ALL BOATANCHOR SHACK

[WD0GOF]

The TenTec in the photo has been replaced by a SR-2000.

[WB2WIK]

Do you like Hallicrafters stuff by any chance?:p

[AF6LJ]

That is really nice.
I'm jealous. :)

[W1ACC]

I Like That... Good Job OM

[W2AMR]

The TenTec in the photo has been replaced by a SR-2000.

Nice, but not enough tonnage to be considered real boat anchors.:D

[KB3QJA]

Hey, its got filaments and puts out a nice glow in the dark. Also, puts out enough voltage to kill you if you get stupid! That's good enough for me. Congrats OM on a very nice radio from a Heathkit bum, (HW-101 es SB-220):D
73
mike-KB3QJA/AE

[W8JI]

The TenTec in the photo has been replaced by a SR-2000.

I was always impressed by how that vintage of Hallicrafters works. Except for the lack of 160 (which kills them for me) I liked them a lot.

[K9ASE]

"that's real purrdy Clark hope you didn't do that on my account"

[K0CRX]

Nice. Very nice.

[K9STH]

Well, not quite all "boat anchors" since there are 7 solid-state units (3 each 10 meter, 1 each 6 meter, 1 each 2 meter, 1 each 1.25 meter, and 1 each VLF units). However, most of the units are tube-type.

http://k9sth.com/uploads/K9STH_Shack_Photos.pdf

Glen, K9STH

[WD0GOF]

Nice, but not enough tonnage to be considered real boat anchors.:D
We'll have to strap the 2000 power supply to your back and let you do portable for a while:)

[WD0GOF]

Well, not quite all "boat anchors" since there are 7 solid-state units (3 each 10 meter, 1 each 6 meter, 1 each 2 meter, 1 each 1.25 meter, and 1 each VLF units). However, most of the units are tube-type.

http://k9sth.com/uploads/K9STH_Shack_Photos.pdf

Glen, K9STH

That is a beautiful collection Glen. My collection is small but I use them all often. About 4 years ago, in an attack of STUPIDITY, I decided to get rid of all my boatanchors and go all modern equipment. I sold two FPM-300's which I still don't miss. I also sold a SR-2000 with the HA-20, a SR-400A with a HA-20 and a SR-400 Cyclone II, and a small collections of Swans and Drakes. Along with that I sold about 8 or 9 12X15X24" boxes of Hallicrafters documentation and a 1/4 ton of misc parts. That gave enough $$ to buy top of the line, full feature rigs. Over the next year I went through several Icom's, Kenwoods and Yaesu's with various amps and tuners. After about a year of this I found out I really didn't like the modern rigs. So I went back to "hollow state" kicking myself for being so impulsive and dumping all the boatanchor treasures I had accumulated. When I got back into the "hollow state" arena I decided to narrow my focus on the Hallicrafters SR line of Transceivers. So in the last 3 years I have bought and restored dozens of the SR's. I continue to get "tech" units and parts units. Each time I restore one I set it beside it's twin in the shack and compare performance. Then I keep the best and pass on the rest. To be truthfull I get more kick out of fixing than talking.

73, Walt

[WD0GOF]

I was always impressed by how that vintage of Hallicrafters works. Except for the lack of 160 (which kills them for me) I liked them a lot.

When I first started the SR phase of my ham journy I also had problems with the SR-160 and the SR-500 (the 500 is a high power 160). But I was determined to make them play. It took a while on the first one. I did not "redesign" anything. I just replaced old unstable capacitors in the oscillator ckts and IF tanks; used a sweep generator and spectrum analyzer for alignment and added a cooling fan. Now the 160 and 500's play beautifully and are stable as a rock. The 250 to 300 watts from the 500 does get through the noise. The receivers are identical in the 160 and 500. I think that for early 60's tube rigs the 20db s+n:n ratio at 0.2uv is pretty good, and that is typical for the 7 rigs I have refurbished so far. They lack noise blankers and notch filters and they are not real great for CW. For Field day use the RIT feature is very handy and they are quick and simple to tune and retune. They are tri-banders so there is no 15 and 10 meters. For me that's ok I seldom work up there. If I need 15 or 10 meters it just gives me an excuse to fire up the 400A or the 2000. Anyway that's my thoughts on the 160 and 500.
73 Walt

