Renewing an old acquaintance …

I've been rooting around in my radio junk storage area (i.e. basement and attic) looking for treasures to unload — er, I mean “sell” — in order to build up my radio fund. With Catholic school tuition starting this month, I've got to turn some of my stuff into cash if I want to buy some new ham radio toys.

I ran across my Alinco DX-70T HF+6 mobile transceiver that has been boxed up and sealed since I sent it out for service more than a year ago.

A relay on the bandpass filter board was acting up, and I found a super technician to fix it — Kuni, W7JV. He's owner of ComTek, a service center that handles warranty work for Icom and Alinco, among others. Check out his eHam feedback, people love Kuni. He was fast on my repair, and even shipped it back with a bill rather than hold it until I mailed him a check. Prices are very reasonable. I think he'll tackle anything but most people mention his repairing their Icom and Alinco. I think he was formerly with the Icom service department.

Anyhow, I was thinking of parting ways with the DX-70T. After the relay started acting up, I replaced the Alinco with an Icom 706, and boxed the Alinco. It sat for more than a year before I ever got around to sending it off.

I figured before I sell it, I better make sure it works. I've been listening to it this evening, and I'm impressed with how well it works. The receiver has a better sound to it than my Icom 706 (original version), the audio is just more pleasant sounding. The filters work well on both SSB and CW, and its got both a preamp and selectable levels of attenuation (10 and 20 db).

Hooked to the external speaker I was using with the Kenwood TS-430, the little rig makes a very good showing of itself. I only wish it was the high power 6 meter version.

Its still not a bad radio. I sell them go occasionally for a bargain price on eBay. I'm beginning to think the DX-70T(H) may be the true sleeper in ham radio values on eBay.

That's it for now. 73.