Hello CQ, CQ, CQ. Any Hams listening?

[mickey]

I've been a Ham radio operator since before dirt was invented.
But I've not done anything with it since we retired in 1998.
Back in 1984 I built a Heath HW-5400 digital 80-10 transceiver & a SW-7800 digital shortwave receiver (0 thru 30 mHz in 30 bands.)
Recently, I've gotten the bug to dig some of this stuff out and play with it.

Well, I got the SW-7800 out and unpacked it, but for whatever reason, being packed away for 20+ years the front end has decided to get noisy
and I am not interested in troubleshooting it.

So I started using google to look for a general purpose multi-mode communications receiver with broad frequency coverage.
WOW! I'm not interested in spending $2200++ on an Icom IC-R8600 !!!!

Are there any decent SW receivers available in the $500 & down range?
No, I ain't looking for a pocket-portable!

Any suggestions based on personal experience?

Thx & 73 de WA4KDC

[mozz]

My receivers haven't been turned on in 20 years. JRC-525 JRC-535D and a ICOM R-71a. Chances are you have bad capacitors in there, being a Heathkit and manuals available, they should be fixable.

Maybe look into Software-defined radio (SDR). I have 2 of them here, asked Santa to bring me them and never got around to trying them.
Can tune from 500 kHz to 1.7 GHz

$25
Only problem i see is small antenna connector and you need to have the antenna outside away from all the digital computer/LED noises.

Have you tried Universal Radio for a used set? I think they would guarantee it working condition. Or get on 2M repeater and ask around.

[mickey]

You are probably correct. I still have the manual (hey! I built it! ) most likely caps.
I just don't have the desire to put the time into it, at this point I'd rather buy something new.
Pardon my ignorance, but what is an SDR ???

Not familiar with Universal radio, but will google them when I finish typing this.

[mozz]

SDR is software defined radio. It's a small thing that has a USB connector on the end. You download free software and scan away.
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sd ... -software/

You should know of Universal Radio, opps, thought it was Fla, it's Ohio.

[mozz]

You do know if you buy any new radio, it's going to be a cheap piece of plastic compared to anything they used to sell. I see a Alnico and a Eton both about $400.

Another hobby i used to tinker with was metal detecting, picked up this ancient Whites yesterday at the flea market for $20. I'll probably just eBay it to hopefully make a few dollars, if not i will restore it with new caps, it's kind of heavy to actually use. It uses a square 12v battery and a long round 9volt.
Past few hours i have looking at new stuff, was just really tempted to spend over $600 on a new one.

[mickey]

I've found both Alnico & Eaton but never heard of either brand. Are they any good?

Have you tried SDR??? From looking at the software hardware websites it would seem the biggest drawback is having to order via Amazon (something I do not do since they sold our credit card info!)

[mozz]

I got my SDR from Ebay or Amazon i think. I don't know where else to get them from a reliable place now.

Alnico has been around since the 80's. Eton seems to be a copy of the Grundig, probably comes out of the same factory.

[mickey]

Well, I just put one of these on order from MFJ:
https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/ ... ducts/xg90

Should have it in a day or three as they are only up in Mississippi.
I first met Martin (the owner) back in the 1970's.

[mickey]

Yo! Mozz!

I just learned this is available:

https://www.radioddity.com/products/xiegu-xpa125b

If I get "real" interested, I might just have to have one.

[Open G]

What do HAM operators do these days? I thought the activity changed to internet.

[PoodlesAgain]

What do HAM operators do these days? I thought the activity changed to internet.

Aren't they doing a mix thing, like supplement one tech with the other?
Locals have a table at a local fair, I asked a few questions, and got totally lost in just about 40 seconds!

[mickey]

What do HAM operators do these days? I thought the activity changed to internet.

Pretty much whatever we wish to.
A Ham license has always been a a ticket to experiment.

[mozz]

I always liked the "another antenna" phase. Where I'm at now I could string up a nice longwire. Used to tune below the AM band, some weird stuff down there, Russian number stations and such.

[PoodlesAgain]

What do HAM operators do these days? I thought the activity changed to internet.

Pretty much whatever we wish to.
A Ham license has always been a a ticket to experiment.

Wait a minute... is the ham code of honor to step in in case of disaster?
Actually, isn't any language in the licensing?

Or are you like all the radio/TV frequency users with a mandate to serve the public but don't?

Speaking of which, Mexico is using TV airwaves to supplement iffy COVID schooling.
I do not see why our our numerous and friendly media could not do the same, public airwaves and all??? That would a fantastic show of solidarity.

[mickey]

What do HAM operators do these days? I thought the activity changed to internet.

Pretty much whatever we wish to.
A Ham license has always been a a ticket to experiment.

Wait a minute... is the ham code of honor to step in in case of disaster?
Actually, isn't any language in the licensing?

Or are you like all the radio/TV frequency users with a mandate to serve the public but don't?

Speaking of which, Mexico is using TV airwaves to supplement iffy COVID schooling.
I do not see why our our numerous and friendly media could not do the same, public airwaves and all??? That would a fantastic show of solidarity.

If you do a little checking, you will learn that during times of disaster Hams are frequently the only ones providing communications in/out of the disaster area.
As an example, after Hurricane Michael it took Verizon about 6 months to get their cell network back to normal here.
That sort of thing often happens following severe hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.

There is no Ham "code of honor" that I am aware of, but providing emergency communications is required of us by law.

[JimyTheAssassin]

@mickey I immediately picked up on your use of 73 in PM. This is how my dad ends conversations on the phone sometimes. I’m not a HAM, but my dad has been one since he was about 13 and worked most of his life in mobile radio communications. I’ve listened to more talk about antennas and radios than I can say. No doubt it’s a large part of why I like Old tube radios and guitar amps. My dad tried to get me into HAM but I didn’t get it when I was young. He has a lot of radios and a couple boat anchors. I can’t remember all the brand names. Tentech is one of his newest radios. He has one that was used on many WWII bombers. When I was growing up I used to sit in his radio room and watch the teletype machine spit out messages on paper tape.

[mickey]

@mickey I immediately picked up on your use of 73 in PM. This is how my dad ends conversations on the phone sometimes. I’m not a HAM, but my dad has been one since he was about 13 and worked most of his life in mobile radio communications. I’ve listened to more talk about antennas and radios than I can say. No doubt it’s a large part of why I like Old tube radios and guitar amps. My dad tried to get me into HAM but I didn’t get it when I was young. He has a lot of radios and a couple boat anchors. I can’t remember all the brand names. Tentech is one of his newest radios. He has one that was used on many WWII bombers. When I was growing up I used to sit in his radio room and watch the teletype machine spit out messages on paper tape.

Interesting you should mention Ten-Tec. Al Kahn founded Electrovoice many long times ago. When he decided to retire, he sold Electrovoice and moved to Sevierville, TN. In the Smokies sorta like suburban
Gatlinburg. He got bored rather quickly and started Ten-Tec which made mostly ham equipment. Al & most of the management at Ten-Tec were CW operators and as a result they made the
best equipment for the CW operator at the time. As it happens, my wife's father was also a ham who was born & raised in Sevierville, TN. So when I really got into ham operating I bought Ten-Tec gear &
even took a tour of the factory getting to meet Al & his management team. In the years between then & now Al passed away & Ten-Tec got sold to some large company & moved out of Sevierville.

But all that sort of stuff is like Model T Fords compared to today's SDR gear. I've been away from Ham for about twenty years & the world has changed unbelievably. But I'm getting back into it & enjoying myself!