[KI6DCB]

I have been thinking about this "nostalgia" craze that we have lately seen. There has never before been anything like it. I, too, have sold my soul to the boat anchor devil in that I traded some work for a Johnson Pacemaker and a Hallicrafters HQ-180. I think that this quest for yesteryear gear might be rooted in a (perhaps not-so-) tacit acknowledgement that America's train has fallen off the tracks.

When I was a child, everyone knew that "The Flintstones" was merely a parody of "The Honeymooners", but I got a feeling that "The Jetsons" was what the not-so-distant future would be like. It is telling that the network executives would give the green light to such fare from the writers. Think about it...Didn't we all sort of think that the future would be, more or less, similar?

I hesitate to post this because I fear that this thread will wind up in the Political Junkies forum, but I think it needs to be said. I am convinced that even those who voted for "hope and change" are, secretly, perhaps even unknowingly, longing for a time when black was black and white was white.

Anyway, whaddaya think?

[K9STH]

The Johnson Pacemaker is a bear to operate. Also, it takes some effort to get it properly aligned. It is in a very large cabinet for only 90 watts input (same size cabinet as the Valiant and Johnson 500). Actually, Johnson slightly overrated the input power because the maximum SSB input power for a single 6146 or 6146A/8298 is 85 watts per RCA specifications. The Pacemaker is much happier at 75 watts input.

I acquired one with a bad power transformer and a "hacked up" cabinet a while back. Basically I didn't attempt to rebuild it and "parted it out". I got a lot more for the parts than even a fully restored, operating, Pacemaker would be worth. Traded off what was left of the chassis for a new final amplifier tube for my Hallicrafters HT-33A linear. Actually, the HT-32A is really an HT-32B. All the changes in the circuitry which are the difference between the HT-32A and HT-32B were done at the factory. However, the panel definitely says HT-32A.

Glen, K9STH

[KI6DCB]

Cool! Fine business on the Hallicrafters amp.

Yeah, I know about the Pacemaker; I have the manuals for it. The audio on SSB sounds really smooth to me on a good receiver, though, and that will make up for the effort I'll have to go through to get it on the air.

And, yeah, I know about the power issue. It gives me an excuse to put more metal up in the air. (But, Honey, It's only about seventy watts, so I NEED a much better antenna if I'm ever going to talk to anyone!) If she won't go for that, I'll explain that an amplifier will cost a lot more than an antenna, and it will continue to cost money every time it's turned on.

If I'm really slick, I just might get her to approve an antenna AND an amplifier.

[K9STH]

DCB:

The Pacemaker uses phasing generation of the SSB rather than the filter method used by everything today (the phase unit is a B&W 350 2K4). Phasing produces a much better "sounding" signal than the filter method. However, the bandwidth of the transmitted signal is considerably wider than what is now accepted as "good practice" and you might get some complaints from a few stations about being "wide". It is the same thing with the Heath SB-10 SSB adapter, they sound great but definitely are a "bit" wider than "modern" units.

The Hallicrafters HT-37 also uses phasing and routinely have excellent "sounding" audio.

Glen, K9STH

[KI6DCB]

Yeah, and I will always have capability to make pretty noises in the "AM windows" where some of the guys frown on "non-hollow-state", especially, uh, FOREIGN gear. My TS-940SAT is simply not a good enough radio to talk with a Johnson Viking; don't ask me how I know. What's really a shame is that, in the 1950's, my Kenwood would have been featured in ALL of the ham magazines and probably in the New York Times, etc., too, and EVERYONE would have been trying to get a QSL card from the guy with "THE RADIO FROM MARS!"

