Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021
I’ve been enjoying the Ten-Tec Paragon up in Studio C these past few days, not just for operating CW but just for casual monitoring. I’ve also been switching off between the Paragon and my Hallicrafters SR-400 Cyclone, which has a very nice receiver to listen to.
I’ve listened to the Cyclone’s CW signal on a web-based SDR and it sounds good; however, I wasn’t aware that the Cyclone lacks a sidetone when operating CW. I would really prefer to operate a bug with the Cyclone, but I still need a sidetone. I have a couple different MFJ keyer/Bencher key combinations, like the MFJ-422, and that setup is very versatile because it can key modern rigs as well as old tube gear.
I haven’t really learned the “proper” tune-up procedure for the Cyclone, so until I get that down, I’m not going to partake in any QSOs. But that will come.
My wife has asked me to move the stack of DX Engineering boxes out of our foyer that contain my still, new-in-the-box Yaesu FTDX101MP, power supply and my new Heil headset and cables, etc.
Since the new Yaesu arrived, I’ve completely changed my plans and started to move the shack upstairs to Studio C. So tomorrow afternoon, I’m going to make room in Studio C to move those boxes. Making room won’t be too painful; I need to break down some shipping boxes and store them, throw some things away, and consolidate some boxes of general stuff.
Until I get my desks up in Studio C, everything is kind of in limbo. I have the Cyclone on my bench temporarily, while in the current operating position, I have the Paragon, my TS-530S and my Tempo 2020 and VFO.
KENWOOD TS-520SE VS TS-530S. I really, really enjoy the Kenwood TS-530S, especially since the radio is equipped with the factory CW filter. But to be honest, I really think the TS-520 is a better looking radio. I just like the classic looks of the TS-520S and TS-520SE, the later models with the dark main dial.
When I can clear off the bench, I need to replace the power supply caps on the TS-520SE. I would really like to get that radio transmitting again. If I can get the rig transmitting again, I would consider selling the TS-530S — if I can locate a CW filter for the TS-520.
If I have to chose one of the two rigs — all things being equal — I’ll chose the TS-520. There’s an external Kenwood VFO for the TS-530S now on eBay; if I can buy that VFO, it may mean I’ll let the TS-520SE go.
HAMMARLUND HQ-170. I probably paid too much money for it, but I bought a working Hammarlund HQ-170C on eBay earlier this month. It was one of those spur-of-the-moment, unplanned purchases. My plan is to pair it with the Knight Kit transmitter and VFO on 80 and 40 meters, though honestly, I didn’t really need the HQ-170.
I sold one that didn’t receive that I excavated from the attic e late last year, but I paid a premium for a working example, which was OK.
I may or may not keep the Hammarlund; it was one of the most expensive receivers I’ve ever had to ship. I’m going to keep the box this one arrived in just in case I end up selling it in the near future.
SHACK SALE? I guess I’m going to have to decide what radios I wish to keep in my main shack setup and which I don’t. Most of my original shack operation was centered on the rigs on the corner desk, which included a variety of rigs, but now includes my Yaesu FT-2000 with speaker; my Heathkit HW-16 and HG-10 VFO; my Heathkit SA-2060 tuner; my Hallicrafters FPM-300 transceiver; my Heathkit HW-8 QRP rig; and my original Ten-Tec Paragon.
I expect to keep all of these rigs, but I probably won’t use the FT-2000 once I move the shack to Studio C. The Paragon may stay, but I have other rigs to consider. My left side desk has my Tempo 2020 station,which fills one 4-foot wide shelf; my HR-1680 receiver; a SGC-2000; an SGC-2020; a Swan XC-117 and several bugs. The Tempo station will likely remain; the other rigs will probably come off, depending on if I want to keep or sell them. Decisions, decisions!
73 es CUL … de KY4Z …. SK … SK …. (dit dit) …