I got my Novice in '64 when I was starting the 10th grade. (Seems like a lot of us started around that time). I had to share my station with my brother, who got his license at the same time. That made it a little easier to save up for equipment anyway.
Started with a DX-40 also, with just a few crystals, which seems to have been pretty common at that time. The receiver was probably worse than most guys had - a Knight Kit Star Roamer, which was pretty much deaf above 20 meters, and left much to be desired as far as stability, sensitivity, and selectivity. I did manage to work quite a few stations though, mostly on 80 and 40 meters. The receiver was later upgraded to a Hallicrafters S-85, which was much better, then an HQ-129X for a short time, which wasn't much of an improvement. I finally got my hands on a Drake 2B, and that was infinitely better than any previous receiver. The transmitter was later upgraded to a Lakeshore Phasemaster IIA (first SSB rig), and then an HT-37. Then after getting out of the service, I had an HT-32, then an HT-44, (both with the 2B). and then a TR-4C. I'm not sure why I didn't hang on to some of those old rigs. I guess I just got tired of stuff real fast when I was young. After that, I built a Heath HX-1681, which was a nice CW-only rig. Then I eventually got the Heath SB-401/301 twins, which I kept for quite some time, even though it seems like I was always fixing them. (The SB-401 in particular). I now have a TS-830S, which is my main rig, along with all the matching accessories. I also have a T-4X / 2B, which is my vintage SSB station, and also a Ranger I / NC-300 station, that I mainly use for AM. As far as doing it over again, I might go with the DX-40, but would definitely save up to buy a better receiver to start out with. Something with an RF stage and a little selectivity and stability. Al, WA2S -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 6:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Drakelist] First Rigs - If you could do it all over again,what would your first station be? When I got my novice ('64) I was 13 and a freshman in high school. I started with a R55A (mowed lots of yards) and a DX40 (present from dad for passing the novice). I have a copy of that station today. I have since gone through the gold dust twins and currently have two "S" lines, a supper nice Drake "C" line, and an R7, R388 along with other stuff (two complete ARC stations, knight regens, Swan 140 and 240). But alas, yesterday, my K3 kit arrived and it will replace the broken FT1000 (probably gonna be a parts unit ... note ... the Drake and Collins still work and can easily still be fixed ... if needed). If I started over again in the 60's and I knew what I know today, I would stay with the DX40 and opt for the 2B/2BQ (had one, mistakenly sold it). After reading the original post that got this fascinating thread started, I am going to get off of dead center (after FD) and listen to the 75S3B and the R4C (unmodified) to see for my self how they compare. I am primarily a low band CW op here. 73, Mike WA5POK _______________________________________________ Drakelist mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist _______________________________________________ Drakelist mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