A lot of these AM guys today are quite cliquish -- as well as running inflated California Kilowatt rigs -- so I may not have any luck with tube AM, anyway.

It's kinda funny; most of us just want to talk to each other, but, like in every other endeavor, everything quickly becomes some sort of competition for some of the participants.

For what it's worth, I really appreciate your comments on the QRZ.COM boards; you have been around quite a while, and your level of literacy, both in content and presentation, is refreshing.

I hope to QSO with you someday, either on-air or eyeball.

[KI6DCB]

Maybe I should move to Ducie Island; I'm a Christian, although I'm not related to the family on Pitcairn.

If I lived on Ducie (Tough life!), every night would be a hoot -- at least for a while! After everyone who needed it got the card, no one would talk to me again...

Wait! There's always RTTY!

[W9GB]

When I got back into the "hollow state" arena I decided to narrow my focus on the Hallicrafters SR line of Transceivers. So in the last 3 years I have bought and restored dozens of the SR's. I continue to get "tech" units and parts units. Each time I restore one I set it beside it's twin in the shack and compare performance.
Walt -

Very nice collection of Hallicrafters "SR" series. There are a few prized collections in the Chicago area, some with families of former Hallicrafters workers. Keep them running !

w9gb

[G1DRP]

The TenTec in the photo has been replaced by a SR-2000.

Excellent kit! I bet the equipment made today won't last half as long as the vintage stuff.
I think that all ROHS compliant gear will suffer from dry joints in the future.

VY 73,
Ian G1DRP

[KA4ETR]

The TenTec in the photo has been replaced by a SR-2000.

WOW! GREAT SHACK!!

[WD0GOF]

Well, not quite all "boat anchors" since there are 7 solid-state units (3 each 10 meter, 1 each 6 meter, 1 each 2 meter, 1 each 1.25 meter, and 1 each VLF units). However, most of the units are tube-type.

http://k9sth.com/uploads/K9STH_Shack_Photos.pdf

Glen, K9STH

Nice collection, how do you manage to get air time on all those rigs? Do you have a weekly or monthly list "today this one tomorrow that one"?

[K9STH]

GOF:

Primarily the only time that I use most of the equipment is during the "Classic Exchange" which is a semi-annual "contest" which promotes operation of older equipment. Then I add my Brent-Daniel transmitter which was made in 1929 (crystal controlled, puts out between 5 and 10 watts).

My primary station is the 32S-3, 75S-3A, and Tempo 2001. I do occasionally use the Heath SB-401, SB-301, and SB-200 station. Also, the Heath SB-401/SB-301 is used as the 10-meter i.f. for my Hallicrafters HA-2 2-meter transverter. Sometimes I use the Heath equipment with my Hallicrafters HA-6 6-meter transverter but usually use my Heath SB-110A for 6-meters. "Just for kicks", when running "barefoot", I do use the Eldico T-102 / R-104.

Now for 160 meter operation I do use the Hammarlund HX-50A and either my Collins 75A-4 or Collins 75A-2 receivers. For "split" SSB operation, especially on 40 meters, I use the Collins 32S-3 etc. station and one of my 75S-1 receivers. The 75S-1 is used to copy the DX station while the remainder of the equipment is used within the United States "phone" band.

From time-to-time I do turn on the other receivers and just listen when I don't want to transmit.

Glen, K9STH

[K5SYN]

Well, not quite all "boat anchors" since there are 7 solid-state units (3 each 10 meter, 1 each 6 meter, 1 each 2 meter, 1 each 1.25 meter, and 1 each VLF units). However, most of the units are tube-type.

http://k9sth.com/uploads/K9STH_Shack_Photos.pdf

Glen, K9STH

I'd have paid admission to see that fine collection when I was living in Dallas.

