[ARC5] Inspired Hack Job

[Bob Macklin]

When I got my Novice ticket in 1957 I was a USAF S/SGT (married with two kids) and my income was $310/mo.

My first receiver was a S-338( the original with the real BFO) that had been re-kitted by a M/SGT in my squadron. I re-assembled it with resistors and capacitors from the radio shop.

Later I got a BC-312 or BC-342 from USAF MARS. My SCR-274 stuff also came from MARS.

Between 1957 and 1960 I did not know anyone that could afford anything more than a low end Heathkit(DX-20, DX-35, DX-40). And everyone was using low end receivers, most with Q5ers.

My first decent receiver was a NC-109 I bought in 1961 on time payments.

If I had a 75S3 right now I don't think I would hear anymore than I can with my SB-301 or Drake R-4A. 

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa.
"Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Geoff 
  To: Bob Macklin ; Glen Zook ; Arc5 at mailman.qth.net ; hwhall at compuserve.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 1:30 PM
  Subject: Re: [ARC5] Inspired Hack Job


  Describe both versions of typical and Puuleeeez do not use the classic stereotype of a barefoot mountain boy who had to quit school to feed his family and a second hand S-38 was all he could afford on a dollar a month to the local dealer. The original Henry Radio in Butler MO, Leo Meyerson and others in the midwest sure had no trouble supplying gear to them poor folks.

  As I look over my 50's Novice and young Generals QSL cards I almost never see anything as useless as a S-38/SW-54 and absolutely no ARC5's or regens. Another myth shot down in flames.

  That is almost as funny as the chap who claims to have owned hundreds of hacked up ARC5's or another who appears to have orgasms over virgins.

  The large quantities of that gear available today puts it into an urban myth. The magazines and companies had a large number of articles and products that allowed older receivers to be better used on SSB as well as CW. Sideband adaptors did the same for the old AM gear or just use a 10A/10B to drive them. Amps were a heck of a lot cheaper, less PS iron and no modulators. A 6' rack or two became a desktop item.

  Jobs were plentiful, salaries were up and the Korean War even increased employment opportunities. Credit was easy for any adult not too lazy to work.

  Carl


    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Bob Macklin 
    To: Glen Zook ; Geoff ; Arc5 at mailman.qth.net ; hwhall at compuserve.com 
    Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 4:01 PM
    Subject: Re: [ARC5] Inspired Hack Job


    But how many were within the typical budget of a typical ham of that period?

    Bob Macklin
    K5MYJ
    Seattle, Wa.
    "Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Glen Zook 
      To: Bob Macklin ; Geoff ; Arc5 at mailman.qth.net ; hwhall at compuserve.com 
      Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 12:40 PM
      Subject: Re: [ARC5] Inspired Hack Job


      There were a fair number of commercial SSB transmitters or transmitting adapters out in the 1950s:


      B&W SSB adapter 1957
      Central Electronics 10A transmitter 1953
      Central Electronics 10B transmitter 1954
      Central Electronics 20A transmitter 1954
      Central Electronics 100V transmitter 1957
      Collins 32S-1 transmitter 1957
      Collins KWM-1 transceiver 1957
      Cosmophone 35 transceiver 1958
      Eldico SSB transmitter 1950
      Eldico SSB-50 transmitter 1953
      Eldico SSB-50 (updated) transmitter 1954
      Eldico SSB-100 transmitter 1955
      Eldico SSB-100A transmitter 1956
      Eldico SSB-100F transmitter 1957
      Eldico SSB-100M mobile transmitter 1958
      Elenco X-4 transmitter 1954
      Elenco SS-75 transmitter 1954
      Elenco Model 77 transmitter 1955
      Globe (WRL) DSB-100 (DSB) transmitter 1958
      Hallicrafters HT-30 transmitter 1954
      Hallicrafters HT-32 transmitter 1957
      Heath SB-10 adapter 1959
      Johnson Pacemaker transmitter 1956
      Lakeshore Phasemaster JR transmitter 1954
      Lakeshore Phasemaster II transmitter 1956
      Lakeshore Phasemaster II-A transmitter 1957
      Lakeshore Phasemaster II-B transmitter 1958


      Starting in late 1960 and then into 1961, there were all sorts of both SSB transmitters and transceivers coming off the production lines.

      Glen, K9STH


      Website: http://k9sth.com


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      From: Bob Macklin <macklinbob at msn.com>
      To: Geoff <geoffrey at jeremy.mv.com>; Arc5 at mailman.qth.net; hwhall at compuserve.com 
      Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 10:31 AM
      Subject: Re: [ARC5] Inspired Hack Job


      I have a copy of the ARRL SSB Handbook of around 1960. Many nice looking projects.

      I remember that in 1957 SSB was the New Kid On The Block.

      How many commercial SSB rigs were available pre 1960? And in those days transceivers (SSB) were not common.



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