I spent part of today listing some things to sell on eBay, and I picked up several things for the shack — like I need to buy more, eh??? LOL, just ask my wife!!
First, as is my usual weekend routine, I keep my eyes peeled for good deals on Morse keys, particularly semi-automatic ones (i.e. “bugs”). My last good find I detailed in the previous entry. I've since straightened the keying lever's slightly bent spring, and tried it out. The contacts are dirty, but it has a nice action and works well. I need to clean the base, but I'm going to do it with some gentle cleaner. I don't want to scrub off the original gold striping. This key is rather rare becuase it doesn't have the typical (for this period) black japanned finish. It has a black crinkle finish from the factory. The finish is in very good shape, just dirty and dusty.
Today I picked up a rather nice looking Autronics key. This is a single lever CW key that's very unusual looking. I've seen nice examples of this key sell for upwards of $70. The one I bought was $42. Certainly something I can get my money back out of.
The other eBay CW goodie is yet another Cedar Rapids Bug … This one appears to be in mint condition with the exception of the finger piece, which is missing. I purchased some bakelite knobs and paddles that should fit this key, I just have to find them, lol! Anyway, I picked this key up for $24.99, quite a steal compared to the big bucks I paid for the one in the box.
I may clean up both keys and list them back on eBay in search of a profit … in order to buy more goodies.
I also splurged … I bought an HF rig tonight on eBay. I know I probably shouldn't have (after all, I'm pretty much radio poor). But this was a rig I've always wanted — an SB-1400, the Heathkit version of the Yaesu FT-747GX. The auction included the heavy duty power supply/speaker, and the whole unit will be going to my library for use there this winter while sitting near the wood stove.
The price was right — both items for just over $200. I nearly bought an Icom IC-735 that was also a Buy It Now item, but the seller had a feedback rating of “1” — not enough to instill my confidence to buy a radio from him. The 735 is a feature-rich rig, but it was also nearly $100 more. I wasn't that interested in spending more than $300 on yet another HF rig.
What I really want is another Yaesu FT-757GX. I would like to find one for a good price (about $300). I had one for years and want another one. I don't know why, beyond nostalgia. It was my first “modern” rig (all solid state). Other than its tendency for front-end overload, it's a fine rig.
I've got eBay auctions going now that hopefully will pay for all or most of the things I've bought. I have some other stuff to list, too. I have a Swan 350C with power supply that I never unboxed. Hell, I bought it probably 2 years ago. I need to unbox it and try it out.
I have a working Swan 350, but it's rather touchy when it comes to tune up. There's something slightly out of kilter on it, but it does play pretty well. I enjoy listening to it. I would like to wind up with one Swan that works well and sell the other one.
Now for other rigs I'm not using, I have a Icom 706 in the box that I would like to put in my Durango. I also have an Alinco DX-77T that has sticky T/R relays. I would love to get that fixed and sell it. I also have a Kenwood TS-50 with the AT-50 auto tuner. That's probably one of the best plain HF rigs Kenwood's made. It's a solid performer. I need to sell it.
Well, that's about it for this installment. I'm looking forward to the SB-1400, though the seller wasn't a ham and couldn't vouch for its ability to transmit. I may wind up getting it serviced if need be. For the price I paid, I'm willing to take that gamble.
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The big “Omnibus” FCC Report & Order sure has hams talking. It's such a big change in the phone band allocations for 80 and 40 meters. I've noticed that it seems a lot of guys are listing their Novice subband crystals this weekend. Those crystals are now going to be pretty cheap since the 80 Novice subband is going to be Extra phone territory.
I wouldn't mind picking up some crystals just to get the FT-243 holders. I might be able to get them ground for a lower frequency … though I think most “regrinding” actually moves the frequency higher. Hmmm…
I have some homebrew xmtrs that need crystals, so I guess there'll be a run on new crystals now that the band is changing.
That's all for this trip …. 73 es cul … de KY4Z … dit dit ….