Martin Lynch's Ham Radio Collection from the 70s!
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2023
- As you may know, I've been in the ham radio business for quite some time, and over the years, I've gathered a unique collection of radios that hold a special place in my heart.
Join me on a trip down memory lane as we explore these vintage treasures. I'll share personal stories and fascinating insights about the radios that ignited my passion for this incredible hobby. From the classic craftsmanship to the distinctive features, you'll witness the magic that radiates from each and every one of these old beauties.
73
Martin Lynch -G4HKS
'The Guv'nor'
Ham Radio Store: www.hamradio.co.uk/
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I still love the old gear
Great video, great presentation. Licensed since 1973 I'm old enough to remember the "vintage" stuff, but I was a Trio fan. TS700, TR2300, TR9130, TS830S. Inactive for many years I'm getting back into it with a Yaesu FT890.
And the IC2E... taking me back to the good old days.
But did you buy it from me??? Be down (again) next week Mike! 73 de G4HKS
Brings back loads of great memories from when I got my first licence back in 1981... and yes; I too would love Yaesu to produce a 2m/70cm multimode... those were the days!
Cheers Simon,, fingers crossed they are reading these comments! 73 de G4HKS
I could never afford an FT480R! Great days though. When 6m had it's first year in VHF NFD I was part of a big VHF contest group. We had to borrow a radio from Kenwood as nobody had 6m. Promptly blew the finals half way through the contest.
Dear of dear!!! Love Six Metres, the licenced listeners band. Totally dead and you can call CQ until you're blue in the face with no response. As soon as the band opens up you can't get a slot to call CQ !!! 73 de G4HKS
Used the 902DM at VE8RCS to pass hundreds and hundreds of phone patches in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Magnificent piece of kit that performed flawlessly. Great to see the old rigs Martin! Thank you
Great video! I love going back in time .
Going down memory lane is great.
Thanks for the video. 73
Nice trip back in time, I see a few I owned back in the 70’s/80’s. The 101-ZD was a really nice rig.
Every ham had a IC-2A hanging off their belt in the 80’s, I kept mine even after I bought my TR-2400. I’d love to see an all mode 2/70 all mode rig again,something compact.
The FT480 is beautiful. Your nostalgia videos are brilliant. When i left Glasgow to do radio with the Royal Navy I had CBs.. lowe electronics cb. It was dreadful for bleedover, I had a midland AM set, dixons harrier cbx .. which I fettled.. 5/8 wave dipole up a scaffolding pole. Had a 7 band swl radio. All of which were ditched by mum n dad when i was at sea. I also had a dixons handheld cb which actually got skip around the uk.. Billiant videos. About to buy my first ham rig as a licenced guy. The rsgb guys in bletchley were so kind at gb3rs when i visited. My radio job was very much aligned with Bletchley.
Yes Martin, you have cost me a small fortune 😀 and it's been a great spend, I've just purchased from you a FT710, and the list continues to grow. But, your trip down memory lane is just great to watch. Yes I had a FT101, an FT480R and I was in that queue and brought that from your good-self, then an FT290; FT897; FT991A; FRG-7- trade that in at the Longleat Rally. You know what Martin, you don't seem to have changed one bit since I first met you in Northfield Avenue, we are about the same age. 73
It's the RF I tell you!!!! I could go on and on telling stories about my years in Ham Radio and I have to say I've met some wonderful customers over the many years, most of my friends are Hams & I've been lucky to have my hands on the latest kit earlier then most. Glad you enjoyed the show, 73 de G4HKS
Great memories Martin. I bought my first secondhand IC-2E from you in Northfield avenue in the early 90's when I was first licensed.I now have 3 of them all in mint condition with refreshed batteries too.I don't think I could ever part with them 😅😅
73.G7HFS/PA3IKH
This brought back memories!! When I qualified in 1982 (with a G6) my first rig was the IC2E, my second the FT-480R
I actually do remember you, Bernie and Brenda from ARE, the old man (G3RKP(sk) took me there as he wanted a good HF receiver for me to use for swl. I currently have a FT 101 EE in my US shack (I'm KC2VWR over in the colonies), and yes a modern 2m/70cm multi mode would be great. I've owned my FT-857D since 2009. 73 Nick de 2E0LUN
The Wadley Loop circuit was designed by Trevor Lloyd Wadley, (1920 - May 21, 1981) in the 1940's and yes he was a South African. The Wadley Loop was first used in the Racal RA-17, a 1950s top of the range British military short wave receiver, still considered one of the finest radio receivers and later in the South African made commercially available "Barlow-Wadley XCR-30" radio. "Barlow" was the manufacturer situated in Shepstone Road, Pinetown, South Africa. Piet Le Roux ZS4ZS
Nice collection, congrats.
