Midwest Classic Radio Net
The Midwest Classic Radio Net has been conducted on 3885 kHz AM since 1987 as a salute to classic AM rigs and operation. The net remains one of the most popular AM nets in the country and sometimes last for well over an hour.
Harry N9CQX took over the net after long-time NCS WA9ZTY became a silent key and instituted record-keeping to know how many stations participated. Before long annual participation recognition certificates were issued to the top 10 stations who checked in most often.
This year, covid-19 has kept many of us indoors when we might otherwise be at hamfests or elsewhere so the competiton was more intense than usual! But by checking into the MCRN 46 out of 52 times in 2020, W9RAN came in at 7th place, and this year, the top 20 participants received attractive personalized mugs!
Thank you Harry, for the mug and for the great job you and the other NCS stations do in making the MCRN fun for all the rest of us!
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Go Mobile! That was an attractive marketing message to 1960s era hams who were enjoying the fun of operating SSB mobile, and WRL knew a low-cost rig that didn't have to be hauled back and forth to the car would be a winner. Heathkit and Swan had already proven that with their single (mono) bander transceivers, but what if you're heading out in the middle of th... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/27/2021
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After the conclusion of World War II, there were only about 300 radio amateurs in Japan. In the year 1952, the JARL reported that only 30 provisional licenses were granted. Realizing the value of ham radio in developing a technological workforce, Japan introduced its entry level Class 4 licence in 1959 - it would prove to be the world's most succ... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/24/2021
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Every radio aficionado can recognize at least three notes of music: G-E-C - the famous NBC chimes!In fact there is so much history about the chimes it deserves it's own website, and someone has put a great deal of effort into creating one: The NBC Chimes Museum A Celebration Of Old–Time Radio’s Most Famous SignatureCLICK HERE TO VISIT THE NBC CHIMES MUSEUMIt is wel... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/20/2021
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The Codar AT-5A long-sought addition, enabling my mid-60s UK ham stationCategory: Vintage Ham Radio
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/20/2021
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How many got their start in radio with a Christmas gift? And how many times did it come from the Sears or Mongomery Ward "Christmas Wishbook"?Mine did...the little crystal radio in the upper right? Didn't work very well but was really cool! The Remco Crystal radio was memorialized in this photo from about 1958 - age 7: T... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/06/2021
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The B&W 850 is a kilowatt-rated tank assembly that was used in the company's linear amplifiers and sold as a component for many years. Unfortunately most of the plastics available were not capable of surviving for 50-70 years and thus have deteriorated to the point they no longer support the coil turns properly and must be repaired. Here's a typical example from... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/28/2021
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Lakeshore Industries and the PhasemastersSSB pioneer company from Manitowoc, WICategory: Vintage Ham Radio
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/26/2021
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International Crystal and the crystal synthesizerHow a crystal company reduced the number of crystals neededCategory: Vintage Radio
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/19/2021
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Hams, especially those who enjoy operating AM and QRP should be aware of the pioneering efforts of the US Forest Service to adopt and advance the radio art in the early decades of the 20th century.The history of radio in the USFS literally takes a book to cover, but an interesting example can be found in station KBCX, the Region 1 Radio Operations Center in Missoula Montana. It w... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/11/2021
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The R-1451 HF Manual Receiver aka WLR-6 "Water Boy" SystemESM-ELINT receiver from the 1960sCategory: Vintage Radio
- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/09/2021
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