Found my cover photo

[WB2WIK]

http://hamcall.net/cgi-bin/cqcgi/?res=l&yr=1985&mo=02&pg=001&nam=DEMO

This was the cover of February 1985 CQ Magazine. That's me with my hands in the amp, doing the final assembly, and my friend Pete KT2B looking on.

The amp's still on the air, and the tube still produces 1500W output on 50 MHz...

I had no idea this was on line until somebody sent it to me earlier today.

Build the amp!

WB2WIK/6

[KC9ECI]

Balki?

[K5USS]

Steve, Would love to have 1.5kW on 6m but I do value my life...The YL (KE5CCI) and neighbors would string me up for sure! #Seems that 6m only opens when the reality show of the week is on! #If I did have 1.5kW perhaps KC9ECI and I could FINALLY hook up on 6!

After the amp was complete did you put both hands inside of it at the same time? hihi

Hope you have that framed, that is a good memory to preserve.

Charlie
K5USS

[KC9ECI]

Hang in there Charlie, we'll get there one day.

[n5tjd]

... I was 10 months old at the time.

[K7FE]

Steve,
What is that big finned thing in the glass envelope.................and where are the transistors mounted?

Terry

[WA2ZDY]

That big glass thing with the fins . . . I recognise that; it's the space heater. Steve must have left it behind when he moved to LA as it never gets cold there. But here in NJ, we need those heater things. Brrrrrrr . . .

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (K7FE @ Mar. 31 2005,21:25)]Steve,
What is that big finned thing in the glass envelope.................and where are the transistors mounted?

Terry
The big glass thingie is a large thermionic FET. You apply 7.5v at 21.3A to two of the pins and have a 160W reading lamp to help keep your logbook.

BTW, "TVI" on 6m is so 20th Century. Actually, I've never had TVI on 6m since 1979 when the cable company came to town, and I've never lived anywhere that anybody tries to receive directly broadcast television signals since 1979, so the last TVI report I ever received from running a kW on six meters was in 1979.

Lots of stations run a kilowatt or more on six meters, even more so lately since the new Yaesu and Icom solid state HF amps also operate six meters (as do some of the ACOMs, etc).

I built the 4-1000A grid-driven so that I could drive it to a kilowatt with almost "anything," including a typical 10W transceiver -- the tube has more than 20 dB power gain in grid-driven class AB1.

WB2WIK/6

[K3UD]

Steve,

I think I might have that issue of CQ somewhere in the stacks. If I can find it, you are welcome to it.

73
George
K3UD

[WB2WIK]

Thanks, George. I had every issue of CQ, QST, HR and 73 Magazine from the 70s and 80s and disposed of them all -- hundreds of pounds of them -- by giving them to the local public library when I moved from NJ to CA in '88. I started building my collection again after that, and now have a pretty big pile again, but do occasionally miss those old ones!

I figured they'd all be on line someday, or at least available as CDs, and of course now that is becoming true. But a few of the more precious hard copies would be fun to have. I appreciate your offer!

73

Steve WB2WIK/6

[WB2WIK]

I found the index from that magazine on the same website:

http://hamcall.net/cgi-bin....am=DEMO (http://hamcall.net/cgi-bin/cqcgi/?res=l&yr=1985&mo=02&pg=005&nam=DEMO)

That's the "photo caption" for the front page, and the table of contents for that issue of CQ Magazine. I was the monthly VHF Editor back then....wow, time sure flies...

WB2WIK/6

[K7FE]

When I was in high school, the hams would get 4-400 and 4-1000A "pulls" from the local radio stations and the nearby RADAR site gave away 4X150's, so we had a lot of power tubes available. I ran an 814 final, but some friends used the 4-1000A and a pole transformer for a "Nevada" KW.

Nice looking amplifier Steve. That is very special to be on the cover.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[K9STH]

I actually have a photo of Steve that was in QST during the 1970s when he took his ARRL division in the VHF contest that year. I took the West Gulf Division in the same contest but didn't get "my" photo in the magazine!

