n00b

[KU0DM]

I want an oldie. Tell me everything there is to know. :whistle:
Hoping that I can get a better low-band antenna situation for this winter, would like some old tube equipment. Maybe use it on some AM?

However I have 2 big problems. One: I know nothing other than I need a transmitter and receiver. Two (possibly the biggest) I have absolutely zero experience in any service that would need to be done. I fear buying something, then ending up having it sit on my desk as eye candy and not using it.

Is vintage gear right for me?

[WØTKX]

A well made Heathkit (working) with all the documentation, including the build manual.

[N8YX]

Collins S-line or KWM-2(A).

Hallicrafters SR-150 or SR-500.

Eldico "twins". Extra points awarded if you can find the matching amplifier and station console.

Drake TR4CW/RIT + RV4C or a T4XB/R4B...maybe a T4XC/R4C combo at a decent price. Don't get caught up in the hype that an R4C (especially, a so-called 'late model') is somehow better than an R4B. In stock form, there's absolutely no way it is.

I have a whole bunch of spare receiving tubes if anyone needs one for their rigs. Free to Island members. Double the going price for everyone else.

[WØTKX]

I may get a Drake myself one of these days. Maybe just the RX.

Suggested the Heathkit for the documentation about building it. Cheap too, remember he's only a lad, and the gasoline budget is important for drive by's at locations of cute girls. :mrgreen:

[N8YX]

Suggested the Heathkit for the documentation about building it. Cheap too, remember he's only a lad, and the gasoline budget is important for drive by's at locations of cute girls. :mrgreen:
The SB-101, SB-300/400 and related items would make a darn good "vintage" station in anyone's book. I saw such a setup (including the SB-610/620 'scopes and SB-200 amp) go for ~$1k on eBay a couple years back. If it weren't for the fact that at the time I had no place to put the stuff, I would have bought the outfit.

[N4VGB]

Is vintage gear right for me?



You'll never know until you give it a try.

Drake 2B rcvr with the matching speaker/Q multiplier.

Heath DX-60 or Hallicrafters HT-40 xmitter, both controlled carrier type rigs.

[KU0DM]

What's the general consensus on Hammarlund gear?

[WØTKX]

Mostly, fantastic. I had a Hammarlund SP-600 in the early 70's, sold it before going to college. :wall

[N4VGB]

What's the general consensus on Hammarlund gear?

Generally speaking, good stuff.

[N4VGB]

Duncan, you really need to focus on KISS mode at first, that is the reason I suggested the rigs in my previous post. The old gear is far from plug & play, like modern ham gear most assuredly is these days.

Most of us old timers in vintage gear have a lineup of workbench test gear that is larger than most modern hams whole operation. :doh:

Find an old AMer in your area, if possible, to help and guide you along.

And always remember that you may get away with poking your fingers in a modern rig while powered BUT you may not get away with that even once on vintage gear. :shock:

Safety, safety, safety. :yes:

[KU0DM]

Duncan, you really need to focus on KISS mode at first, that is the reason I suggested the rigs in my previous post. The old gear is far from plug & play, like modern ham gear most assuredly is these days.

RR

Just looking for a little taste of how it used to be. Looking on eBay it seems there is an abundance of Hammarlund and Hallicrafters, but not much else.

[N4VGB]

Duncan, you really need to focus on KISS mode at first, that is the reason I suggested the rigs in my previous post. The old gear is far from plug & play, like modern ham gear most assuredly is these days.

RR

Just looking for a little taste of how it used to be. Looking on eBay it seems there is an abundance of Hammarlund and Hallicrafters, but not much else.

3 Hallicrafters HT-40s on there now. Only this one appears to be unmolested and in good condition: http://cgi.ebay.com/HALLICRAFTERS-HT-40 ... 1c12024f69 (http://cgi.ebay.com/HALLICRAFTERS-HT-40-TRANSMITTER-/120561225577?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c12024f69)
Of course the HT-40 is crystal controlled only, unless you can also score a VFO to use with it.

Here's a Heathkit DX-60B and HG-10B combination: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hearthkit-DX-60B-HG ... 2a0665d33a (http://cgi.ebay.com/Hearthkit-DX-60B-HG-10B-VFO-TR-switch-EXCELLENT-/180495962938?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0665d33a)

eBay is a perilous place for purchasing vintage gear, but honestly so are hamfests. "Worked the last time I used it" is commonly heard, I usually ask it that "last time" was 1965. :lol:

[N8YX]

More Heathkits:

HR-10B/HG-10/DX-60 and maybe an HW-16 thrown in with it for good measure.

Hammarlund:

Concentrate on the HQ-170 or HQ-180A models. Or an HQ-215 if you can find one.


