The AM Forum

W1AW is on the air right now 7.290. They found the AM mode as well. Looking for contacts.

Mike

Mike did you happen to catch whether they were on the permanent, vintage AM display station, or some sort of plastic radio ?
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2004/06/21/1/ (http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2004/06/21/1/)
(http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2004/06/21/1/Vintage_DD.jpg)

Paul, when I worked them last winter they were using a Yaecomwood plastic radio. I asked the operator about the Valiant, he said it was offline due to having caught fire. No idea if they have anyone on staff capable or even willing to deal with fixing it. But at least the fellow knew what I was talking about.

It was the vintage station in the picture. Sounded really good.

Yup.  That was me, KZ3AB, at the W1AW AM microphone.

I had a nice QSO with Fran, W3SCC, three other AMers (in
Ohio and Virginia) and one SSB station in Pennsylvania on
7.290 MHz.

I was only allowed to be on the air until the beginning of
the afternoon bulletins (about an hour), but it was a lot
of fun.

I highly recommend that if you are ever near Newington, CT,
stop by the ARRL station at 225 Main Street and ask if you
can operate W1AW on AM.  They are very friendly and will
probably honor your request as long as it does not conflict
with their schedule.

All you have to do is bring a copy of your license. You need
*not* be a member of the ARRL.

73,
Al KZ3AB

 --#####--

 

Pix of me (KZ3AB) operating W1AW on AM (July 16, 2007).

Photos by Page Pyne, WA3EOP.

Don't forget to put me in the log AL. It was a pleasure.

Mike
W8BAC

You actually worked someone with this station.
Valiant power switch is Off; Receiver dial lights either burned out or receiver not on. And what's that dangling cord/plug hanging from the microphone ???

(http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11564.0;attach=4016;image)

Nah Pete I see both halves of the XLR junction off the pigtail of that Heil mic.

You're right about the TX power switch.

Maybe this is like those wedding photos, where they take the pictures before it actually happens ?

You're right.  They wouldn't let me use the Valliant. :(   I actually used their rice box.  Had a good time anyway. :)

73,
Al

Hi Mike --

You are in the W1AW log, fer sure!

I was told that if you send them a QSL card, you will get one back.

But, God only knows how long that wil take. HiHi  ;)

It was nice working you, too.  I had BIG fun.

Tnx es 73,
Al  KZ3AB  (W1AW-AM)

 --#####--

Al,

I heard you mention the Valiant, National 303 and the Heil mic. I wrote it in my log. I assumed you used that station. Whatever it was it sounded just fine.

Mike

For SHAME !!!!

Did they offer any kind of excuse reason?

Todd said above:
Paul, when I worked them last winter they were using a Yaecomwood plastic radio. I asked the operator about the Valiant, he said it was offline due to having caught fire. No idea if they have anyone on staff capable or even willing to deal with fixing it. But at least the fellow knew what I was talking about.

Maybe it's there now just for show. The way it was, back in them old days.

Gee Todd,
I must have been "lucky",--I worked them about three years ago for the 90th anniversary as W1AW/90
when the Valiant was "up and running".

As far as it catching fire,--must be someone didn`t know they had to tune the oscillator/ and or final,
--must be cause there was no mention of resonate circuits on the "new" exams.  :)

What I find "strange",--is there not anyone employed at ARRL who can fix a tube transmitter?
Or will it just be left there for "show" as a "museum piece"?

                                                 73`s K1MVP

                                                               

Bah !

Someone probably saw the glowing embers in there and thought it was aflame.

My brother landed a McIntosh MC-240 a number of years ago from the relatives of a guy who was headed into a home. They didn't want any of this guy's tube audio gear around the house because "it might catch fire."

Methinks that's what's going on in Newington.

Rig's probably OK Fine, but operation with it is not covered under ARRL's property insurance because it gets hot.

I'll check my contact on the rig. I suspect they don't want it damaged by a lid.
Not sure if Joe can dip and load but I think his Dad can.

      "don`t want it damaged by a lid"

 Bah,--ARRL does not care about lids,--they are probably going to push for an old buzzard
"am endorsement" on license`s before they allow hams to use a tube rig now, cause AM will
be considered a "specialty.
                                         73, K1MVP

            " ............ cause AM will
be considered a "specialty.  "

I think they think AM is  more of a " cult " than a specialty.... ..             klc

I clearly recall the fellow I spoke with last winter saying that the classic AM station was down for repairs because it "burned up". I seem to recall him saying that this is what he was told, though, so maybe it's really just a case of the clueless. Seems someone should be close enough there to change the burned out bulbs and give the thing an overall checkup?

Considering that the ARRL didn't set up a station like this on their own but accepted it as a donation from someone else, it's likely not a priority for them. Probably less of a question of someone qualified as much as a case of disinterest.

Well you know, like with the doctor, if there's something wrong, you may want to find a specialist.

That said, there are a number of people on the ARRL staff, yes, paid employees who punch a clock in Newington, who consider themselves AMers and are knowledgeable about tube gear.

Now, if only the human resources department will let them task on some special gear and temporary put aside their work on some digital specialty.

-- Robert Lawson <--w4rl@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:02:40 -0500
> From: Robert Lawson <--w4rl@bellsouth.net>
> To:  --w1gud@tampabay.rr.com
> CC:   --samrc@mail.wdavis.net
> Subject: Re: [samrc] Strong AM in ARRL poll
>
> Warren,  I so agree with you on the donated Valiant
> AM station to W1AW
> operating on 14.286 mhz.  I think it should be fired
> up and ready to go
> for visiting operators, and also used weekly by the
> W1AW staff as part
> of their weekly duties.  How about the ARRL even
> sending W1AW daily
> bulletins on AM.  I know that is a long shot though.
>  But a goal.
>
> tnx es 73 de robert w4rl pensacola florida
>
>
>
> Warren Elly wrote:
> > What a WONDERFUL project and effort.
> > Thanks to those responsible for raising our voices
> to keep AM alive!
> > I sense a big turn-a-bout from the League's
> anti-AM stance of not too
> > long ago.
> > You knew things were achangin' when QST published
> the outstanding
> > delivery of a Valiant AM station to W1AW. By the
> way, does that
> > station ever get on the air? I think 14.286 would
> be a great place to
> > start.
> >
> > 73 and thanks again...AM!
> >
> > Warren W1GUD
> > Tampa Bay
> >
> > On Jul 27, 2007, at 8:09 PM, VJB wrote:
> >
> >> SURVEY RESULTS IN ONLINE ARRL POLL SHOW STRONG AM
> >> PRESENCE

Maybe there should be some discussion (probably separate topic) as to whether the ARRL AM page needs to be updated. Looks like the last time was 2004. I would also suspect that many people, including new AM'ers, may not know about it. Lots of great AM related articles that also can be downloaded from that page.

http://www.remote.arrl.org/tis/info/am.html (http://www.remote.arrl.org/tis/info/am.html)