[WA8LGM]

WOW!:eek: Great to see all of that great stuff working. Congratulations!! :):):)

[WY6K]

Hey Walter -

I really like your shack, although I've never really had any exposure to that "late era" Hallicrafters gear. It's nice to see it. I presume you actually use it and that makes it all that much better.

I have lots of boatanchors here too, which I use more than the modern gear. My website is down because I'm changing to a different host. Hopefully it will be back up in the next few days. But, in the meantime, here are a couple of pics of some of my gear. I've tried to go for the "wall of boatanchors" feel in the layout of the shack - sort of like yours.

Mike

[WD0GOF]

Hey Walter -

I really like your shack, although I've never really had any exposure to that "late era" Hallicrafters gear. It's nice to see it. I presume you actually use it and that makes it all that much better.

I have lots of boatanchors here too, which I use more than the modern gear. My website is down because I'm changing to a different host. Hopefully it will be back up in the next few days. But, in the meantime, here are a couple of pics of some of my gear. I've tried to go for the "wall of boatanchors" feel in the layout of the shack - sort of like yours.

Mike

Yes, I use them all. Every thing in the shack gets tuned up at least once a week. Duplicates are kept elsewhere under going restoration. My favorite is probably the simplest, the SR-500. It is a tri-bander 80, 40, and 20. It has only one BELL and no WHISTLES. It has RIT, no noise blanking, no cw filter options and no notch filter. It does have beautiful tx audio (So I'm told), 350 watts PEP, and the RX s+n:n is 22db at O.15uv. The AGC figure of merit from 1 uv to 2500 uv is 7 db. Not bad for a 45 year old tube rig. I have limited my collecting interest to only the Hallicrafters SR series of HF gear. Each time I complete a refurbishment I compare it to the one in the shack. I keep the best one and pass on the other. Then I go looking for another to reserect and put back on the air.
73 Walt

[PH5E]

Very nice collection, but should there be a straight key instead of a paddle to keep history in sync?

[WD0GOF]

Very nice collection, but should there be a straight key instead of a paddle to keep history in sync?


Look closer, The 1957 model paddle is connected to the vintage 1960 HA-1, T.O. KEYER. The T.0. Keyer is a 6 tube electronic keyer good for 10 to 60 wpm. So since it is over 50 years old, has tubes, has a power xfmr and a high voltage that will kill you I think the historic purity has been preserved. The T.O. keyer and Vibroplex paddle are the oldest items on the bench.

73, Walt

[K9STH]

The Hallicrafters HA-1 is the first "electronic keyer" that I used. The keyer was introduced in late 1959 for the 1960 "model year". It was the commercial version of the keyer designed by W9TO which was was in a construction article in QST during the later half of the 1950s.

The "TO" keyer requires somewhat more fines' than the "modern" keyer. The elements ("dits" and "dahs") are NOT self completing so you do have to be very careful not to cut the element "short". Also, the HA-1 can be somewhat "contrary" and can require careful selection of the tubes used in the unit.

However, the transition from using a "bug" to using the HA-1 was not that hard since the operation is a lot like using a "bug".

Glen, K9STH

[WD0GOF]

The Hallicrafters HA-1 is the first "electronic keyer" that I used. The keyer was introduced in late 1959 for the 1960 "model year". It was the commercial version of the keyer designed by W9TO which was was in a construction article in QST during the later half of the 1950s.

The "TO" keyer requires somewhat more fines' than the "modern" keyer. The elements ("dits" and "dahs") are NOT self completing so you do have to be very careful not to cut the element "short". Also, the HA-1 can be somewhat "contrary" and can require careful selection of the tubes used in the unit.

However, the transition from using a "bug" to using the HA-1 was not that hard since the operation is a lot like using a "bug".

Glen, K9STH

Right on Glen, a little more history.. In 1961 "H" came out with the HA-4 or T.T.O. KEYER. The 'Transistorized' T.O.Keyer. Billed as a "fully digital code keyer" it touted "self completing elements". I have only seen one of these keyers and have never had any hands on with one.

