View Full Version : Your "Vintage" Station...
K9CCH
07-27-2013, 08:03 PM
If you were to set up, or if you currently operate a "Vintage" station, what would be, or what is your favorite equipment?
Transceivers that are pre-1980's, doesn't matter the band, or the mode... I'm just interested in those classic boat anchors.
(not that I'm going to buy one right now, but I thought it would be interesting to hear/see what you all are using.)
K7SGJ
07-27-2013, 08:06 PM
Ask Pat. He has at least one of just about everything. In most cases 2x, 3x, 4x, etc.
W4GPL
07-27-2013, 08:07 PM
Ask Pat. He has at least one of just about everything. In most cases 2x, 3x, 4x, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhRwfhxco7A
K9CCH
07-27-2013, 08:12 PM
I would love to have this, just to sit on the shelf and monitor 146.52 all day long.
Its on the 'bay with 2 hrs left....
10232
I would love to have this, just to sit on the shelf and monitor 146.52 all day long.
Its on the 'bay with 2 hrs left....
10232The thought has occurred to me, though I'd use my HW-2036A that's currently sitting on a shelf.
If I could, I'd recreate the vintage station I had a few years ago, until I had to sell everything off due to a job layoff:
Hallicrafters HT-37 Transmitter
Hallicrafters SX-111 Receiver
Hallicrafters HT-41 Linear (noticing a theme here?)
...and the HA-9 TO Keyer, R-46 speaker, and so forth.
However, the odds aren't great. Most HT-37's these days need a transformer rewind or replacement, and as they've become more collectible, the prices have gone sky-high. The linear is very rare, and replacement finals are in the realm of Unobtanium (mine had been modified for 572B's by a previous owner).
So I'll settle on restoring the Swan 3Drifty, er, 350 currently sitting in the garage.
Pre-80s non-synthesized transceiver/receiver?
Drake TR7/R7, FT-301, TS-820S/R-820. Maybe an HW-104/HR-1680 pair. A second set of these modded to cover the WARC bands would be really cool. A T-599/R-599, FR/FLDX400 or FR-101/FL-101 lineup.
I included the FT-301 in the 'twins' category owing to this neat little conversion project I'm working on...
Cubic's Astro 10x series or an FT-90x makes for a good transceiver-only setup especially when coupled with the matching accessories.
kb2vxa
07-28-2013, 11:56 AM
Ah dunno, considering all the boat anchors I've owned or operated each having a place in my heart it's really hard to say. I have some favorites, these among them and it would be interesting to see how they operate paired.
wa6mhz
07-28-2013, 12:50 PM
I use my best Vintage station on Field Day
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/9116781038_e7535d125f_c.jpg
Every year, I bring out my Hallicrafters SR-400/PS and it just kicks ass on 20 meters!
It vastly outperformed the Kenwood TS-930S that I brought as a backup rig. The Hallicrafters developed an Intermittent in the Mic circuit this year, and it was traced back to a cracked solder joint in the mic jack. That has been fixed and the rig is ready to go for next year.
I am still trying to fix my new Hallicrafters SR-2000, but no luck on Transmit. It receives great! Sensitivity down to -117dBM! But the problem on the TX side has buffaloed me!
Have spent many weekends all day (including yesterday) trying and trying to fix it to no avail. It is really BROKE!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/8916436081_d82db9fc69_c.jpg
At home, I use a FTdx5000 cuz I need maximum PERFORMANCE when DXing!
KG4NEL
07-29-2013, 08:47 PM
Collins 20V-3 and a Hammarlund SP-600, bypassing the audio stage for a SET monoblock feeding a single-driver corner horn.
Oh, wait, in this lifetime you mean...
:D
w2amr
07-30-2013, 04:22 AM
Johnson 500 transmitter / Hammarlund super pro 400 receiver
The Drake 4 line XMTR/RCVR setup with VFO.
Also the Heathkit SB-104A with VFO or HW-100. Strictly non-WARC and SSB/CW only if I recall correctly.
Love that Hallicrafters Hurricane pic. Hammerlund was good too from what I hear.
Hammarlund HQ-215 for the RX and I wish they made a matching TX...
N2ADV
08-06-2013, 01:06 PM
I know, I know, not totally "vintage" but a helluva lot older than my K3:
http://prtclmn001.smugmug.com/Other/SmugShots/i-MrcthLZ/0/L/smugshot_1233619-L.jpg
I know, I know, not totally "vintage" but a helluva lot older than my K3:
http://prtclmn001.smugmug.com/Other/SmugShots/i-MrcthLZ/0/L/smugshot_1233619-L.jpg
Very clean. Kudos to you.
