The Duesenberg of Amateur Radio rigs......which most qualifies?

[KL7AJ]

1 Collins "Gold Dust" Twins
2 Johnson Desk Kilowatt
3 National HRO-500
4 Central Electronics 100V/200V
5 Heathkit "Indians" (Mohawk, Apache, Warrior)
6 Technical Materiel Corporation (TMC)
7 Hallicrafters HT-32/HT33
8 Signal One
9 Hammarlund SP600J
10 Collins R-390

[WB2WIK]

I'd have said the CE stuff except they were only transmitters and couldn't hear anyone.

If we go with an actual station that can make contacts, the Gold Dust twins are probably at the top of the heap.

I have the receiving half but never had the KWS-1. Looking forward to that someday.

[W1GUH]

Said the Collins for the same reason Steve did. But on thinking it over...maybe a full TMC AM/SSB station with the GPR-90, GSB-1, GPT-750, and that Speech Amp that I don't know the model number of. Muy, muy impressive looking in the advertising shots of that station, looks-wise -- and provides plate modulation on AM. Probably cost lots more than the Collins, too.

I'll have to dig out an old handbook iwith that ad and post a pic of that station.

[KL7AJ]

Said the Collins for the same reason Steve did. But on thinking it over...maybe a full TMC AM/SSB station with the GPR-90, GSB-1, GPT-750, and that Speech Amp that I don't know the model number of. Muy, muy impressive looking in the advertising shots of that station, looks-wise -- and provides plate modulation on AM. Probably cost lots more than the Collins, too.

I'll have to dig out an old handbook iwith that ad and post a pic of that station.

I voted for the 100V, not just because I HAVE one, but because it has some very unusual features.

The Duesenberg had the first electric starter. And it had an automatic greasing system.

Likewise, the 100V had the capability of full AM, single sideband with carrier, single sideband WITHOUT carrier, Double sideband with carrier, AND FM. And it also has a built-in waveform scope.....NO other rig on the market had that (I haven't checked too closely, but I think my 100V has an automatic greasing system too!)

Eric

[NI7I]

I didnt (couldnt) pick one but have a question... I was in the Navy during the end of the R390 era .. Had both colins and 390's manufactured by others.. couldnt really tell the difference. Werent they all made to the same specs and with the same components? Could never figure out what the big deal was/is about the Colins made 390's..

Lee
NI7I

[KL7AJ]

I didnt (couldnt) pick one but have a question... I was in the Navy during the end of the R390 era .. Had both colins and 390's manufactured by others.. couldnt really tell the difference. Werent they all made to the same specs and with the same components? Could never figure out what the big deal was/is about the Colins made 390's..

Lee
NI7I

Lee:

Yes they were....Collins, Motorola, and I believe RCA amongst others built the R390. But Collins designed the thing.

Eric

[WA6MHZ]

During the 30s, the Dusenberg was the FANCIEST and FINEST car money could buy. The most Expensive too!

Same with the Gold Dust Twins. Gotta have a WHEELBARROW full of Gold Dust to get them!

[W1GUH]

I voted for the 100V, not just because I HAVE one, but because it has some very unusual features.

The Duesenberg had the first electric starter. And it had an automatic greasing system.

Likewise, the 100V had the capability of full AM, single sideband with carrier, single sideband WITHOUT carrier, Double sideband with carrier, AND FM. And it also has a built-in waveform scope.....NO other rig on the market had that (I haven't checked too closely, but I think my 100V has an automatic greasing system too!)

Eric

The Eldico 100F had a scope...

[W1GUH]

Here's the TMC rig I mentioned above, from the '56 Handbook

56HandbookTMC.jpg

Footnote:

TMC really supported the ARRL. For many years they ran monthly full-page ads in QST -- and, really, how much did they sell to hams?

Somehow I first put in the wrong picture and it seems to not want to go away -- of the Hallicrafters SR-500, so here it is. It seems to deserve honorable mention in this poll. Anyone ever see one in person? Also from the '56 Handbook.

[KL7AJ]

Here's the TMC rig I mentioned above, from the '56 Handbook

56HandbookTMC.jpg

Footnote:

TMC really supported the ARRL. For many years they ran monthly full-page ads in QST -- and, really, how much did they sell to hams?

Somehow I first put in the wrong picture and it seems to not want to go away -- of the Hallicrafters SR-500, so here it is. It seems to deserve honorable mention in this poll. Anyone ever see one in person? Also from the '56 Handbook.

It certainly does bear mentioning. I almost had one.....