Beautiful work! This is radio fun. 40M is starting to sound like it did in the old days around 7100 kHz. Lots of fun slow CW and simple rigs back on the air.
Sure does brings back memories. For me, it was a rescued DX-20 when I got my first novice ticket. I tuned it up into a 60 watt light bulb as you have done and sent out a series of Vs de WV6KJK (my call in 1961) and was surprised to hear a response from a ham about 150 miles away!
Thanks for watching! - your remarks reminded me of a similar experience I had with an SCR-284 field radio set when I was still in high school (around 1970). The first time I tried it out I was tuning it up on 80M AM, not even a CQ call, and got a response from a ham about 50 miles away. That set was in beautiful condition, complete w/ dynamotor and T-17 mic, but not the hand crank generator. I wish I could have kept it. -73
That is precious! I also still have that book somewhere. When I was a kid, in the 60s, I admired this circuit, along with the two tube (6AQ5's) regenerative receiver and there was also a one tube (6U8) converter for 20, 15 and 10 Meters. I would be proud of this construction also. I became a Ham in 1979 but did not start building until the 80s.
I, too, was inspired by this transmitter appearing in "How to Become a Radio Amateur". I think the year was about 1959. My parents thought my building something like that was a waste of money, so I shelved the project before it got very far off the ground, but kept the book for years. Their negative comments also discouraged me from becoming a Ham until I was grown up, in 1978. Seeing your video makes me want to go back and build it. Thank you for posting this video. --Mark, KE6BB
Hi Mark, thanks for writing. It's too bad your parents felt that way. My dad was the opposite, I expect because he was an engineer himself so he was supportive of my interest in radio and electronics from about the time I was 8 or 9 years old. When I was 12 I built "The Scrounger" from article in Electronics Illustrated, as I posted to this web site a few years ago; www.radiosky.com/scrounge.html . Scroll down to my posting, signed WB4CKM. I restored my Scrounger to operation a few years ago and made some more contacts with it, and so I have some more QSL cards to show off. You have encouraged me to make another video featuring my Scrounger. Best wishes for the New Year! -73
@@Random-ep8st I also have to fully credit my parents/Dad with getting me started. But my Dad was (is) non-technical yet somehow he figured out some radio kits to buy me and when I was 13, he found a group offering a license class. So @ 13, I became WN2BIJ and a couple years later, got my current call, WB2SMK. That help from Dad lead me down a technical path and I became an Electrical Engineer. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Hi Mark, I think we grew up in a golden time, and I am happy for it. Thank you for sharing your history. I did finally make a short video about my "Scrounger" transmitter that I mentioned in my reply to Mark P; ua-cam.com/video/W5b2u_x-zbQ/v-deo.html
Nice. I was licensed in 1962. It was up to my mentor to build my one tube transmitter, from the 1957 Handbook, along with the Sky Buddy II receiver by Hallicrafters (three - tubes). I also took several more decades before I got reasonably competent at homebrewing. - WA5BDU
Love the job you done on that. Rig looks great ! I remember my Novice days so Well. about 1965/66 Got Novice license. First rig was the Heath AT1 and had a Lafayette HE30 receiver. Lots of fun with the combo. I only had about 3 or 4 Crystals . operated 40 meters only. When I got my general license I had VFO ; thought i was in the Big times. LOL !
Hi Walt,... wow, your story is so similar to mine- My receiver was also a Lafayette model that was a later version of the HE-30 - can't remember the model # but it looks almost the same as HE30- the knobs were different and the cabinet was a light green. My first transmitter was the "Scrounger" that I described in this slide show video; ua-cam.com/video/W5b2u_x-zbQ/v-deo.html. My 2nd transmitter was a used Globe Scout 65A and I only operated on 40M CW while Novice. After i got General in 1967 I acquired a used Knight-Kit VFO and operated some 40M AM for a while. After a few months I got a Heathkit SB-101 and spent one summer vacation putting it together. By then i had strung up an 80M dipole in addition to the 40m. Every afternoon after school I would sign in to SSB 80M "Alabama Emergency Net-T" (T for teenager). By then I also had a Heathkit "Sixer" and homebrew 6M 5 element steerable beam. Several of us teenagers had a local group on 50.55MHz. Those were great days. -73
Thanks for the memories! I became a ham in 1958 using the “How to...” booklet. Assembled a Heathkit AR-3 receiver, then a DX-20 transmitter, a station setup I used for many years... Later on drove a 500 Watt linear amp with the 50 watts from the DX-20. Have much newer equipment now, but remember those fun days!
