! Geoffrey C. Malloy
Dear Joe I keep your website as one of
my favorites and every once in a while I drop in to see my
favorite transmitter. Like every one else it did not work
very well and mine was soon replaced with a DX-20. With that
I worked the world. But the AC-1 I built with my father when
I was aged 10 and for that reason would like to find one.
Thank you on behalf of all of us for printing the schematic
and parts list. I would love to homebrew one. One of your
writers had a wonderful idea for you to scan the face so we
could make up decals of the transitter. Again thank you for your
website is is deeply appreciated, enjoyed, and brings back
many fond memories. From WA2ZWE Tom
Monahan
I have been looking for an
Ameco AC-1 for a long time. I never found one - so decided to build my own. The
photo is attached. It was a quick digital camera and the photo does not
do it justice. There are a few variations
which I will note. The chassis was slightly smaller than original, and the
transformer slightly taller. Because of these changes, I thought I
would "improve" the original AC-1 by the following
modifications. 1. The 6X5 was deleted and
solid state rectifiers used. 2. A real key jack was added on
the back to be compatible telegraph keys. 3. A real crystal socket was
used. 4. A real coax fitting was used
for the antenna. 5. A toggle switch replaces the
slide switch. A slightly modified layout was
used to fit the components - but it sure does have the flavor of the AC-1. I
call this model the AC-2. The decal is home made. Note
that the lightning bolt is a single rather than a double - a sure sign it
is a fake. My power transformer was
slightly less voltage than the original and the
rig has 3.5 watts output on 40
meters. It is somewhat critical as to crystals - but that was the way most 6V6
oscillators were. It is fun to use. I will build
a home brew regen receiver to go with it. 73, Colin
K7FM
Alex, HB9OBZ
Hello Joe: I have been reading with great
interest about the Ameco AC-1 transmitter. You are not going
to believe this, but I never knew much about this
transmitter, but I did build a transmitter back in 1963 that
looks almost identical in layout to the AC-1. Even used one
plug in type coil and a power transformer from and old tube
radio with a 5Y3 rectifier and choke filter. The oscillator
tube was a 6AG7 in a colpits configuration using a 40 meter
crystal. The output coil was a 4-pin plug in type with link
coupled output. Tune up was by connecting a 4 watt red
christmas tree buld to the SO-239 connector and tuning for
max brilliance then connecting the rig to a dipole antenna.
I even had a 20 meter plug in coil so I could double the 40
meter output to 20 meters. I worked all over the world
with this rig. I figured it ran about 5 watts or so QRP. It
delivered a chirp free pure DC note to the antenna. I still
have it and can report it works perfectly to this day. I
loaned it to ham friend in 1968 when I went into the Navy
for four years and he worked the world with it too. I got it
back from him when I got out of the Navy in 1972. It looks
so much like the Ameco it scares me. Just thought you would
enjoy hearing about it. I will send you a schematic diagram
of it if you like. Thanks for reading this and very best
regards. Willard H. Killough, Jr.,
PE 501 Green Court Carolina Beach, NC
28428
Hi Folks, I am writing this note to let
you know of the pleasure I have received from building and
using the AC-1. My search for parts took about 6 months and
about 1 month to build. Everything is built as close to the
original as possible. I love this little rig. After construction and initial
checkout, it loaded up a 7.5 watt light bulb quite well. So,
I put it on forty meter cw and wow.....four contacts
immediately....I sure was impressed. I have now been using
it for two weeks and have totaled 20+ contacts on 40 meters.
My signal reports have varied from 579-to-599 and distances
of up to 600 miles. I live west of Chicago about 100 miles
(Rockford) and have worked in West Virginia and
Maryland. It is such a pleasure to use
this little rig and I usually get calls whenever I send CQ.
To those of you that would like to build one from scratch,
believe you me that the parts are not very critical. I found
all the parts in my junk box or other ham's junk boxes. I
still have a problem with the antenna loading
capacitor....it doesn't load like it should, but it does
work. I used a 0-100ma meter in the key line to help me tune
up the unit. Without this remote meter, I would not be able
to tune properly. Also, I use a remote field strength meter
to help me tune up. If any one needs technical
input on building the AC-1 from scratch, drop me a note and
we will see what we can do. Email is [email protected].
K0WRX, Pete, in Rockford, Illinois. You web site is a pleasure and
has brought me a lot fun and memories. Keep up the good
work, Alex. P.S. Thanks for the data you
supplied me on the AC-1 transformer/supply specs. I usually
load my AC-1 to 20-40 ma and let it blast away. Still have not found the
correct knobs or how to make the decals, but it will come
one of these days. So, look for me blasting away around 7120
+/- with my new AC-1 copy. Thanks so very
much......Pete....K0WRX,
[email protected]
Joe,
Thanks so much! I was surprised to see all that info on the
AC-1. I just printed it out for my file....Tom
W3GNM
Hi my name is Tom call since 1973 WA6APN,call in 1960 was
WV6KAL. My rig in
Dear Joe,
I have been so fascinated by your wonderful page on the AMECO AC-1 that I have
not hesitated to find one on Ebay.
