[NCC] FW: CQ160 CW W2FU Multi-Op LP

[Eric NO3M]

Jeff

Really neat to hear about some old gear getting thrown on the air for 
this one, esp. that old HRO60 (have an HRO5 here that I use on 630M with 
modified "F" coilset).  I switched between the main station and a 
homebrew 1928 MOPA transmitter (still used the K3 for RX) during slower 
periods:

http://no3m.net/vintage/160m-1928-mopa/

Used a 1962 Vibroplex Champion for keying.  About 15W output, furthest 
worked was a station in OR.  No S/P, just CQed at the bottom of the band 
until hand got tired!

Didn't take this running of the contest too seriously.

73 Eric NO3M

On 01/31/2016 08:35 AM, Jeffrey Ach wrote:
>
> Comments:
>
> This was REAL FUN!
>
> K2TJ and I dusted off a couple of boat anchors from the late 50s to see what
> it would be like to operate in todays crowded contest band conditions......
>
> Transmitter - Johnson Navigator - 25W
> Receiver - HRO-60 - 'E' coil set General Coverage 900-2050 kc
>
> We tried, but couldn't re-master a bug, so we cheated a bit and used an MFJ
> keyer that had a grid block key output.  This was for the benefit of those
> that were trying to copy our somewhat chirpy and off frequency signal.  We
> did log and control antennas using a computer.
>
> I originally wanted to use my Ranger, but it didn't cooperate and emitted
> funny clicking noises from within. When W6TR stopped by to help us giggle
> like kids, we dug into the Ranger while TJ was 'running' up somewhere
> between 1860 and
> 1880 kc.  Found the HV filter cap completely without capacitance anymore
> causing the 5R4 to flash-over.  In true 50s style, we clip-leaded in a 16 MF
> oil filled cap from an old Henry amplifier, and 'swapped' in the Ranger for
> the Navigator.
>
> TJ says he felt louder (50W now) and the Ranger did look a lot sexier and
> the meter didn't slam around like the Navigator.  It also didn't chirp, but
> listening to it on a k3, it sounded pretty clicky to me, so we yanked it
> after a few QSO to return to the Navigator.  I will need to soften the
> keying up a bit before we try it again.
>
> No product detector
> No AGC
> Single pole xtal filter with ~ 8 KHz (errr 8 kc) 60 dB bandwidth About 1/2
> inch of scale for 1 Mc of the 160m band No computer CW No transceive, with
> the wide RX, it was a real challenge to call on-frequency No reaching around
> the open Ranger chassis...one hand in your pocket
>
> We never really copied any Europe, but we sorta heard a few.  With the wide
> RX bandwidth, it was really hard to hear any weak ones.  I did copy a KP4,
> and CW5W was quite loud.
>
> Next time we may move up to the 60s where we can get some narrower bandwidth
> and use radios from the SSB era!  We also need to practice with the
> Vibroplex bug.
>
> Jeff
>
>
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>
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