I remember that article but at that time I decided to make a 35 W transmitter with the 6DQ6 tube in the oscillator and with the 6L6 tube in the output. I took the circuit out of the ARRL Handbook.
That's a very nicely built transmitter. It's amazing how closely your build looks like the photos in the ARRL book. This transmitter is also featured in the 1958 issue of How to Become a Radio Amateur. I've held on to that issue all this time. It wasn't until 1963 that I became licensed as WN0HPU, now K5WQ. I never built that transmitter but always wanted to. Seeing your video has inspired me to give it a try. I probably even have the parts except for the chassis and other sheet metal.
Thank you for the nice remarks- I hope to see your transmitter- Try Allied electronics or Newark for the chassis and cabinet. My cabinet is steel because the Aluminum version was no longer available. maybe you could document your build in some videos! -73
Lots of memories for me. I built a two tube 40/80 meter transmitter from plans in the January 1962 issue of Popular Electronics magazine. I was sixteen that year and it got me on the air as a novice, chirps and all. I used it for about nine months until I got my General license and moved up to a Heathkit DX-60. 73...jim...WA7VVV
Hello again Graham. Back in the late 1990's I visited Matra Marconi Space in Stevenage on two occasions. We stayed in Ware the first time and then Welwyn Garden City. I think these towns might be in your neck of the woods. -73
I really like your rig there ! I have a pretty good collection of ARRL books from that era ! A novice dream machine there ! I would really like to know how many inspiring young Hams would have loved to have that rig ! I know I sure did ! 73
That R174 is one heck of a nice receiver. Very sensitive & a good CW set up. Your build of the transmitter's a lot better than my attempts, mainly 'cause you stuck to what the book said to do. I just cobbled one together in a fit of activity. Works ok but, well, mine never got that great a signal report ;-) 73 de W8IJN
Good on you using the "Angry 5" (GRR-5) receiver. I had one of those and it worked very well. I used it for SWL and mine had the factory case and power supply/audio amp speaker. The one tube seems to do the job and, if it's fun, it's a good idea to do it! Jeff K7AIL
Hi, thanks for the comment. I bought the R-174 (GRR-5) from Fair Radio Sales back in the mid-80's, as i recall. They were offering a good price for just the receiver unit without the cabinet and power supply. I built the AC supply and plywood cabinet for it. I have a posting at Antique Radio Forums ( several years ago) where I documented the power supply design. -73
SUGGESTION! Regulate the SCREEN Voltage at pin 4 with an OB2 tube !! You will get rid of the chirp these transmitters tend to create! Especially with newer crystals.
that is my big change on the power supply...regulated voltages and I used a three tube VFO for 1.8... Lew McCoy did the VFO ...it works great 73 WB5MZO
ARRL booklet “How to Become a Radio Amateur”, 21st Edition, published around 1962. The ARRL maintains an on-line archive, I think, but you may have to be a member to access it. You might try checking their website for archive information.
I am a member, and have spent some time searching the site. I just haven't found it yet. Thanks for affirming that it exists there. Very nice job, by the way, on this transmitter. It is inspiring.
Know it well. ( Wore it out) And living near Bluffton ohio. (Triplett) As youngsters we would check for rejects. Blemished. Meters. "Miss labeled, wrong color, govt rejects, and cracks . Bluffton is a good ohio (college) town near I 75 west of findlay, and north of LIma ohio. Then wait for the mail man to bring the goodie pack from fair radio (east Eureka Lima ohio)Tks Fer nostalgia. De kv4li. Ps as I grew older I worked for the tv plant we would would sneak out the (sub standard 6dq6's out of testing) hi hi 73
Beautiful work! This is radio fun. 40M is starting to sound like it did in the old days around 7100 kHz. Lots of fun slow CW and simple rigs back on the air.
Thanks! -73
Sure does brings back memories. For me, it was a rescued DX-20 when I got my first novice ticket. I tuned it up into a 60 watt light bulb as you have done and sent out a series of Vs de WV6KJK (my call in 1961) and was surprised to hear a response from a ham about 150 miles away!
Thanks for watching! - your remarks reminded me of a similar experience I had with an SCR-284 field radio set when I was still in high school (around 1970). The first time I tried it out I was tuning it up on 80M AM, not even a CQ call, and got a response from a ham about 50 miles away. That set was in beautiful condition, complete w/ dynamotor and T-17 mic, but not the hand crank generator. I wish I could have kept it. -73
That is precious! I also still have that book somewhere. When I was a kid, in the 60s, I admired this circuit, along with the two tube (6AQ5's) regenerative receiver and there was also a one tube (6U8) converter for 20, 15 and 10 Meters. I would be proud of this construction also. I became a Ham in 1979 but did not start building until the 80s.