Walt, WD0GOF

[N2YEV]

Yeah, thats a mess of nice old Halli gear, but the hybrids don't count as boatanchors. Even if they were manuf'd by the best boatanchor company out there.
Consider the major crteria for making a boatanchor what it truly is; Size, bigger is better; tubes, must be entirely tube driven ( real radios glow in the dark); age, pre 1960 gear constitutes boatanchor grar.
Ask arount on the AM Phone net.
Or try 3885khz anyone there could give a lesson.

Jim, N2YEV:eek:

[K9STH]

YEV:

There are a LOT of radios made in the 1960s and some even well into the 1970s that definitely meet the "standards" of "boat anchors". In fact, it wasn't until the late 1960s that transistors started to be used in amateur radio equipment in many circuits. Also, there were certain models of radios that were manufactured well into the 1980s that used tubes (i.e. Collins KWM-2A).

The Hybrid radios are a gray area. In some regards they are "boat anchors" and in some regards they are "solid-state". When the question concerns the tube portions of the unit then the Boatanchor forum is the more correct place for the post. At least at the present time, there is no need for a "hybrid" forum which would encompass such radios.

Glen, K9STH

[WD0GOF]

Yeah, thats a mess of nice old Halli gear, but the hybrids don't count as boatanchors. Even if they were manuf'd by the best boatanchor company out there.
Consider the major crteria for making a boatanchor what it truly is; Size, bigger is better; tubes, must be entirely tube driven ( real radios glow in the dark); age, pre 1960 gear constitutes boatanchor grar.
Ask arount on the AM Phone net.
Or try 3885khz anyone there could give a lesson.

Jim, N2YEV:eek:

Jim, look a little closer. There is not a hybred in the lot. The latest techonology touted here is the use of 1N34's and other germanium diodes in ballanced mixers and rf switches. The SR-400 also used an IC, yep, a MC790 RTL JK FF device. It was used in the calabrator to create a harmonic rich output. At the time the 400 was designed DTL and RTL were the hottest new technology. I think it was included just as a marketing ploy.

73 Walt.

Walt.

[WA9CWX]

Very nice set up. Keep the shelves/table supported though, lot of weight...:)

Frank

[WB0SND]

Does this one qualify?

http://www.vacuumtubes.com/images/collins_5-1.jpg

[WD0GOF]

WB0SND, I think you are over qualified.

73, Walt.

[N2YEV]

WB0SND,

Now, That's what is typical of the term boatanchor where I come from. All my young life hanging around my uncles shack, watching him work tirelessly and dilligently on some piece of gear the size of me, several pieces in this photo remind me of a few he had pass his way on occasion. Of course, you were more able to see these babies back then, than now. I'm not knocking the hybrids guys, I'm just saying to ME they are just not "boatanchors" like I was brought up believing to be a boatanchor.:rolleyes:
I guess I'm just old-fashioned at heart. It's the reason I keep coming back to the old tube gear, I'm just saddened by the fact the qty has gone down, while the cost has gotten rediculously high.:confused:

73,
jim

[WB0SND]

Would you believe that I use this stuff on a regular basis? It isn't for just show. I'ts my regular station I use daily. I use the Collins station unless I need to use the WARC bands, then I use the Drakes. I even contest with the Collins stuff. I've got to be the only guy in the ARRL DX CW contest with Gold Dust Twins. I just love the stuff......

WB0SND

[WA9CWX]

One little aside....I am happy to see gear today on SHELVES..Remember when the standard operating proceedure was to put each new radio ON TOP of the last one, rubber feet or not, at least the sides got nicked and scratched, It was impossible at a hamfest to find any USED gear that didn't have at least some paint scrapped off, and any mention of paint scrapping got you a weird look from the seller...:D
Of course today on ebay, it has gone over the other edge, every little bit of paint smudge is suspect, but still, I am happy the care of gear today has lead to concern over even the physical appearance of the cabinet.

