The AM Forum

Hi all:

I went to NearFest Friday and had a very good time despite the cold weather (40's and raw, but no rain!). Stayed from 9:30A till 6:30PM,

I had a little table by the AM corral and sold a few items. Met W1VTP and N2GHX for the first time. Saw some good boat anchors, but did not buy any.

My best find was an Inovonics 222 processor for a whopping $5.00. I also bought a TFT AM mod monitor for another $5.00 and a bag of incandescent light bulbs for $3.00. Here are some photos.

I had a great time but wished I had time to chat with more folks. Thanks very much to Mike W1RC and his gang of volunteers!!!

73,
Dan
W1DAN

The AMER's chat....

See attached.

The AM'ers ride away....

HamCow...mobile ham station. With beam antennas.

Some mobile AM'ers.

The Pirate Ship FM and AM radio at the Fest. All vynil, but I need to teach them how to slip-cue a record!

Single bay FM antenna for the Pirate Ship.

The Reference of Rangers...

TimTron!

A ham gave me a good demo of a pocket SDR rx and software.

Nice!

My massive table of "goodies"

The rest of my Junque.

Thanks for looking!!!

I hope to be on the air with my Inovonics 222 and TFT mod monitor tomorrow.

73,
Dan
W1DAN

Dan, first thanks for the photos.  It was good to see pix of some of the New England AMers.  Dang it looked cold.  But where were all the strapping boat anchor goodies I expected to see?   :D  Are you guys all going to silicon chips?  Speaking of solid state, huge congratulations on the 222.  That was the deal of a lifetime.  Incredible.  You will love it.  Even if it doesn't work that was a fantastic deal.  I paid a little less than $800 for mine from BSW.  And I considered it worth it even at that price.  I know of no other box that gives the tight peak limiting and low pass filtering it does for the price.   Not to mention the pre-emphasis and asymmetric limiting.  Hope to work you with it.   

"Err, that'll never work.
You'll sound like yer b-a's are in a vise.

What ya need ta do ..."


Dan -- Looking forward to hearing that Triple Deuce processor.
I'm up on 40m here Saturday night if you are around for some play time.
Maybe Sunday afternoon later in the day too.

HUZ looks like he's freezing.  :(

Tron has his cold wx face fully in place I see.  8)  He's the only one that looks like he's warm.

Took the Nikon D90 for a walk at NEARFest, photos here -->> http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Setting!
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0448/web.jpg?ver=12558291030001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0452.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558292590001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0459.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558295140001)


Obligatory Tron Photo
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0449/web.jpg?ver=12558286650001)


Wayne Green, NE1S, K1DC, KPD, KW1I
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0485.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558288800001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0456.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558293540001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0463/web.jpg?ver=12558297100001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0466.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558299080001)


Lots of Goodies
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0476.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558288420001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0478.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558288470001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0480.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558302540001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0484/web.jpg?ver=12558302920001)


Even More Goodies!
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0457.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558294030001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0458.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558294480001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0465/web.jpg?ver=12558298380001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0475/web.jpg?ver=12558300840001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0453/web.jpg?ver=12558293040001)


The Military Vehicle Guys Were Well Represented
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0495/web.jpg?ver=12558305440001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0461/web.jpg?ver=12558296000001)
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0460/web.jpg?ver=12558295660001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0462/web.jpg?ver=12558296520001)


Who Doesn't Need A 50 Cal Machine Gun and Jeep?
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0464.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558287790001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0497.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558306630001)


Your Own AM Radio Station - CW Option?
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0500.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558289470001)


Lots of Boat Anchorage
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0512.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558289960001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0510.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558289820001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0513.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558290000001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0471.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558300200001)


Best "Polish" Apple Crisp - Hands Down!
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0470.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558288180001)


Hammy Hambone Amp - Note Nylon "Control" For Shorting, Held in Place with Alligator Clip!
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0504.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558289620001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0507.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558289720001)


Everything In The Vendor Barns - Even Seashells For the YL
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0494/web.jpg?ver=12558289110001) (http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0492/web.jpg?ver=12558289040001)


I Did Hear The Banjos...
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0489/web.jpg?ver=12558288930001)


Only Where AMers Are Gathered Would You Need This Sign :-)
(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0498/web.jpg?ver=12558289410001)

Bruce:

Beautiful photos!

