User manual MASTERCRAFT MAXIMUM

[. . . ] Dual preamp HF-VHF/UHF front panel switching. Circuit based on true active antenna research. Performance rivals units costing many times more!Uses Dual Gate MOSFET technology for low noise HF amplification, and a high gain microwave transistor for VHF/UHF. [. . . ] Since you may appreciate some "warm-up" soldering practice as well as a chance to put some "landmarks" on the MAXIMUM PC-board, we first will install some "hardware" components, to make the up-down, left-right orientation of the PC board as clear as possible. In ALL of the following instruction steps, our word "INSTALL" means to do the following: · · Insert the part, oriented correctly, into its correct holes in the PC-board. If helpful, gently BEND the part's wire leads or tabs to hold it into place, with the body of the part snugly against the top side ("component side") of the PC-board. The top side is the side that does not contain metal traces, but does have an outline of each part printed on it. MAXIMUM · 7 MAXIMUM · 8 MAXIMUM PARTS LAYOUT DIAGRAM MAXIMUM · 9 · · SOLDER ALL wires or pins of the part, whether the 2 wires of a resistor or the 3 or 4 wires of a transistor. Trim or Nip all excess wires extending beyond each solder connection, taking care that wire trimmings do not become lodged in PC-board solder connections. Soldering the MAXIMUM Printed Circuit Board 1. Notice that it is connected directly to the screw hole for the extendable whip antenna. Install S1, one of the two push switches. Position it so that the plunger of the switch extends over the edge of the PC board. It fits correctly only one way and is on the same side of the board as J1, which you have already installed. Notice that this switch selects which preamplifier circuit will be used. We'll wire the VHF circuit path first, because it's a little easier. What is very nice about the MAXIMUM is that using it is simple, enjoyable and immediate. We have two suggestions that will increase your enjoyment of the MAXIMUM right from the beginning: 1. Prepare a reliable coaxial cable with the right connectors to run from the antenna input of your receiver or scanner to the RF output of the MAXIMUM (RCA male plug required). If you do not have them at hand, a visit to Radio Shack should easily get you what you need. Make a simple "supplementary portable antenna" of any design which is practical for YOU. Use a small-diameter coaxial cable neatly terminated in a male RCA male plug to mate J1. This antenna can be a dipole, or random wire with earth ground or counterpoise, a bigger vertical whip of some kind, a Slinky, or even a pair of alligator clips at the end of your coax line, ready to be clipped to any large metal surface that may be handy, from screen doors to bed springs!This accessory for your MAXIMUM will help you explore the truth of "Ramsey's Antenna Rule" in a variety of travel situations: "If you want more signal, put up more metal!" A Caution to Ham, Maritime and CB Operators: If you are using the MAXIMUM to boost reception on a transceiver of any kind, MAXIMUM · 12 rather than only a receiver or scanner, make sure it is not possible to transmit by accidentally pressing a mike button or CW keyer. Transmitted RF into the MAXIMUM is likely to ruin one or both of the transistors. Transistor Placement Information: Both transistors may be ordered from Ramsey Electronics, but they also may be found at a local electronics parts distributor. You may use either "SK" or "ECG" replacements: 3N201 = ECG454 or SK3991 2SC2498 = ECG10 or SK9139 LED Power On Indicator A visual power on indicator can be an enjoyable and practical enhancement of your completed kit. [. . . ] The part(s) MUST be returned to us in suitable condition for testing. Please be aware that testing can usually determine if the part was truly defective or damaged by assembly or usage. Don't be afraid of telling us that you 'blew-it', we're all human and in most cases, replacement parts are very reasonably priced. MISSING PARTS: Before assuming a part value is incorrect, check the parts listing carefully to see if it is a critical value such as a specific coil or IC, or whether a RANGE of values is suitable (such as "100 to 500 uF"). [. . . ]