Thinning out the herd

[n2ize]

Well, what I really want is a set of Gold Dust Twins. Im not sure that I want to sell one of my cars to get that setup though. :P

When I get back to the states, a new shack needs to be assembled. I have decided on a few things but not all. I do want an AM setup but I am very indecisive. I know where I can get a 32V-2/75A-1 setup for a decent price but Im not sure if I want to go that route. Another friend has a 75A-2 and 75A-4 that he is willing to let go of one or the other. Other options I have at my disposal are either a heath TX-1 or DX-100B. I could match either one of those to my HQ-129X for the time being if need be.

Only time will tell. However, I would really like to go with something that gives 100W (at least) on 80 and 160. That cuts out the Collins Xmitter. It would do what, about 60w and does not have 160. A Ranger would give me 160 but put me at about 40W's which has been suggested that I do not go that route by more than a few on here.

Most of the suggestions I have got from people here over they last year are to go with something like a Valiant or DX-100 for my xmitter and match it with either n HQ-170, NC-300, or NC-303. A DX-100 and HQ-170 is a pretty cheap route to go money wise and seems to be rather popular as well.

I suppose I could look outside of the box as well at commercial gear.

If you want 100w on 75 and 160 AM go for a Johnson Viking 2 (CD+ 122 VFO). You can't go wrong. I own one. First thing I did was to relocated the wirewound resistor under the chassis of the VFO and the stability of the vfo improved dramatically.For a 60 year old VFO it stays where I put it. That rig is a workhorse, built like an army tank, easy to modify and work on, very forgiving, is very capable of "hi fi" AM with relatively simple mods and likes to kkeep on ticking.. Many other great mods for it too like solid stating out the power supplies (very easy just replace the hollow state rectifiers with solid state, easy to change the mod Iron but not nessesary, switching from 807 modulators to 811's , etc. all depending on how far you want to go with the thing. I'll admit, it's not the prettiest rig in the world but for an ancient radio it can still pull its own weight and then some. CD version (full coverage from 1.8 - 30 mc. or the ham version) you can't go wrong.