[Boatanchors] 50kc genny

[third Eric]

de N4TGC Eric

	I concur on the URM-25.  I have the F model, and think it's fantastic -
WAY better than the older heterodyne gennys, with a usuable attenuator,
and solid, "splash-proof" constuction.  (Pet accident?!)
	I lucked across mine for the princely sum of $25 at a Hamfest, but it
did need shafts pulled and cleaned, and contacts ditto, and all the
cables were gone (tho the front cover wasn't), etc., but it was still a
great deal for such a stable, accurate genny.
	I had extensively researched which genny I needed (and could afford)
for the 50 and 85kc i.f.'s, after having to align a Drake RB-2, and lo
and behold, there it was at the very next Hamfest.  Can't beat that for
coincidence - except for the previous year, in finding the HP 182T
"specalyzer" (8558B) at the same locale (Moulton, AL has been lucky for
me!)
	One resource for what's available is Fair Radio.  They usually offer
"as is" and "checked" versions, so you gets a choice.  The URM-25 (10kc
to 50mc in 9 bands) is "used-reparable" for $110; checked, $179.50  On
the same page is the URM-26, which, while it looks much like the -25, is
actually quite different: 4 to 405mc in 6 (I assume the highest �'s are
harmonics), checked version only, for $160.  (Say: is the '02 catalog
out yet?!)
	There really aren't a lot of older, affordable gennys that go below
100kc - the somewhat rare Hickok 288AX is one that does (35kc and up -
anyone have one for sale?!), but it's a heterdyne/harmonic type, and
doesn't give near the accuracy of the URM's.  And as for an attenuator,
it does at least have one - sort of.  
	BTW, K5BCQ has rebuilt/repaired a number of URM-25's: goto
http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/ (unless it's been changed - YMMV)	e