[Collins] WTB Collins KWM-1 Crystals + KWM-1 Comments

[WF2U]

Scott,

Although I have no KWM-1 crystals, I'm very familiar with it as I used one
for almost 5 years in the late 60's-early 70's.

It is indeed the first SSB "transceiver" (single-knob Rx/Tx frequency
control with shared stages in transmit and receive) made commercially.
It is not the first true "transceiver" however. The first transceiver where
the receiver local oscillator was mixed with the BFO (IF frequency) to
achieve the transmitter frequency equal to the receiver frequency was the
British-designed Wireless Set No. 19 (1939) which was accepted into military
service in 1940. The modes of operation were CW and AM.

Collins came out with a true transceiver in 1944, which was accepted into
USAAF service in 1945, the RT-91/ARC-2. It was also a CW/AM radio.

Good luck with the KWM-1. It's an enjoyable rig to use.

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC

> -----Original Message-----
> From: collins-bounces+wf2u=starband.net at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:collins-bounces+wf2u=starband.net at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of
> Freeberg, Scott (STP)
> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 9:52 AM
> To: collins at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Collins] WTB Collins KWM-1 Crystals + KWM-1 Comments
>
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has the 9.1 Mhz (14.250-14.350) and 16.0
> Mhz (28.0-28.1) crystals for the KWM-1 transceiver. Please check
> your junkbox.  If I can't find them here, I'll order some new
> ones from International Crystal.
>
> I recently acquired this gorgous KWM-1, bought a reproduction
> manual from Al Bernard, wired up the KWM-1 power cable to an 11
> pin plug which plugs into the 516F-2, and fired her up.  The
> KWM-1 received 20 meter SSB and CW right out of the shoot, and
> sounded very good.  The transmitter is not functional, stuck her
> tongue out at me in fact, so I'll be spending some time
> troubleshooting :->
>
> I'm curious.  Was the KWM-1 transceiver the first of its kind, a
> transceiver, small size, rugged, or were there other
> manufacturers out there with equivalent rigs?  I'm not aware of
> any other ham transceivers on the market at the time.  I think
> the KWM-1 was really the first of its kind and a radial departure
> from the typical big heavy box approach.  This was what, 1957 or
> so?  Incredible.  Plus this first of its kind radio is a stunning
> looker too.
>
> Thanks. 73, Scott WA9WFA
> WTB:  516F-1, 312B-2
> www.qsl.net/wa9wfa
>
>