My first VHF rig was an old Johnson 6N2 VF transmitter, origionally designed to be powered and AM modulated by a Johnson Viking 1 / 2 or a Valiant serving as the modulator/power supply. I built up a stand alone power supply for mine and then I modulated the VFO to produce FM on 2 meters. It was a great simplex rig but I also used it to talk into 2 meter repeaters. With 100 watts input to the final there was hardly a repeater I couldn't reach and, for most repeaters within 50 miles I could easily be heard on the input. Repeater operation was wild. I would transmit into the repeater by tuning the VFO to the input frequency of the repeater and I would monitor the output on a scanner tuned to the output frequency. The switching was aceived by the use of a standard Dow Key. I also had to monitor myself on the output as I spoke into the repeater because the vfo would drift and I would have to keep adjusting the VFO to keep it centered on the input freq while I made my transmissions. I took it out of service when I got my first VHF/UHF handie talkie. But it was fun running the old 6n2. I still have the 6n2 transmitter. I think it needs a new final. I forget the tube number but last time I looked up the price it was very expensive. Perhaps I could find the tube on ebay. I can often find parts on ebay at reasonable prices if I shop around long enough.
In fact somewhere in my garage I should have a 6 meter beam and I also have a 2 meter beam. It might be cool to resurrect the 6n2 for use on 6 meter and 2 meter simplex.
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