[GreenKeys] GreenKeys Digest, Vol 103, Issue 37 - ESSCO TUs

Thu Aug 23 12:34:22 EDT 2012

Whoa!  Does that name bring back some memories!

I had the complete ESSCO unit.  All kits, some of which were based on the "Transistorized
W2JAV TU" in the RTTY Handbook.  ESSCO expanded and had everything else needed, over and
above what the Handbook diagrams showed.

I used that package and made a bunch of contacts on 80M AFSK RTTY.  I was using wide
shift, with the high tones.  The transmitter was a Drake T4X, that I had modified with
the larger 'sweep tubes' that would fit the sockets and had the same pin-out.  I had to
leave the RF Cage off, though, since the replacement tubes were almost 3/4" taller.  I
also had a 4" muffin fan on top of the transmitter at that corner of the cabinet where
the tubes were.  The 'sweep tubes' were capable of working outside of their design
parameters, but they could be 'melted' if you were not careful.  I took no chances.

I also had to 'max out' the bias setting because with the bigger tubes, the idle current
was up close to the 'max' that the Drake power supply could put out!  Seeing the plate
current almost 'hit the peg' made me reach for the power switch real quick!  I turned the
bias setting up to about 'half' of the swing of the control and tried again.  Still too
much idle current.  I made one more attempt before setting the control to 'max'.

I've long since forgotten the entire list of cards, but there was one with the TU circuitry,
an AFSK card, a 'Keyer card' with a transistor on a heat sink, a power supply card, and
that's all I can remember.

Virtually everyone told me the same thing:  "You have a good signal, but your Space Tone
is quite weak compared to the Mark tone".  Well, the Drake transmitter was not designed to
pass audio much above 2200 Hz, so that is not surprising.  I still made a lot of contacts.

One day, I was home alone and tuning around on 20M  I saw a signal, and could recognize
the "CQ" so I tuned it in and it was from Australia!  Solid copy!  I got the transmitter
all set and called him.  Bingo!  He came right back.  I was so thrilled, and had no one to
share this with.  I saw a couple of neighborhood kids in the empty lot next door and
hollered out the window for them to come to the house.  I showed them the Model 19 printing
something from the VK station, and told them what it was.  They were absolutely un-impressed!

They wandered off and I finished the QSO with him, sort of in a funk, because the fact that
I was communicating with Australia meant nothing to these two (8-9 year old?) girls.  

- - - -

I later discovered that ESSCO made a narrow shift TU board and AFSK unit, but I was on a
limited budget and didn't want to press my luck with the XYL, asking for another $50 or so
to have narrow shift available.

There was a year when there was a Michigan Week Certificate issued by the State of Michigan
to ham operators who made 10 or 15 QSOs with stations outside of Michigan, promoting Michigan.
I made it a point that year to get my entire list of QSOs on RTTY.  I had to beg for the QSL
cards from a few guys who were sort of 'ho-hum' on certificates.  I did eventually get them all
and made my application.  I got the certificate a few months later, and was quite proud of it.
It made no mention of Mode of Operation, so it was just something that I knew and was proud of.

Other than the odd shape of the ESSCO cabinet, I don't remember much more.  I don't remember if
I sold the TU package or swapped it or what.  

Thanks for 'listening'.

73,

Ralph - W8ROI

- - - - - - - -

On Aug 23, 2012, at 12:03 PM, greenkeys-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:

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>   1. In times of old did any one buy any gear from ESSCO
>      Communications Inc? (COURYHOUSE at aol.com)
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> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:47:30 -0400 (EDT)
> From: COURYHOUSE at aol.com
> Subject: [GreenKeys] In times of old did any one buy any gear from
> 	ESSCO	Communications Inc?
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> In times of old  did any one  buy any gear  from  ESSCO  Communications   
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> End of GreenKeys Digest, Vol 103, Issue 37
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