With modern inflation I guess nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
I think it’s time for a antique/veteran/vintage/old radio event on SOTA. The idea is to go an show that the stuff gathering dust in your shack cupboards is still viable. There’s a couple of polls below to see who, if anyone, has activator and/or chaser equipment that is coming up to its 50th birthday. Just answer for your oldest radio.
We can have sections for activating, chasing using older radios and also using older ancillaries such as microphones, morse keys etc.
I have a radio that I can use for a SOTA activation that is ?
Over 50 years old
45 - 50 years old
40 - 45 years old
35 - 40 years old
30 - 35 years old
30 or fewer years old
0voters
I have a radio that I can use for a SOTA chase that is ?
Over 50 years old
45 - 50 years old
40 - 45 years old
35 - 40 years old
30 - 35 years old
30 or fewer years old
0voters
I believe these polls are now G3CWI question compliant
You can use websites like RigPix.com to get a rough idea when different models of radio where on sale. You can also peak inside and check the date codes on ICs to get an idea when the set was manufactured. i.e. many Japanese sets may use an IC like the JRC 4558 dual opamp. That will have a number on like JRC 4558D 8126. The number 8126 meaning the chip was made week 26 1981. Making the chip 44 years old and probably the set is 43 - 44 years old.
My first SOTA rig was an FT-290R which I used to good effect on 2m SSB, CW and FM until I bought an FT-817 at the end of 2006.
I did take my 1976 vintage TR-7010 out to activate Ward’s Stone G/SP-003 back in 2009. I regularly chase with my 1983 vintage TS -430S. Unfortunately I don’t have any SOTA-suitable valved equipment any more… my nostalgia radio, an Eddystone 840C, is definitely not moving out of the shack.
As used in 2012, I still have this FT290 and amplifier…which might have been produced a bit later?
I also have a nice TR7200G from the 1960s, with a few crystal channels to choose from. It’s a bit heavy for SOTA, but very efficient. IIRC it draws about 50mA on rx, quiet channel and without the filament back light on.
The TR-7200G was available from 1974. Good old Lowe’s were selling them for £140 (inc vat) in October 1974 Radcom. The Bank of England UK inflation calculator says that that amount is equal to £1071 of today’s money.
Similar to my TR 2300. That is only 450mA on TX. 'tis merely a massive 1W unfortunately
I have a rather battered FT290R mk 1, which I worked most of western EU with using a 25 watt amp and an 8 el Jbeam. It still works but I don’t know how well!
Just for reference, according to Rigpix the Mk1 came out in 1981 and was superceded by the Mk2 in 1986, but I would guess that they were all made in short production runs so the introduction year would give the age for all. On that basis my TS520S was probably made in 1977 and is 48 years old.
I’ve been wanting to drag my Ten-Tec Century 21 on to a summit… this might be the push I need =)
It was made in 1977. I’ve used it for chasing SOTA many times, as well as my Ten-Tec Century 22 (made in 1980). Neither rig is very heavy (for a desktop radio!), but they are bulky. Both require a special fast-acting circuit breaker between a 12V DC supply and the radio - if current draw is too high, it shuts power off to the radio. Crude but effective way to protect the finals. The Century 21 has this circuit built in to the internal power supply, but an external breaker must be used when powering the radio via battery.
My first portable rig was a secondhand FT290 Mk. I pre-SOTA (early 90’s) with which [using a cheap, small but not miniature straight key] I did 2m CW QSOs from hills in the Central Lowlands (Scotland) with helpful locals to practise my Morse prior to taking the Morse test. Happy days!.
Ok, there’s some HF vintage gear appearing which is great because now we can aim for intercontinental QRP-QRP on vintage gear I don’t have any vintage HF gear, I sold my Tokyo Hi-Power 2m->HF transverter a while back. What I have left if less than 30yrs old.
I should do another poll with questions like “I have 1x FT290MKI”, “I have 2x FT290MK1”, “I have many FT290MK1” as they’re a bit like FT817s from 40+ years ago.
Now that this restoration project is up and running, it could be trolleyed into the Az of a drive up summit It only puts out a watt of AM though. Another trolley for the battery. Maybe some earplugs for bystanders due to the gene-motor. Manufacture date is 1955.
