Using the HF-8014A with A Vintage Receiver
The HF-8014A Exciter can be used with other receivers beside the HF-8050A, HF-8054A, and the HF-2050. If these receivers have no 100khz Ext Ref Std input or and serial port monitor status, then the receiver and exciter’s frequency will not match exactly or even close enough for SSB work. The only solution in this situation is to use a Spot zero beat method. It is possible for a synthesized receiver and exciter that both have TCXO internal Frequency Standards to be calibrated with a highly accurate frequency counter and have the results be acceptable for SSB operation. An example of this would be the Collins 651S-1 receiver and the HF-8014A exciter. If a five minute warmup period is done, the two calibrated TCXOs are good enough for SSB and CW. However, any vintage receiver like the National HRO-500 or the Hammarlund HQ-215 will require the frequency spot function.
Detailed Discussion
The receiver antenna and receiver mute function cable will have to be physically moved or switched to the vintage receiver. Before powering up the HF-80 System Controller, switch the Rx Selection switch to the Vintage position. The receiver frequency can be spotted by moving Spot switch on the System Controller to the up position. The HF-8014A will be keyed but the PA will not be keyed. Turning the System Controller frequency encoder, in my case, the Ten-Tec 302R keypad/encoder, will cause the HF-8014A frequency to change based on the encoder knob position. Tune the HF-8014A to achieve a zero beat in the receiver. Switch the Spot switch to the lower position when finished spotting.