Joe's Gonsets - Some Further Info

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I wasn't sure how to titled this so will let this stand for now. Joe, W3GMS, has several Gonsets listed in the For Sale Section. His picture of the Gonsets was rather interesting.

Looking at the picture below and excluding the VFO (first box left side) for this discussion, going from left to right, he has the (1) Communicator IIB, 2M, in the canary yellow color with CD markings; (2) Communicator IIB, 6M, in the orange color with CD markings; (3) Communicator I, 2M, typical gray color no CD markings (doesn't qualify); (4) Communicator IIB, can't read the band, in the typical gray color no CD markings but has the optional knob kit; (5) Communicator IIB, can't read the band, in the orange color with CD markings and carrying bag; (6) Communicator III, can't read the band, in the orange color with CD markings and carrying bag

In poking around a number of Gonset documents and drawings, evidently there was no requirement from the FCDA (CD people) for any specific color for any of the Gonset Communicator CD models. Gonset probably decided on the canary and the various shades of orange to make the Communicator equipment stand out as something “special” to help justify the higher price tag. In order for the rig to qualify for CD use and matching funds, the rig had to have a squelch, could be operated crystal controlled, have push-to-talk and antenna changeover, have switchable on/off dial light(s), include a microphone and mike clip(and appropriate hardware to mount the clip to the case), include a portable type whip antenna that had a connector plug at the end to screw into the connector at the top of the case, appropriate CD labels at least on the sides of the case, and came with a carrying bag with appropriate CD labels.

If you had owned an Item (4), even though it has no CD markings and is a gray color, it does qualify for CD use if a push-to-talk microphone is used. You could even order from Gonset the appropriate CD labels to affix to your rig and the carrying bag. All Gonsets came standard with the whip antenna to affix to the top of the rig and all came with a carrying bag. Item (3) would never be qualified for CD use since it has no squelch, no switchable dial lights, and no push-to-talk. The optional knob kit was nice since you no longer had to use a screwdriver to diddle with tuning up the various transmitter sections.

Anyway, just some additional fodder you can use at your next cocktail, singles, or AARP party.

[W3GMS]

Pete,
Thanks for the additional information.  I went searching yesterday and low and behold I found another Gonset Communicator III.  Will publish the complete list soon.  They work great as a local intercom  .  I gave one to Bob, W2ICQ.  He already had one but wanted a second one so he and his wife who is a ham talk between upstairs and downstairs with them.  Pretty easy to get working since there was not much to them.
Joe, W3GMS   

[K3ZS]

I have a white one with blue knobs with a CAP emblem on it, converted to 2M FM years ago.

[The Slab Bacon]

What is the little skinny grey one all the way to the extreme left? ? ?

I have owned a few "gooney boxes" over the years but never seen one like that. It looks like it may be just a receiver? ?

[kb3ouk]

What is the little skinny grey one all the way to the extreme left? ? ?

I have owned a few "gooney boxes" over the years but never seen one like that. It looks like it may be just a receiver? ?

It's a VFO.

[KL7OF]

There is another style of Gonset Communicator VFO for 2M that I have seen....White box, approx 5 inches tall   Blue slide rule dial......

[W3GMS]

That's right, its a VFO and for 2 meters.  It also is an audio preamp as well.  I don't specifically know what type of audio preamp it is since I don't have a manual for it.
Joe, W3GMS

[The Slab Bacon]

I see, said the blind man to his deaf wife. As he picked up his hammer and saw....................

got me with that one! ! !        

Hey, Joe, were you trying to out do Joe Cro's collection of Heathkit lunchboxes......

         

[W3GMS]

Hi Frank,
I would never win the corntester with my very good friend Mr. Cro!  Nah, just trying to move stuff along that I no longer have an interest in.  I am "committed" to get my downstairs done over the winter and just need to clear out some stuff.  I will be putting some more stuff on the block as well. 

I know in selected parts of the country 2 and 6 meter AM is alive and well but not up my way.  I would like to pass it along to someone that can use the stuff and have some fun with it.  I am going to keep a few pieces just to represent the Gonset heyday but no use me holding onto the rest since I don't plan to use the stuff.   

This stuff will never end up on Ebay at least while I own it! 

Joe, GMS   

[Pete, WA2CWA]

There is another style of Gonset Communicator VFO for 2M that I have seen....White box, approx 5 inches tall   Blue slide rule dial......

Without digging into the files, there were at least 3 different external VFOs with the "Communicator" tag . Joe's VFO is Model 3024. There was the Model 3226 designed for the Communicator III. Then there was the Model 3357 VFO Communicator that covered 6M, 2M, and 220 MHz and had a slide-rule dial.

[The Slab Bacon]

Then there was the Model 3357 VFO Communicator that covered 6M, 2M, and 220 MHz and had a slide-rule dial.

I had one of those, and I don't remember what I ever did with it   

[W9GT]

Gonset VFO for 6M and 2M.

73,  Jack, W9GT