Actually, Steve really needs a haircut in that photo. Makes Ringo Starr look bald.

Glen, K9STH

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ April 01 2005,10:03)]I actually have a photo of Steve that was in QST during the 1970s when he took his ARRL division in the VHF contest that year. #I took the West Gulf Division in the same contest but didn't get "my" photo in the magazine!

Actually, Steve really needs a haircut in that photo. #Makes Ringo Starr look bald.

Glen, K9STH
Thanks for your comments, Terry. I've had other cover shots, but this one was really close-up, and of work I had just completed on the 6m amp project so it's special to me. And poor Larry Mulvehill, the CQ photographer, had to drive in the snow and very far uphill (to my home) to get the shot. I don't think he was anxious to leave and go back out in the snow and ice....

Glen, yes, I think I remember that picture, too. I did have long hair in the 70's. Also in the 60's. Now and then it still gets about that long...never lost any hair, yet, but it's sure not as dark as it used to be! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

"Salt and pepper" I think is the description, nowadays.

73

Steve WB2WIK/6

[K9STH]

Steve:

My barber threatens to charge me by the pound to get my hair cut. My hair is even thicker than when I was a teenager. As for gray hair, my hair started turning gray one strand a day starting on 12 June 1965 (the day that I got married). At least that is what I tell my wife.

She has gray streaks, but is still primarily brunette. Me, well I have dark streaks! All 3 of my daughters have reddish tints to their hair. One day my youngest asked me where they got their red hair. I told her to just think. Her mother is a McBrayer and my mother is an Anderson (both Scots). My youngest daughter's husband has red hair and their little girl (8 months old today) really has red hair.

Glen, K9STH

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ April 01 2005,10:28)]#One day my youngest asked me where they got their red hair.
One of my daughters is a pure blonde, a striking blonde with very light hair that gets lighter in the summer sunshine.

Her mother has black hair, and I have brown hair, and her mother's parents and grandparents all have black hair. I tell her she looks like the UPS man.

Seriously, my father did have blonde hair, so it probably skipped a generation and she got it. Lucky her, she's really beautiful and the only one in the family with blonde hair, so that makes her special.

[K9STH]

My eldest had platinum blonde hair until she was around 4. Then it went dark then red. During the summer months when she drives around in one of her Mazda Miatas (she has 3 right now) her hair goes "strawberry blonde". Otherwise it is a reddish brown.

Glen, K9STH

[kb2vxa]

Hi guys,

Gee, cable not withstanding 6M gets into the IF and clobbers every channell on every set in the building. Murphy always has his way, regardless of someone's favorite show one or more sets are always on. That's why I only work a DX station and skeedaddle.

Who ME? This is the umpteenth time you complaied when the radio wasn't even on and half the time I wasn't even home!

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ April 01 2005,12:24)]Hi guys,

Gee, cable not withstanding 6M gets into the IF and clobbers every channell on every set in the building. Murphy always has his way, regardless of someone's favorite show one or more sets are always on. That's why I only work a DX station and skeedaddle.
I don't know what "every set in the building" means, but I've run 1 kW+ output on six meters since 1967 and have absolutely never had this problem, anywhere I've lived (15 different homes on both coasts).

TVI from 6m operations is no more nor less likely than TVI from operations on any other frequency, now that the viewers are all on cable or satellite. My satellite stuff (including the TiVos) all take the LNB signal and convert directly to fibre optic for the television interface -- ain't no "wires" involved in the A/V signal path, except at the low microwaves (LNB output). I can aim my six meter beam, running 1500W output power, directly at my satellite dish and not cause the slightest flicker of interference to any set in the house.

WB2WIK/6

[ve2nsm]

mmmmhh, and what about the golden rule of always keep a hand in your pocket and never wear rings and wristwatches when working in an amplifier ?

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Just kidding, nice picture, frame it!

[KC9ECI]

If I ever got into a Miata, it would take a can opener to get me out again.

[K9STH]

ECI:

My eldest daughter used to have 5 of them but then she split up with her ex. He got 3 and she got 2. But, her new husband had 1 so she is back up to 3. Also has her Triumph TR-6 that she had from high school through college.