I, too, was inspired by this transmitter appearing in "How to Become a Radio Amateur". I think the year was about 1959. My parents thought my building something like that was a waste of money, so I shelved the project before it got very far off the ground, but kept the book for years. Their negative comments also discouraged me from becoming a Ham until I was grown up, in 1978. Seeing your video makes me want to go back and build it. Thank you for posting this video. --Mark, KE6BB
Hi Mark, thanks for writing. It's too bad your parents felt that way. My dad was the opposite, I expect because he was an engineer himself so he was supportive of my interest in radio and electronics from about the time I was 8 or 9 years old. When I was 12 I built "The Scrounger" from article in Electronics Illustrated, as I posted to this web site a few years ago; www.radiosky.com/scrounge.html . Scroll down to my posting, signed WB4CKM. I restored my Scrounger to operation a few years ago and made some more contacts with it, and so I have some more QSL cards to show off. You have encouraged me to make another video featuring my Scrounger. Best wishes for the New Year!
-73
I wonder what your parents were preferring you to do instead; I can think of countless worse things than amateur radio!
Richard (UK)
@@Random-ep8st I also have to fully credit my parents/Dad with getting me started. But my Dad was (is) non-technical yet somehow he figured out some radio kits to buy me and when I was 13, he found a group offering a license class. So @ 13, I became WN2BIJ and a couple years later, got my current call, WB2SMK. That help from Dad lead me down a technical path and I became an Electrical Engineer. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Hi Mark, I think we grew up in a golden time, and I am happy for it. Thank you for sharing your history. I did finally make a short video about my "Scrounger" transmitter that I mentioned in my reply to Mark P; ua-cam.com/video/W5b2u_x-zbQ/v-deo.html
Very nice build OM. Congrats and I wish you further success with it.
73.
Wow that's very nice. Love the older valve gear. Seeing lamps used is nostalgic.
Nice. I was licensed in 1962. It was up to my mentor to build my one tube transmitter, from the 1957 Handbook, along with the Sky Buddy II receiver by Hallicrafters (three - tubes). I also took several more decades before I got reasonably competent at homebrewing. - WA5BDU
Thanks for watching! -73
Love the job you done on that. Rig looks great ! I remember my Novice days so Well. about 1965/66 Got Novice license. First rig was the Heath AT1 and had a Lafayette HE30 receiver. Lots of fun with the combo. I only had about 3 or 4 Crystals . operated 40 meters only. When I got my general license I had VFO ; thought i was in the Big times. LOL !
CW is still my favourite mode ; my call is WA9NEU
Hi Walt,... wow, your story is so similar to mine- My receiver was also a Lafayette model that was a later version of the HE-30 - can't remember the model # but it looks almost the same as HE30- the knobs were different and the cabinet was a light green. My first transmitter was the "Scrounger" that I described in this slide show video; ua-cam.com/video/W5b2u_x-zbQ/v-deo.html. My 2nd transmitter was a used Globe Scout 65A and I only operated on 40M CW while Novice. After i got General in 1967 I acquired a used Knight-Kit VFO and operated some 40M AM for a while. After a few months I got a Heathkit SB-101 and spent one summer vacation putting it together. By then i had strung up an 80M dipole in addition to the 40m. Every afternoon after school I would sign in to SSB 80M "Alabama Emergency Net-T" (T for teenager). By then I also had a Heathkit "Sixer" and homebrew 6M 5 element steerable beam. Several of us teenagers had a local group on 50.55MHz. Those were great days. -73
Thanks for the memories! I became a ham in 1958 using the “How to...” booklet. Assembled a Heathkit AR-3 receiver, then a DX-20 transmitter, a station setup I used for many years... Later on drove a 500 Watt linear amp with the 50 watts from the DX-20. Have much newer equipment now, but remember those fun days!
Very nice. I have had the book since as long as you... studied the article... maybe I should build one. Great to actually see and hear it ! W6WUH
Thanks for watching!
Cool all the way. Looks good and seems to work well. Excellent detailing on the build.KE5TJ.
I remember that article but at that time I decided to make a 35 W transmitter with the 6DQ6 tube in the oscillator and with the 6L6 tube in the output. I took the circuit out of the ARRL Handbook.
