Just picked up a EFJ Messenger 223

[jeffmassey]

Hello! I am new to this website,and am already glad with what little I have seen.Kudos to the originators!Anyway,I found a "223"in a secondhand shop.Looked at it here at home and found that it may have been dropped:mike connector is cracked;volume knob cracked;S-meter is pinned,and has a short circuit somewhere.It has the diode MOD in place of the rectifier tube.I used a lightbulb "fuse",then an induction motor to supply soft startup current to the radio and found the short.Found schematics here,will use them to Divide and Conquer(SIC).If I can,I will track my progress or Con-gress to either a vintage receiver or Boat Anchor.:bdh:


Also have a Radio Shack TRC-47 23CH W/SSB.

 

[jeffmassey]

UPDATE-found the short;was the diode MOD.Installed only one diode,B+ restored.No receiver hiss,just low level hum.

UPDATE PART TWO-on a hunch,tested the voltage on synthesizer board,only -6V.Replaced filter cap,now have -12V and hiss.Turned channel knob,hiss changes with frequency.Will check to make sure both oscillators working next...

 

[Atlasta]

My very first SSB rig was a TRC 47. Every review I have ever read of them said to avoid it so of course I had to have one. It really wasn't a bad radio for what it was. As I recall, a couple of 10 microhenry RF chokes soldered into the clarifier leads would give about a 12 kc slide.

 

[2RT307]

Pretty cool old rig, Mr. Massey! Glad you're getting her back in working condition. From what I understand, they can have really LOUD transmit. Do you have the matching desk mic with yours?

73,
RT307

 

[jeffmassey]

Thanks for the replies!No,unfortunately the mike was not included. Good 2 know about the TRC47.


UPDATE3:The Messenger spoke its first words last Saturday!!! I am hopeful that,with my limited amount of test equipment, '223 will make a fine receiver. The transmitter may take a bit longer...

Also have a working Heathkit VTVM and a frequency generator.

 

[jeffmassey]

EFJ223 Progress

Not much this week-repaired an old Pioneer receiver one night.The Messenger is on hiatus while the garden calls...

 

[jeffmassey]

EFJ223 Progress

The Garden is consuming me, but then I will consume it.Messenger 223 wishes to all 73s and a very good 4th of July.Be safe and return in one piece.

 

[2 World Radio 778]

Old ad for your 223

Here ya go!

 

[jeffmassey]

Just picked up a EFJMessenger 223

Thanks for the AD,2 World Radio! It thrills me sometimes when I find a diamond in the rough such as this.I am currently getting an EICO 667 tube tester which should help bring this project along.More thanks to BooBoo Sims...