The National HRO-50R Receiver and Heathkit DX-40 using a J-38 Key with a D-104 Astatic mike, was my first station in 1959. As a novice we had to be “rock bound” at that time and as the CQ was finished we had to carefully tune the band for a return call. The excitement of hearing my call come back to me made all the study and sacrifice worth it! Years later the HRO was at my brother’s house in Miami after Hurricane Andrew it was in need of some TLC and Bob, WD4MRT, agreed to let me have a go at it. After months of restoration, both electrical and cosmetic, it looks and performs the way it did back in 1959.

The HRO-50R with a Johnson Viking 1 with a Heathkit Model VF-1 VFO is a fun rig to operate. The Viking one has been re-tubed and re-capped etc. and is working like a trouper. The D-104 and a J-38 complete the station.

National HRO-60 with A, B, C, D and AC coils with the original coil box and the matching speaker. I have not had to clean this rig up that is the way I got it. It’s mint in every way and it is a workhorse tuning in AM, SSB and CW signals.

The Johnson Ranger is a great little transmitter, or exciter for the Millen 90881 Amplifier. You can see the Millen on my first page sitting next to the Collins KWS-1 station. It works great with the HRO-60 as well.

This is the 813 Linear Amplifier that was built in George’s, K3DA, basement. George is my Elmer and thought building this project would be good for me to learn more about RF and circuitry. He designed it in his head and looked over my shoulder as I built it. As I finished some minor sub-project he would shake his head “yes or no.” If it was “no” it had to be torn down and rebuilt to his satisfaction. It took the better part of a year to assemble the parts, deal with the mechanical and electrical problems, and test each phase as it was completed. The result was a great looking Amplifier that puts out 1000 watts of clean power on 160 through 10 meters. The power supply generates 3200 Volts and drives the two 813’s quite nicely. I use my Icom 746 pro to wake up the giant.

U. S Army Signal Corps Receiver BC-348-H with the shock mount attached. Someone in it's long history built in a power supply and drilled into the face to put an on/off switch in the upper left hand corner. Other than that, it is a fine example of a WWII workhorse. The rig has five bands that cover 1.5 to 18.0 MC

A De Forest Audion. The patent date goes back to 1907. This was the tube that inspired Hiram Percy Maxim to initiate the first relay system of amateurs to pass messages. The American Radio Relay League was formed from Maxim's need to purchase this tube for his receiver. A friend knew of someone who had the tube but it was not possible for Hiram to contact the man via radio with out the relay by his friend. As the deal was settled with back and forth messages between the three parties, Maxim knew that he was on to something and it was not just a new tube for his receiver. The ARRL continues today to represent and shape the hobby into the 21st century. This tube sits proudly near my station in the base made by General Radio Co. Cambridge, Mass. It is a reminder of the origins of the hobby and the people who helped keep Amateur Radio on the cutting edge of electronics in the world.

The restored Skyrider Defiant with a Hallicrafters Speaker "nuff said"!