[Boatanchors] HP 606 vs. 608

[Carl]

I have a HP-606A and 8640B. I find the 606A to be used more for 
boatanchor work as it tunes down to any of the IF frequencies as it 
covers 50kc to 65 mc.

I use the 8640B to set oscillator end points right on and use the 606A 
for the rest as its faster to change frequencies. The 606A also has a 
built in 100kc/1 mc crystal calibrator so you can get perfect accuracy 
with just a bit more effort. Calibrating the turret coils & caps is 
quite easy and after a slight warmup stability is excellent, even on 
6M..The phase noise is also extremely low.

Mine required a few small electrolytics and many tubes to put it in as 
new performance. The 12B4's in particular mostly had heater cathode 
leakage.

As usual with vintage equipment I suggest a bucking transformer to drop 
the AC line to around 110-113V. I use large 10-15A,  9-13V surplus 
filament/control transformers to feed complete work & operating benches.

It is easy to use as an AM transmitter, simply provide a modulated 
signal to the external input.  When in the Navy I used a URM-25D to a HB 
807 as a linear aboard ship to cover several miles when we were 
operating in formation. The crews had transistor radios when working on 
deck and a few ships piped the music to the crews quarters. Crew members 
from several ships supplied phonograph records via highline or in port; 
mostly R&R and country....no opera or classical was permitted but some 
of the officers and chiefs supplied big band stuff.

 This was before 8 tracks!

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Kaplan" <krkaplan at cox.net>
To: "Brian Harris" <cosmophone at yahoo.com>; <boatanchors at qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:25 AM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] HP 606 vs. 608


> I'm not famliar with the HP608 but one con about the HP606 is the 
> space it takes up on the
> bench. It's big. But it looks the part and performs well. Good 
> attenuator and frequency
> coverage I need. fyi - it has 11 tubes that are not hard to find 
> (6-12B4A,  2-12AT7, 2-6AW8
> and 1-5651).
>
> Ken
>
>> Can someone summarize the differences, pro and cons, of an HP608
>> versus an HP606.  I have an opportunity to get an HP608 at an
>> attractive price and wonder if it's worth acquiring.  I seem to
>> remember someone using one as a QRP AM transmitter in addition to
>> normal sig gen duties.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Brian Harris
>> Amateur Radio Station WA5UEK
>> phone 214-763-5977
>> email cosmophone at yahoo.com
>
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