[Boatanchors] [Glowbugs] Re: Found while looking for a RAL

[Robert Nickels]

On 5/6/2012 12:24 PM, Sandy wrote:
> dropping them into the dumpster to avoid having to lug them home
That's like the first Navy receiver I acquired, or rather was dumped in 
my driveway...an RBB.   A local buddy figured I could "use it for parts" 
which roughly translated into 'he'd have to pay the garbage man to haul 
it away'.   It took about a year before I realized what a gem of a 
receiver it is!
>
> When I was much younger, I looked upon them with the feeling they were 
> just old fashioned and useless.
As did I, after all they (speaking of the RAL and RAK now) were lowly 
regens after all, and having started my radio life with a Knight Kit 
Span Master, I figured this was one of those things you only did 
once.    But the postings of a fellow you probably remember, Sandy - 
"Boatanchor Bob", aka R.D. Keys, NA4G did much to change many minds on 
that subject, an example of which can be read here:

http://www.qsl.net/n6ev/Regen1.txt  and elsewhere on the web.

The one thing I learned well from Mr. Keys was the desirability of 
running regenerative detectors on the minimum plate voltage possible.  
So don't worry about acquiring that massive-overkill BuShips power 
supply.  It'll be hard to duplicate the mechanical construction of the 
RAK/RAL but building a very good regen is well within the scope of home 
construction.    Bruce Vaughan's series of "Ultimate Regen" articles 
beginning in the Dec. 2001 issue of Electric Radio offers a good 
starting point.

73, Bob W9RAN