I must say that I am a Heathkit Boatanchor collector, but the AMECO AC-1 has
really won and captured my attention.
This little jewel is such a simple and effective rig enabling the amateur to
establish a CW contact thousand of miles away with just an oscillator tube
and a handful of components !!! And it glows in the dark !!!
Furthermore it was originated and commercialized around the years of my
birth (1961).
The AC-1 I own is the one with the "Ameco" cursive version paint scheme instead
of the OVAL logo. In my opinion this should be the early version (about 1958-1959?). I also own
a photostat copy of the manual of the early version and the ORIGINAL of the
latest version. The latest version has some different components such as the antenna loading
capacitor (900 pF dual section) different from the early version (365 or 400 pF
single section). Furthermore the latest version does not have the power choke and the
electrolytic capacitor is of 20 uF instead of a dual 8+8 uF. The latest version has got a
2.5 mH RF choke on the terminals of the antenna, the earliest not.
I could send to you a photocopy of both the manuals if needed. The differences
are clearly noticeable and may be of interest for all the AC-1 enthusiasts.
I am now happily involved in the restoration of my AC-1. I have thorougly
cleaned all the rusted screws, power transformer and chassis.
The chassis has been repainted with hammertone spray gray paint exception made
for the front which was not in bad condition and I wanted to keep original.
The tubes will be substituted with N.O.S. ones.
I hope the original 8+8 uF electrolytic capacitor is OK. Could anyone find one
new old stock of exactly the same type?
I have taken some photos of the "rusted" AC-1 as I had received it and some
photos during the first part of the restoration have been made also. I will keep
on.
I will also check the voltages on the power transformer in order to bring up to
date the components list on your page.
Again my compliments to you for the fine web job and my greetings to all the
AC-1 enthusiasts.
Built a AC-1 in 1968 when I was 12 and still have / use it.
I went crazy last week, while digging through my junk box. I dug out ALL of
the required parts, plus a few extras and built an AC-1(OS). The OS stands
for "On Steroids." The radio is built from the AC-1 Schematic, runs the
usual 6V6, but all the parts are super heavy duty. I then added: 80/40
meter bandswitching, Plate current meter, key and crystal sockets, switches
for Filament and B+, the B+ switch operates the internal T/R relay and turns
on the B+ and Light. The rear chassis has SO-239 connectors for the antenna
and relay output to the receiver. The thing cost absolutely nothing to
build, and looks it (note the chassis was salvaged from a home brew CB
linear I dragged home from the dump... lots of tube socket holes). The
transformer is good for a couple hundred watts, so the 6V6 ( not visible,
behind the tank coil ) shouldn't stress it.
Bob WB8CAC
http://www.qsl.net/wb8cac
Hi Joe-
I recently stripped-down and rebuilt an Ameco AC-1. The rebuilt AC-1
looked almost like new and performed as well as the origional. On the
air performance (by today's standards) left something to be desired, however.
But you must remember...this was a "as simple as possible, built to a
price" single tube (excluding rectifier) 6V6 electron-coupled Novice
oscillator-transmitter. Unlike many other 'improved' versions of similiar
e.c.o. transmitters, the AC-1 lacked an adjustable oscillator feedback capacitor
(C9), a parasitic supressor in the plate lead, and regulation of the screen grid
voltage. A representative 'improved' e.c.o. oscillator-transmitter circuit using a
6L6 tube--the 'big cousin' of the 6V6-- can be found on the web at:
http://www.qsl.net/n6ev/7awk_6l6.jpg
The design apparently is furnished by Al2G.
A further review of the literature at the Western Michigan University
Library turned up other e.c.o. circuits in the following books and
journals:
ARRL Handbook, 1959 Ed., pages 174-176 & pages 177-179.
CQ Magazine: August, 1965, p. 59-60; August, 1963, p. 24-25; Dec.,
1963, p.28-29; April, 1956, p. 28-30; Aug., 1962, p. 26-27.
A review of the literature discussing the theory of the e.c.o. produced
the following sources:
Electronic Communications, 4th Ed. by Shrader, p.264.
Understanding Amateur Radio, 2nd ed. (ARRL), p. 89.
Basic Electronics (1960) by Dr. Glade Wilcox, p. 297-298.
Using the resources cited above, I made several simple modifications to
my AC-1 which improved the power supply filtering and regulation on the
screen and plate, supressed parasitic oscillations, and better controlled
the amount of oscillator feedback. These modifications improved the CW
note as well as making the circuit more stable and less critical as to crystal type.
At a later date I will furnish you with a schematic as well as parts
sources for making the simple solder-in modifications. Unfortunately I'm going on
vacation tomorrow with my family and won't get back to this for several
weeks...
Wishing my fellow "AC-1 Fraternity-Members" the best of luck...
73,
Philip Schmitt, M.A.--WJ8L
Electronics Instructor,
Michigan Career and Technical Institute, Pine Lk. Rd., Plainwell, MI.
49006
e-mail: [email protected]
