Amateur Licence

[Spot-Wobble]

Hi,

I now have a full amateur licence after applying to OFCOM.
Originally I had a G8 licence which restricted me to 2m and above.
At the time I took the RAE exam I was losing interest in amateur radio and had not been interested in VHF anyway.
I didn't like Morse Code so although I got a licence I let it lapse.
Many years later after Morse Code has been declared dead by the authorities I was able to apply for a full licence.
I managed to get my original call sign G8MNM back.
Just wondering now what gear to get.
Would much prefer some valve kit - memories of a 19 set with it's 807 glowing blue!

Any suggestions?

Regards

Andy

[Niall]

Hi Andy,

How about a KW2000A?

I have one here, not used for years so probably needs recapping and the SSB filter cleaned out (lots of info online about this)

Complete with mic and mains psu, also manual and series of modification articles.

Open to offers, money or swaps.

[Spot-Wobble]

Hi Niall,

That sounds interesting!
Can you tell me a little more?

Andy

[Niall]

PM sent.

[Niall]

As work took me to Aberdeen today, the opportunity was taken to rehome the KW2000A.

I look forward to hearing it on the air in due course.

[Spot-Wobble]

Niall,

Sorry I forgot about the meetup.
The KW is now on the to do list (along with many more clambering to get a better position in the list!)
But being a transceiver it has a better chance as it is the only one!
Hopefully G8MNM will be on the air soonish...
CQ,CQ,CQ....
Thanks again for a great looking rig.

73s!
Andy

P.S. The XYL thinks it looks great too!

[sideband]

P.S. The XYL thinks it looks great too!

You're lucky!

Mine would have said something about 'More junk in the house'!

[Alistair D]

A couple of points re your KW2000.

There was a series of articles in a mag called Amateur Radio Today? back in the 80s. It covered refurbishments and some improvements. I cannot find an e copy of the articles online. If no one can help with this I am sure I have a hard copy somewhere that I can scan.

One of the main problems(other than cap reforming) powering up for the first time is the VOX circuit. There are some high value resistors and electrolytic caps involved that can lead to the rig being stuck in transmit. To avoid any damage to the PA you need ensure it is disabled.

The PA stage has a couple of 6146s. Do not pull them. Their heaters are wired for 12V operation. They are not balanced so that without them some other valves will be overrun. The safest way to disable the PA is to disconnect the screen feeds to th 6146s

Al

[Niall]

The "series of modification articles" mentioned above is the Ham Radio Today series. Copies of these went to Andy along with the manual, which is available on the VMARS site.

The rig was powered up a few months ago, initially via a lamp limiter, and was not stuck in transmit.

[Michael Watterson]

I'm happy with my FT101ZD MkIII.
I'd feel a 19 set if I had one again would only be for special occasions.

Collins and Swan nice valve rigs and KW2000 of course.

Early synth gear is inferior to the last VFO + crystals hybrids.

FT897 is a lovely modern rig, or for really portable QRP the FT817ND (which I have).

73 de EI9FEB
(formerly GI8JTR)