Nice pics all.

Frank

[AD5ST]

It's nothing super impressive, but here's my shack. Heavy metal on the left, hybrid on the right. Ignore the Yaesu 897 on the far right; it's only there temporarily to try things out before FD.

[WB0SND]

Here are some other boat anchors....or sinkers. I actually got on the air on 40 cw tonight with the VikingII and NC 240-D. The NC-240 D reminded of my Novice days when I used an Heathkit HR-10B and heard everyone in the band.....at one time. It was a blast!

[WD0GOF]

Hey Walter -

I really like your shack, although I've never really had any exposure to that "late era" Hallicrafters gear. It's nice to see it. I presume you actually use it and that makes it all that much better.

I have lots of boatanchors here too, which I use more than the modern gear. My website is down because I'm changing to a different host. Hopefully it will be back up in the next few days. But, in the meantime, here are a couple of pics of some of my gear. I've tried to go for the "wall of boatanchors" feel in the layout of the shack - sort of like yours.

Mike

Nice collection, you probably have more $$$ in AC distribution than I have in my entire shack.

73's Walt

[WA2ROC]

Mostly Heathkit.

HX-10 Marauder vintage 1966, RX-1 Mohawk vintage 1962, TX-1 Apache vintage 1961. AK-5 speaker vintage 1961, Heath HO-10 Monitor Scope vintage 1963, 2040 tuner vintage 1970(?), HD-1410 electronic keyer vintage 1970 (?), and Hallicrafters SX-111 vintage 1959. The Heath SWR bridge and SB-10 are now gone.

All units work perfectly and have not been modified in any way other than new electrolytics and maybe a tube or two.

I'm using a full wave 80 meter loop up about 40' in the air.

Dick WA2ROC
Durham, NC

[NS8N]

The TenTec in the photo has been replaced by a SR-2000.

Great looking shack. Boatanchors certainly have an appeal for me even though I didn't grow up with them (born in '82 --licensed in '99). I've only owned a couple pieces of equipment thus far that would qualify (Heathkit SB-200 and an old Swan tube-type CB radio, can't even remember the model). Anyways, whats appealing to me is the build quality. They were built like Russian T-72s! Rigs built today simply cannot compare.

I've often thought about assembling a boatanchor station but simply never know where to start. For instance, you OTs can probably easily discern the difference between Halli's, Heath, Drake, National, etc. To me however, other than paint jobs, they are all the same. I have no idea which is "high end" or "low end". I don't know the "quirks" for all of these rigs. They also hold no nostalgia value for me. For these reasons I will probably never assemble an old station.

But the appeal is still there.

[WD0GOF]

Mostly Heathkit.

HX-10 Marauder vintage 1966, RX-1 Mohawk vintage 1962, TX-1 Apache vintage 1961. AK-5 speaker vintage 1961, Heath HO-10 Monitor Scope vintage 1963, 2040 tuner vintage 1970(?), HD-1410 electronic keyer vintage 1970 (?), and Hallicrafters SX-111 vintage 1959. The Heath SWR bridge and SB-10 are now gone.

All units work perfectly and have not been modified in any way other than new electrolytics and maybe a tube or two.

I'm using a full wave 80 meter loop up about 40' in the air.

Dick WA2ROC
Durham, NC

How do you use your SX-111. That is my favorit of all the "H" receivers.
73 Walt

[WA2ROC]

I use it to "scan around" another band while I am listening to the Mohawk. If there's no activity on the one I am using, I'll switch and go to the other.

I'm actually looking for an HT-37 to pair up with the SX-111.

[K7AV]

Here's my boat anchors.