I'm going to shamelessly plug the following Yaesu tube rigs:

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/frdx400.htm

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/fldx400.htm

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/ftdx400.htm

All toob; all day long...

[kb2vxa]

Uh oh, like the man said, boat anchors aren't plug 'n play push button do it all for you affairs. Regardless of what you get equipment wise you'll need more hardware than a transmitter and receiver, you'll need a changeover relay and a hard worn, crusty old fart to show you how to set up and operate it. Now ask yourself "What are all these knobs for?" AAAaaaahhh... knobs.

[N8YX]

Now ask yourself "What are all these knobs for?"
They're for irritating those with thin skin at St. Elsewhere. :whistle

[WØTKX]

The Viking has a cranky knob. :giggity:

[N4VGB]

All those knobs on a Johnson Viking are to give you something to do while you wonder why it won't work as well as the basic design would indicate. :lol:

[WØTKX]

http://www.w0cra.org/swap/craswaplist.html


For sale--
Collins S Line, consisting of 75S-3B receiver (WE), 32S-3 transmitter
(RE), and 516F-2 power supply and speaker (RE), very good condition,
has been on the air with good reports, not looking for a trade,
$1,800 or may consider reasonable offers;

Heathkit SB-303 receiver, needs a power cord, $100 or best offer;

Heathkit SB-630 station console, $75 or best offer.


:giggity:

[N8YX]

Duncan...right here's the one you're after:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eldico-S-119-SSB-Communications-System-/150436512417?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2306b702a1

[N4VGB]

Duncan...right here's the one you're after:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eldico-S-119-SSB-Communications-System-/150436512417?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2306b702a1

The Eldico Twins! :dance:

Funny story about Eldico history, supposedly Collins sued them for cloning Collins gear (I've never met anyone who could actually verify this as true).

Eldico's defense to the cloning claim was that their gear was designed to fill Gov contract specs. :chin: It's very possible that some Gov contract writer copied Collins specs and put it out as a contract offer. :rofl:

That's exactly how the famous/infamous 1985 contract offer to build 5 R-390As originated. Fowler Industries got the contract and the rest is well known boat anchor history. :rofl:

[KB3LAZ]

More Heathkits:

HR-10B/HG-10/DX-60 and maybe an HW-16 thrown in with it for good measure.

Hammarlund:

Concentrate on the HQ-170 or HQ-180A models. Or an HQ-215 if you can find one.


I'm going to shamelessly plug the following Yaesu tube rigs:

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/frdx400.htm

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/fldx400.htm

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/ftdx400.htm

All toob; all day long...

I love the HQ-180 and 170. :) I still miss my grandfathers 75A-4 and I will have one of my own! I know someone with an HQ -180 that I need to talk to. Hum I have a long weekend next week (or so I am told at this point) may have to turn on the radio and setup a chat.

[KU0DM]

A local Ham who I've been helping get on the air is a huge fan of the old gear and has a modest collection of tube gear. He offered to loan me his Swan 350 to borrow for a while, and see if I like using tubes. Thoughts on the drifty 50?

[N8YX]

A local Ham who I've been helping get on the air is a huge fan of the old gear and has a modest collection of tube gear. He offered to loan me his Swan 350 to borrow for a while, and see if I like using tubes. Thoughts on the drifty 50?
Swans and Drakes belong in lakes.

If you want a Swan, get hold of an Astro 102BX or a 150. They're actually pretty good rigs. All solid state. The 102 is PTO tuned while the 150 is synthesized.

[N4VGB]

A local Ham who I've been helping get on the air is a huge fan of the old gear and has a modest collection of tube gear. He offered to loan me his Swan 350 to borrow for a while, and see if I like using tubes. Thoughts on the drifty 50?

Well Duncan, you said you wanted to know what it was like back then.

The Swan will definitely give you a dose of what it was like, a big dose.

Never sure exactly what frequency you're on for sure, one hand on VFO dial constantly........

Yeah, the Swan 350 will serve as a primer.

[W1GUH]

Another possibility if you're lucky enough to have hamfests and can get to them, is to check them out for vintage gear. Prices are almost always better than ePay, and there's a possibility that the guy selling it would be more than happy to help you get it on the air.

And, yea, there's a lot of little pieces that a vintage BA station require, but that's part of the fun.

[KG4CGC]

Be sure to park your portable frequency counter beside the rig just for a redundant reference and a tracking device.

[N9FE]

They don't call em the Swan 3 drifty for nothing

[WØTKX]

Eico 753, anyone? :yuck:

[N4VGB]

Eico 753, anyone? :yuck:

How much would you pay someone to take it???

[W5RB]

I miss my Eico signal tracer , with the cat's-eye tube .
http://home.centurytel.net/lots-a-watts/Images/Test%20Equipment/Eico%20Signal%20Tracer%20Restored.jpg