[Novice-Rigs] Anyone on this list? How about 'favorite Novice rig' thread...

[Dave Ellison]

I have seen SO few posts on this list, but it could be a very
fun list if more folks chimed in...

My favorite novice rig?  Hallicrafters S-85 and Globe Scout
680A was what I used as a teenager to get my feet wet, so
I'd have to say the most fun I ever had with radio involved
that setup (which I still have, I might add).

But I've always been fond of other rigs, especially the Conar
Twins - remember those?  I have 2 sets of them, one set works
and the other has issues.  The receiver is actually fairly hot - given
it's only 3 tubes.  I had to convert the power supply to full-wave -
believe it or not, they only used a single diode in the supply!
So hum is very common in a Conar.  The transmitter is a pain
though.  VERY hard to run without chirp.  I have only 1 crystal
(out of 25 rocks to use) that doesn't chirp, and it's not on a really
good frequency.  Lacking a VFO, I'm stuck that way.

I also use my Drake 2B with a homebrew 6V6 puffer when the
mood strikes - works VERY well.  And I have to say my own homebrew
transmitter (which puts out 8 watts with a VERY hot 7.046 rock)
sounds like a Collins rig on the air - sold tone, no chirp, and is a
pleasure to use.

So what are your novice rig votes?

Dave WB7AWK