First my HQ-129X and T-150. The HQ-129X needs filter capacitors, and who knows what else. I do have a new front panel for it though. The T-150 is untested.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/dmuller27/Ham%20Radio/HPIM1371.jpg

Here's my GR-81, a duplicate of my first radio that I built in 1965. It works quite well.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/dmuller27/Ham%20Radio/HPIM1378.jpg

My Ranger I, the closest I could get to my transmitter in 1969, which was actually a Valiant. I would have bought a Valiant now if I had the room. It looks great, but is untested.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/dmuller27/Ham%20Radio/HPIM1379.jpg

Hallicrafters S-40A, works pretty well.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/dmuller27/Ham%20Radio/HPIM1380.jpg

My DX-20 and RME-4300, which is a pretty close approximation of my novice station in 1968. In the lower level is the SB-301 and SB-401. Those were my primary rig in the late 70s, and last I checked (maybe 6 years ago) they worked quite well.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/dmuller27/Ham%20Radio/HPIM1381.jpg

[W1GUH]

Yeah, and I will always have capability to make pretty noises in the "AM windows" where some of the guys frown on "non-hollow-state", especially, uh, FOREIGN gear. My TS-940SAT is simply not a good enough radio to talk with a Johnson Viking; don't ask me how I know. What's really a shame is that, in the 1950's, my Kenwood would have been featured in ALL of the ham magazines and probably in the New York Times, etc., too, and EVERYONE would have been trying to get a QSL card from the guy with "THE RADIO FROM MARS!"

A lot of these AM guys today are quite cliquish -- as well as running inflated California Kilowatt rigs -- so I may not have any luck with tube AM, anyway.

It's kinda funny; most of us just want to talk to each other, but, like in every other endeavor, everything quickly becomes some sort of competition for some of the participants.

For what it's worth, I really appreciate your comments on the QRZ.COM boards; you have been around quite a while, and your level of literacy, both in content and presentation, is refreshing.

I hope to QSO with you someday, either on-air or eyeball.

"A lot of these AM guys today are quite cliquish -- as well as running inflated California Kilowatt rigs -- so I may not have any luck with tube AM, anyway."

Don't know about present time, but when I was regularly active in the AM window, there were only a few individuals that came off like that. Almost all the others were really great and would spend hours helping others out. I'm itching and dyin' to get either my TR-3 or AF-67 on the air from the car. I tried with two rice boxes last year ('857, IC-720a) and, while I was readable & didn't get any nasty comments (they all were purly informational) I hated getting "yellowy" reports! ;)

OK...my fave boat-anchor station was my first, in '90. An Apache and HQ-180. Didn't have that on long enough. It was only a few months til I replaced that with a Valiant/Mohawk combo I got at a hamfest. The Valiant was fun, and the Mohawk was a nostalgic beauty -- but neither hit the "spot" of the original lash-up. One of my dreams it to get another Mohawk and mod it to sound and operate it like an SX-101 or NC-300!

BTW -- I've heard that the SX-117 is every bit as good as an SX-115. Any truth to that?

TO Keyers -- when I got one I found it impossible to send with an iambic paddle. When I found a Vibro-keyer it get a lot easier! Didn't realize the dits and dahs weren't self-completing, tho'.

[WD0GOF]

".............


TO Keyers -- when I got one I found it impossible to send with an iambic paddle. When I found a Vibro-keyer it get a lot easier! Didn't realize the dits and dahs weren't self-completing, tho'.

Hallicrafters came out with the T.T.O. Keyer "fully transistorized digital keyer" model HA-4. It was self completing. I think it was only produced for a year or two. The first year of production was 1961. It didn't sell well. The T.O. Keyer, HA-1 which was commonly paired with the vibroplex continued in production untill 1969. The T.T.O. is very rare.

[W1GUH]

Hallicrafters came out with the T.T.O. Keyer "fully transistorized digital keyer" model HA-4. It was self completing. I think it was only produced for a year or two. The first year of production was 1961. It didn't sell well. The T.O. Keyer, HA-1 which was commonly paired with the vibroplex continued in production untill 1969. The T.T.O. is very rare.

And isn't as pretty as the original! Matched my HA-5 VFO.

