For those following my transmitter build thread, I have stopped working on that for the summer, as I predicted. In fact, I have become very distracted. Next year, I will celebrate 50 years as a licensed Ham Radio operator. For some two years now, I have been trying to duplicate my 1975 station. I am proud to announce that I have accomplished the goal with a lot of help from eBay and Facebook marketplace. Here is the story...

It was in 1972 when I first discovered 'radio' in the elementary school library. Soon, I had learned about something called "Ham Radio" where I could have a shortwave radio station in my bedroom that would enable me to listen to and TALK to others all over the world. In the pre-internet world, that was a big deal.

By 1975, I was 15 and licensed as WN8VUX after learning Morse code (required back then) and passing both a code test and written test (on radio theory and FCC rules concerning Amateur Radio). This would soon set the course for what I wanted as a career: Radio. I would pass the FCC Second and First Class exams at age 19, granting me the legal ability to work in AM and FM radio as well as TV as a "broadcast engineer". I worked freelance for two local radio stations, making just under $50 per hour (big money in 1979) as a contract employee - I worked 8-12 hours a month.

By 1983, I was employed in land mobile (or "two-way") radio as a technician, working on radios systems used by police, fire, schools and businesses. Today, I am still in that field, working for EF Johnson, a JVCKenwood company, as a Systems Solutions Engineer. Ham Radio led me into a lifelong career that I have enjoyed so much, that it feels like I have not worked a day in my 40 year career.

You see, ham radio started it all, so...................
WHAT THIS POST IS REALLY ABOUT: I have wanted to duplicate my 1975 novice class ham radio station for the past few years. I have managed to do just that, using vintage equipment from back then. Each photo below will have comments on it explaining what you are looking at. This equipment works, but I have some leaky power supply capacitors and weak tubes to replace. (Such parts are still available, the tubes are "new old stock" from the 60s.) I will have it all up to specs by August of 2025, the 50th anniversary of my very first contact on the 40 meter band, running CW (on-off keyed morse code). I have not duplicated the antennas I used, but I will do so by next summer, in time to go on the air (as WR8Y this time) and mark the occasion by working someone on 40 meter CW (morse code) using vintage equipment.

 

The WN8VUX station (my FCC-assigned callsign in 1975). This radio equipment is not my original, but it is all the same model and was all built in the same era: late 1960s-early 1970s.

My version was used when I got it, another ham built it and it changed hands many times, as this was a beginner station. As you upgraded your license, you gained privileges (like transmitting voice or running higher power) that the HW-16 did not support.

Notice the desk lamp, I found it on eBay, it is an authentic fluorescent desk lamp, the same as I had in 1975. As you can see, it works, but I wonder if they even make those tubes anymore. (Not that I care.)

I do not remember what speaker I had back then, I found the one on the right at GoodWill for $8. I think I used one of the speakers off my 8track tape player back in 1975.

 

The Heathkit HW-16. I found this one last summer in Michigan, it is an impressively new and clean radio considering it is no less than 50 years old.

The log book is my log from my time as WB8VUX, when I upgraded to an Advanced class license; my novice log was the same version, but it is lost to history.

 

I found a LaFayette SWR/power meter, same as I had back then, new-in-box, on eBay for $15!

I checked it with lab equipment from the office, it is accurate to within 3%.

 

WB8RXG was the man who got me started by selling my parents the HW-16 in 1975. Louie was a WWII morse code operator, I never thought I'd be able to do what he did with the code. WD8LQU was a good local friend who died when I was 18.

Not shown is a card from Sam, WB8NDZ, another local ham who was a major influence and great friend.

All these men are gone now. "Silent Keys" as we say.

WN4ABF was my first real contact, over 350 miles away.
WN7ZVG was my first contact on 15 meters, I was using an antenna built from two pieces of electrical conduit - over 2500 miles on less than 40 watts!
Both guys were teenagers, as was I, back then.

 

The Transmitter VFO, just like I had, an HG-10B. (Again, someone took care of this equipment, the HW-16 and HG-10B went out of production by 1975.)

Back in 1975, Louie sold me a Morse key Like this one I found on eBay. Someone had mounted the key to a block of aluminum to make it stable - as you can see, I found a company that provides custom aluminum pieces. (That block of aluminum was the last item in making this station a reality.)

 

The books are what I studied to pass the exams. The gray one is an original 1972 copy of "The Ameco Theory Course" I found on eBay (mine went missing years ago).
The 1974 ARRL handbook is my original one from 1974 as is the VHF manual. These three books got me my novice license, then my Technician license and (with some additional material) my Advanced class licenses.

In THIS picture, I had turned the box around that the SWR meter came in. (It came with the four page manual and the warranty registration post card.

 

I forgot about this picture - The meter, manual (four pages) and warranty registration card. Only OLD people will remember mailing in the registration cards!

 

Sam, WB8NDZ. A friend and mentor who I will always remember.
Photo from our Ham Radio "Field Day" in 1977 or so.

 

Louie, WB8RXG, friend and mentor.
Photo from our ham radio "Field Day".

 

The fact that you were able to work in a field that you enjoyed so much is awesome!
I have been following your transmitter build and I find it fascinating.
I'm amazed that you can still find the parts to assemble your transmitter and I look forward to seeing more of your posts.

 

Good for you Mark!
I could not wish for anything more for any young person. Find an interest and follow it your entire life: making it your "job" is the best one can do.
I'm certain it did not always come easy, so fortitude is a necessary character trait. Congratulations to you and every other who followed their dream.

PS I built a Heath Kit multi band receiver while in grade school and used it for years; But that's long gone.

 

I gotta get back on that, but summer is motorcycle season and Ive also been building a new desk/bench....