
BLANDX TECHNICAL STUFF          Edited by Christina Van Helder

    As many of you know, I make a habit of reading contributions
to my column while in the bathroom.  That way it's easy to
appropriately dispose of the majority of them.  This piece, by
Tyler Williams of Hamburg, PA, however, was worth framing on my
bathroom door.  If you've been looking for a way to combine the
modern convenience of scanning with the quality of old tube rigs
like the R-390A, but haven't wanted to resort to an electric
drill (as some DX publications have suggested), this article is
sure to pique your interest!

SCANDINAVIAN SCAN CONVERSION FOR THE R-390A

By Tyler Williams

    The Scandinavian Scan Conversion (SSC) was invented by former
German SS veternary experimenter Gerhardt Katt.  Herr Katt,
following his parole from Ft. Leavenworth federal prison for war
crimes and his crimes against nature, defected to East Berlin in
1955.  He was then inducted into the army of the DDR, and was
stationed with the scientific experimentation unit in Dresden.
Shortly thereafter, a large shipping crate arrived from Berlin.
The contents of the box included 1) R-390A (Motorola) in original
crate and a full set of operational and field maintainence
manuals.  Apparently, this prize had been acquired through the
feminine wiles of a winsome E. German spy.
    Throughout 1962, different modifications and improvements
were attempted.  The most sucessful of these experiments was the
SSC.  As a matter of fact, Herr Katt was awarded both the Order
of Lenin and the Aluminum Cross.  His experiments had proven a
reliable method of scanning could be accomplished by the use of
Norway rats in an exercise cage.  The rats had a 5 millisecond
response time, only a 2 degree backlash figure, and the most
important quality of longevity ... they outlived all other small
animals by a factor of greater than 10:1.  Their useful lifetime
was calculated to be, on the average, three months and eight
days.
    Only three minor design changes were instituted between 1962
and 1975.  These changes were instituted in order to fine tune
the manual override control.  Field Change #1 consisted of
installing a 1 kohm / 1 W resistor in the output of the 1.5 kv
voltage tripler.  In so doing, it was found that rat life was
increased to slightly over five months with only a consequent
loss of 1 m/sec in response.  F.C. #2 was instituted to reduce
power consumption and involved the substitution of a solid state
power supply for both the Override and Up/Down controls.  The
third change completed the solid state conversion by replacing
the buffer amplifier, converter, and tripler.
   The operation of the SSC is really rather simple.  Scanning is
begun by flicking the momentary switch below the cage.  This
discharges the photoflash condenser through either the "up" or
"down" flash tube.  The rat panics, turns, and runs.  The gear
reduction system properly conveys one complete rotation of the
cage into exactly 10 3/4 turns of the kilocycle knob, which
covers not only the complete megacycle band, but the overtravel
zones both above and below.  Upon the completion of one rotation,
which requires only 5.6 sec (avg.), the tripbar strikes the
momentary switch and trips the other flash tube, which, of
course, sends the rat scurrying back from wence he came.  A
warning should be mentioned here: care must be taken not to
choose a band for which propagation is poor or unuseable as this
will greatly shorten rat life.
   Lock-up is accomplished through the use of the Manual Override
Unit.  This is the heart of the SSC.  AVC voltage from the 3rd IF
output is delivered to the buffer amplifier.  Buffer output is
then sent to the DC to DC converter, where it is rectified and
used to control a stunning charge which is fed to the rat collar
through a voltage tripler.  The time delay control regulates the
charge to be delivered and, thus, the length of unconsciousness
of the rat.  The sensitivity control sets a threshold level for
the automatic actuation of the unit.  And, finally, there is the
manual override button which discharges the unit when depressed.
   Sensitivity is as low as 5 uv.  The time delay is variable
from 5 sec. to greater than 30 sec.  WARNING: Setting the delay
for lengthier times may seriously shorten the lifetime of the
unit, and may occasion the failure of certain integral parts.
   Installation of the unit is accomplished by drilling two 10/32
holes and tapping accordingly.  The black phenolic mounting panel
is then mounted to the bottom of the R-390A front panel.  The
dial cords are strung and appropriate electrical connections are
made.  And, now you are ready to scan.
   All parts are available in kit form from Gestapo Electronics
in Salem, Oregon.  The cost is 955 Deutschemarks or $174.99
(U.S.) plus shipping.  All credit cards accepted.  Installation
time is approximately two hours.  Rats must be acquired locally.
Full warranty is backed by Kattkits, AEG 7 Ottostrasse, Leipzig,
Germany.
    No electric drill overtravel.  No time consuming drill
connect and disconnect.  Full AVC control.  A superior product.

-------

    Thanks, Tyler!  Jack "Mr William" Bradbury has already tried
this and notes that it can be a great way to exercise small
household pets.  He adds that Randy the DX Rat lost 3 ounces in
just one week.  Henry the DX Hampster is up this week.


