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Introduction:
Section 2 (Left Side of the Photo):
Section 2 consists of the 6x2 receiver, Timewave DSP Audio Filter, and the
TenTec Jupiter transceiver, along with their associated accessories.
The 6x2 receiver is a 6-tube superheterodyne receiver
designed and built by me. When combined with the Timewave DSP Audio filter it
makes for a great 80m and 40m receiver.
The Timewave DSP Audio filter is an amazing audio
filter that can be used with all of the receivers in the station. It feature
highpass, lowpass, and bandpass modes with digital noise reduction. The minimum
bandwidth in the CW mode is an amazing 10Hz.
The TenTec Jupiter is a modern DSP transceiver that can
operate in the AM, FM, SSB, CW, and data modes. It has a frequency resolution
of 1Hz, a minimum CW bandwidth of 150Hz, and a nominal power output of 100W. It
can be used as a receiver with any of the other transmitters in the station.
Section 3 (Right Side of the Photo):
Section 3 is a set of classic Drake Twins, The R-4A
receiver and T-4X transmitter. These two work
together as a transceiver, and represent the state of the art in 1965. In 1965,
this was the kind of gear that royalty and senators used. The T-4X transmitter
puts out well in excess of 100W, and, with proper crystals, the pair can
operate anywhere in the HF bands, not just the ham bands. Drake gear was
used by hams, the military, the commercial sector, and the government. The pair
cost $800 in 1965, equivalent to over $6000 in 2016 dollars. This set of twins
is fully restored and, though the performance of the pair is not as good as
today's modern transceivers (heck, they are 60 years old!), it is still very
good, and the pair is a real pleasure to use.
| 6x2 Superheterodyne Receiver: The 6x2 receiver is my pride and joy. It is a new 6 tube superheterodyne receiver for the 80m and 40m bands, designed and built by me. The receiver features a crystal filter, and when combined with the Timewave audio filter it makes for a great receiver! There is real satisfaction when you complete a QSO using gear that you have designed and built yourself, especially when that gear glows with the warmth of vacuum tubes. The 6x2 receiver is actually more stable than the Hallicrafters SX-96 receiver that I have elsewhere in the station. I typically use the 6x2 receiver with my digital VFO/6AG7/6146 transmitter system or with the digital VFO and my Johnson Viking Ranger. Combined with my automatic T/R system these combinations are almost as easy to operate as the TenTec Jupiter transceiver. |
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| Timewave DSP-599zx Digital Audio Filter: The Timewave DSP-599zx digital audio filter is the finest audio filter on the market. This incredible filter has settings for CW, phone, and data modes. The filter not only has bandpass, highpass, lowpass, and notch modes, but also features very effective digital noise reduction. All settings are displayed on an alphanumeric display and there are six memories that can be used to store the operator's favorite settings. Filter frequencies and bandwidths can be precisely set within 5Hz and the minimum bandwidth in the CW mode is a remarkable 10Hz. (I have actually used that narrow setting several times to dig weak signals out of the noise on 160m.) |
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| TenTec Jupiter DSP Transceiver: The "modern" rig in my station is a TenTec Jupiter. These are unfortunately no longer in production, and I plan to keep mine as long as possible. The transceiver uses DSP in the IF and I love all of the options that this gives me. It can operate AM, FM, SSB, CW, and data modes. The bandwidth is variable via a dedicated knob from 8kHz (excellent for AM and SWL listening) all the way down to 150Hz (excellent for CW). There are so many settings for the bandwidth that it is essentially continuously variable. The large display shows everything at a glance and the frequency can be set and read within 1Hz, which, though not really useful for normal operating, is very useful for test purposes. My Jupiter also has a built in antenna tuner. I don't use this in normal operation, since I have the Palstar antenna tuner, but I do use the internal antenna tuner when driving the Ameritron AL-572 amplifier. In actual practice, I use the Jupiter mostly as a receiver with my other homebrew and vintage transmitters. About the only time I use the Jupiter as a transceiver is for tune-up purposes and on 160m. |
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| Remote Control for TenTec Jupiter Transceiver: The TenTec Jupiter has a remote control that contains an extra tuning knob, numeric keys for direct frequency entry, and three function buttons. The extra tuning knob allows me to tune the Jupiter with my left hand without reaching across in front of me, and the numeric keys are an obvious advantage. The function keys allow me to alter a variety of things remotely, such as frequency step and mode. The remote control essentially allows for ambidextrous operation of the Jupiter. |
