[Hallicrafters] HA-6 and HA-2 transverters

[N4ch at aol.com]

Hello Pete (and others),
 
The P&H VHFtransmitting converters are very rare;  besides the one I found 
a few years back, I've seen just one other.    I doubt many were made.   
I've been looking for a manual for  years.   All of this also holds true for 
their "Spitfire" amplifier  for HF.........this was their sweep tube version 
of the Heathkit "Kilowatt  Compact" mobile amplifier.
 
Interesting U mention the Johnson 6N2 exciter as a dual-band  transverter  
conversion project.........that sounds  interesting.   That exact idea 
apparently occurred to some engineers  at the company back in the 60s.   It turns 
out that EF Johnson ALMOST  brought a dual-band 6N2 TRANSVERTER to market.  
 They actually  prototyped such a unit, and, based on inputs from a few 
collectors and ex  Johnson employees I've exchanged info with, about a dozen 
such  transmitting adapters were built.   The cabinet was the same  one that 
was used for the SSB transmitting adapter (and it had the same  cosmetics 
that were used in the Valiant II).   I was lucky enough to  find one of these 
things about 10-12 years ago, and it actually  works.   It consists of an 
input attenuator (suitable for being driven  with the Invader or the ill-fated 
Avenger), crystal-controlled LO, mixer,  and an amplifier chain that used a 
single 6146 in the output..........output is  30-40 watts.   A power supply 
that runs everything is built  in.   Johnson also made a 6N2 receiving 
converter; these DID wind  up getting into full production, and they do show up 
once in a  while.   The MANUAL for the 6N2 transmitting adapter (yes, they 
DID  get as far as printing some) includes references to installing this 
receiving  converter inside, and linking it up with the function switch, and the 
adapter  even has holes punched for this purpose........the net result would 
be a  bi-lateral system that included everything in one box.........a 
dual-band  receive/transmit adapter, complete with power supply.   I've never  
seen the "kit" of mechanical hardware that would be needed to install the  
receiving section (and the electrical mods to tie the LO from either the  
receiver or transmitter circuitry to the "other side"), and I doubt I ever  will. 
  The design of this detail may have never been completed;  I don't know.   
I guess the plug got pulled on the company's  involvement in the amateur 
business about the time this project's design was  being finished.
 
Good luck in your quest for the HA-6 and/or HA-2........they  do show up 
once in a while, but it's VERY rare to find one that isn't rusted  out, or 
still has most of the paint on the front panel intact.
 
73, Herman, N4CH.