How did you do the page layout here?

Thanks for sharing better photos.

Sorry I missed ya.

Dan

ya thanks for the additional photos.  It was especially good to see W2NSD/1 as I had not heard anything about or from him in a while and I was wondering how he was doing a few months ago.  So it was a relief to see him still vertical and kicking.

And how about that homebrew single 3-500 amp (or whatever it was in the chimney).  That was one scary looking amp.  Start a house on fire or kill ya or both.

Nice looking Viking I there.

Rob

What kind of mil enthusiast brings a Prius to a hamfest  ???

Wish i coulda been there. woulda bought that variac off ya that i spy on the ground by the goodie table :)

where's the warning stickers on that amp!! 

Wayne
KB3RRX

UJR,

Where's the photos of the FOF ! At least the 4-legged FOF !

Dan
Hi there OM, did not attend Friday to beaucou busy at the shop, and it was way too cold. I make a point never to attend a hamfest in the middle of a snow storm.  ;)
But was there late Saturday evening, stayed at the "No Tell Motel" in Northwood.
Interesting night, the floor of the room was warped, so the bed was twisted, and as soon as I began to fall asleep, it felt like I was falling of bed.

I saw your goodies photo, looks like you made a good haul!
Look forward to catching you on the air this winter.

For the layout, I just used the HTML image command and pasted in and titled the various photos.
When you create a new message, is the 2nd magic button from the left on the row just above the smiley faces,
right above the text window.


Rob
Wayne was alive and more that kicking! Swear that he looked younger than last year, really had a spring in his step. His talk was great, somewhat of a rehash from last year, but always interesting to listen to. Made me want to go get my own cold fusion reactor fired up in the barn.  ;)

Yes, that amp was classic, really scary, but it was set up for the ham bands, not 11 meters. Nothing says pride of workmanship like labeling your new creation with no less than four colors of magic marker! On closer examination, what I took to be a shorting bar, the copper strip with the nylon line and alligator clip, appears to be a padding cap for 80 meters!


FOF
You know Bob, we didn't take one of you, not sure why. You made the trip out, sure deserved it!
But I must say the four legged FOF was very cute, and you made a rather striking couple.  ;)

Hey Paul, That's exactly what Tim was saying to me. How'd you know that? ;)
Actually we were also taking about how to de-yellow-fie my Scratchy Apache.

Regards
Q, W1QWT

Bruce, I only saw you once and waved but you were looking into the d layer. Larry that roll of coax was perfect but I didn't see you at lunch time to buy you lunch. I owe you !

BRRRR - mighty cold at Nearfest on Friday and only the hearty were out and about. I did manage to pick up a few goodies like these beautiful Velvet Verniers. I had a nice walk around with my good friend VK3CV / W1VKZ, Andrew Anderson.

I had to bug out to get ready for Boy Scout JOTA on Saturday.

Mike WU2D

For the first time in years K1VYU and I skipped Friday due to the "cold heavy rain " forecast.
Drove up to Portsmouth Fri night and then over to the fest Sat AM. Had nice eyeballs with Todd/4. Don K1DC, Bruce UJR, Gary ZM and Larry N1ES

Good time, a bit  cool. Picked up some misc parts and left about noon. Late lunch on the way home at "The British Beer Company in Norwood Ma
Carl
/KPD

Gee, how did I forget about Gary WZ1M?

Here's a photo of him with the National Doghouse power supply he rebuilt for me.
Gary rewound both the choke and xformer, as well as cleaned and painted it the entire unit.
Did a beautiful job, I can heartily endorse Gary and his work if you have a
crapped out xformer or choke, he is a real craftsman!