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| Leather Desk Pad: I like to copy down everything on CW 100%, and I use a leather desk pad to provide a good, sound writing surface. Leather pads are expensive, but once you use one you will never go back to anything else. Large leather pads like the one in the photo can be obtained from The Elegant Office. |
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| Parker Fountain Pen: Some people collect mugs, some collect porcelain, and some collect little metal spoons. But I have always loved fountain pens, ever since I used them in grade school. I now have quite a collection, and use them when copying CW. I rotate through the collection, changing to a new pen every day, and I even keep my code speed down so I can copy down everything on paper. To me, the writing is half the fun of working CW. The pen on the photo is a Parker Sonnet. |
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| Drake T-4X Transmitter: The Drake T-4X transmitter was marketed by Drake in 1965. It was reviewed in the May, 1966 issue of QST Magazine. Along with Collins Radio, Drake gear was the finest gear available at that time. In 1965, this was the kind of gear that royalty and senators used. Drake gear was used by hams, the military, the commercial sector, and the government. In 1965 it cost $400, and the power supply was another $100. That is the equivalent of about $3800 in 2015 dollars! It is rated at 200W PEP input, and can operate on the 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m band with the supplied crystals. With the addition of extra crystals it can operate, with a few exceptions, anywhere between 1.8MHz and 30MHz. In 1965, it was one of the few transmitters that could, when fitted with the proper crystal, operate on 160m. This particular T-4X has crystals for the 160m and 30m amateur bands. It was completely restored and realigned by me. All electrolytic and paper capacitors have been replaced with modern electrolytic or film capacitors. The power supply, which is a separate unit, has been gutted and rebuilt with a circuit board containing all new resistors, diodes, and capacitors. The circuit board/parts kit is available at a very reasonable price from from The Heathkit Shop, and I highly recommend it. I found this transmitter at a hamfest some 20 years after I purchased the matching R-4A receiver. It was a very, very lucky find! I am still using the same final tubes that were in the transmitter when I got it, and I have a new set of output tubes on hand in case I ever need them. However, since I keep the output down to 100W on CW, rather than driving the finals as hard as I can, I expect them to last a long time. |
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| Digital VFO Keying Amplifier: My digital VFO is keyed so that it doesn't interfere with reception. This keying amplifier allows a single key to key transmitters with either grid block or cathode keying, and allows the same key to simultaneously key the digital VFO. I use it when operating the 6AG7 VFO amplifier or the Johnson Viking Ranger transmitter. It uses a 9V battery, and I have to remember to occasionally change the battery. |
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| MFJ-1700B Receiver/Transmitter Switch: The MFJ-1700B is a pair of six position switches in a single case originally intended to switch one of six transceivers to one of six antennas. I obtained it from the estate of Tom Carroll, WA8ZGL, one of my dearest friends, now a silent key. It is no longer available, but is essentially two MFJ-1701 antenna switches in a single case. Rather than use the switches as intended, I use them to connect one of six transmitters and one of six receivers to a single T/R relay or switch.. This allows me to change transmitters and receivers without plugging or unplugging any cables. It makes for a neat, clean setup. |
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| Drake R-4A Receiver: The Drake R-4A receiver was marketed by Drake in 1965. Along with Collins Radio, Drake gear was the finest gear available at that time. In 1965, this was the kind of gear that royalty and senators used. Drake gear was used by hams, the military, the commercial sector, and the government. In 1965 it cost $400. That is the equivalent of about $3000 in 2015 dollars! The receiver can operate on the 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m bands with the supplied crystals. With the addition of extra crystals it can operate, with a few exceptions, anywhere between 1.8MHz and 30MHz.. This particular R-4A has crystals for the 160m and 30m amateur bands. It was completely restored and realigned by me. All electrolytic and paper capacitors have been replaced with modern electrolytic or film capacitors. I found this receiver at a hamfest many years ago and had to pay what was, to me at the time, a fortune to get it. But is was well worth it. It is simply one of the finest receivers I have ever used, and has the best AGC that I have ever encountered in a receiver. It is a real joy to use. Some 20 years later I was lucky enough to purchase the matching T-4X transmitter. It was a very, very lucky find! Though the performance of the pair is not as good as today's modern transceivers (heck, they are 50 years old!), it is still very good, and they are a real pleasure to use. |
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