[TenTec] Orion versus 70 years ago

[Paul Elliott]

Today is the 70th anniversary of my becoming a licensed ham
operator-received a Class C license signed by J. B. Beadle (remember that
signature?) dated January 19, 1937 a few days later.

 

It is interesting to compare the Orion to my first rig-a TNT oscillator,
using a type 45 tube, and a regenerative receiver, using type 57 and 56
tubes.  Both were made with parts scrounged from defunct Atwater Kent
receivers.  Finding the ham bands with the receiver was done by trial and
error, changing the number of turns on the receiver coil until success was
achieved. The transmitter was tuned to the same band  (hopefully!) using an
adsorption wavemeter-also home-built. Needless to say, the Orion is somewhat
different.

 

My thanks to those on this and other reflectors who have shared their
knowledge and expertise.

 

73 Paul W5DM