A hurmorous look at the DX-40

[K1OIK]

Check out the video
I talk about the DX-40 and my sister's reaction to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcY66wIuAlk

[K3WRV]

Heavens, you've got a lousy fist!, Even with the Chirp! While I never owned a DX40 (or even a 35) I did own a DX-20 that I cathode modulated (may the FCC Forgive me (Please lord, please, Don't send me to 11 meters)!!!!! (DX 40's were too expensive! back then)!

But the VF-1 COULD be stabilized (I used one on SSB with a CE 10B, running the VF-`1 at 9MC and nobody ever told me I was drifting. But I never had to retune my RX either. Says something about those old rigs, doesn't it?

But the most amazing thing about the old Heath's was, you learned to fix em youreself, and most of OUR rigs sounded a whole lot better than the Cubans, for the most part, sometimes, maybe!

But if new hams had to play with the Novice class Heath rigs, they wouldn't expect instant gratification.

By the way, Worked my first DX on a DX-20 on 80 meters. But he still hasn't QSL'd.

Nice Video. Hope the newbies watch it.

[K8JD]

Placing the lightbulb load right next to the VF-1 is likely exascerbating the chirp problem with RF feedback..
Good move.
I had a DX20/VF-1 combination with a screen clamp modulator added in it.
It worked failrly well. At least on CW.

[N5FOG]

How can I get that "chicken effect" on my FT-1000 ?? I think it would make a heck of a pileup buster.



FOG

[WA2ZDY]

Ahhh so THAT'S what those guys across the Florida Straits are using??!!

So $60 withouut the VF-1 huh? Hmmmmm . . . Including the rock? (My Globe Scout chirped, even with a rock.)

A project for my ten year old son and I. Tempting, oh so very tempting . . .

[K1OIK]

Heavens, you've got a lousy fist!, Even with the Chirp! While I never owned a DX40 (or even a 35) I did own a DX-20 that I cathode modulated (may the FCC Forgive me (Please lord, please, Don't send me to 11 meters)!!!!! (DX 40's were too expensive! back then)!

But the VF-1 COULD be stabilized (I used one on SSB with a CE 10B, running the VF-`1 at 9MC and nobody ever told me I was drifting. But I never had to retune my RX either. Says something about those old rigs, doesn't it?

But the most amazing thing about the old Heath's was, you learned to fix em youreself, and most of OPUR rigs sounded a whole lot better than the Cubans, for the most part, sometimes, maybe!

But if new hams had to play with the Novice class Heath rigs, they wouldn't expect instant gratification.

By the way, Worked my first DX on a DX-20 on 80 meters. But he still hasn't QSL'd.

Nice Video. Hope the newbies watch it.

I have a lousy fist? I do not agree but I am prejudiced.
What about those guys that call CQ like they are in a rock band?
I have bought and sold 7 VF-1s in the last year, THEY ALL CHIRPED.
I guess I could have found a way to have the VFO put out a constant output.
Thanks for your comments

[K1OIK]

How can I get that "chicken effect" on my FT-1000 ?? I think it would make a heck of a pileup buster.



FOG

I could suggest using a weak power supply but todays rigs either work or quit

[K1OIK]

Ahhh so THAT'S what those guys across the Florida Straits are using??!!

So $60 withouut the VF-1 huh? Hmmmmm . . . Including the rock? (My Globe Scout chirped, even with a rock.)

A project for my ten year old son and I. Tempting, oh so very tempting . . .

Act quick a ham from Lexington, Ma is interested.
How could the Scout chirp with a crystal?
Burt

[K3WRV]

Burt-

I was kidding about the fist, but there WAS a certain swing in your keying (hi hi - like that was the worst of your problems).

But IIRC, there were a few caps you changed out in the VF-1 and that cured the drift. (Think it was written up in CQ or 73 and the articlew was called "Stabilizing the Fleet Footed Sprinter") The DX-40's I remmeber didn't have much of a chirp problem and most of the Heaths actually sounded pretty clean (but that was 154 years ago, so memories may have failed, or maybe our ears improved ;-).

I had lots of fun with my DX-20 and a HB receiver. Mny TNX the memories. Evferything looks better through rose colored glasses.

[KR2D]

That brought back memories! My first transmitter way back in 1980 was a DX-40 with VF-1. I paid $25 for both! I don't recall my VF-1 being that drifty and chirpy, but it was microphonic.