[R-390] First radio thread

[Bill Breeden]

My first radio was a Knight Space Spanner kit that I got for Christmas in 1963 when I was in the eighth grade.  I wore out the Allied Radio catalog that fall trying to decide whether I wanted the Space Spanner or an Ocean Hopper.  After assembling the Space Spanner I discovered that I could hear the BBC on 31 meters most evenings and I was hooked on shortwave radio.  In 1965, I upgraded to a used Knight R-55A that I bought from a local ham with money saved from my paper route and used it for the life of my Novice class ham license in 1966.  Finally, in December of 1966, I was able to acquire my first "real" ham receiver, a used National NC-300 that I was able to test drive and then carry home from the Walter Ashe Radio Company in St. Louis.

I still have a Space Spanner and a 1963 Allied Radio catalog, but neither one is my original from 1963.  Still have a Walter Ashe catalog too.

73,

Bill Breeden - NA5DX