Super video Martin - so many radios and great memories for us all. Great to see you looking so fresh and well. 73 de GI8WFA, Wm.
Cheers William, getting better by the week! 73, de G4HKS
That was excellent video.Really enjoyed that.
Yes I would like one
Thanks for that Martin, that was very interesting!
What a trip down memory lane ! Took me straight back to the 1970's with long nights spent in tents operating field day contests !
I used to sit on top of Bledlow Ridge in Stokenchurch surrounded by Creed 7B teleprinters with my local radio Club Ealing & District using G3UUP. Those were the days indeed. 73 de G4HKS
The coolest collection you'll ever see The coolest group to see
We have lots more where that came from Mohamed! 73 de G4HKS
Thanks for this video Martin, a great talk about the older sets. And yes, if a multimode 2 meter, 70 cm rig would be produced again today and like you suggest possibly with C4FM thrown in, I would definitely be interested. 73's Bert 2E0XNL.
So would i !!! 73 de G4HKS
IC2E and 1C240 got both of them in a box somewhere. I remember the diode matrix in the IC240 you could rewire for different frequencies.
That's when people could use a soldering iron! 73 de G4HKS
A lot of wise advice here - thank you!
Very welcome. Make a note to tune in thsi week - it'll be me again! 73 de G4HKS
i used one of these when i passed my m3 on 2 meters. my first hf radio was a kenwood ts430s with power supply and matching atu. love the videos.
Thanks Andrew, keep watching and spread the word. 73 de G4HKS
You’re looking well Martin, all the best and kind regards de M0KTY Canterbury UK.
Cheers Graham, 3 months since the operation now, getting better every week. 73 de G4HKS
Still got my 22a and it still works.
There's at least two out there then Paul....73 de G4HKS
I bought it as used from Bernie’s shop and as far as I can remember you served me. 73s keep up the good work. G4ZWP
I'd like to have seen a few more in your collection.
Not mentioning 2m as a G8 first but as G4 I had an FT101E, added 250 Hz c.w. filter, superb, modified it to tx on 10 MHz. Sold it and went QRP with h/b gear for 30 years, now adding 60m, FT817ND in 2017. Got a Racal RA17L about 34 years ago, a bit deaf so needs attention.
Before that KW 202 and 204. I liked the 202 rx.
Going backwards in 2017 a Wireless 19 Set I got going after much work and QRP by choice, much modified, c.w. xtal on tx only for stability.
G4GHB
Great Video Martin Its nice to look back. Still got my 221R really nice radio, (mine does 15 watts). bought it from new. and, of course the IC2E, lucky me, got two of them, one from new, brilliant for the time.
Had a IC 22A also, but sold it for FT227R mobile. Also, as many people at the time, had a 101E (with FM mods), but had to sell it in a moment of madness.
Thanks for bringing back some good memories of how Amateur radio used to be.
And its good to see I am not alone in valuing the older radios.
It appears you're not alone! Nostalga is usually a nice place to be and I literally wind myself back in time talking about these products. To highten the experience turn them on in a confined space and smell the air!!! 73 de G4HKS
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It broke my heart when I traded my FT221R in for my first HF rig. There is a definite gap in the market for an affordable 2m/70cms multi mode. No need for waterfall display or 23cms. Why the Chinese brands haven't jumped in here is a mystery.