[ND4JS]

This is my Nearly all boat anchor shack.

I love operating the old stuff with the glowing glass jars.

73 de kc4phr Jay

http://www.qrz.com/hampages/r/h/kc4phr/fullshack.jpg

[N2YEV]

Jay, I'm spying what appears to be a Heathkit VH-1 VFO on your top shelf that is not being used. Any chance you would consider selling it? I've been looking for one to use with my DX-100.;)

Let me know...

[K9STH]

YEV:

Is the VFO in your DX-100 broken? The basic design is pretty much the same as the Heath VF-1 (not VH-1).

Glen, K9STH

[N2YEV]

YEV:

Is the VFO in your DX-100 broken? The basic design is pretty much the same as the Heath VF-1 (not VH-1).

Glen, K9STH


Yes Glen the DX-100 VFO is broken, and thanks for the typo correction, I seem to do that a lot when referring to the VF-1 (not VH-1):o HI!
I seem to remember seeing or hearing a conversation about the two VFO's being either very similar to possibly identical. Thus, being a good source for either parts or use as an external.;)

[K9STH]

The basic circuit is the same. The placement of the band change switch is different since in the DX-100 there is a "cam" which changes the output from the VFO from 160-meters to 40-meters. 160-meter output is used on the 160-meter and 80-meter bands and the 40-meter output is used on 40, 20, 15, and 10-meter bands. There is a 3rd position which switches in a fixed capacitor to lower the 7 MHz signal to 6 MHz for the 11-meter band which, of course, is no longer an amateur radio band.

Unless the variable capacitor is damaged or one of the 2 coils are damaged, you will be much better off just repairing the VFO in the DX-100. All of the other parts are available from places like Mouser.

Glen, K9STH

[SM7JKD]

Well, not quite all "boat anchors" since there are 7 solid-state units (3 each 10 meter, 1 each 6 meter, 1 each 2 meter, 1 each 1.25 meter, and 1 each VLF units). However, most of the units are tube-type.

http://k9sth.com/uploads/K9STH_Shack_Photos.pdf

Glen, K9STH

Hi Glen,
Enjoyed my trip down memory lane.. what a fantastic collection.
My favourites were on the last picture: The Heath Twins, and the warrior.
Thank you,
David, SM7JKD.

[ND4JS]

YEV:

Is the VFO in your DX-100 broken? The basic design is pretty much the same as the Heath VF-1 (not VH-1).

Glen, K9STH

No, the vfo on the Johnson Viking II is a VFO1 and it is malfunctioning from time to time. I have a spare. J

[KF7MJF]

Very nice! I'm half heartedly looking for a 6m boat anchor, as my FT-107 does not have the 6m band on it. Decided I should have at least one radio that was obsolete before I was born (1980). I like stuff you can actually open up and work on, and tinker with. I figure one more oversized monster radio in my shack can't hurt. Plus I actually live on a boat, so I need a "boat anchor."

It is very nice to see pics and read the stories of these old radios still in active use.

[K9STH]

PHR:

The Viking II was designed to use the Johnson 122 VFO. Now the Heath VF-1 VFO is generally accepted as being a "clone" of the 122 VFO.

If your Heath VF-1 that you are using with a Viking II is "intermittent", I would go through the VF-1 looking for bad solder connections. Since there is so little circuitry in the VF-1 just resoldering all the connections wouldn't take more than 10 minutes (at the most).

Also, I would remove the oscillator tube and make sure that the connections in the 7-pin socket are still tight. If not, then take a needle, dental pick, Xacto knife with a #11 blade, etc., and tighten the connections. Then clean the pins of the the tube itself.

Tighten all of the machine screws and nuts which go through the chassis. All of the grounds in the unit are made by these and they definitely work loose and/or become corroded over the decades. Tightening all of these "fixes" about 90 percent of the intermittent problems that I run into on "boat anchor" equipment that I work on for others.

Glen, K9STH