(http://gallery.me.com/brucehowes/100345/DSC_0469.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12558299310001)

Hey, Q !!

I thought that was you on that disgussion panel. Nice to see you're doing well since the last time we met up.

So how could I quote this accurately?

Timmy has a standard pre-amble as he spools up to provide technical guidance. It prepares the listener for an alternative approach. It's awe-inspiring and very effective, as multiple iterations worldwide attest.

Well if he were on about the TX-1, it wouldn't surprise me if he also cited his testimony right down to components "C-10" and "R-11" as if quoting Scripture.

Am I right ?

huh-HA ! 
One of a kind, the TimTron.

Great photos fellas. Thanks for sharing.

It was a little cold on Friday but not bad. I had a good coat and boots, so I was never really cold - other than my ears.   ;D

Those who let the WX scare them off missed a good fest.

Hope to see everyone in the spring.

Wow, this little device got me in big trouble when I was a 10 year old kid. My 6 year old brother took the CW key while I was supposed to be watching him, and inserted it right into an AC wall outlet. He tapped the key and blew the AC circuit's fuse which of course took out the TV downstairs as my dad was watching a ballgame. Dad went down into the basement and replaced the fuse, which of course blew a few minutes later as my little brother reached over and tapped the key again. Several fuses later my dad came pounding up the stairs and immediately saw the CW key plugged into the wall outlet. I think I was fined a few months worth of allowance for that lapse in supervision. Could have turned out much worse of course!

With a 100 foot longwire clipped onto the telescoping antenna that little transmitter strapped the neighborhood on the BC band!

Too funny, Rob!

Yeah, I saw that thing too and wondered what the heck it was. Sure is purty.


Yep, Nearfest was a real good time for those who took a chance with the WX.  It was cold, but that was expected and we dressed for it.. At first we thought we might be standing in the wind and rain, but the first day was just cloudy and the second day was blue sky. Just FB.

We had a great time with the brave souls who attended.  It was especially a good time with Todd, Steve and Joe/PJP at the many dinners and sittings we had. Lots of jokes and laughs.  That's what it's all about.

I'll post the scanned handwritten log that Steve/HUZ made of his DX session here at JJ radio Saturday night. Steve worked over 125 DX stations on 40/75M into the wee hours. What a session that was!

T

My OM knew to put me on the hot seat after the first fuse because I was the only one in the house who ever blew fuses. I loved those push button resettable jobs and anything I used had one in the panel to keep everyone calm.

That was the Revell "Caravelle".

It was my very first radio transmitter; I first saw it advertised on TV around Christmas time in late 1962, and I fell in love with the thing, asking my parents if I could get a Caravelle for my birthday. I got it as a birthday present when I turned 9 years old  in January of 1963. I think it sold for about $14.95 in the early '60s. It was not a very long-lived toy, and the Caravelle disappeared from the market shortly thereafter.

It ran off of a single 9-volt transistor radio battery.

I still have to this day the original operating manual for it; on the last page, it has a section on getting your amateur radio license! The marketeers of the Caravelle obviously thought that it would possibly make a good gateway for young boys to become interested in radio and electronics.

The Caravelle also had a built-in AM band receiver; as such, it was my very first transistor AM radio, and it introduced me to rock 'n roll on 1010 WINS New York, 77 WABC, The Good Guys on WMCA, CKLW, WKBW, and all of those DX stations on the AM broadcast band at night during the winter months, etc.

The guy who does my professional paintwork recently offered me a Caravelle he had obtained from a friend or yardsale; I can't remember where he found it. He wanted $250.00 for it, and it was the first Caravelle I had seen in probably 45 years. It was in only fair shape, but it was in the original box. I like to collect those things I was in love with during my youth, but I passed on it. For $250.00, I did'nt want a Caravelle that badly.

