[MRCA] About as oddball an HF/SSB radio can get. Vector VR-50

[Dennis]

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About as oddball an HF/SSB radio can get. Vector VR-50...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 I just posted pictures & the below text at:
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oddball_HF_SSB_Radio/photos/album/2063747330/pic/list>



This is an open, unmoderated group so I thought it might receive a little more 
exposure. If you can provide any information at all about this radio please do 
so.

Vector VR-50 Single Sideband Communicator.
1.6-17mc HF/SSB/CW transceiver. 50watt SSB, 25watt CW. Designed as a self 
contained portable emergency transceiver. Sold as a ham transceiver to get 
around FCC type acceptance. It was supplied with Ham & Marine band crystals 
installed. List price $1295.‘A’ pictures are of the only other known radio, ‘B’ 
pictures are of mine. I need a schematic & any other possible information I can 
get.

#1a, Front panel. Note this example has a mic connector. The other variant is 
hard wired. Unknown if this was factory done or a modification.

#1b, Set up for use. The radio is much smaller than it appears. Though it is 
reported so be very similar to Atlas radios built about the same time, the 
resemblance is actually minimal.

#2a, Antenna Tuner Close Up. Designed to tune the 8 foot whip. This example has 
a meter sensitivity adjust that’s not included on the other one. 


#2b, Antenna Tuner Close Up. This version does not have any tuning aid at all. 
Maximum receive noise was the only tuning method.

#3a, Radio Lowered For Storage. The mic on this version must be removed before 
lowering the radio to the transit/storage position. Deferent style of mic hanger 

was also used. 5ahr Gell Cell Battery is located under the mic hanger.

#3b, Radio Lowered For Storage. Additional equipment supplied was a DC power 
cord, & counterpoise wire.

#4a, Radio in use, left oblique. The hinged radio mounting system used is quite 
neat. The whip antenna mount base can be seen as well as ground & counterpoise 
connections.

#4b, Tailgate Portable Station. Set up for use by it’s previous owner. 

#5a, Close Up, Solar Panel. Closed up for storage. The solar panel can be seen. 
Though it’s not known what the rating of the solar panel is, the preliminary 
operator’s manual states that one day of sunshine would provide 2 hours of 
operating time.

#5b, Closed Up, Left Oblique. A deck mount was available to all the radio set to 

be stored on a weather deck of a boat or oil platform. The cabinet is water 
tight & will float. Even so, I’m sure constant all weather salt air exposure 
would take it’s toll.

#6a, Lid, Whip Antenna Storage. This variant has an external speaker mounted in 
the lid of the case. The other version has a speaker inside the radio. The whip 
antenna appears to be a standard AT-271 military whip. But in fact each section 
has been shortened about three inches resulting in a whip that is only about 14” 

long when collapsed vice 17” of the AT-271. Overall length was shortened by 
about 1ft. This was no doubt done to allow the collapsed antenna to fit in the 
lid.

#6b, Vector Radio Logo. Nothing has been learned about this company at all. I do 

have the address, but the building is now occupied by an auto glass company.

#7a, Channel Charts. This radio had some post production channels added. There 
was a standard set offered by the company at $80.

#7b, Channel Charts. Note the same frequencies supplied in both radios.

#8a, Front Panel Right Side. VXO control will vary the xtal frequency 4-6kc 
depending on the band when in the ‘ham’ mode. When in the ‘Aux’ mode the front 
panel control is replaced by internal trimmer capacitors on each xtal(for TX).

#9, Front Panel Left Side. Note the Ham/Aux switch. In the Aux positions all 
frequencies are USB. When in the ‘Ham’ position the SB follows the band plan.


KB0SFP
Monitor(all USB): 
3996, 5403.5, 7296, 14342.5, 18157.5