[Elecraft] Mobile high power

[Fred Jensen]

It doesn't take a KW. During the run-up to Cycle 19, Dad let me put a 10 
meter 40 W AM rig in the family car.  Gonset converter on steering 
column, TX in trunk with PE-103, 8 ft whip on a bumper chain mount.  10 
meters was open pretty much 24/7 then.  The corona ball had been knocked 
off by a tree branch.  Drive-in movie date, and I was just preparing to 
orchestrate the "Move to the back seat," when she pointed to the Gonset 
and asked, "What's that?"  I said it was part of a 2-way radio, the rest 
was in the trunk.  She wanted a demo so I turned it on, pressed the PTT 
and identified.  The corona display which I was unaware of caused a stir 
behind us, the manager showed up and asked us to leave, and the "Back 
seat move" never happened. [:-( RF-induced bad news and "computers in 
cars" had yet to be invented.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 5/6/2019 9:12 AM, Alan wrote:
> Normally when you buy a used, tube-type kilowatt amplifier you don't 
> think to ask if it has been used mobile.
>
> I once bought a used (actually VERY used) Drake L4B amplifier that had 
> been owned by Frank W6HWL "Highway Louie".  He had a big old Cadillac 
> that had been fitted with the extra-large alternator for the towing 
> kit to support his high-power mobile station.  Legend has it that he 
> would sometimes set overhanging tree branches on fire because of the 
> corona discharge from the end of the antenna.
>
> Fortunately cars didn't have a lot of electronics in those days.
>
> Alan N1AL