Hi Tom,
I prefer to restore, rebuild, or re-engineer. With everything from BC transmitters that worked at one time to the worst of what some folks have named "Hammy Hambone" jobs, I get enough variety. I build from scratch when necessary or when what I want is not available or is unaffordable. I am sure my doings are relatively common, since I don't have alot of time to physically craft truly fine instruments.
Here's what is going on now, divided into sections:
/////////////////////////////
What Radio gear is basically in running condition now is:
*USA and Military:
RCA BTA-250 that needs moved to 160M
Sunair GSB-900DX HF XCVR
National NCL2000 amplifier
SDP 1000L RF Power Amplifier
two GRC-106A HF tranceivers (one CARC 8-) )
Racal RA-6217 receiver
two Logimetrics 925 signal generators covering 50KHz to 80MHZ (for VFOs)
ITT FA-8190 UHF AM aircraft tranceiver (military band)
ITT FA-8191 VHF AM aircraft tranceiver (civil band)
two Rycom R1307 receivers
RT524
RT246
two PRC-77
PRC-25
two Racal TRA-967
(also various audio items, I like the sound of vacuum tube gear)
*Riceboxes:
Kenwood TS-430S (with FM, narrow CW, and wide AM filters)
two Icom IC706
Alinco DX-70
Alinco DR-135
Alinco DR-435
/////////////////////////////
Things that I am working on now -need fixed or finished up:
Link 250-UFS 250 watt 6M base station
"Col. Tucker" KW AM rig covering 80-10M
two R-390's
two R-220's
Harris RF-130 (needs about 200 tantalum caps replaced..)
also adding LSB to one of the GRC-106A's
/////////////////////////////
Things that are just lying around forlornly:
six T-282 AM transmitters 200-400MHz (no power MD-141 supplies/modulators)
--note - these have been known to be able to do 100W ATV as amplifiers
three MD-129 PSU/modulators (for the T-217 'autotune', probably will work with the T-262's)
FM BC exciter, RCA? 10 watts -needs help. (heck it needs a home)
three Collins 618S-1 transceivers
three 1500W CCS RF generators on 13.5 MHz using 3-1000Z's
/////////////////////////////
I have built a scant few from the ground up. The major things I have built from nothing but parts and more or less my own designs were:
3-1000Z SSB-rated linear amp
100W PEP AM-durable linear with two 6146's
50-950MHz spectrum monitor
2000V 260mA power supply
400V 500mA power supply
800V regulated screen supply for 4CX5000
200W 400Hz inverters running from 10-15VDC (to power a Collins 618S-1 servo/bias circuit)
MOPA CW rig with a 45 (before I was licensed -it tore up the TV pretty good)
100W audio amp using 8 6L6G's in push pull parrrrallel
"demonstration platform" version of a microwave directed energy weapon
--The only things of these still around today are the 400Hz inverters, 6146 amp, and the spectrum monitor.
/////////////////////////////
I've done alot more of taking something that exists and making it do what I want or what others want. One of those is a class-A series modulator and power supply for a low power AM transmitter (807, 5 watts carrier). It was made from one of those electronically regulated tube type HV power supplies.
/////////////////////////////
I am between antennas at this time, except for a 40FT piece of wire. Soon, I keep telling myself. Pictures of much of this stuff can be seen at
www.bunkerofdoom.combest regards,
Patrick