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Continental 802D exciter

8

80s Rocker

Guest
Just purchased a used 802D (not the D1) exciter. I'm assuming not much has been done in terms of maintainence (haven't received it yet) and would like to tap the expertise of the group here on what, if anything, should be done before placing the unit on air (caps, recalibration, updates, etc.). I was also wondering if this exciter has a lowpass harmonic filter, should connection (emergency backup) to an antenna be needed. I'm not familiar with Continental equipment (curently have on the air a Harris Digit CD) so any insight on the 802D would be greatly appreciated.

Also, any good sources for documentation on this exciter. Have contacted Continental but seem to be getting the silent treatment.

Many thanks in advance,
Brian
 
If I remember right you really probably should have a LP filter after that exciter to clean it up a bit. With that being said, I've put one on the air several times and didn't think twice doing it to get us up and going. I never had any issues arise. The antenna itself might help in that it probably stops some of the higher stuff...
 
I'd put it on a UPS - it runs on a computer motherboard and takes a minute or so to reboot on power failure. I think you'll like the sound you get out of it. I've had one fail the P.A. module, it began to develop spurs. A trip to the factory healed it, and I've still got the oputput amp that was removed, one day I may go hunting the spurs in it. This failure after many years' service. The baseband processor is awesome.

'Silent treatment' isn't in character for them. You have called Field Service? I'll echo whomever said contact Hultsman, he's a fountain of information about the exciter and its care and feeding. I suspect he's at the Alabama Broadcaster's 'do' currently, but he religiously returns voicemails when he isn't answering the phone immediately.
 
CE still is the pacesetter for transmitter support. They are still the very best. 40 years old? Sure. They still try to support it even well beyond anyone else, long after the other guys gave up. If I had to buy a tube rig today there's only one good answer and that's CE.
 
Many thanks for the helpful info. I have contacted Dave (thank you, Level42) and he was very helpful in answering all of our questions. We actually purchased the 802D as a short term replacement to our DigitCD. We're hoping the AES input sounds better than the Digits. Long term, we'll most likely look to a new BE FX-50 or CE 802B instead of a new digital unit. Unfortunately, The CE 802E is above budget.

On a side note, when changing the carrier freq on the 802D do we need to retune anything (PA, LPF, etc.)?

Thanks again,
Brian
 
Have two 802B's in service...very happy with them. On the other hand, the FX-50's also pretty good, have two in service (main and back-up) on a third station.
 
One difference in the 802D and the D1 - when changing frequency, there are some internal tweaks needed on the D. The D1 is simply set and forget. Contact Field Service for the freq change, and if you don't have the test gear, consider returning the box to them for the change. I have the gear (swept analyzer, RF voltmeter, etc) and I still sent the last change back to them. They go through it and tune it up completely, it's worth the investment.

Compared to the Digit, using the AES input, the 802D wil knock it's uh.. peenie in the loam. The Overshoot Compensator is Your Friend. The Digit will do a credible job when fed baseband, but falls down when you put AES into it.
 
Unfortunately, the 802D was DOA and is on the way back so it's back to the drawing board.

Concerning analog exciters, in terms of audio quality, how would an Armstrong FMX30 compare to an 802B or FX50?

Thanks,
Brian
 
Having suffered an 802D previously, I have no kind words for that box. A refurbed 802B is a good exciter, as is an FX 50. I suggest staying away from cheap stuff, unless you have a very reliable back up.
 
If you have the budget, both the FX-50 and 802B are still available new.

Not much difference between the new versions and older ones, though. The 802B uses a different Darlington to control the power amp--soldered in rather than the socketed TO-3 style Mj3001 (a mistake). FX-50's are probably more common than 802B's on the used market.

In both cases, new caps and thorough cleaning probably would need to be factored in if you purchase used. Like a used car--significant price difference if you can do your own refurb, less of a price advantage if you need to send it out.
 
I still love BE FX 30 and FX 50 exciters and Continental 802B exciters a lot and find them reliable, well supported, and excellent sounding. I like Continental best among vendors I deal with, their tech support is second to none even on 40-50 year old gear. And BE and Nautel are my other favorite vendors on tech support. Dave Hultsman is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful on all things he supports. One reason why I love my Continental and Collins gear.
 
It's hard to beat CE for that long-term care. They set the standard. Nautel would be a good second. H stuff is generally built well, but I still don't care for the "we don't support that anymore" factor. CE went out of their way to keep the same design so parts continue to be available. Others, not so much...
 
Yes, opening up an 802B and an A side by side, it's amazing how similar they look. The B just sounds better...different design in the power amp and probably a slew of minor changes in the audio and low power circuits.

But no surface mount components or other design features to make it impossible to fix in the field. Have an R55E console with an "ROHS compliant" mike preamp that is useless because the glue is not holding on those surface mount parts--gave up after the second mike preamp died & just used three 528E's

Only weakness--going back to the Continentals, is the Darlington power controller does not like being "kerchunked" by the power company (disconnects try three times on a short-kerchunk-kerchunk-kerchunk- then either the power goes out or the short -i.e. a tree branch- burns up and drops off). That's why my brand new 802B is sitting beside an 802A I've been sent to re-cap. Instead of the TO-3 style Darlington in the A, they use a different one which looks like an over-sized 3 pin regulator & is soldered in.
 
Tom T,

Seconded about the Darlington transistors disliking Utility Kerchunks, main weakness of this design. I like the A better than the B as far as being field maintainable. Excellent exciters Continental makes.
 
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