[BC] Somich Engineering DBE-1000

[khcs@juno.com]

Michael wondered:

>I found this box at one of my transmitter sites and am told it is a 
composite clipper type of device.  Which is handy, as I was just looking 
around for a clipper to make up for a bouncy STL path.

Anyone ever use one?  What is the setup procedure?  It has two multiturn 
pots on the front labeled "Drive" and "Modulation" and a 
couple of LED's.

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That sounds precisely like one of the Jim Lawrence-designed Elcom clippers.  They work.  One caveat I have to offer is that, if the LED's flash to full illumination, you are using too much clipping.  They should barely illuminate.  The best way to set up a compsite clipper is to look at demodulated L-R audio with a scope displaying a Lissajous pattern.  Use no clipping to start, then slowly bring up the Drive pot until you see the highest peaks just barely get sawed off.  If the scope trace turns square, that is WAY too much clipping!  <g>

Adjust the Modulation pot (output level) for whatever level you need to drive whatever you got.  Oops, better adjust that first, then bring it up a dB or two after the clipping level is set.  Otherwise you may be seeing clipping in the following equipment and that will surely mess you up. 

Glen Kippel
KHCS
Palm Desert, CA