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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!

Ad-Hoc Hybrid transceiver with 3-400Z finals?

Dentron MLX-MINI gets some boots
Category: Vintage Ham Radio

The Dentron MLX-MINII thought it would be cool to use the Dentron MLX-MINI on the Saturday Vintage Sideband Net but it's a little marginal since the rule is "no tubes, go home!". However hybrid rigs are allowed, and Special Dispensation is given for rigs with Red LEDs. So I thought the MLX was double-qualifed - even more so after I realized t... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 04/04/2020

AMECO - one of the forgotten ham manufacturers?

A company that was part of ham radio for over 50 years
Category: Vintage Ham Radio

The internet knows a lot about ham radio history, but not so much about a company that everyone recognizes: The American Elecronic Company - AMECO.AMECO - American Electronics Co.; New York 53, N.Y (1950s).Manufacturer of HAM radio equipment.Also: AMECO - Division of Aerotron Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina (1968).Also: AMECO - Ameco Equipment Corp.; 178 Herricks Road Mineola, L.I. New Y... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/29/2020

Mix and Match Radios

VERSA-TR makes it easy to play radio
Category: VERSA-TR Information

I like to play radio! As a SWL and novice, I'd imagine owning different transmitters and receivers and now that I actually DO own many of them, it's fun to "mix and match" to put them on the air. That's mainly why I developed the VERSA-TR, which is an RF-sensing T/R and muting switch, so I could easily change out transmitters and receivers ... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/07/2020

An Unbreakable Code

Navajo Code Talkers in the battle for Iwo Jima
Category: Historic

The Code Talkers used native languages to send military messages before World War II. Choctaw, for example, was successfully used during World War I. But the Marine Corps needed an “unbreakable” code for its island-hopping campaign in the Pacific. Navajo, which was unwritten and known by few outside the tribe, seemed to fit the Corps’ requirements. Twenty-nine Navajos were recrui... READ MORE

- Robert Nickels (ranickels), 03/06/2020

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

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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

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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

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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