[MRCA] TAR-224A (1971) vs. KX2 (2016)

[Mike Morrow]

I should have added to my post below that although the TAR-224A is a fabulous collectors' item, the very high selling price of this rare set makes it impractical for real hobbyist use.

For half the typical TAR-224A price, one may buy an Elecraft KX2 all mode (including SSB, AM, FM, plus decoding and transmission of CW, RATT, PSK31 and other modes) 10 to 12 watt 3 to 30 MHz transceiver complete with optional ATU and internal Li-ion battery with total weight less than one pound.  The KX2 has recorded use by the Army as a COTS acquisition in several theaters including Iraq and Afghanistan.  These units use MARS firmware that allows transmission on frequencies outside the ham bands.

  https://elecraft.com/products/kx2-ssb-cw-data-80-10-m-transceiver

Except for historical value and weather protection, the KX2 is an infinitely better radio than the pricey collectors-only TAR-224A.

Mike / KK5F

-----Original Message-----
From: <kk5f at arrl.net>
Sent: Sep 13, 2021 10:36 P
The price is about right IMHO.

I have an AVCO TAR-224A with MWO 170-1 performed 22 July 1974. It's an amazing example of western Cold War late-1960s all solid state technology, but I believe all were made by AVCO in the early 1970s.

Although these were used by US personnel, for some reason the surplused units seem to have been released in and around the Netherlands. That's where I got mine for about 30 percent less than this eBay unit. In ten years I have never seen one sell for less than about $1500. What I paid a decade ago is the most I ever paid for any radio in 54 years of collecting.

The CS-224 30-channel crystal pack goes into the empty space (otherwise covered with thick plexiglass) on the front panel. These are essentially non-existent. So also the BA-224 internal battery pack.

A very good detailed description with links to the manual and other documents is here:

  https://www.cryptomuseum.com/spy/tar224/index.htm

Mike / KK5F

-----Original Message-----
From: W2HX
Sent: Sep 13, 2021 8:43 PM

Wow. What a sale.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234169613301

73 Eugene W2HX
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