And what became of the Caravelle I had when I was a young JN? Like most everything else I had back then, I took it apart and that was the end of it.

Great memories.

73,

Bruce

http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21587.0;attach=14769

Im stuck on dialup again, my Trango microwave radio came back with the RX sensitivity down by 22 dB!  Go back to thumbnails, the big pics only loaded half way. 

I dont sell at hamfests and I spent money both days with enough to load the car both round trips. The ceramic RF coil and Daiwa RF specch processor from the same seller followed me home. I was parked opposite the table with the $250 SX-100, good grief! The Challenger didnt even have a price, just said enquire. Obviouly no sellers.

Lots of goodies there for anyone that didnt waste time posing for pix ;D  You snooze you looze.

Some of my highlights were 32V2, 75A3 (the real nice ones at one table with AM and SSB filters + factory calibrator in the A3; not the dogs elsewhere) Plus a $25 SP-400X, $30 SX-16, $110 mint SX-101A w/calibrator,orig manual and NOS boxed tube set, a pair of 28A 115/230V Variacs for $90 for both, Meissner rackmount EX Signal Shifter with 160M coils for $20, Tek 575 Curve Tracer also $20

Loads of other stuff; iron, reels of wire for radials, vac variable, bread slicers, and much more.

I went home happy and with plenty of work for the winter months. Even brought home customers HRO-500 and 75A4 for an overhaul.

Carl
KM1H

Mine was when I Discovered that the Tube Table Top Red RCA Record player with a Lid Had had a removable input at the amp and I wondered if my Look alike Decca Strat Black and White would work in that Amplifier, well I remember when the old man caught me slaughtering out my rendition of  white room.. that was an interesting moment... 8) cuz I thought nobody was home.

73
Jack.

The WX looked bad on Thursday morning as we heard about the potential double Nor'easter while at WA2PJP's place on Long Island. By the time we left from JJ's place in Connecticut Thursday night, it was snowing like crazy. But the snow and rain subsided by the time we rolled into Massachusetts and stayed away the rest of the time.


Tron snagged a nice distortion meter. Check out the dog-log antenna on the roof.

There was a nice turn out for the AM Dinner Friday night, especially considering many did not show until Saturday due to the bad WX forecast.

The sun shown all day on Saturday! This was an early morning shot.

By Saturday afternoon some were jamming in the warm sun! Check out The Dairy Queen Machine, Bob, formerly WA1DQM, now K1REK on the washtub bass!

Did you put that camera on MPEG for some sound and motion picture action?

FB Dan, was good seeing you there braving the threatening forecasts. Saturday was a nice day, it got warm enough to take my gloves off eventually.

Snapped a few shots myself, mainly of items procured, the AM Dinner, and a few other things.

Stuff scored includes free Radio mags from under a table, big box of mostly 4 and 5 pin globe and shoulder tubes along with a BIG tube (HF 300?) and....a clarinet, courtesy of the FOF jr., and some goodies from Greg 'EXI's table: W.E. headphones, overload relay, even Greg's roll of electrical tape. Every time I asked a price, Greg said 'A dollar!'.

More goodies: Jensen Speechmaster speaker, ARC-5 rx pwr connector, old buzzard handmic that was just cool cool to pass up. Some spares for the 300G BC transmitter, and a box of free Thunderstuds for the back wall of the new radio room (coming soon).

For anyone who thinks hamfests are dying certainly hasn't been to NEAR-Fest, Shelby, or....many other good 'fests. ;)

AM Dinner. Sure was good to get in out of the cold and dark this time. TNX to Warren K2ORS for his advance work. 

Ha! I thought I had seen this here!
I just watched my DVR of "Shatners Raw Nerve" , and at the end of the interview, Rush Limbaugh drags out his first AM transmitter from  when he was a kid, and it is a Caravelle! He kept it all these years. You never know when something you learn on this board will come in handy!  ;D

Target practice!