She is 5'1" tall and weighs right at 100 pounds.

Glen, K9STH

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ April 01 2005,17:09)]ECI:

My eldest daughter used to have 5 of them but then she split up with her ex. #He got 3 and she got 2. #But, her new husband had 1 so she is back up to 3. #Also has her Triumph TR-6 that she had from high school through college.

She is 5'1" tall and weighs right at 100 pounds.

Glen, K9STH
Since she has held on to the Triumph, I'll bet she does love the Miatas...all the fun and half the maintenance!

I was out at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson (near Ft. Worth) for a motorcycle race recently, and a Mazda club of some sort still had a bunch of track-prepped Miatas sitting out. #Really nice looking cars in race trim, I'll bet they are a lot of fun!

Oh, so we don't hijack the thread completely...
Great picture, WIK. #It's pretty cool that you found it on the web after all this time.

73
Chuck

[K9STH]

My daughter's ex was the first manager of the track out near Cresson. He also helped design it.

He got his professional SCCA driving license the first year he tried and also drove in the National that year. He finished right in the middle of the pack. Not too bad for a "rookie".

Glen, K9STH

[KC9ECI]

The XYL had a Triumph Spitfire Mk IV, I didn't drive it so much as I would wear it. I used to spin around town in it looking out over the top of the 'windscreen.' I much prefered my Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, big car, but that 455 Rocket gave it plenty of get up and go.

[WA2ZDY]

When I married wife #1, she had a VERY fast Mazda RX7. Beautiful car, lots of fun to drive, but I almost did need the can opener to get out at 6'4" and about 210 back then. One day I found out she had no driver's license!

When I married wife #2, she had a Mustang GT Cobra that even more fun to drive, and I didn't even have any trouble getting in and out. I drove that car for a year before discovering it wasn't registered.

Something about me and wives who like to drive but don't like the DMV . . .

[kj5t]

I don't need an amp like that to cause interference.. I can't operate when DVD's are being played, as I come through the surrond sound system.. Also I come through the computer speakers in the house. There is also a touch lamp that comes on and starts going through its settings..

Really puts a cramp in my operating, because I would love to sit here for hours an operate, but there comes a time when I start making people mad..

[WF7I]

Granted, it was ~20 years ago, but you look FAR too happy/pleasant to be a ham! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I think I mentioned to you on these boards some time back that I was browsing through some old CQs in the library and came across the one with you on the cover. I said to myself, "that call looks familiar", and sure enough, you were one of the regular posters on QRZ!

73 (oops, wrong magazine)

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (KD5OWO @ April 02 2005,19:05)]I don't need an amp like that to cause interference.. I can't operate when DVD's are being played, as I come through the surrond sound system.. Also I come through the computer speakers in the house. #There is also a touch lamp that comes on and starts going through its settings.. #

Really puts a cramp in my operating, because I would love to sit here for hours an operate, but there comes a time when I start making people mad..
Ya know, 100% of all RFI can always be eliminated. It takes some engineering. Complaining doesn't help much, though. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Having been active running high power (legal limit) on all bands from 160m through 70cm for 30+ years, from very congested spaces with lots of electronic appliances in my own and my neighbors' homes, I can attest that I've never seen the RFI problem I couldn't eliminate.

Take them one by one, and fix them. Key word:Ferrite. Lots and lots of it.

At one time, I had more than 300 ferrite choke filters installed on all the I-O lines to every computer peripheral, every stereo system, every VHS and DVD player, every surround-sound system, every Nintendo game, every telephone, FAX machine, answering machine and almost everything else in the house in order to completely eliminate all the RFI.

However, it's much easier now, and a lot of the ferrites went back into the toolbox, after changing a lot of the stuff to fibre-optic connections. My new surround-sound system, all the satellite TiVo converters/recorders, and the DVD players are now (finally!) all fibre-optic I-O from appliance to host, and wow, did that take care of a lot of problems. I even went to wireless keyboards and mice, and tossed out all the amplified PC speakers (in favor of powered sound cards that don't require amplified speakers), which went a very long way in elminating PC-RFI. The new 5.7 GHz cordless phones from Southwest Bell are so immune to RFI that once I bought one and found out how good it was, I replaced every phone in the house.