Bert G4JXI
I'm rather pleased they haven't Herbert but my first commercial rig was a Belcom Liner 2. Spent many a night in my parents shed (they threw me out of the house when I got a teleprinter) but keep badgering the main three. One of them will make one. 73 de G4HKS
We have more in common than I realised. I also had a G8 call before the G4 and a LIner 2 prior to the 221. I was well into the Creed 7s and the BARTG ST5 terminal unit, but the shack was a garden shed. I felt sure with the teleprinter being in there, the noise would just deafen me and also stop the shed blowing away in the wind.!
Please keep the pressure up on the big three. It would be in their interest to ask what amateurs actually want via yourself. 73 Bert G4JXI
Enjoyed the video Martin, as many of the models shown are still in my possession and purchased over the decades from 'Bandit Bill', Western Electronics and of course ML and S. Very sad to hear about Hal G3NMH/EA5SX who until quite recent times helped me with new pulleys and ropes, for my 39 year old Westower 3HD, still in use and after refurbish is as 'good as new'.
73 Martin GW3XJQ
Bandit Bill is no longer with us and Mr Lowe is up there right now having arguments with my old guvnor Bernie G4AOG, it was thanks to him and his partner in crime Brenda that forced Lowe's to distribute the Trio-Kenwood brand. Until they visited the japan factory they didn't know Bill kept all the sales to himself. I could write a book..... 73 de G4HKS
@@Martin_Lynch You really should!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I got my licence in 1983 and had an FRG7, IC 2E and a Trio 2300; loved them all and wish that I hadn’t sold them. Mind you, modern equipment is superb and I am pleased that we still have two excellent manufacturers who are still interested in the amateur radio market.
On a slightly different note, I would like to mention how helpful your staff are. As a regular customer I have always had helpful advice from them which is why I keep coming back. Cheers, Tony G6XYZ
Thank you Tony for your kind words. The little TR-2300 was another masterpiece of Trio-Kenwood engineering and was so much smaller than its predecessor TS-2200GX. Those were the days indeed! 73 de G4HKS
@@Martin_Lynch I used to use a TR2300 (why did I sell it!) for Fox Hunting when I discovered when the antenna was down it reduced the sensitivity but increased the directivity enabling me to win two competitions.
A 50w 2/70 Multimode in a mobile format, possibly as a quad bander with 6/4 on board, at a sensible price would be a great option and would encourage the release the moths from wallets! Currently in-production multimodes covering V/UHF (FT991A,IC9700) are clunky for mobile operations in modern cars and the IC705 - while a wonderful radio - lacks the RF "grunt" and isn't easily operable in an actual mobile situation - even missing a manufacturer mobile bracket. Something in the FT891 chassis format - or indeed an extended FT891 + 6/4/2/70 - with separate N-type connectors for V/UHF would, I think, be a winner on its own. Also thinking about the increased interest that the IC905 might generate, such a radio might also become popular as a transverter driver for the SHF bands especially if it can be GPS locked. As a young G8J.. licensed in 1974/5 the FT221R and TS700G were aspirational "unobtanium". Respective glossy flyers - collected at Granby Hall - were read, re-read and pinned (well-thumbed!) to the shack wall above the HB 2m AM TX and later the TR2200GX and FT290. Keep on encouraging the "Big 3" - my plastic is waiting to be flexed :)
Steve.
Agree entirely. A VHF/UHF version of the FT710 would be great and I would certainly buy one.
Here's hoping. 73 de G4HKS
Excellente video. Beaucoup de souvenirs...
