I was licensed in 1958 as KN5TAN. Became K5TAN in 1959. Held WA4UQT for a few years in the 60s and 70s, as well as HL9WP in 1970/1971.
My first piece of real ham gear was a Globe Chief 90A, a Christmas present
after getting my Novice license. I struggled along with a short wave
broadcast receiver without a BFO, trying in vain to make contacts for several
months. My parents took pity on me and gave me a Hallicrafters S-38E.
I got on phone (still with crystals) with a Johnson screen modulator and
then the Globe UM-1 plate modulator. Two summers of lawn mowing later
I bought a Drake 2B. I used a Heath VF-1 borrowed from a friend until
he got his General license, then a modified ARC-5 transmitter as a VFO.
In 1963 I put a Haath HX-20 with the Drake 2B and soon thereafter added
a homebrew 4-65A linear (90 watts PEP just didn't cut it). While
in college I traded the HX-20 and Drake 2B in on a Galaxy III. Used
it mostly mobile for 3 or 4 years. After another 4 years or so, got
a Yaesu FT-101. Used the -101 for 7 or 8 years and traded it on the
Icom 735. I operate mostly CW on the Icom 735, but have recently
become interested in collecting Collins S-Line gear. The picture below
shows the current shack. The IC-735 is the only original rig there,
although I do still have my original Globe Chief 90A and UM-1. The
Globe Chief in the picture was acquired as a parts rig along with the 755A
VFO. I always wanted one of those when I had my Globe Chief.
I hope to get my Globe Chief, UM-1 and the 755A working on AM soon. The
HX-20/HR-20/HP-20 was a $50 hamfest purchase. A few caps and a crystal
later, they are working just fine!
I recently purchased a "fixer-upper" 30S-1 kilowatt amplifier. I have completed the restoration of the power supply cabinet (except I'm not satisfied with the paint so I'm going to have to wet sand, polish, and maybe wax a little). To see some pictures of the work in progress, click on the picture below.
For those also restoring one of these classics, I am posting a picture of some alternate high voltage switches I have located for the 30S-1. The black switch on the left is an original switch. The red indicator in the middle is a replacement and, although the picture doesn't show it well, is standing off the panel by about a millimeter. The red switch on the right is a replacement switch with the collar ground off so it sits flush on the panel.
Collins Radio Updates and Bulletins
Click the link to download one:
32S-3 Manual Addendum dated 15 October
1962 for manuals dated August 15,1962
This addendum describes a strange temporary variant of the 32S-3 which
eliminated the balanced mixer after the balanced modulator. I have
such a 32S-3. This modification was ultimately reversed and the balanced
mixer reinstated.
Revision to 30L-1 SB-1 dated August 21,
1967
This updated SB describes corrective action necessary to some 30L-1s
which left the factory with the hot and neutral power lines reversed from
the schematic, and corrects the modification descriptions to convert the
units to 220VAC.
