[NJARC] 50 Years Ago Today = KN2TQN

[john ruccolo]

Hi John/Folks,

That NC-81 is a *rare* little receiver today! I don't
think I've *ever* seen one, 'cept in pictures.

I'm really glad this "Novice rig" nostalgia thread got
started. This is the kind of thing that makes the
reflector fun!

I was licensed as WN2TPP in 1974. My first QSO's were
from a friend's house, who had built the legendary
Novice "dream station" of a Heath DX-60B xmitter and
HR-10B receiver. IMHO, the DX-60/A/B was THE best
Novice transmitter ever made. 

I remember heading over to his house (on my bike) with
a "rock" for 3738 KC, which I never got back. Oh,
well....

My station was a used DX-40 (the predecessor of the
DX-60) and a brand-new Layatette HA-800B, a
solid-state receiver.

Many years later, I re-acquired a DX-40 -- from
Ludwell Sibley, no less!

The HA-800B was a nice *looking* set, but it was a
disappointment, to say the least. I recently
re-aqcuired the general-coverage version, the HA-600,
and 
was reminded that those early 70's Lafayettes are
quirky, and "inconsistent" (from band-to-band)
performers. But they *did* look nice! ;-)

Like Dave Sica, I had trouble getting out of my back
yard (antenna problems, transit/receive changeover
problems, the usual Novice issues), and eventually
lost interest -- although my interest in
radio/electronics in general remained strong. Gotta
get off my lazy butt and get the General ticket!

73's to all,

John, ex-WN2TPP, ex-KB2NYY

PS -- Caution -- If you leave DX-60s, HR-10s and
HW-16s alone in your basement, they WILL multiply.
Trust me.


--- John Dilks K2TQN <oldradio at worldnet.att.net>
wrote:

> Visit our web site - See http://www.njarc.org
> _______________________________________________
> OK - OK, I'll tell.....   Here's what I sent JR.....
> 
> Hi John,
> 
> Well I can see that you have not read every one of
> my 86 columns in 
> QST. (so far) Laying on the guilt trip.  :-)
> 
> I have mentioned them along the way.  My first rx
> and was my novice 
> rx - National 81X. It had 1" of dial for the 80
> meter novice band and 
> xtal selectivity.  I was King!
> 
> My transmitter was the single 6V6 oscillator from
> the How to become a 
> radio Ham by ARRL, the one built on wood - except I
> used an old 
> amplifier chassis that I had ripped apart earlier.
> (7-watts)  Next I 
> added a 807 amp for a big 50-watts.
> 
> My pinnacle was a 6AG7 to 2 6L6-GB's from QST.  That
> was a real good 
> rig.  I sure wish I could find it now.
> 
> I may be at the meeting tonight.
> 
> 73, John
> 
> 
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> 


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