Whew.

The result is: 7 TV sets, 7 TiVos, 7 DVD systems, 2 surround-sound systems, four PCs and an XYL + 4 kids with absolutely zero RFI, no matter what I transmit with.

You can do it, too. It takes time, and some experimentation. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

WB2WIK/6

[K7FE]

Steve,
It sounds as if you jumped up a notch in the pole on money spent on ham radio from: "I am VERY SERIOUS and money is no object"
To: "I'm rich and I've got it all, baby!"

Of course, no RFI makes it all worth while.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (K7FE @ April 04 2005,10:41)]Steve,
It sounds as if you jumped up a notch in the pole on money spent on ham radio from: "I am VERY SERIOUS and money is no object" #
To: "I'm rich and I've got it all, baby!"

Of course, no RFI makes it all worth while.

73,
Terry, K7FE
Hi Terry: I'm rich in what counts, like family, health and ham radio http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif With four kids still in school, and the first one already evidently purchasing land up at UCSB, I think the "$ rich" part will have to be set aside.

The home consumer electronics stuff is all accumulated over many years and continuously upgraded as it wears out or as we receive "gifts," though. My XYL bought "me" our new surround-sound system for the Family Room as a Christmas present a few months ago, and I must admit, I don't watch a lot of TV or DVDs but the rest of the family does and I can appreciate the improvement -- works great, sounds great, and the interconnections from DVD to amp and to TV are all fibre optic, and it sure makes a difference (zero RFI now). The only copper wiring in the system is that used to connect the six speakers -- that appears to create no RFI problem at all.

I went to wireless keyboards and mice years ago, when they became very cheap. The PCs are on a wireless network, too, and nothing interferes with that -- and vice-versa.

The old, "When I transmit, I interfere with everything in the house" story just doesn't stand up well to any scrutiny. Anybody having this problem just hasn't invested the time or thought to solving it yet. It can always be solved, and usually for next to nothing in cost.

Although I should have invested in a ferrite mine....

73

Steve WB2WIK/6

[K7FE]

Steve,
Tell us about the fiber optic links, transducers, etc. and where can us poor folk purchase these, I am ready. #I have miles of copper thru my house and could not find the fiber system easily when I needed it during construction. #We have 10 TV's, numerous VCR,DVD and video game boxes, 5 computers (cat5) networked, 18 phone extensions on a six line KSU, cordless phone, 3 answering machine/phones, 5 amplified speakers, alarm, paging/music system, a ton of ferrite and ..............RFI.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[WB2WIK]

Hi Terry,

I'm not using any aftermarket stuff at all to convert copper to optical, and not sure I'd even encourage that.

The "new stuff," if you go out to buy c.2005 surround sound systems, DVD players, cable TV converters, satellite converters, TiVo recorders and also (high end) television receivers, all
have fibre optic I-O's, as they come, factory-equipped.

True, even a year or two ago, this wasn't the case. But it's why we've been slowly upgrading everything in the house -- the old stuff wears out, anyway.

There are surely Media Interface Adapters available to convert copper to optical for any number of peripherals, but I'm not using any. Just new hardware. I'm not sure how "universal" those M.I.A.s really are, since the gigibit transceivers contained therein require power, typically 5v or 3.3v, and if the original appliance didn't have a port, it probably also doesn't have a source of power for the M.I.A., so one would need to use a dongle with a wall-wart or something.

The new SONY stuff all has fibre interfaces for everything except the speakers.

My 4 year-old cable converter boxes were already fibre-ready with transceivers in them; until I had new appliances, I just had no way to use the interface!

The TiVos we use for satellite converters/digital recorders come standard with fibre interfaces. The ones we have are branded "Hughes," but I think they all do.

73 & good luck!

Steve WB2WIK/6

[K7FE]

Thanks for the info.