01/19/2008 | AB6QK For several years, I had wanted to revive as much of my old 1959 novice setup as I could for SKN. I finally did it this year! I still had everything but the original surplus/homebrew receiver. I used my father's (W6ZIF - SK) HRO 60 which he gave to me for a number of years after I became a general class, so that is what I used on straight key night, along with the old Heath DX-40 and VF-1 vfo.

There were a few challenges getting the old gear working again. The HRO60 had low sensitivity, traced to a very flat 6BE6 which I replaced. The VF-1 mostly needed cleaning of the band switch, and surprised me with the catastrophic failure of a line buffer cap in the home brew built in power supply! The DX 40 came up as if it had never been shut down!

The bands were really crowded this year! So much for CW being a dead mode I'd say! I think I had more fun reviving the old station than the actual operating. I recommend reviving the old gear if you can! -- AB6QK