[ICOM] So why does a Collins KWM 2 go for $1200?

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 9/12/2013 11:06 AM, Dr M J DiGirolamo wrote:
> Paul,
>
>    Your answers are spot on.  I still lust over the KWM-2 series but have
> never owned one.
>
>    I remember "the good old days of the 60's" when they were TOP OF THE LINE.

I can't find the original post on this, but having owned several S-Lines 
and /kWMM-2As
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/boat2.htm
and even the 75A4/KWS1 http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/boat1.htm
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/boat3.htm
I agree with the statements, but I also have more than just "I wanted 
one and now can afford it."

1st.  The S-line and KWM-2s had a clean signal with IM products that 
very few of today's rigs can approach.  How many of today's rigs 
regardless of price can boast IM3 figures of -45 to -50db?  Maybe 2 or 3?

They were clean, neat, easy to use, reliable, worked well, simple 
construction, and easy to service, plus no menus!

I've been debating on getting an ultra clean and working KWM-2A Round 
emblem and possibly a 32S-3C and 75S-3C round emblem again.  I'd like a 
30-S1 amp, but they are not the best and are typically over priced.  I'd 
probably gut it and rebuild it as a 4CX1500B with the proper voltages 
and a new tank circuit/band switch that would easily handle all the tube 
could put out.  They were barely adequate with the old power limitations.

Some would argue, but heir receivers were no where near as sensitive, 
selective, or had the dynamic range of today's top end rigs.  That's not 
to say they weren't good, because they were, but the transmitter signal 
would be the envy of any of today's SS rigs.
Today's top end rigs (second generation) from all 3 major companies) 
have models with receiver characteristics that we could only dream og 50 
years ago, but as I said, the transmitter signals were great. 
Unfortunately those rigs were followed by several generations of rigs 
using sweep tubes in the finals with little thought to IM products.

The thing to remember with any of the old "boat anchors" is they were 
tube rigs that developed a lot of heat, took more maintenance, and many 
of the capacitors need to be changed.  OTOH they are easy to work on.

Actually they are selling for about half or less than they were back in 
08 before the crash.  They are a good rig and a "good" KWM-2A round 
emblem is easily worth $1200 USD.  I'd pay that without a second thought 
for a good, clean, working one with the power supply.

BTW I do have one of the new SS rigs with a clean signal  and it's about 
time to replace the old 756 Pro and 1000 MK-V/ with Quadra amp as I do 
operate SO2R.


73

Roger (K8RI)

>
>
>    Collins rigs have excelsior audio, as well.
>
>    Drake gear was up there too but certainly not in the same league as
> Collins equipment.
>
> 73,
>
> Mike, W4XN
> Charlottesville, VA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 06:35:28 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Paul <w2ec at bmjsports.com>
> To: "icom at mailman.qth.net" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] FS: ICOM IC-740 $700
> Message-ID:
> 	<1378992928.15351.YahooMailNeo at web1212.biz.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>> So why does a Collins KWM 2 go for $1200?  It is a tube rig with no
>> WARC bands.
>
> #1 Because I can still easily repair/align this 60 year old radio if needed.
> ?
> #2 Because I (and many others) lusted after a KWM-2/KWM-2A in our (much,
> much) younger days and now we can afford one.
>
> #3 Because I'm not into the latest whiz-bang solid state gear that is
> probably obsolete six months after it is introduced and has a?half-life of
> ten or so years at which point?critical parts become unobtanium.
>
> #4 Because between my KWM-2A, 312B-5 Remote VFO, and 30S-1 when power is
> needed I can?usually work anything I can hear, and don't find a lack
> of?special filters/dsp/etc to be a deterent to enjoying ham radio.
>
> #5 As for WARC, my KWM-2A is fully populated with WARC band crystals and I
> have no problems with the WARC bands. Yes, the KWM-2 doesn't have the extra
> crystal positions, but you could still swap crystals if you really wanted to
> get on WARC.
>
> #6 etc....etc....etc....?? www.w2ec.com/W2EC.html
>
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