[Heathkit] My first station

[rbethman]

Buck,

Whether it was '50s, '60s, '70s or even '80.

I imagine we were all amazed to get on the air and *really* work anyone.

Everyone made their own antennas.  It was always a guessing game with an 
antenna!  You went by the formula, cut it long, then began the process 
of trimming and adjusting until the VSWR fell within the operating 
frequency range you were going to use.

Even today, more of the same.  Unless you obtain one of those fancy 
antenna calculators that ties to the end of the feed line.

I just finally bought *ONE* last year.  I picked up a 40mtr 
Double-Bazooka.  It is the only time that I ever bought one.  I decided 
to go to one of them, but I didn't really want to go through making the 
center balun and cutting coax to a certain length, along with the 
extensions after the coax.

I don't regret it one bit.  I used to work Lucky, WA4EZN, for a number 
of years.  He was pushing everyone to go that way.

Now it seems that this design is all over.  It originated at MIT IIRC, 
in the radar work done there in the '40s.

Regards, Bob - N0DGN


On 4/22/2015 12:37 PM, Buck via Heathkit wrote:
> First station way back in the 50's. . .
>
> Heathkit AT-1
> Heathkit AR-3
> Heathkit QF-1
>
> Not sure how I ever heard or worked anything in those days!
>
> Buck
> W0LC