Browse News

Announcing the W9DYV Radio Society

Ham Radio News 0 Comments 02/11/2020

honoring SSB pioneer Wes Schum W9DYV

https://rantechnology.com/index.cfm?key=browse_news&PostDate=all...

Posted By: Robert Nickels (ranickels)

Nick Tusa, K5EF, longtime friend of Wes Schum and organizer of the W9DYV-Central Electronics Technical Symposium for a number of years, has announced that the W9DYV callsign will again be active, as the club callsign of the W9DYV Radio Societ NFP.

Congratulations to Nick and friends for memorializing Wes Schum's contributions to amateur radio in this way!

SBE - Sideband Engineers - and the innovative SB-33 and SB-34

Can you help solve the mystery?
Category: Vintage Ham Radio

Faust Gonsett started the Sideband Engineers (SBE) company in 1962 and introduced their first product, the SB-33 four-band transceiver with a two-page ad in 73 magazine for February 1963 that featured his mugshot on the left page and the introductory ad for the SB-33 on the right. He talks about how he came out of retirement to start this new company in response to many requests but do... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/15/2020

WA8SAJ uses VERSA-TR to make Nouveau 75 great!

SDR cures receive sensitivity problem
Category: VERSA-TR Information

Well known radio repair guru and AM fan Jeff Covelli WA8SAJ of Cleveland OH wanted better receiving performance than his stock Nouveau 75 AM transceiver provided - and the VERSA-TR came to the rescue. Jeff decided he preferred having the board mounted in an enclosure with connectors and the photos show his approach. The VERSA-TR automatically switches the antenna from his S... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/11/2020

The W6IQY Homebrew SSB transceiver

A three-band self-contained SSB rig
Category: Vintage Ham Radio

Ernie Mason, W6IQY, of San Diego CA was a prolific designer and builder of SSB equipment over many years. Mostly self-taught in electronics through his ham radio experience, Ernie began working in IBM's Field Engineering organization where he rose into the management ranks, but defying the odds, was able to stay in at his adopted San Diego home town. H... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/08/2020

"B" Bench update

Making my work area suit me rather than vice versa
Category: Technical

Like most of those reading this, I've upgraded and added to my test equipment inventory over the years, starting with the Heathkit VTVM I built when I was 15 or so. There's no "right" piece of equipment, just personal preferences, and while I'd be the first to say my work habits are anything but "right" they are what they are, and I'm old enoug... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 02/03/2020

A first-person history by an Airway Keeper's daughter

Life on the (Radio) Range at Medicine Bow WY in the 1930s
Category: Vintage Radio

Most vintage radio enthusiasts are aware of how intertwined the development of radio and aviation were. Many still enjoy using low frequency receivers and DX-ing the "beacon band" which was a key element of the first generation of aviation radio and navigation. Before there were radio beacons, pilots depended on visual beacons - the flashing (rotating) light... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 12/31/2019

Remembering Michael Hopkins, AB5L (SK) - a unique individual

Founder and humble scribe for the Five Meter Liberation Army!
Category: Vintage Ham Radio

Michael Hopkins AB5L is fondly remembered by early denizens of the internet and specifically the "Boatanchors at the Porch" mail reflector. A truly unique individual, Michael made the internet a happier place through his eclectic interests (ranging from Tecraft converters to ferrets) and his wonderful imagination and storytelling ability. Through his writing, we le... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 12/23/2019

65 Years as a YL Ham

Bev Becker WØWDC
Category: Historic

This all started when I discovered a fantastic collection of vintage photo QSL cards on a Google+ site – I’d encourage every ham to spend some time looking through this amazing bit of history: https://plus.google.com/115747543308902188110The photos capture a wide range of ham gear and stations from the spark era through the 70’s, and nearly every picture trigger... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 12/11/2019

The best cleaner/degreaser on the planet!

CRC Hydrorforce Industrial Degreaser
Category: Technical

I have no interest or affiliation with the company and discovered this product when I was looking for a good degreaser to clean my jukebox. IT IS THE BEST!I like data, so I put confidence in the test results that can be viewed in the infographic below.I also like RESULTS and this stuff delivers. Greasy dirt and grime are instantly dissolved and wipe away. You ca... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 12/09/2019

Multi Elmac PS-500

AC power supply for the A54
Category: Vintage Ham Radio

Some pieces of vintage ham gear are not really unique, but are so rare as to almost never be seen. The Multi Elmac PS-500 power supply is an example, it was sold as an AC power supply for the A54 and A54H transmitters in the mid-50s. There's nothing special about it - just a big transformer with 5 volt rectifier, 6.3 volt filament, and 500 volt secondaries. Two nice chok... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 11/14/2019

My experience with the Nouveau 75

a new AM QRP transceiver from the 4SQRP group
Category: Technical

Mini-review of the Nouveau 75 by W9RANI like it, warts and all!OK, maybe not quite that "mini"...here's a few of my impressions of this innovative kit from the 4 State QRP Group.I've been interested in amplitude modulation of a class E PA for some time and after Dave Cripe said to stay tuned for the next 4SQRP offering, I wasn't too surprised to see what it was, and bought on... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 11/12/2019