[VHFcontesting] Need feedback on KLM Echo 70

[Rogers, Ron]

Yep, an Echo 70 (KLM) was part of the W8VP station when we set the Great Lakes multi-op record some years ago !  It worked just fine, seemed stable enough, and I sorta wish I had kept it as a backup after all these years.
 
I used the Echo 70 to drive a home brew 2C39 buffer 432 amp up to about 30 watts, which then drove a pair of 4CX250s up to a Kilowatt.  We used a 4 bay of KLM 432 antennas to cap off the 432 station.
 
I also used a home brew tower mounted preamp (ARR,  MRF-901 device) to help the Echo 70 on RX. 
 
But we did just fine with it........ and the Echo 70 had no significant birdies that I can remember.
 
Ron
WW8RR
 

________________________________

From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com on behalf of Ellen Rugowski
Sent: Thu 1/3/2008 7:48 PM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Need feedback on KLM Echo 70



Hi Everybody,

Ever since I sole my FT-897D (whihc frankly didn't hold a candle to the FT-736R I had to sell back in 1999 [2, 222, 432 & 1296 capability is hard to beat])to pay for car repair bills, I've been trying to rebuild my VHF/UHF capabilities.  I had pretty much decided to blow off the January VHF SS, so rebuilding the capability has been a pretty low priority.  But, in the past few days, I've decided to give the Jan. VHF SS a go.  The only problem, is that money is tight.   I have the FT-620B I picked up for chump change in Aug., for 6m, but all I have for 2 is FM.  Ditto for 440 (which is even less capabable, since it's an HT).  I see ePay has an old KLM Echo 70, that I might be able to get for a fair amount under $100.  It may ruin my chances for getting another 2m all-mode at the present time, but it may be worth it, since cheap 432 rigs are few and far between.  I realize it may be deaf compared to newer rigs, but does anybody have any experience with the Echo 70s?  

73,
Ellen - AF9J
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