That's a very nicely built transmitter. It's amazing how closely your build looks like the photos in the ARRL book. This transmitter is also featured in the 1958 issue of How to Become a Radio Amateur. I've held on to that issue all this time. It wasn't until 1963 that I became licensed as WN0HPU, now K5WQ. I never built that transmitter but always wanted to. Seeing your video has inspired me to give it a try. I probably even have the parts except for the chassis and other sheet metal.
Thank you for the nice remarks- I hope to see your transmitter- Try Allied electronics or Newark for the chassis and cabinet. My cabinet is steel because the Aluminum version was no longer available. maybe you could document your build in some videos! -73
Lots of memories for me. I built a two tube 40/80 meter transmitter from plans in the January 1962 issue of Popular Electronics magazine. I was sixteen that year and it got me on the air as a novice, chirps and all. I used it for about nine months until I got my General license and moved up to a Heathkit DX-60. 73...jim...WA7VVV
Many thanks for sharing this. Your one valve transmitter project is truly beautiful. 73, Graham, de G4VUX
Many Thanks for the positive feedback! -73
Hello again Graham. Back in the late 1990's I visited Matra Marconi Space in Stevenage on two occasions. We stayed in Ware the first time and then Welwyn Garden City. I think these towns might be in your neck of the woods.
-73
I lived in Cambridge and didn't even realize that the Marconi Centre was in Stevenage. I would loved to make a visit there! AF4K (Ex-G3XLQ)
@@Random-ep8st Really? When were you there? I worked in Stage 4 (the one standing up on legs with the road running under it) in 1997-1999.
I have that same transmitter and have it paired with a Hallicrafters S-38 A.
I really like your rig there ! I have a pretty good collection of ARRL books from that era ! A novice dream machine there ! I would really like to know how many inspiring young Hams would have loved to have that rig ! I know I sure did ! 73
Thanks! -73
That R174 is one heck of a nice receiver. Very sensitive & a good CW set up. Your build of the transmitter's a lot better than my attempts, mainly 'cause you stuck to what the book said to do. I just cobbled one together in a fit of activity. Works ok but, well, mine never got that great a signal report ;-) 73 de W8IJN
Thanks for watching and the nice comments!
OMG. I built the same transmitter as a novice. Had only two crystals. Did WAS from Vermont! KN1QXH
Nice job on the transmitter.
Thanks for the + feedback! -73
Good on you using the "Angry 5" (GRR-5) receiver. I had one of those and it worked very well. I used it for SWL and mine had the factory case and power supply/audio amp speaker. The one tube seems to do the job and, if it's fun, it's a good idea to do it! Jeff K7AIL
Hi, thanks for the comment. I bought the R-174 (GRR-5) from Fair Radio Sales back in the mid-80's, as i recall. They were offering a good price for just the receiver unit without the cabinet and power supply. I built the AC supply and plywood cabinet for it. I have a posting at Antique Radio Forums ( several years ago) where I documented the power supply design. -73
SUGGESTION! Regulate the SCREEN Voltage at pin 4 with an OB2 tube !! You will get rid of the chirp these transmitters tend to create! Especially with newer crystals.
that is my big change on the power supply...regulated voltages and I used a three tube VFO for 1.8... Lew McCoy did the VFO ...it works great 73 WB5MZO
great Channel
Fine business...I have mine WB5MZO
Nice, thanks for the video
cool 73
i'm really interested in building this. Do you happen to know where i can find this article?
thanks
73
Chas AD0UY
ARRL booklet “How to Become a Radio Amateur”, 21st Edition, published around 1962. The ARRL maintains an on-line archive, I think, but you may have to be a member to access it. You might try checking their website for archive information.
I am a member, and have spent some time searching the site. I just haven't found it yet. Thanks for affirming that it exists there.
Very nice job, by the way, on this transmitter. It is inspiring.
Try the 1970 issue of "How To Become A Radio Amateur." or this www.radioboatanchor.com/blog/homebrew-cw-6l6-vacuum-tube-transmitter-build
Always used a light bulb for dummy load.
Know it well. ( Wore it out) And living near Bluffton ohio. (Triplett) As youngsters we would check for rejects. Blemished. Meters. "Miss labeled, wrong color, govt rejects, and cracks . Bluffton is a good ohio (college) town near I 75 west of findlay, and north of LIma ohio. Then wait for the mail man to bring the goodie pack from fair radio (east Eureka Lima ohio)Tks Fer nostalgia. De kv4li. Ps as I grew older I worked for the tv plant we would would sneak out the (sub standard 6dq6's out of testing) hi hi 73