[UK-CONTEST] Automation in 1957

[Roger Cooke]

Hi.

  I operated in my first NFD in 1957 using a straight key, but I well remember our "automatic CQ machine" built by Ray, G2YU. It consisted of a large disk with suitable slots on the edge and it was driven by a small 12V motor. It had just enough for CQ NFD de G2YU/P pse k. It was only used on Sunday afternoon because we ran short of Q's by then. All /P stations were limited to 10 watts, and a very pedantic Ted, G3IVH, built the transmitter. We had to have a dummy run, complete with the antenna we intended using, just a doublet then, and he adjusted the PA so it ran 9.99 Watts and not a microwatt more!

 We usually made around 150 Q's max and thought that was good! 

They say nostalgia comes with age - I must be b....y old!!

Regards from Roger, G3LDI
Swardeston, Norfolk.



      __________________________________________________________
Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html