[Swan] Vector Radio VR-50

[Gary H. Harmon, Jr.]

If you see a third, let me know.

Gary H. Harmon, Jr. - K5JWK
6003 Archwood
San Antonio, TX 78239-1504
210.657.1549h / 210.884.6926c/t

"Retirement means every day is a Saturday except Sunday"
http://www.grissomroadcoc.org



-----Original Message-----
From: swan-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:swan-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Robert Nickels
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 9:19 AM
To: Discussion of equipment manufactured by Swan
Subject: [Swan] Vector Radio VR-50

My buddy found one of these radios several years ago and I was able to snag
the other one recently - these two are the only ones we've found to 
exist.   When you look at the pics you will see why we're sure this 
radio was made by Swan, Atlas, Cubic, Herb Johnson or some branch of the 
Swan family tree.   It looks like a mini-Atlas until you realize it's 
only about 6" wide and has no VFO.   We think it was intended for 
commercial use (not military grade) as a "grab and go" survival radio for
onboard ships, oil platforms, and the like. I think it's about the most
ideal configuration for a ham portable I've seen, despite not 
having full band coverage.    It takes less than a minute to go from 
"stow" to "go".

I took a bunch of pictures thinking that others would enjoy seeing it, and
that someone might help us learn something about the rig or it's origin:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ranickel/library/Vector%20VR-50%20SSB%20Comm
unicator 


There are 12 Ham Band crystal positions, where the Fine Tune control acts
like a VXO and gives about ± 5 Khz.  The overall coverage is 2-17 
Mhz and the crystals include segments of 160, 75, 40, and 20 meters.   
In the Auxiliary mode, the Fine Tune acts only as an RIT with only a few
hundred Hz range.  We'd like to figure how to modify this so we can add more
ham crystals on that side, and how the sideband selection etc is 
done.   Of course as you can guess, no documentation or schematic has 
been found, thus the reason for this posting.

I'd guess this radio is from the early-mid 70s.  The large hole in the
bottom PCB that looks like it was to clear a speaker makes me wonder if that
board might have been used in another radio - maybe someone will 
recognize this PCB.   Without a PLL or display or other newfangled 
gadgets, the power consumption is low for good battery life -  a 12 volt 
gel cell that is charged whenever the solar panel is in the sun.    The 
label says 50 watts PEP output but I'd bet it's less than that and will 
have to check it on a wattmeter sometime.    The little tuner matches 
the 8 foot whip on all bands.

I'm really pleased with the radio and would certainly be interested in any
comments, sources of information, or fellow owners.

73, Bob W9RAN
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