Merci Monsieur, je suis ravi que vous ayez apprécié la présentation 73 de G4HKS
Wow Nostalgia, Bandit Bill !!! used to Cycle from Hazel Grove to Matlock in 1964/5 before joining Army in 66 (at 16 years of Age. Yes Yaesu man here also FT75B /m as DA2WN (still have an FT75 with matching mains PSU and speaker) FT101EX 1977, then went Trio TS120S TS130S then FT101ZD x 2 full line ups , oh and an FRG7 - still have the FT480R with Microwave Modules AMP and still used today for 2 - SSB. So a very interesting presentation on where and what we used back in the day.
Still Love Yaesu (all of the next lot purchased From ML&S via both that shop and the last Shop) with My FTdx500MP Limited (in use) FTdx3000 (TSB) FT950 (in use Data) had the 920 before that , FT891 (with Auto ATU) /m FT897 with Mains PSU and External ATU /p. Two FTM350's in boxes where replaced by - two FT400XD's one QTHR one /m.
So thanks for a trip down memory lane Martin.
De Kit GM4EMX (Aberdeen)
PS, before you ask Martin, yes still working at 73 in Oil & Gas - see Linked In
An EX without the voice processor, remember them well. The FT-7B and 50W version was always a visually challenging radio with that sloped front panel and the bright blue. Reckon there shoudl be some award for "most intersting and stacked Yaesu Shack" photo competition. Now there's an idea.... 73 de G4HKS
Interestingly, in VK, the IC22A was replaced by the iC22S which looked identical, except it was a synthesised rig. You still had the 22-channel selector, but with a diode matrix inside so you could program it to have your favourite channels on the selector. The IC22S was incredibly popular in VK with multiple magazine articles on external "expanders" to use all the synthesiser's range. The IC240 was very rare here. As to the FT221R, I have a FT301 HF rig, which is its twin. The FT301 was my HF rig for years, & I was sorely tempted to buy a FT221R to have a "pigeon pair", but the FT301 developed what seems to be a "terminal" fault, so I didn't continue with the idea. It was already an old rig when I bought it, so I can't really complain. 73, VK6ZGO
RRR YOU SOLD ME MY YAESU FT902DM + ATU _ Speaker - Under a grand. Those were the days 73.
And dragged them to Teddington for you! Now look at the slap I have to take to your "new" gaff!!! " 73 de G4HKS
I'd buy a 2/70 all mode. If they won't make one, you could do it.
I have most of the rigs discussed, the FT221 and FT225 (with mods) are still great 2m contesting radios. It is still a treat to put the modern rigs to one side and put some air time on an older rig. P.S Martin forgot to mention that the UK FTDX10 also operates at reduced power on 4m.
You're right David I did. I enjoy comparing old and new and rather wish I'd kept my FT-225RD. They'll be another come along I'm sure... 73 de G4HKS
@@Martin_Lynch thank you for the reply Martin. I inherited my totally stock FT221R (as well as the FT301S) from my late father, I believe he bought them from the dealer in South Harrow. I remember being unimpressed that neither had the frequency displays but being older and wiser they are very easy to do without. 73
@@g0fvt And they make a nice "pigeon pair" :-) My first HF rig when VK "Z" calls got access to those bands was a FT301. As I commented elsewhere, I nearly bought the matching FT221R. 73, VK6 ZGO
Very enjoyable video, thank you Martin. I was just wondering if you might have fitted the 455KHz SSB filter in my FRG7?! I bought it from a friend in the early 80s and the filter was already fitted and it's switched by the AM noise limiter position on the mode switch. I recently had to realign the LSB/USB carrier set point to the filter as I think it might have aged a bit! The FRG7 remains a very useful set with nice audio. I bought my TS430S new from Photo Acoustics in Newport Pagnell in about 1985 and its still working. I used the FT101ZDMK3 and FT221 at Uni as they were the sets in the ham club there. Lots of good memories. Thanks, Gary G0BKR
I probably did Gary!! Fitted hundreds of them and all those fivers added up. Never got my hands on the cash of course - offset it against more toys from Bernie & Brenda's Amateur Radio Exchange store less than 2 miles away from where I used to live. 73 de G4HKS
You said you had asked Yeasu for a multimode FTM 500, but didn't say Yeasu's reason for not producing one? It can't be difficult for them when they can produce it in rigs such as the 857D which also included HF/6/4 although perhaps it's relating to cost grounds or C4FM being integrated? It would also be interesting to know why duplex cross band isn't available on these types of rigs for sat working leaving the market open to the Chinese manufacturers.
