[Boatanchors] Found while looking for a RAL

[Bill Cromwell]

On Sun, 2012-05-06 at 05:58 -0500, WQ9E at btsnetworks.net wrote:
> Bill,
> 
> I found my RAK still sealed in its box when I wasn't looking for one.  After that it took a couple of years to find a RAL and it was found via a mail list.  The RAK/RAL and the later RBA/RBB/RBC along with their power supplies are so large and heavy that only a dedicated seller brings them to hamfests given the slight hope of selling one. 
> 
> The RAK can be used with a converter or connected to the IF output of a receiver (as long as the IF is in the RAK's 15 to 600 Khz. frequency range) to make the world's largest Q-5er :)    The selectivity of the RAK is so sharp that it is not recommended for voice given the sideband cutting that occurs.
> 
> With both the RAK and RAL considerable heat reduction in the power supply will result from removing the regulator tube which is not needed for home AC operation.
> 
> Good luck finding a RAL, it and the RAK are the kings of the regen world.
> 
> Rodger WQ9E
>  

Hi Roger,

I got my RAK-7 from an OT who helped elmer me through the commercial
licensing process. It has some provenance. He once loaned to one of our
state universities for use in their research to support the Navy's
Project ELF. I bought it from him when I wanted something to examine
LORAN signals off the air. I have always had at least a little interest
in getting a RAL but more recently that interest has increased. I have
thought of using in the Q5er role and even rigged up a converter for it
that I played with for a while. I have the real deal (R-23) Q5er,
though. Now it seems like we will have a ham allocation at 600 meters so
more job security for the RAK. The RAK/RAL setup with the DX-100 and a
HB 600 meter transmitter will be too cool. 

Some regen receivers had me when I was a kid and I shunned them as
little toy radios. If I had known the RAK was a regen when I bought it I
would have not bought it. I picked it up after dark and he already had
it on the porch waiting for me the first time I saw it. When I got it
home the first thing I noticed in the bright lights was that big honking
"Regeneration" control! "Huh?"!! I learned how to "operate" a regen
<sheepish grin>. It does help to a good one. As you know..I was well
pleased with that receiver. There is also an SW-3 here now <grin> I am
slowly, casually building something called a "Regenerodyne" that other
list members may be familiar. The RAK changed my mind about regens.

BTW...my RAK also does "single signal reception" at it's narrowest. I
was amazed when I noticed THAT!

73,

Bill  KU8H