N2ADV
08-06-2013, 01:17 PM
Very clean. Kudos to you.
Thanks! It's a new addition and took some love to get back on the air!
You need a speaker for that, right?
I has a couple...
N2ADV
08-06-2013, 01:36 PM
You need a speaker for that, right?
I has a couple...
I have the internal one but it is kinda weak - would love an external one and was looking for one!
Wanna shoot me a pm if you have one you are not using? :)
NM5TF
08-06-2013, 01:46 PM
main rig is a hybrid & not a true BA, but it's pre 1980 at least....Kenwood TS-820s
with original Japanese tubes...still puts out ~120W all bands....
real BA's are Hallicrafters HT-37 Tx with QSK mod and semi-matching SX-110 Rx
as I wanted a general coverage Rx rather than the matching SX-111 Rx which is
ham bands only...used to have the matching HT-41 Linear back in the 1960's, but
no amp now.....yet....
I have the internal one but it is kinda weak - would love an external one and was looking for one!
Wanna shoot me a pm if you have one you are not using? :)
Will do later tonight - watch for it.
N2ADV
08-06-2013, 01:49 PM
Will do later tonight - watch for it.
Will do, thanks :)
n2ize
08-06-2013, 03:41 PM
If you were to set up, or if you currently operate a "Vintage" station, what would be, or what is your favorite equipment?
Transceivers that are pre-1980's, doesn't matter the band, or the mode... I'm just interested in those classic boat anchors.
(not that I'm going to buy one right now, but I thought it would be interesting to hear/see what you all are using.)
Right now I have three transmitters that would definitely classify as "boat anchors". A Johnson Viking 2 (from 1952), a Valiant (1950's) and a Globe King 500 (1950's). I also have a Hallicrafters HT-44 sitting around somewhere (probably early 1960's). The Viking 2 and the Globe King 500 are working, the Valiant needs to be recapped. I wish I had some boat anchor receivers like an R390 or a 75A4. Instead the receiver is a Kenwood R-1000 (1980's ?:) and is the most modern piece of HF gear you'll find here. The T/R switching is done externally via a Dow Key just as nmost hams did back in the 1950's. Of course the Johnson "Matchbox" tuner also qualifies as "vintage". I guess most of the equipment here barely qualifies as "vintage". "Antique" may be more appropriate.
w2amr
08-06-2013, 03:47 PM
Right now I have three transmitters that would definitely classify as "boat anchors". A Johnson Viking 2 (from 1952), a Valiant (1950's) and a Globe King 500 (1950's). I also have a Hallicrafters HT-44 sitting around somewhere (probably early 1960's). The Viking 2 and the Globe King 500 are working, the Valiant needs to be recapped. I wish I had some boat anchor receivers like an R390 or a 75A4. Instead the receiver is a Kenwood R-1000 (1980's ?:) and is the most modern piece of HF gear you'll find here. The T/R switching is done externally via a Dow Key just as nmost hams did back in the 1950's. Of course the Johnson "Matchbox" tuner also qualifies as "vintage". I guess most of the equipment here barely qualifies as "vintage". "Antique" may be more appropriate.
You have audio on the Globe King now?
Right now I have three transmitters that would definitely classify as "boat anchors".
Speaking of boat anchors, John, did you see the thread I created just for you (https://forums.hamisland.net/showthread.php/26240-I-found-it!?p=554452&viewfull=1#post554452)?
KE0ZU
08-15-2013, 09:57 PM
I've been doing this hobby since '53 and for the most part, OLD stuff is all I've ever ran. The top pic here is very close to what I'm using now, but I've had several other stations in the recent years, all of which I've enjoyed. Most I couldn't afford when they were new.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/mikeinkcmo/Radios/Radio%20Bench/NuTstBnch32_zpsb3e1c3f3.jpg
Nice pair of little chrome Gonsets forthe morning AM net. I'm currently working on a power supply for the BC-348's companion transmitter, the ART-13.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/mikeinkcmo/Radios/Station%20KE0ZU/12142009/GT2.jpg
This was a nice station as well, a fun side band rig. Not too bad on cw either.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/mikeinkcmo/Radios/Station%20KE0ZU/Station1.jpg
Also had a few National tranceivers.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/mikeinkcmo/Radios/Station%20KE0ZU/All%20National/NATStation1.jpg
Got a couple others awaiting their turn at the test bench before going on the air.
GSB-100 and an HQ-1x0...had that combo on my desk for several years. Good stuff!
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