Muhammed Vesterborg III sends us this information on Bleene's
latest offering.

A REVIEW OF THE BLEENE JDG-1001

By Muhammed Vesterborg III

   For years, fans of Kenya's Bleene Receivers have speculated as
to when their favorite receiver company would issue its first
portable radio. This, of course, would be no easy transition for
the company that is the world's leader in gasoline-powered
tabletop SW equipment.  But, Bleene fans can rejoice with the
release of the new JDG-1001.  Not only is it portable - it's the
first Bleene receiver that doesn't require an oil filter!!
    A true portable, the JDG-1001 is just slightly bigger than a
book: the Webster's Unabridged.  At 25 pounds, it's the first
Bleene that can easily be carried by just one person.  It can be
powered by either AC or 96 AA batteries.  That's right - no messy
gasoline!
   In the company's first portable, Bleene has made more
innovative improvements than for any other receiver in the
company's history.  First, the little function labels have all
been GLUED on to the receiver instead of taped on with
transparent tape!!  What's more, all the labels face the same
direction, so there's no need to spin the JDG-1001 in circles to
read them!  That old DX disease "Bleene wrist" should now be a
thing of the past!   Secondly, the antenna input on the side of
the receiver is now a standard 1/8 inch "female" jack rather than
Bleene's special sharply pointed "male" plug.  This should cut
injuries while using the receiver by an additional 10%.  And,
let's not forget that the JDG-1001 comes with a clock: a
Taiwanese digital watch has been conveniently taped over the
speaker.  It only rattles when the volume is turned up high.  Oh
yes, in view of the fact that this receiver is likely to be taken
on picnics and camping, each one comes with its very own
flyswatter.  Attention to detail like that makes Bleene number
one!
   How does the JDG-1001 work?  Here's the biggest surprise - not
only is the JDG-1001 a portable - it's fully digital!!  It has no
conventional tuning knob - just 30 keys, one for each letter of
the alphabet (minus J) plus "Enter", space, period, comma, and
question mark.  The keys are conveniently arranged in
alphabetical order in a 5x6 bank, with the extra keys in the
bottom row.   For this receiver, Bleene has developed its own
special 9.6MHz intermediate personality-based microprocessor
detector circuit (the IPBMDC) which allows the receiver to
understand typed-in commands in either English or Swahili (with
all J's omitted).  To tune in the BBC on 5975, for example, one
just has to type "Please tune the radio to five thousand nine
hundred and seventy five kilohertz." and push Enter.  About 90%
of the time you will be rewarded with the BBC, but on occasion
the receiver will respond "What's in it for me?"  Obviously,
DXing with an IPBMDC receiver can be both challenging and
entertaining!  Below is an example of one of the many
entertaining "discussions" you can have with the JDG-1001:

  DXer: "Please tune to seven thousand and sixty five kilohertz."
  Rcvr: "You have insomnia or something?  Radio Tirana's there
         right now."
  DXer: "No, I just want to make a report for a QSL."
  Rcvr: "Sure, and get on their mailing list for pinko
         propaganda, eh, Comrade?"
  DXer: "No, really, I just want a QSL."
  Rcvr: "OK, but use the earplug. I don't want my ICs to be
         brainwashd by those commies.

    As you can see, DXing will never be the same!!  What a way to
DX and improve your conversational skills at the same time!!  Now
for the bad news.  If you want to add a JDG-1001 to your shack,
you may have to wait a while.  The US Air Force has just
contracted Bleene for 10,000 JDG-1001s, which is about six months
production.  Apparently the USAF has decided to replace all their
aircraft receivers with the JDG-1001.  But, at least when Uncle
Sam buys it you know it has to be good!

-----------------

    Sounds great, Muhammed!  More great material next month.  Sid
Tivoli will describe how to make a beverage antenna with a long
string of shopping carts and Les Bowers will look at "Why Are
Inactive Antennas So Lazy?"  .... Christina Van Helder

**************************************************************

The above items were excerpted from the 1991 edition of BLANDX,
the annual DX humor magazine.  Contributions are currently being
accepted for next edition of BLANDX.

This file and other DX humor files from BLANDX posted to
rec.radio.shortwave may be reposted electronically in their
entirety and without changes anywhere provided a message is sent
to me informing me where it is being posted to and by whom.
Anyone wishing to use this material in a publication should
contact me first, although permission will normally be freely
given.

************************************************************
                        *                                  *
Don Moore               *      What were once vices        *
MOORE@tmu1.mcrest.edu   *            are now               *
11434 140th St.         *       good DXing habits.         *
Davenport, IA           *                                  *
52804-9538 USA          *              BLANDX 1990         *
                        *                                  *
************************************************************
