Home Brew Article:
Pot Attenuators
- Because everybody's junk box is different, exact details are
not possible. Here are instructions which should help you roll you
own. Other configurations are possible, and may be better for your
parts.
- All connections should be as short as possible, and made with
large diameter wire or strips of thin copper.
- Ground connections are particularly critical. If possible,
bend the pot lead over close to the body of the pot and solder
it.
- Use carbon composition pots.
- Do not transmit with the attenuator in line. Remove microphone
while hunting or switch to the lowest power.
- The coils between input and output are neutralizing coils.
They tune to the operating frequency with the stray capacitance
between pot input and pot output. They are hand made from small
coils of insulated magnet wire. With the attenuator hooked up and
set for maximum attenuation tune in a moderate strength signal.
Experiment with coil size and / or turns spacing to get the
maximum attenuation.
- The writer was able to get 40 dB with one pot.
George R. Andrews, President
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Contact Information
George (Russ) Andrews, K6BMG
BMG Engineering, Inc.
9935 Garibaldi Avenue
Temple City, CA
91780
USA
Phone: 1(626)285-6963
FAX: 1(626)285-1684 (dedicated line, automatic)
Web: http://members.aol.com/bmgenginc
(31 Jan 1996)
Send E-mail to grandrews@aol.com. (A message window will open.)
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