[Hallicrafters] Hamming with a SX-71?

[Philip Atchley]

Hi.
I have an SX-71 here that I overhauled a year or so back and use primarily
for SWLing and program listening (not a lot of hardcore DXing on it, I use
the "modern" SS sets for that).

However, a good friend has offered me his Johnson Ranger (which I overhauled
for him a couple years back) and handkey on "permanent" loan to put me back
on the air in CW mode.  I would "probably" want to use it with this SX-71 as
I would hate to wipe out the front end of one of my expensive "modern" Yaesu
sets.  (I just don't trust those Dow relays to keep RF out of the receiver).


Is anyone on the list using a SX-71 for hamming, particularly in the CW mode
and if so how well does it work for that, particularly stability in the CW
mode etc?  I know I'd want to put a Xtal calibrator on it to keep me out of
trouble (being an Advanced Class I have to stay out of that lower 25 KHz ;^)

Would you do it or would you use something newer (like a Yaesu FRG-100 with
filters and DSP), trying to take steps from wiping out the front end?

73 de Phil  KO6BB