[Boatanchors] WJ closes and completely exits

[rbethman]

On 9/28/2015 6:01 AM, Rob Atkinson wrote:
> Word comes via the SWL column in the September CQ that Watkins-Johnson
> has shut down.  I never owned a WJ receiver (too high end $$) but the
> legendary spook rx company picked up in the years following the R390
> series and some of their sets made it down to the ham market.
>
> Quoting from CQ:
> "The Watkins-Johnson firm, which manufactured excellent (and
> expensive!) communications receivers, has closed operations.  Not only
> that, but all the remaining parts, chassis, partials, schematics,
> manuals --everything-- were destroyed.  It's as if they were angry at
> the world and closed down in a huff [probably had more to do with
> proprietary and classified designs-Rob]  They certainly built great
> units ... I used one once for a few hours, at a friend's QTH in
> California."
>
> Rob
> K5UJ
That quote from CQ is missing a number of actual happenings.  W-J 
actually was CEI, (Communications Electronics Incorporated.)  I obtained 
the Type 28, Model 906-1A.

Ran it like crazy while the entire world was in shock over the World 
Trade Towers Sep 11, 2001.

The radio noted above, received from 30Mc to a bit over 315Mc.  I used a 
Military Surplus Discone that had also been languishing until I gave it 
a home.  The particular office in Gaithersburg, MD, where this one was 
produced received the same treatment when it changed hands from CEI to BAE.

It took several years before I could locate and obtain a complete 
Manual.  The interesting part to that endeavor was the fact that the 
manual with classified markings on the covers, came from an Amateur 
Operator in Europe.  Mine specifically noted on the rear apron, that is 
was used at an FCC Monitoring Station, and even had an FAA barcode 
sticker for inventory control.

1) March 2008: WJ Communications acquired by TriQuint Semiconductor 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TriQuint_Semiconductor>. 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watkins-Johnson_Company#cite_note-9>

2) August 2000: Initial Public Offering of WJ Communications, W-J 
successor, by Fox-Paine

It will take time, but these fine radios WILL turn up under a different 
name.  It has been their history since the beginning in 1957.

Regards,
Bob NØDGN