[GreenKeys] Dovetron versus HAL ST9000

[wa2hwj@att.net]

I built my first TT-L/2 when the article came out in QST in 1965.
Even though I was 18 at the time, made all of the holes with a 
manual hand drill, and used probably 80% "recovered" parts and tubes, it 
worked like a champ. I must admit that it is still my favorite unit, even
though the Dovetron works great. I only use the Dovetron nowadays (mainly for 
copying). I believe the Dovetron was the highpoint of TU designs; everything 
else past it was just fancier and had more bells and whistles (and LED's).
I still have my original TT-L/2 and another version of it that was built into 
a Collins S-Line cabinet (a Dayton find). 

Jack WA2HWJ
 
> Hi Bill,
> 
> Thanks for the very thorough discussion on the Dovetron vs HAL ST8000 
> comparison.  I was just curious how the two compare.  I have two Hal 
> ST-8000's here and am very happy with them.  But, I am always interested to 
> hear if there is something better !
> 
> My experiences with the FM vs AM style of RTTY demodulator operation has 
> been similar to yours.  I performed my initial test of the two approaches 
> years ago using an Irv Hoff designed tube Mainline TTL.  I always got 
> better results with hard limiting as you pointed out. I later saw the same 
> results with your very fine ST-6000.  I must admit I have never tried the 
> Dovetron for just that reason.
> 
> It seems like the ST-6000 and the Mainline TTL alla Irv Hoff had a lot of 
> similarities in design concept (notwithstanding the fact that one used 
> tubes and the other was all solid state).  Did Irv have any role in the 
> early HAL designs?  Or did he base his designs on the HAL approach?
> 
> I used to work Irv daily on 20 meter RTTY.  We had an autostart frequency 
> and a bunch of us had used Irv's early programs for the Heathkit H-8 to act 
> as a frequency monitor and to start our machines up when it detected our 
> calls (it would cause the transmitter to come on and send a brief 
> reply).  I guess that evolved into the RTTY mailbox craze.
> 
> By the way, thanks to you and to HAL for all you have done to promote 
> amateur RTTY over the years.  No other company has contributed more to our 
> cause.
> 
> Best regards -- Roy, K4EEG
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> GreenKeys mailing list
> GreenKeys@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/greenkeys