Do You Remember

radioconsult · Post by **radioconsult** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 12:00 pm

Now that the weather is turning, we can set around the fireplace and think back to the good old days. Do you remember 140D's, Twin V's, 41V,s; 2E26's 6146's glowing in the dark. The smell of a finely tuned dynamoter, "A" receivers, "G" receivers, G-1701 vibrators, QC, RM-10 ovens, Compa Stations, 1/4 KW Stations. When 450 radios almost worked! When the difference between a simple system or a complicated system was whether it was PL or not. Yep I remember those days. Then M ruined everything and came out with that Motrac line, long live the U43HHT-1100B. Not to mention the test equipment, model 80's Lampkin 105's and we still have our Bird 43's. How about portables with 2 or 3 different batteries, remember the 67 1/2 volt stuff? When was the last time you put up a run of RG-17?Those where the good old days, I remember.

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 2:37 pm

One better: A hopped-up U73LHT3400AK hundred watter pumping out better than 150 at the antenna, bringing up every on-channel repeater in the entire state on a cool autumn evening. Dragonflies landing on the tip of the antenna (corona ball fell off...) and burning off when you hit the PTT. Tube power does seem to hit harder, somehow. The distinctive smell of ozone that surrounds some operating Motracs! 5894 high power output tubes with cracks in them, caused by overheating, cracking the envelope.

Peaking the transmitter with GREAT CARE.

Servicing the HV supply while feeling something akin to raw terror.
Hand-selecting preamp tubes for your own personal radio, trying to find that magical one that gets your radio to full quieting at .010 microvolts.

Getting one in for repair that was struck straight on the antenna by lightning...and you get it fixed without too much trouble.

Yeah, I got into radios when most Motracs were out of service, but I learned a few things about them that have made me a better radio tech.

Elroy

Tom in D.C. · Post by **Tom in D.C.** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 5:00 pm

In 1946 I was ten years old,and the very first mobile radio I ever saw was in the back of a D.C. taxicab which had brought my father home from the RR station. The driver opened the trunk and I saw what I much later learned were a pair of GE coffin boxes, probably model 4ER's or something like that. I never again saw a set of these radios which were as new and shiny - - remember that FM radio was in its infancy at the time. The next time I saw coffin boxes was in piles of junk at Gregory's in North Jersey many, many years later.

Tom in D.C.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 5:05 pm

You guys are addressing the "Later" model
radios.

How about a 30D? Doghouse Radio which
were positive ground, and weighed as much
as a sack of concret.

Not to mention the phone book service manuel.

To bad the Cloth on the the DC Power Cables ( which are about 1" thick for the negitive and postive source )tend to fall off after 50 years. BUT, the RADIO STILL WORKS !!

The Dyno turns faster than the car engine when running...Yep, those were the days of replacing Brushes, Contacts, Tubes, and the like. Not to mention the famous HT200 !!

WoW what a Great Portable, and it almost made
1 watt on UHF Freqs with a fresh battery.

Mention a Vibrator, and you might get a funny
look.

I will someday post a photo of the great musuem pices such as the Doghouse Radio, HT200's and the LunchBox Portables

MS

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Fri Oct 12, 2001 5:59 pm

I have the most gorgeous, nearly fresh from the package condition HT200 (low band) on 49.000 MHz in my collection. Actually, I have two of them, but this one is in outstanding shape, inside and out. If I had a battery for it it'd probably work. It is probably going to be sent to Motorola's museum due to its excellent shape and intact KSC property/inventory tags that positively identify this radio as one that was undoubtedly used in support of the Apollo program, and earlier programs as well. Its latest tag is FY 82. Tell me they didn't hang on to that one long enough!

Elroy

USPSS · Post by **USPSS** » Sat Oct 13, 2001 3:06 am

Hello again, my passion is RF. I also like to collect vintage police cars, I have currently restored 37 of them dating back to 1940, All with LA Sheriff markings in showroom condition, I have all equipment as was installed in the original cars, mostly donated from the Sheriff's Dept. I have combinations of GE, RCA, Areotron (some never new that existed out there) and Motorola, all radio's work. I have worked on everyone from the Motrac up. It is harder and harder to find someone who can tune up the Vibra radio. Just to note I am looking for a 1978 Chevy Malibu Police car to fill in the one hole I have???????

Thanks
Stan

Cowthief · Post by **Cowthief** » Sat Oct 13, 2001 5:48 pm

Do not forget, the WWII " handi-talkie " the thing that started it all, mine has a solid state supply, works good, but HF FM?.