Major M588 crystals

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Cris1966
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Major M588 crystals

Post by Cris1966 »

Hi All

I am working on an old Major M588 and amongst its many faults I have noticed that x2 and x3 have different values from those listed in the schematic?

I have 10.413 and 10.513 and on the diagram it has 10.0525 and 10.161 MHz.

The poor old girl has had some hideous mods that had been part removed so I am not sure if the crystals are correct or not. Any help would be good please.

Couple of other issues are low power on SSB and no tx indicator light but good 10w out on AM FM. Not checked at what frequency yet lol.

Probably be back with more questions.

Cheers

Cris

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Admiral
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Admiral »

Sounds like it's been put onto 10m, they should be 10.0525 and 10.1650. I suspect a big assed retune will be necessary if you put it back on 11m as the stock VCO block in them isn't too forgiving.
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MrWeetabix
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by MrWeetabix »

Sounds like a consultation job for Sammy ;-)
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Cris1966
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Cris1966 »

Thats what I suspect. First thing then is new crystals. Still has the original green VCO block and voltages around it look right.
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Admiral »

I don't think Sammy would allow a Cybernet into his house.
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Cris1966 »

So a quick search hasn't turned up any suppliers. Can anyone advise on a source of the 10.0525 and 10.160mhz crystals for the Major m588 please?
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Admiral »

I doubt they are available as a shelf item, you will need to either have them made (very expensive for one offs) or try and find a donor rig or see if anyone will part with them from their spares bin (unlikely as people are hoarders).

If this is a fun project then time will be your best friend, if it's a serious project then I would chuck it in the bin now as a full spec 588 in great condition will only fetch £50.
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by cb4ever104 »

MrWeetabix wrote:Sounds like a consultation job for Sammy ;-)
Sorry Craig . It's a Cybernet . It'll take me 1/2 hour just to try and see through the wiring harness :)
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by cb4ever104 »

Cris1966 wrote:So a quick search hasn't turned up any suppliers. Can anyone advise on a source of the 10.0525 and 10.160mhz crystals for the Major m588 please?
Admiral wrote:you will need to either have them made (very expensive for one offs)
As Admiral says , they're not cheap . Just over £20 a pop from Quartslab.com.

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Cris1966
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Cris1966 »

It's just for fun but would Like to get it running again as stock. Time is not a problem.
If anyone has the crystals I need them I would appreciate it otherwise may have to order them. A dead carcass will be near the price of the crystals with no confidence it has the right ones or they are working.
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by zephyr »

Try Spectrum communications for the crystals, he has both new and used ones for sale.
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by dt307 »

Or stick a dds module in and bypass all the crystals as it connects after the doubler trippler circuit and would prob be a lot cheaper than new crystals.......but is it worth it ?
Will look when I am back but think all the cybernet crystals I've got are double your value like 20.555
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Cris1966
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Re: Major M588 crystals

Post by Cris1966 »

Making progress. Found a 10.0525 and put it in. Retuned and it pops upon on what I think is mid block in the low channel setting. As the other xtail is still high I can't get it to tune over both as it is on 29mhz. Had to do a lot of of track bridging where they had been cut and re wireing. All good fun. Is it worth it? I think so as a project to tinker with.
Just need a 10.1650 xtail now to see if I can get the hi channels working. Then we can see what else needs attention. Tx power looks good when the pll locks in. Maybe too good and think it's been maxed out at some point so need to back that off. Tx led needed replacing too but a small issue there.
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