[ARC5] Field Day musings...

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 24 Jun 2013 at 14:53, J. Forster wrote:

> I suspect that any vintage mil gear would be completely
> crowded/drowned out.

Well, having operated models of just about every kind of gear out there, I 
would very seriously doubt that.

The signal quality of vintage transmitters is generally excellent and not 
distinguishable from modern rigs. In fact, in many cases, it is superior to the 
modern rigs since so many modern operators expect the rig to do the 
operating.

I might add that a properly built and operated 1929 era push-pull 211s TNT 
can also sound at least as good as a modern rig. Notice I said "...properly 
built and operated..."

Jack Meadows W7QQQ routinely uses a P-P TNT rig which uses a pair of 
809s.

As far as receivers is concerned, IMHO there are only three aspects of 
modern receivers that exceed the capabilities of the vintage rigs: 1) 
passband shape, 2) "from cold" stability, and 3) AGC, none of which is a 
"deal breaker".

With my vintage rigs this FD, I was averaging one contact every 1.65 
minutes without working particularly hard at it.

It isn't the rig: it's the operator.

Ken W7EKB