Hi Roger, the answer was given but someone above here - when the B licence was effectively scrapped the Japanese manufacturers saw no point in V/U only and bundled in HF. My thinking is there is still a market for a good performance mobile version and if priced right, it would sell. Start 2m SSB all over again - Halo anyone? 73 de G4HKS
Thanks for this review Martin! I was licensed in 1976 at age 14 and remember many of these radios from ads in QST. I grew up sitting with my grandfather in his ham room. He had all Collins equipment. Did Collins have a market in UK? -- Rob W0QIS (I took my grandfather's call after he passed)
Hi Rob, yes Collins did have a market here sold in the UK by a company called Radio Shack nothing to do with the US outfit. Collins was Rolls Royce or should I say Cadillac , they were eye-wateringly expensive and still command good prices today. Good on you for taking your grandpa's call. 73 de G4HKS
I have a boxed FT 101 E still works very well.
Look after it Chris. Has it still got the plastic shrunk over the front panel? 73 de G4HKS
@@Martin_Lynch Yes it has the plastic rap on it not bubbled it is in mint condition. I am looking for the right desk microphone for it.
I should add I use the old icom multimodes still using a ic251E for 2 meters. It would be nice to have a new 2/70 multi mode to play with but nothing on the market.
Just got to the 480R. I remember getting signal reports from AXO "You're two lemons and a cherry".
Love it! 73 de G4HKS
Still have my FT101z (with the D mod) ...it has paid for itself a million times over :)
Built like a tank indeed. 73 de G4HKS
Great nostalgic vid. I suspect the demise of the B licence had a lot to do with the lack of new 2/70 multi modes. We all have hf privileges now (here in the UK any way) so I suspect the big manufacturers see no market in it. I wonder if licensing changes elsewhere in the world influenced their decisions.
Spot on Doug. However the open for all licence was many years ago now and I feel if you are a V/U main user a modern multromode the size of a mobile would sell. Just have to convince the manufacturers... 73 de G4HKS
Great Martin, looking forward to the next, Guv'nah Kit review !! Cheers
No problem Tom, glad you enjoyed the show! 73 de G4HKS
Outstanding video
Man of short sentance but well appreciated Sir! Thank you Floyd. 73 de G4HKS
What a brilliant video Martin. Loved seeing that kit and listening to you sharing your thoughts. My vote goes for a remake of the FT736R. Take care.
Thanks Steve, I genuinly think there is a market for a mobile sized version as again thsi could be a unique radio from Yaesu.. Let's wait and see... 73 de G4HKS
2023 version of the 736 would be fantastic, i was disappointed when the 710 came out because i was expecting the contender to the Icom 9700, looks like i will be sticking with the 991A for vhf/uhf for now.
The FLDX400 and FRDX400 VFO works like the 901, clockwise goes lower in frequency
They were seperates though weren't they Dave? And even the FR-101 & FT-200 long before the FT-901 tuned the right way! 73 de G4HKS
@@Martin_Lynch Yes, have got an FL/FRDX400 lineup in the shack, I love the old rigs, even got a KW2000B here! 73, G0GKH
I’m always amazed how similar the Icom IC-2E looks to my Kenpro KT-22 - wondering if it was a knock off??
Love watching your old stock videos. I was actually recently left a TS-530SP but fear I may have broken it as I was trying to tune it, but got a sudden TX pwr surge and then nothing. Do your guys repair old kit as well Martin? Great video as ever. 73 Michael GM5AUG
The IC-2E was the first and I do remember selling the Kenpro varient. Whatever happened to them? I know Yaesu Musen bough the engineering side for the rotator manufacture but not sure what happened to the radio division. Long gone I suspect. 73 de G4HKS
Where is the BCC 45G? Ford Cortina Clutches? I still have my FT208R and IC 2E and 4E! Good to see you back on! Cheers, Rob
Can still see you under my Cortina swearing it was a Saturday and you shouldn't be working!!! Hope you're well Rob, 73 de G4HKS
Coming into the shop either Monday or Tuesday have a working BP8 battery if you want to see if your 2E still works.
Come on down!! 73 de G4HKS
Great collection. Have a FT-101Z mk3 amongst others. Now, what about a No 19 set or 62 set or Clansman series? Bet you never owned them 😂
Yaesu needs to replace the 817/818 series and the 857. Bet you cannot pull that ask!
19 set no - far too expensive for me when I was a nipper!!! Clansman? Of course!! I did my apprenticeship at Racal-BCC Wembley. Agreed on the 818/857. I'm working on it. 73 de G4HKS
Would really like to see a retro board to fit in the ft290r mk1 and get rid of the old internals and bring it back to life.
Someone somewhere has probably done it Mark. 73 de G4HKS
The good design aspect of the 101 was using the PA valves for the receiver front-end giving is a huge dynamic range. There was a story in the late 70’s (height of the Cold 😂War) going around when a Russian fighter crashed and when the West inspected its radio front-ends they discovered valves, adding to the theory that the Russians were designing their radios for nuclear environments, which could easily damage transistor front-ends.
I can assure you that the FT102 does not use the PA as a front end, but it does use the pre--selector and 2SK125 FETs in the receiver.
@@g0fvt yes but we were referring to the ft101
@@G6EJD I have only worked on a few ZDs, they don't use the valves at all in the receive path, I have not worked on the earlier FT101s.
@@g0fvt well I made a small typo and said ft102 but I had a 101 and they definitely used the PA valves as the receiver front end. All good memories from Martin
@@G6EJD no problem either way, but yes it was often said that MIGs had thermionic devices in their receiver front-ends.
Tuning a old tube rig is a lost art . Most new hams have NO IDEA how to operate one of these rigs . And what really sad , they dont want to know how .
RRR One of those too. 73
I'd be up for a 2m multimode
You and me both. Tell them, not me!! 73 de G4HKS
I will have to visit the shop sometime to buy a rig and clear the fluff from my pockets
Don't you worry Chris, my boys don't mind a bit of fluff. Drag yourself down here and savour my new look showroom. You'll be impressed - it looks fantastic!! 73 de G4HKS
@@Martin_Lynch thanks Martin
A short ode on the relative receive sensitivities of early 1980s portable Japanese 2M tranceivers.
FT290
IC2E
I can hear him
He can't hear me.
I would like a rig with 6 4 2 and 70 all modes!!
Going to have to start a petition.... 73 de G4HKS
2 70 MULTI MODE COULDNT AGREE MORE M0SRS
And another. let's hope they're reading this!! 73 de G4HKS
It’s a shame you guys do not offer a repair or service on these old rigs.
I still have my 101zd, two 902dms, a 102 and an FT one. I still enjoy using them.
the problem is cost and warranty Steve but I do agree with you. There is an opening out there for retired home workshop guys - add your details to this video? 73 de G4HKS
I still have my FT-480 do you want it ?
Keep it Midi - it's a magic piece of Japanese history. 73 de G4HKS
Ah the good old days - Where's the FT227R though . . For everyone who who couldn't afford the FT280 /480 back then
I have two. It does appear in the photo but I forgot to include it in the main video. Oh well, an excuse for next time. 73 de G4HKS
I had one back in the day but "fell upon hard times" & had to sell it, a nice Kodak Carousel slide projector, & a zoom lens. I went back to an AWA "Pilotphone" "taxi radio", with 3 crystal channels. The photographic side never quite recovered! 73, VK6ZGO.
All mode would be awesome. I won't buy another FM only dual band rig.
Que bien habla inglés
Muchas gracias por tus amables palabras.